USHER - NO DREAMGIRLS FOR USHER

LATEST: R+B superstar USHER's manager/mother has rubbished reports her son is set to star opposite BEYONCE KNOWLES in a new movie.

Usher was named alongside JAMIE FOXX as co-stars in Knowles' new project DREAMGIRLS in trade paper VARIETY earlier this week (beg09MAY05), but the singer's mother JONNETTA PATTON insists her son won't be playing Beyonce's boyfriend anytime soon.

She states her son has not signed on for the project, which is an adaptation of a Broadway musical about Motown trio THE SUPREMES.

In a statement issued yesterday (13MAY05), Patton says, "Usher has not confirmed his participation in the film Dreamgirls, and a deal has not been set or finalized (corr)."

Knowles has signed on to play DEENA JONES, the leader of a trio of female soul singers, who cross over to the pop charts during the early 1960s.

The film is being directed by Brit BILL CONDON, who also wrote the screenplay.

Usher was billed to play the group's choreographer in the film, while Foxx is still believed to be playing the trio's manager.