Lizzo Set to Play Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Amazon MGM Biopic

Four-time Grammy winner, Lizzo, is set to take on a significant role that promises to showcase her on-screen talent as much as her musical prowess. In Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming biopic, Rosetta, Lizzo will portray the legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Often hailed as the “Godmother of Rock and Roll,” Tharpe was a pioneering figure who intertwined gospel music with the burgeoning world of electric guitar rock, impacting a genre that would later greatly influence artists such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

Lizzo is also part of the production team alongside industry heavyweights such as Forest Whitaker and Significant Productions’ Nina Yang Bongiovi. The screenplay, penned by Natalie Chaidez and Kwynn Perry, will delve into a transformative chapter of Tharpe’s life. Set against a backdrop of societal constraints, the biopic aims to explore her journey as a queer Black woman in America, whose talent and spirit transcended the boundaries of conventional music at the time. Lizzo has often honored Tharpe through her performances and widely regards her as a quintessential influence. This respect and admiration manifest in her commitment to the project, ensuring that Tharpe’s story is told with the depth and nuance it deserves.

For Lizzo, the biopic comes at a pivotal time in her career. Recently, she has been navigating a return to the public eye after facing several personal and legal challenges. This opportunity to channel Tharpe’s spirit and historic impact on music allows Lizzo to portray not only the triumphs of an icon but also to resonate with her audience on a deeper level of shared human experience and perseverance.

The narrative of Rosetta will focus on not just Tharpe’s groundbreaking contributions to music, but also on a memorable concert she was preparing for—a significant event embodying the first-ever stadium concert. This notable performance would later cement Tharpe’s status in rock and roll history, illustrating her flair not only as a musician but as a pioneer reshaping the very concept of concerts and performance art.

With Lizzo’s attachment to the role of Tharpe, the film aims to bridge the past and present, spotlighting a legend whose music has rippled through the ages, influencing innumerable artists and shaping the musical landscape we know today.