Grammy Award-winning artist Lizzo will make her major film debut starring as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming biopic “Rosetta.” The project celebrates the “Godmother of Rock and Roll,” a pioneering Black woman who invented electric guitar techniques. Lizzo expressed her excitement about portraying the legendary musician who deserves greater recognition for her contributions to rock music.
The biopic represents Lizzo’s first starring role in a major motion picture production. She will also serve as producer on the film, taking creative control beyond her acting performance. This dual role allows her to shape how Tharpe’s groundbreaking story reaches modern audiences worldwide.
Lizzo Aims to Make Sister Rosetta Tharpe as Famous as Elvis
Lizzo shared her ambitious goals for the Sister Rosetta Tharpe biopic during an exclusive interview with Paper magazine. “I want to make Sister Rosetta Tharpe a household name as big as Elvis,” she declared passionately. The artist believes Tharpe deserves equal recognition to other rock and roll legends who followed her innovations.
“When people talk about rock ‘n’ roll, it begins with her,” Lizzo emphasized about Tharpe’s foundational role in music history. She recognizes that many fans don’t know about the Black woman who pioneered electric guitar techniques. The biopic aims to educate audiences about Tharpe’s crucial influence on modern rock music.
Lizzo’s motivation extends beyond personal career advancement to historical justice for overlooked Black artists. She stated clearly that winning awards isn’t her primary goal with this project. Instead, she wants to ensure Tharpe receives the recognition she deserves for literally inventing rock and roll.
Grammy Winner Learns Guitar to Honor Musical Pioneer
Lizzo is dedicating herself to learning guitar specifically for her portrayal of Sister Rosetta Tharpe. “She was the greatest guitar player of all time — I mean, she literally invented the electric guitar,” Lizzo explained. This commitment demonstrates her respect for Tharpe’s musical genius and technical innovations.
The classically trained flutist plans to incorporate her existing musical skills into the biographical film role. Her background in classical music provides a strong foundation for mastering guitar techniques. Lizzo’s musical education helps her understand the complexity of Tharpe’s groundbreaking guitar work.
Learning guitar represents just one aspect of Lizzo’s thorough preparation for this transformative role. She approaches the project with the seriousness it deserves, knowing that accuracy matters when portraying such an important figure. Her dedication reflects genuine respect for Tharpe’s legacy and contributions to American music.
Amazon MGM Studios Backs Groundbreaking Rock and Roll Story
Amazon MGM Studios is producing “Rosetta,” bringing significant resources to this important biographical project. The studio’s involvement ensures the film will reach wide audiences through Amazon’s global distribution network. This backing provides the financial support needed to tell Tharpe’s story with proper scale and production values.
The collaboration between Lizzo and Amazon MGM Studios creates opportunities for authentic storytelling about Black music history. Major studio support allows for high-quality production that honors Tharpe’s significance in rock and roll development. The partnership demonstrates growing industry recognition of overlooked Black artists’ contributions.
Studio backing also enables comprehensive marketing campaigns that can achieve Lizzo’s goal of making Tharpe famous. Amazon’s promotional resources can reach diverse audiences who need to learn about rock and roll’s true origins. This platform provides the visibility necessary to correct historical narratives about music’s pioneers.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe Deserves Canonization Says Lizzo
Lizzo believes Sister Rosetta Tharpe “deserves to be canonized” for her revolutionary contributions to popular music. This strong statement reflects her understanding of Tharpe’s historical importance beyond entertainment value. The artist recognizes that Tharpe’s innovations laid the foundation for entire genres of modern music.
Canonization suggests treating Tharpe with the same reverence given to acknowledged music legends and cultural icons. Lizzo wants audiences to understand that rock and roll history begins with this pioneering Black woman. Her advocacy positions Tharpe alongside other musical saints who transformed American culture forever.
The canonization comment also highlights how Black women’s contributions are often minimized in music history narratives. Lizzo’s platform allows her to correct these oversights and educate new generations about forgotten pioneers. Her star power brings attention to stories that mainstream culture has long ignored.
First Major Film Role Marks Career Evolution for Lizzo
“This is my first major film role, a starring role,” Lizzo acknowledged about her transition into serious acting. The biopic represents a significant career evolution beyond her successful recording and performance career. Acting allows her to explore different artistic expressions while maintaining her commitment to social justice.
The starring role provides Lizzo with opportunities to showcase dramatic acting abilities alongside her established musical talents. Film work requires different skills than live performance, challenging her to grow as an entertainer. This expansion demonstrates her artistic ambition beyond music industry success.
Early preparation shows Lizzo takes her acting debut seriously, approaching the role with professional dedication and respect. She understands the responsibility of portraying such an important historical figure accurately. Her commitment suggests this film could launch a successful acting career alongside her music.
Producing Role Gives Lizzo Creative Control Over Tharpe’s Story
Beyond starring in “Rosetta,” Lizzo will serve as producer, giving her significant creative input over the final product. This dual role ensures that Tharpe’s story is told authentically from a Black woman’s perspective. Producer credits provide power to shape narratives rather than simply performing in someone else’s vision.
“I’ve gotten the opportunity to produce and star in the Sister Rosetta Tharpe film,” Lizzo explained about her expanded responsibilities. Producing allows her to influence everything from script development to casting decisions. This control helps ensure the biopic honors Tharpe’s legacy appropriately.
The producing role reflects Lizzo’s business acumen and desire for artistic independence beyond performing. She uses her industry success to create meaningful content that educates audiences about Black history. This approach demonstrates how successful artists can leverage their platforms for social impact.
Project Aims to Correct Rock and Roll History
The “Rosetta” biopic seeks to correct widespread misconceptions about rock and roll’s origins and development. Many music fans don’t realize that a Black woman invented the electric guitar techniques that define rock music. The film will educate audiences about Tharpe’s foundational role in popular music history.
Correcting music history requires challenging entrenched narratives that minimize Black artists’ contributions to American culture. Rock and roll is often associated with white performers who built upon innovations created by Black musicians. Tharpe’s story represents just one example of how history needs correction.
Educational impact extends beyond entertainment value to social justice by acknowledging overlooked pioneers and their contributions. The biopic can inspire young Black women by showing them someone who looked like them invented rock music. This representation matters for cultural understanding and historical accuracy.
