BEYONCE VISITED BROOKLYN PHOENIX HOUSE TO PREPARE FOR ETTA JAMES ROLE
New York, NY, November 23, 2008 —The upcoming “Cadillac Records” movie premiere will benefit Phoenix House, one of the nation’s leaders in drug and alcohol addiction treatment and education.
Beyonce, who portrays drug-ravaged R&B legend Etta James in the movie, spent extensive time talking to recovering addicts at Brooklyn’s Phoenix House facility. She talked to several people in recovery from heroin addiction to understand James’ struggle with drugs in the 50s.
“It was hard to go there,” Beyonce told The Los Angeles Times about her visit to Phoenix House. “In the beginning, I didn’t want to offend anyone, I didn’t want to ask the wrong questions or seem judgmental. They were so honest, tough, and I am so thankful. I don’t think I could’ve understood the level of pain or need. What they do there is amazing.”
Tickets to the Los Angeles (November 24, 2008) and New York (December 1, 2008) movie premieres and parties were auctioned off on the Phoenix House website www.phoenixhouse.org. “We are extremely grateful to Beyonce for her support,” said Howard Meitiner, CEO of Phoenix House. “She was so moved by our clients; stories and Phoenix House’s work that she has graciously offered to help support our programs through this auction.”
Beyonce stars alongside Oscar winner Adrien Brody as Chess Records founder Leonard Chess in the new film, which also features Mos Def, Cedric the Entertainer, Gabrielle Union, and Jeffrey Wright. Cadillac Records opens December 5th.
ABOUT PHOENIX HOUSE
Phoenix House is one of the nation’s leading non-profit substance abuse prevention and treatment service organizations.
We serve more than 7,000 men, women (including women with children) and teens each day at more than 120 drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs in nine states – California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont .
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Media Contact:
Karen Sodomick
(646) 505-2093
KSodomick@phoenixhouse.org