The 1996 classic film, “Set It Off,” had us all rooting for the underdogs. Despite the fact that the ladies were bank robbers, they were 4 friends from the hood of Los Angeles trying to make it. It’s a story of friendship that starred Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada Pinkett- Smith. Their chemistry and acting skills were so believable, that at one point, you forgot you were watching a movie. Each lady seemed perfect for their role, but surprisingly, Kimberly Elise was not the first choice for her role as “T.T.”

Fans were first introduced to then veteran actress, Elise, in the classic film, when she played the character of “Tisean ‘T.T.’ Williams.  T.T.” was the struggling single mother who would do anything to provide for her son, even if that meant robbing a bank. In the movie, she reluctantly joined the plan to rob banks, but signed on after child-protective services took her child. Elise sent chills down our spines when the tears rolled down her cheeks and she boldly stood up to Vivica’s Fox’s character, “Frankie.”

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Although she was new to the acting game, Kimberly acting skills were reflective of a veteran actress, because she did a helluva job as “T.T.” As we mentioned earlier, Elise was not the first choice for the role of “T.T.”  However, the role was originally written for a young, Black singer who’d already experienced commercial success in the R&B world, but was transitioning into the acting world. Scroll down and prepare to be surprised…

Who Was Supposed To Play “T.T.?”

Brandy had dreams of being  a movie star, but she has said “no” to a few choice roles, most notably a part in the hit shoot-’em-up drama “Set It Off.” Brandy was offered the role of “T.T.,” but she turned it down. At that time, Brandy had an image to protect and she felt like playing a bank robber would send a negative message to her fans. While Brandy didn’t star in the movie, she did bless us with her musical vocal skills on the soundtrack with the song, “Missing You.” I wonder if Brandy now regrets not being a part of a cult classic like “Set It Off,” now though.

Anywho, lucky for us, Brandy turned down the role and Elise stepped in and created magic on the screen. From there, Elise continued to deliver Oscar worthy performances in films such as “Beloved,” followed by Elise playing the lead for the television film, “The Loretta Claiborne Story,” where she played the mentally and physically disabled athlete who made a name for herself by overcoming obstacles in her life. Overall, Elise has proven that she’s a talented actress with the abilities to play a range of characters. I’m a fan of both Brandy and Elise, but I think most of us “Set It Off” fans are thankful that Brandy turned down the role of “T.T.”  Not only did it give us the opportunity to see the impeccable talents of Kimberly Elise, but after seeing the movie, there’s no other actress we could ever imagine in that role.