Jennifer Hudson said in an interview that director Gina Prince-Bythewood had sent her to a store to get several items and while she was there, the staff and the customers verbally and racially abused her. The incident was, in fact staged by actors under Bythewood's direction in order for Hudson to get the feel of a racially tense environment, the time and setting of the film, and to help her with her characterization.
Lili's mother's name "Deborah", means bee in Hebrew.
Early on in the film Lily is telling Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) about a dream she had, which involved the Supremes. Years earlier Hudson starred in Dreamgirls (2006) which is heavily based upon the career of the Supremes. Both films are also set in the early 60's.
Emily Alyn Lind's debut.