Ne-Yo Rejects Martin Luther King, Jr. Film Role Due to Weight Gain

Ne-Yo made a difficult decision to pass on playing the part of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a new movie due to a 30-pound weight gain required for the role. Britain's Sunday Mirror reports the "Let Me Love You" crooner chose to reject the prestigious part in order to focus on his forthcoming music endeavors like his R.E.D. album, due in September.

"I definitely want to do more acting but it's got to make sense with the music," Ne-Yo said. "I recently had to turn down an amazing opportunity to be in a movie playing Martin Luther King."

The entertainer revealed that the significant weight gain deterred him from acting in the movie because he's spent time and energy in the gym getting his body in top shape.

"They wanted to start shooting at the time my album R.E.D. comes out and wanted me to gain 30 pounds, so I couldn't do it," Ne-Yo admitted. "I'm kicking myself but acting can't take the place of my music. Plus, I've been killing myself in the gym for months preparing for this album because I wanted a complete makeover."

The singer-actor has had parts in films "Red Tails" and "Battle: Los Angeles."

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