Lizzo to play 'Godmother of Rock & Roll' Sister Rosetta Tharpe in movie biopic

Pop singer Lizzo is playing Sister Rosetta Tharpe in an upcoming movie biopic about the legendary rock n’ roll pioneer.

The film, entitled Rosetta, is being produced by Lizzo, Kevin Beisler, Nina Yang Bongiovi, and esteemed actor Forest Whitaker, while Natalie Chaidez and Kwynn Perry have written the screenplay.

Helmed by Amazon MGM Studios, a director for the movie is yet to be announced.

According to Deadline, a synopsis for the Rosetta movie reads: “Inspired by true events, the film will capture a pivotal period in Tharpe’s life — one of groundbreaking innovation, defiant passion and secret love.

“As she shatters musical boundaries with her signature guitar sound, she must navigate societal constraints, conceal her love for another woman and ultimately transform a wedding into one of the most legendary concerts in history: the first stadium show.”

Confirming her involvement, Lizzo shared a screenshot of Deadline’s story on Instagram, and wrote: “🎶Black people made rock n roll yeaaaah🎶”

She added in a separate post: "Let me be very clear: there were no auditions for Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Because this is a film I’ve been producing for years, fighting for her story to get told… I’ve been honoring her in my music videos & performances… pitching her movie to people who’ve never heard of her.. studying her life and reading every book that exists about her.

"This is my baby, my passion— because Rosetta deserves. The Godmother of Rock n Roll is in good hands y’all. Stay tuned."

Lizzo – real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson – has scored two Top 10 hit singles in the UK, 2019’s ‘Good as Hell’ and 2022’s ‘About Damn Time.’

She previously had an acting role in the 2019 crime comedy-drama Hustlers.

Born in Arkansas in 1915, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was nicknamed the Godmother of Rock & Roll,’ and she’s been cited as an influence by Little Richard, Keith Richards, Chuck Berry, Tina Turner and Eric Clapton to name but a few.

Among the first popular recording artists to use heavy distortion on her electric guitar, her playing had a seismic influence on the development of British blues in the 1960s.

She toured Europe with Muddy Waters in 1964, and a rain-lashed concert at the disused railway station at Wilbraham Road, Manchester was filmed by Granada Television and brought her music to a wider UK audience.

She died aged 58 in 1973.

The nicknames of famous rock stars and bands, including Sister Rosetta Tharpe:

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