Lizzo Cast as Rock Pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Amazon MGM’s ‘Rosetta’ Biopic

Lizzo Takes Center Stage as Sister Rosetta Tharpe

You’d be hard-pressed to find a modern music fan who hasn’t heard of Lizzo. Now, she’s about to take on a legend whose name is less recognized but just as revolutionary: Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Amazon MGM Studios is betting big on ‘Rosetta,’ a cinematic dive into the vibrant and often turbulent life of the groundbreaking gospel singer and guitar virtuoso. It’s not just Lizzo’s first major acting gig outside reality TV, but a project where she’ll wear multiple hats—as star and producer. With heavy-hitters like Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, and Kevin Beisler in the producer lineup, the film is already building buzz before a single frame is shot.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe rocked the music world long before ‘rock’ was even a genre. Born in the early 20th century, she broke out in the 1930s and ‘40s as a fierce, electrifying guitarist who could make an audience weep with a gospel hymn or dance with a blues riff. Her impact on future icons—Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley—is enormous, though for decades few outside deep-dive music nerds recognized her influence. That’s starting to change, and Lizzo as Tharpe could be a catalyst for an even wider appreciation.

Tharpe’s Untold Story: Music, Defiance, and Secret Love

‘Rosetta’ promises to be much more than a standard musical biopic. The movie will shine a spotlight on Tharpe’s bold guitar style—which made her a cult hero and drew controversy—and dig into her personal life, including a hidden same-sex relationship that defied every social expectation of her time. Writers Natalie Chaidez and Kwynn Perry are crafting a script that dives into the years when Tharpe’s fame and private tension reached a boiling point. There’s no director yet, but with these names attached, the project is already on a lot of industry watchlists.

The narrative will climax with an epic moment from Tharpe’s real life: the 1951 stadium wedding-concert. It wasn’t just a marriage; it was a spectacle, with thousands buying tickets to see her play for what became one of the first massive stadium concerts. It’s scenes like these where Lizzo—herself a powerhouse performer known for giving thousands goosebumps—seems a natural fit.

There’s a reason Tharpe’s name is back in headlines these past few years. From her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to being portrayed in recent films like ‘Elvis’ (remember Yola’s dazzling turn?), people finally want to know about the ‘Godmother of Rock and Roll.’ The hope is that Amazon MGM’s ‘Rosetta’ won’t just tell a story—it’ll change how we see the roots of rock and roll, and spotlight LGBTQ+ pioneers history almost forgot.

The combination of Lizzo’s charisma, Tharpe’s trailblazing spirit, and a production team with real pedigree has all the makings of something special. For music lovers, history buffs, and anyone craving a new kind of music biopic, ‘Rosetta’ just shot to the top of the must-watch list.