Beyoncé donates movie pay to drug addicts

Rex Features

Beyoncé has donated her pay cheque from new movie Cadillac Records to a drug rehabilitation centre.

The singer visited New York's Phoenix House to research her role of Etta James, who battled a heroin addiction.

The star was moved to tears after meeting with six African-American women who were at the substance abuse charity.

Darnell Martin, director of the movie, confirmed that Beyoncé would be donating her pay cheque to the charity.

The centre's spokesman, Karen Sodomick, told Giant magazine that the singer would also donate some of her time. "She and her mum suggested cosmetology for our skills-training program," she said. "We're working with them now to make it happen."