Angela Bassett Opens Up About The Challenges She Endured While Filming “What’s Love Got To Do With It”: “I Literally Wailed, Cried For 16 Hours”

Angela Bassett recalls the physically and emotionally challenges she faced while getting into character for her role as Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”

During an interview with People Magazine for their recent cover story, Bassett reminisced about the period she spent preparing to portray the legendary singer Tina Turner. As you may remember, Bassett took on the role of Turner in the film directed by Brian Gibson, co-starring Laurence Fishburne as the singer’s long-time musical partner and abusive husband, Ike Turner.

“It’s not playtime or acting. You assess a part of your spirit in the portrayal when you really connect,” Bassett said.

“To portray the particular violence of rape was just emotionally draining and would be for anyone,” she added. “I literally wailed, cried for 16 hours, whether I was on-screen or off-screen for my costars. I probably wouldn’t do that today. But during that time we were just so committed through the fire.”

Nevertheless, Bassett mentioned that Fishburne frequently acted as her supporter on the set of the biopic, especially during the filming of the intense and violent scenes, which sometimes extended to 16-hour days.

“I was newbie on the scene, I don’t have so much influence or say,” she added. “But I had an advocate who would join me by my side and we would say, in a firm and delicate way, ‘We got it.'”

Although filming “What’s Love Got to Do with It” presented significant challenges, leading to Bassett’s first Oscar nomination, the actress describes the film as “a genuine turning point in my life.” She recognized during its production that it held the potential to profoundly impact her life and career trajectory.