a young 28 year old diana ross earn an oscar nomination for this 1972 movie about billie holiday . lady sing the blue be a song write by jazz singer billie holiday and and jazz pianist herbie nichols . it be the title song to her 1956 album . in my opinion i think diana ross do an ok job at portray the troubled billie holiday . the many ups and down of this famous singer be bring to life with diana performance . a co star in the movie who i think do a great job be 32 year old richard pryor . pryor come through really well a someone who offer much support to billie holiday from very early on . although there be some doubt of the accuracy of the book in which this movie be base and i still find it enjoyable enough to watch .