The movie marks Jeremy Jordan's movie debut.
Director Todd Graff saw him in a Broadway show, where Jordan, the understudy, happened to go on for the first time the night the director was there.
"I've always been a singer and I've always performed," Jordan said. "To be able to have a film like this where I can use the strengths of my singing on stage and performing in front of a live audience, it's a great transition film for me."
Keke Palmer has been singing since she was a little girl, so this movie feels just right.
"It was very exciting for me because I have been waiting forever to find a project that I could sing in," she said. "I started singing first and then acting kind of kicked off for me. This was the perfect project all the way around. To be able to work with Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, get to sing and also come of age in a movie all at once, it was awesome."
In the film, the two young characters may be falling in love, and it's all set against the backdrop of a big choir competition.
"Joyful Noise" is rated PG-13.
