Dr. Dre's Ex Has an Idea Why His Abusive Past Didn't Make the NWA Biopic

While reviews for the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton have been fairly positive, one prevailing critique is that the narrative conveniently leaves out Dr. Dre’s abusive past. In a recent interview, his ex-fiancée—R&B singer Michel’le—states the obvious in explaining the reason that storyline was neglected.

In the past, Michel’le has been vocal about the black eyes and scars she received while being abused by Dr. Dre, who’s an executive producer on Straight Outta Compton. She’s told her story in various interviews and also spoke about it as a cast member on R&B Divas L.A.

In this interview with DJ Vlad posted today, Michel’le says she hasn’t seen the movie but heard that she wasn’t portrayed as a character. “I was told that, which I’m really happy about,” she says, adding that she doesn’t mind because “that’s Cube’s version of his life.”

It makes sense to her that the filmmakers would dismiss the abusive part of Dr. Dre’s story, which includes the time he assaulted journalist Dee Barnes in a club. “Why would Dre put me in it?” says Michel’le in that duh tone of voice. “I was just a quiet girlfriend who got beat on and told to sit down and shut up.” This is followed by an uncomfortable silence. “My part has no value to, probably, what they really want to talk about,” she says, “unless they want to talk.”