Lizzo to Play Sister Rosetta Tharpe in New Movie

Lizzo has been tapped to play Sister Rosetta Tharpe in a new movie about the godmother of rock’n’roll, Deadline reports. The film, titled Rosettawill be produced by Lizzo, Kevin Beisler, Nina Yang Bongiovi, and acclaimed actor Forest Whitaker, while Natalie Chaidez and Kwynn Perry handle the screenplay. Rosettaan Amazon MGM Studios movie, is in development and does not yet have a director attached to it.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. At the induction ceremony, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard led a musical tribute to Tharpe. The musician was portrayed in the Baz Luhrmann film Elvis by Yola.

Lizzo’s first major dramatic film role came in 2019’s Hustlers. The musician has been returning to the spotlight in the wake of legal battles with former employees. She’s got two new singles—“Love in Real Life” and “Still Bad”—and plans to release a new album soon. Plus, she will be performing on Saturday Night Live next month.