Beyoncé portrayed Lilly in the 2003 film The Fighting Temptations.
The musical comedy follows Darrin Hill, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., as he returns to his hometown and assembles a gospel choir. Beyoncé plays Lilly, a talented singer who becomes romantically connected to Darrin and joins the choir. The movie was directed by Jonathan Lynn and features gospel and R&B performances throughout.
Lilly is a fictional character, not a portrayal of a real singer. That point distinguishes the role from Dreamgirls, where Beyoncé played Deena Jones, another fictional performer in a music-industry story. It also differs from Carmen: A Hip Hopera, in which she played Carmen Brown.
The film’s soundtrack included performances by Beyoncé and other artists, including gospel groups and established singers. Its story uses competition and community music to explore personal redemption and the importance of collective effort.