Lizzo To Play Sister Rosetta Tharpe In Upcoming Biopic
The Grammy winner is ready to rock and roll in her big-screen debut starring in a biopic centered on the gospel singer.
LIZZO: Courtesy of @lizzobeeating
LIZZO: Courtesy of @lizzobeeating
Lizzo lands her first big-screen starring ole as influential musician Sister Rosetta Tharpe in an upcoming biopic, Rosetta, currently in development under Amazon MGM Studios.
Tharpe was integral in influencing the world of rock ‘n’ roll during the ’30s and ’40s. Dubbed “The Godmother of Rock & Roll,” she was one of the first gospel artists to appeal to wider rock and R&B audiences. Notable musicians inspired by Tharpe include Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Johnny Cash, among others.
The upcoming film will focus on Tharpe’s life at the height of her guitar prowess, as she prepared for the first-ever stadium show in music history, all while living as a queer Black woman hiding her relationship with another woman.
Other than lending her acting and singing chops, the rapper-singer will also have a producing role for the biopic, joining acclaimed actor Forest Whitaker (The Butler, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story). As of this writing, no director has been attached. However, the film will be written by Natalie Chaidez (The Flight Attendant) and Kwynn Perry (Tigerbelles).
This announcement comes after multiple racial and sexual harassment lawsuits filed by her former employees, which came to light in 2023. After taking a quick break, she recently returned to music with the singles “Love in Real Life” and “Still Bad” before gearing up for the release of her upcoming fifth studio album later in the year.
