Here’s a biopic film role we think makes a lot of sense. Grammy-winning artist Lizzo is set to take on one of music’s most important yet underappreciated figures, signing on to star as rock and roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe in an upcoming biopic from Amazon MGM Studios.
This marks Lizzo’s first major acting role since her Emmy-winning reality series Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.
Titled Rosetta, the film will highlight a transformative chapter in Tharpe’s life, focusing on her musical innovation, personal struggles, and historic achievements.
Get this, according to studio descriptions, the movie will explore “a pivotal period of groundbreaking innovation, defiant passion, and secret love” as Tharpe revolutionized music with her signature guitar style while navigating societal constraints and concealing her same-sex relationship.
The upcoming project boasts an impressive creative team, with Lizzo also serving as producer alongside Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi of Significant Productions, and Kevin Beisler. Screenwriters Natalie Chaidez and Kwynn Perry are crafting the script.
What’s more, the film’s synopsis teases a climactic moment when Tharpe “transforms a wedding into one of the most legendary concerts in history – the first stadium show.”
Tharpe’s influence as a 1930s-40s gospel singer and guitarist laid the foundation for rock and roll, though her contributions were often overlooked during her lifetime. She passed away in 1973 before receiving proper recognition as one of the genre’s architects. Recent years have seen renewed appreciation for her legacy, including Yola’s portrayal of Tharpe in 2022’s Elvis biopic.
As a bonafide multi-talented performer, Lizzo will channel one of music’s most groundbreaking figures, bringing Tharpe’s revolutionary story to new audiences.