Queen Latifah

Bessie Smith

Alan T. Coleman

Stagehand

Tory Kittles

Clarence

Tika Sumpter

Lucille

Neko Parham

Rehearsal Director

Onira Tarés

Chorus Girl

Jhoni Davis

Chorus Girl

Jim R. Coleman

Host

Melissa Youngblood

Theatergoer

Mo'Nique

Ma Rainey

Jennifer Sears

Ma's Main Girl

Charles S. Dutton

William 'Pa' Rainey

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

Michael Kenneth Williams

Jack Gee

Terence Rosemore

Detroit Theater Manager

Kaden Washington Lewis

Swarm Boy

Khandi Alexander

Viola

L. Warren Young

Sharkish Man

Bralyn Stokes

Harry Herbert Pace

Joe Knezevich

Frank Walker

Mike Epps

Richard

Troy Faruk

Brave Man

Jessejames Locorriere

Vanity Fair Editor

Oliver Platt

Carl Van Vechten

Whitney Goin

Fania Van Vechten

Jeremie Harris

Langston Hughes

Sylvester Ambrose James II

Jack Gee Jr.

Bryan Greenberg

John Hammond

Levi Erik

Benny Goodman

Tim McAdams

Shady Guy

Kenny Banks Jr.

Bessie's Band Member

Christopher L. Plunkett

Dancer

Alkoya Brunson

Swarm Boy #2 (uncredited)

Taurus Davis

Extra (uncredited)

Adella Gautier

Neighbor #2 (uncredited)

Damita Jane Howard

Jack's Lover (uncredited)

Andre Lamar

Cheering Fan (uncredited)

Trey McGriff

Pedestrian (uncredited)

John Merical

VIP Guest (uncredited)

Dan Michael

Theater Goer (uncredited)

Swift Rice

Stage Hand (uncredited)

Nicole Spiezio

Marguerite d'Alvarez (uncredited)

Dorothea Syleos

Switchboard Operator (uncredited)