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 Tares Chorus Girl #1