Queen Latifah
— Bessie Smith
Mo'Nique
— Ma Rainey
Mike Epps
— Richard
Tika Sumpter
— Lucille
Michael Kenneth Williams
— Jack Gee
Charles S. Dutton
— William 'Pa' Rainey
Bryan Greenberg
— John Hammond
Oliver Platt
— Carl Van Vechten
Khandi Alexander
— Viola
Tory Kittles
— Clarence
Kamryn Johnson
— Young Bessie
Rikki McKinney
— Chorus Guy
Alan T. Coleman
— Stagehand
Clay Chappell
— '81' Theatre Owner
Sharan C. Mansfield
— Miss Taylor
Neko Parham
— Rehearsal Director
Onira Tarés
— Chorus Girl
Jhoni Davis
— Chorus Girl
Jim R. Coleman
— Host
Melissa Youngblood
— Theatergoer
Jennifer Sears
— Ma's Main Girl
Briana Starks
— Ma's Dancer
Todd Allen Durkin
— Nightclub Manager
Crystal Lee Brown
— Bessie's Dancer
Hunter Womack
— Roadie
Christopher Harvey
— Roadie
Tia Hendricks
— Doreen Dupree
Marie Burke
— Etta Johnson
Terence Rosemore
— Detroit Theater Manager
Karri Mack
— Wild Child