Beyoncé @ the Premiere of Cadillac Records @ the Egyptian Theater. Los Angeles

Actor Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union, Eamonn Walker, producer Sofia Sondervan, actress/singer Beyonce, actor Adrien Brody, producer Andrew Lack and actor Columbus Short arrive at the premiere of "Cadillac Records" held at The Egyptian Theater on November 24, 2008 in Hollywood, California.











































YOU SEE THOSE SHOES? WUT?!?! :-)

& the ring lol





Beyonce and co-stars spread the word about 'Cadillac Records'

Beyonce, who plays Etta James, credits Chess Records artists with getting African-American artists on the radio and influencing the Beatles and Rolling Stones. "Their stories are so important and need to be told, because it would be no Beyonce or any of us out right now."

By Kelley L. Carter, USA TODAY

The best part about working for Beyoncé Knowles?

"I got to kiss my boss!" exclaimed Adrien Brody, who stars with Knowles in Cadillac Records. Knowles was also the executive producer for the film, which opens Dec. 5.

Brody was one of several co-stars who hit the red carpet Monday night for the film's Los Angeles premiere. The movie chronicles the rise of Chess Records, a Chicago label that ultimately helped launch the sound of rock 'n' roll music.

It tells the real-life stories of key figures of that era — Muddy Waters, Etta James, Little Walter and Chuck Berry.

"Their stories are so important and need to be told, because it would be no Beyoncé or any of us out right now," said Knowles, who was dressed in Dolce & Gabbana. "They were the first African Americans to cross over on the radio before Motown and it's something that I didn't know. I didn't know that rock 'n' roll came from Chess Records. And I didn't know that the Rolling Stones and the Beatles and all these people copied their music. And it's great for them to finally get their due."

Knowles, who also recently released an album, was getting her own due Monday night. Co-stars praised her work for her role as James.

"I swear to God, after this, there will be no more questions about whether she's an actress or a singer. She is an actress," said British actor Eamonn Walker, who co-starred in the film.

Gabrielle Union, who has known Knowles for years, agreed.

"I like Beyoncé because the check cleared, and if it didn't, I'd know where to find her," joked Union, dressed in navy blue Reem Acra. "She's obviously incredibly talented. When you watch her transform into Etta James and really channel her and her pain and that journey, it's powerful. As a boss and as a fellow actress, she's the bomb."

Jeffrey Wright, who portrays Waters, said she gave the cast an extraordinary lift.

"She came and did wonderful work as a part of an ensemble that came to get down," he said. "And she deflects a lot of the tremendous amount of light that shined on her toward this music and these lives, and that's a great gift for the film."

Brody added: "She came with it. She was just so strong and allowed herself to be vulnerable. It made me really happy. She brought truth to the role."

And now that she has tackled James, is there another legend she'd love to take on?

"I'd love to play Eartha Kitt," said Knowles. "She's amazing. Her story is really interesting, all the things that she went through. Wow."