While the stripper dramaHustlersopened torave reviewsand amassive box officelast weekend, one of the inspirations behind the hit film remains unimpressed.
The movie isbased on a true storydetailed in a 2015New York Magazinearticle titled “The Hustlers at Scores,” about New York City strippers who drugged their wealthy clients in order to use their credit cards to run up large bills at the strip club.
In a recent interview withVanity Fair, Barbash shared her thoughts on the movie, as well as Lopez’s portrayal of herself.
Though Barbash said she did not agree to participate in the production of the film, she sawHustlersalongside family members and friends, including her 25-year-old son, on Saturday night in Manhattan.
Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu star in HUSTLERS
“Everyone has been asking, ‘Did I see the movie?’ So I thought, Why don’t I just see the movie — because I knew I was going to have a lot of interviews about it this week,” she explained.
“I wasn’t really that impressed,” Barbash toldVanity Fair. “I was impressed with Jennifer. She was incredible. Her body looked incredible. She had it down to a T, but it wasn’t factual.”
“She had my birthmark that I have,” Barbash continued, referring to Lopez’s character Ramona. “I used to have a piercing on the top of my lip. She had it on the bottom. She had a tattoo on her finger. I had it on my wrist.”
However, Barbash said Ramona’s mannerisms were not similar to her own, explaining, “I am nothing like that in person.”
Barbash also said that the film’s emphasis on the friendship between Destiny and Ramona did not match her real-life experience. “She wasn’t a friend—she was a coworker… There was no sisterhood — it was business and that’s it,” she toldVanity Fair.
The one part ofHustlersthat Barbash did love?Cardi B.
“I love Cardi,” Barbash said. “Her 10 minutes was a great 10 minutes… It’s funny because, when I first heard that the film was coming out, [my business partner] said [she wished] Cardi would have played me. Even though she is not an actress, she was in the strip club world and she gets it. She would have maybe played a better me. Not taking away from Jennifer. But just because Cardi was in the business.”
“There is no hatred,” Barbash added. “I am still aJ. Lofan. I’m a Bronx native, how could I not be?”
STX Films
Barbash and Keo were eventually charged with two counts of conspiracy, four counts of grand larceny, two counts of assault and three counts of forgery, according toTIME. Both were sentenced to five years probation.
Since then, thewomen have moved on. Keo has written a book on the experience calledThe Sophisticated Hustlerand joined the cast of the film at the Toronto International Film Festival, where she posed for photographs.
Barbash, like Keo, has also written a book calledUnderscore,which is set to hit shelves later this month. Barbash also owns a spa.
The film, which also starsLizzo,Keke Palmer,Lili ReinhartandJulia Stiles, opened to an estimated $33.2 million last weekend, exceeding expectations and marking career highs for both Lopez and Wu.
Hustlersis in theaters now.
source: people.com
