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
Joe Knezevich
Frank Walker
Jeremie Harris
Langston Hughes
Jennifer Sears
Ma's Main Girl
Crystal Lee Brown
Bessie's Dancer
Terence Rosemore
Detroit Theater Manager
L. Warren Young
Sharkish Man
Tia Hendricks
Doreen Dupree
Whitney Goin
Fania Van Vechten
Neko Parham
Rehearsal Director
Kaden Washington Lewis
Swarm Boy #1
Alkoya Brunson
Swarm Boy #2
Todd Allen Durkin
Night Club Owner
Swift Rice
Stage Hand
Jim R. Coleman
Host
Jessejames Locorriere
Vanity Fair Editor
Onira Tarés
Chorus Girl #1
Jhoni Davis
Chorus Girl #2
Hunter Womack
Roadie #1
Christopher Harvey
Roadie #2
Marie Burke
Etta Johnson
Levi Erik
Benny Goodman
Nicole Spiezio
Marguerite d'Alvarez
Bralyn Stokes
Harry Pace
Sylvester Ambrose James II
Jack Gee Jr.
Briana Starks
Ma's Dancer
Alan T. Coleman
Stagehand
Tray Williams
Stage Crew (uncredited)