Grammy-Winning Superstar to Portray the Godmother of Rock and Roll in Major Motion Picture

Los Angeles, CA — Multi-platinum recording artist, flutist, and cultural icon Lizzo has been cast as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the trailblazing gospel musician often credited as the Godmother of Rock and Roll, in a new biopic set to begin production this summer.

The untitled film, backed by MGM Studios and produced by Tasha Smith and Charles D. King’s MACRO, promises to bring Tharpe’s electrifying story to the screen with the same fire and innovation that defined her music. Directed by Ava DuVernay, the project will chronicle Tharpe’s journey from her early gospel roots in the 1930s to her revolutionary electric guitar work that laid the foundation for artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Johnny Cash.

aLizzo, known for her powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and genre-defying artistry, will not only act but also perform several of Tharpe’s most iconic songs live for the film.

“Sister Rosetta was bold, brash, and decades ahead of her time,” said Lizzo. “She made a space for Black women to shred guitars and raise their voices. I’m honored to tell her story, and I hope to make her proud.”

The screenplay, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, P-Valley), dives into Tharpe’s personal and professional life — including her complicated relationship with the church, her queer identity, and her seismic influence on modern music.

“Casting Lizzo was a revelation,” said DuVernay. “She embodies Rosetta’s spirit — unapologetic, joyful, revolutionary. This is not just a biopic; this is a resurrection.”

Production is slated to begin in July 2025, with a theatrical release targeted for Fall 2026.