Lizzo is making her mark in Hollywood with her first leading film role, stepping into the shoes of legendary gospel singer and guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The Grammy-winning artist has signed on to portray Tharpe in Rosetta, an upcoming biopic that will spotlight the pioneering musician often hailed as the “Godmother of Rock & Roll.” In addition to taking on the role, Lizzo will serve as a producer for the project alongside Kevin Beisler, Nina Yang Bongiovi, and Forest Whitaker, as confirmed by Entertainment Weekly.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whose influence on rock music cannot be overstated, was a groundbreaking gospel singer and guitarist who rose to fame in the 1930s. Her work was instrumental in shaping the sound of rock, inspiring icons such as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash. Despite passing away in 1973, her musical legacy has continued to resonate, culminating in her posthumous induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Tharpe’s impact on the genre is profound, with the Hall of Fame recognizing her as “the first guitar heroine of rock & roll.”
Scholar Gayle Wald described Tharpe’s extraordinary musical talent, noting that by her late teens, she had already traveled the country on what was known as the “gospel highway,” performing at revivals and tent shows. Her guitar skills were so extraordinary that fans would say she could make the instrument “talk,” or even “walk and talk.”
Lizzo expressed her excitement for the project on Instagram, celebrating the announcement with her fans. She shared her joy in a story, writing, “So excited & honored,” and later added a message of empowerment, “Black people made rock n roll yeaaaah.”
While Rosetta marks Lizzo’s first major film role, it’s not her first foray into acting. The multi-talented star has built a growing acting resume with roles in Hustlers, The Mandalorian, and The Simpsons. She’s also preparing for her highly anticipated return to music, following a two-year hiatus, with the upcoming album Love in Real Life. Additionally, Lizzo will be making a guest appearance as the musical performer on Saturday Night Live when Jon Hamm hosts on April 12.
