Pass The Popcorn: Jimi Hendrix's Ex Slams Andre 3000 Biopic
Jimi Hendrix's ex-girlfriend Kathy Etchingham has publicly taken issue with All Is By My Side - the forthcoming Hendrix biopic featuring Andre 3000 as the late rocker - for what she considers its historical and stylistic inaccuracies. Etchingham is particularly offended by the visible age difference between Andre 3000 and Hendrix, who was in his early twenties during the period of the 60s when the film is set. The fashion of the film's stars is also a sticking point for Etchingham who was reportedly keen on wearing suits at that point in her life. She provided comment on the matter during a discussion with the UK's Sunday Express:
"It's got Austin Powers written all over it. I would not be seen dead in anything like that."
She also addressed the filmmakers' failure to include her in the creative process:
"I wrote them an email when I first heard about it saying if you want any help don't hesitate to contact me. They didn't reply. A lot of people will go and see it who have never read any of the biographies and they will think it's gospel truth. I don't want it to fundamentally change history."
The movie directed by John Ridley stars Andre 3000 as Jimi Hendrix alongside Hayley Atwell, who portrays Etchingham. The film also features Imogen Poots, Burn Gorman, and Ruth Negga. All Is By My Side plays this week at the Toronto International Film Festival.