On December 22, 1995, the groundbreaking film ‘Waiting to Exhale’ breathed long overdue new life into what women of color could look like on the big screen.
Toplined by Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon, the Terry McMillan novel-turned-movie’s megawatt cast was only outshone by the unforgettable, Babyface-helmed soundtrack that beckoned the talents of R&B’s leading ladies of the day – Mary J. Blige, TLC, Brandy, Toni Braxton, and more alongside legends Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, and Chaka Khan.
Defining a generation by tackling resonating topics and producing jaw-dropping scenes that have stood the test of time, the film’s recently announced reboot in TV series form will have big shoes to fill. Granted, the re-adaptation’s official cast has yet to be announced but That Grape Juice – much like fans of the flick – have already begun throwing in the names of modern day favorites to revive the film’s most memorable characters.
Join us inside as we count the 9 names we at least want to be part of the conversation when McMillan and Lee Daniels (the reported director) consider who should lead the new cast.