Back in 1963, Elizabeth Taylor, then the hottest actress in the world, starred as Cleopatra in an over-the-top, star-studded blockbuster with a $31 million budget — equal to $327 million in today’s dollars.
Taylor likely didn’t look much like the Egyptian queen, what with her lily-white skin and dark blue eyes with purple irises. But back then, everything wasn’t so politically correct and people didn’t take offense at meaningless things.
Skip ahead 60 years. Netflix’s new documentary “Queen Cleopatra” has drawn controversy and “blackwashing” claims after Adele James, a black actress, was cast in the lead role. And yes, in fact, historical records show Cleopatra she wasn’t black, but Macedonian-Greek.
The documentary, part of the African Queens series, explores the rise and fall of the last pharaoh of
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!