Curtis Taylor Jr., the money-grubbing, payola-making, two-timing record exec played by Jamie Foxx in Dreamgirls, is a work of fiction – although the character is clearly based on the life of legendary Motown founder Berry Gordy. Dreamworks and Paramount, the companies behind the film, made strides toward separating fact from fiction yesterday by taking out a full-page ad in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. The ad reads, ?For any confusion that has resulted from our fictional work, we apologize to Mr. Gordy and all of the incredible people who were a part of that great legacy. It is vital that the public understand that the real Motown story has yet to be told.? Although Gordy has remained silent on the issue, some Motown stars have spoken out; Martha Reeves told The Detroit News, ?That?s not my Berry Gordy,? while Smokey Robinson told Access Hollywood that the producers of Dreamgirls ?owe Berry Gordy a public apology.? The public apology comes during the run-up to the Academy Awards on Sunday – surely no coincidence. For more on Gordy, click here.
