Anecdotes

Little Richard suggested Prince for the lead role, but the deal was never made.

While Little Richard was still alive and well during production of L'histoire de Little Richard (2000) and served as one of the movie's executive producers, he did not provide his own singing voice for his younger onscreen counterpart. Legendary singer Ali Woodson provided Leon's vocals, and also appeared as himself in the film.

One of four made-for-TV movies which Robert Townsend directed that first aired on television in the year 2000. Of those four TV movies, it is the first of two biographies about a famous American singer. The other musical biopic Townsend directed that year was Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000).