Queen Latifah to Star in Bessie Smith HBO Biopic

Fresh from her Daytime Emmy nominations, Queen Latifah is set to flex her acting skills one more time in an upcoming HBO biopic about the legendary “Empress of the Blues” Bessie Smith.

Find out more about the upcoming project and which famed director she’ll be teaming up with…

In Hollywood, it’s no secret that Queen Latifah’s been working hard to bring the blues singer’s story to life over the years. Apparently, Latifah will take this opportunity to debunk numerous rumors about Smith’s career.

Titled “Blue Goose Hollow,” the film will explore Smith’s early years in Tennessee through her untimely death in 1936 due to a car accident. Smith began her career in 1912 and became one of the most respected and highest paid performers of the 1920s. She recorded over 200 songs and teamed up with several greats including Louis Armstrong and Charlie Green.

Latifah’s Flavor Unit will join forces with HBO, The Zanuck Company and Shelby Stone Productions to back the project, according to Shadow & Act.

Production is set to kick off in mid-June in Atlanta. Famed “Pariah” director, Dee Rees, will write and direct the project.