Yola on Playing Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’: ‘It’s Important We Claim Space’
variety.comWilson Chapman editorThis June, acclaimed singer-songwriter Yola will be making her film acting debut in Baz Luhrmann’s hotly anticipated “Elvis” biopic.
On the Grammys red carpet, Yola discussed her excitement about portraying Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock and Roll, in the film.“It’s just the privilege I have to speak her name, and to speak on it,” Yola told Variety senior entertainment writer Angelique Jackson. “Everyone can talk about it, but the role I have is so central and mainstream and in the purview of everyone, everyone knows about it.
So the privilege I get to transmit this message, of rock and roll, and the diaspora’s ownership of this genre, along with everything that it gave birth to, that gives me life.” During her interview with Variety On the Carpet presented by DIRECTV, Yola also talked about working with Luhrmann, calling him the “king.” According to Yola, the director made it a priority in the film to address how Black American music impacted Elvis Presley’s work, which led to the large role that Tharpe plays in the film.
Yola says the film will explore how Tharpe helped invent rock and roll and discovered many influential artists, including Little Richard.“The thing that touched me is it was [Luhrmann’s] mission to address this balance as well,” Yola said. “It wasn’t just pulling people in and making a token gesture at it, it’s profound within him.
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