Kim Porter Inspired 'Drumline' Romance Between Nick Cannon and Zoe Saldana's Characters, Says Ex Dal
The late Kim Porter inspired the romantic storyline in the movie Drumline, according to music producer Dallas Austin, who initially pitched the film based on his life.
The 2002 movie stars Nick Cannon as a young drum major from Harlem who helps lead Southern University to victory in a marching band competition. Cannon's character falls for a sorority girl on campus (Zoe Saldana), who helps him adjust to life at the historically black college and teaches him there's more to winning than talent.
Austin, who had known Porter from elementary school, shared a photo of their "famous prom pic" on Instagram following the model's death on Nov. 15. He also revealed his lifelong friendship with Porter served as the inspiration behind Saldana's character.
"This is the hardest post I've ever had to do... my mom and Kim's mom was pregnant with us at the same time in Columbus... I have never known a life without Kim Porter from kindergarten through all of our life long experiences in high school, having matching BMWs or her being the biggest believer in me making it as a producer and us getting out of Columbus to be somebody… and we made it!! We were inseparable I feel like a part of my soul has been taken away," Austin wrote.
He continued: "Most people don't know that Zoe Saldana played the role of Kim in Drumline as Nick Cannon played my character."
The mother-of-four—three of whom Porter co-parented with ex-boyfriend and longtime friend Sean "Diddy" Combs—was found dead in her home in Toluca Lake, Calif. She was laid to rest in her hometown of Columbus, Ga. on Saturday.
"If you knew her you knew a strong beautiful smiling gangster angel! I know GOD is perfect but sometimes even perfect can make a mistake _ I send prayers out to the kids and our family and my brother @diddy this is a hard one but we will get though [sic] it love you @ladykp," Austin wrote.
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