Lizzo to Star in Rosetta Tharpe Biopic for Amazon MGM
Lizzo has signed on to star in a biopic about Rosetta Tharpe. The project, titled Rosetta, is currently in development at Amazon MGM Studios. The script is penned by Natalie Chaidez and Kwynn Perry, with Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi among the producers. The film focuses on a significant period in Tharpe’s life when she was gaining recognition for her guitar talents while juggling the pressures of a groundbreaking concert and hiding her romantic relationship with another woman.
Rosetta Tharpe, known as the “Godmother of rock and roll,” was a gospel singer who rose to fame in the 1930s and ’40s. Lizzo, a four-time Grammy winner, previously appeared in the film “Hustlers” and starred in the Amazon series “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.” She also featured in the HBO Max documentary “Love, Lizzo” in 2022. Lizzo’s upcoming fifth studio album features her recent single, “Still Bad.”
This biopic is part of Lizzo’s return to the spotlight after facing legal challenges in 2023. Despite multiple sexual harassment lawsuits from former employees, Lizzo has denied the allegations and is focused on her music and acting career. The entertainment industry continues to prioritize music biopics, following successful releases like Paramount’s “Bob Marley: One Love” and Searchlight’s “A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothée Chalamet. Furthermore, several biopics about icons like the Beatles, Madonna, and Bob Dylan are currently in various stages of development.
