British singer Yola has been cast to play Sister Rosetta Tharpe, best known as the Godmother of rock ‘n roll, in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic.
The movie will explore the life and music of Elvis through his complicated relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Parker discovered Presley when he was just an unknown and quickly moved in as his lone representation. Parker was responsible for various milestones, including Presley’s record deal with RCA and his successful acting career.
Most recently a nominee for Best New Artist at the 62nd Grammy Awards, Yola broke through in 2019 for her critically acclaimed debut “Walk Through Fire,” produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. Yola joins a cast that includes Austin Butler as Elvis, Tom Hanks as manager Colonel Tom Parker, Rufus Sewell as Elvis’ father Vernon Presley and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Elvis’ mother Gladys Presley.
Tharpe was a major influence on early rock musicians like Elvis and Chuck Berry and country musicians like Johnny Cash. She was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
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