lady sing the blue be the heavily fictionalize film biography of legendary cabaret chanteuse billie holliday and who rise to great stardom a one of the great blue impressionist of our time but and sadly and be never able to complete escape the multiple demon which haunt her for her entire life . diana ross make an impressive film debut in the role of lady day and which garner her an oscar nomination . though her opening scene play billie a a teenager be silly and unconvincing and ross delivers a riveting performance for the most part and guide by her svengali berry gordy and who make a brief cameo appearance a a drug dealer . billy dee williams officially become a star with his charismatic turn a louis mckay and billie true love and richard pryor also receive an oscar nomination for his funny and caustic performance a piano man and billie best friend and piano player and who be chase demon of his own . the film be lavishly mount with ross drape in some stunning costume that definitely merit oscar attention . ross get plenty of opportunity to sing and though she really doesn not sound anything like holliday do and she do capture the spirit of this tragic songbird . it not a great guide as far a provide fact about holliday life . it seem to gloss over holliday allege early day a a prostitute and her drug abuse and but it a grand example of storytelling on screen with a rivet leading character who will capture your heart .