FKA twigs is stepping into the shoes of a cultural icon, with a first look at her transformation into legendary entertainer Josephine Baker unveiled.
The British singer, dancer and actress is taking on a leading role in an upcoming biopic which will chronicle the extraordinary life and legacy of the trailblazing performer.
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Newly revealed behind-the-scenes images offer a glimpse of twigs in character as Baker, sporting a cream pinstriped coat, dark beret and leather gloves while filming a cemetery scene in Paris. The striking transformation sees the Grammy-nominated artist channel the star, who rose to international fame during the 1920s and became a prominent figure in the fight against racial discrimination.
The Maïmouna Doucouré-directed film will explore several chapters of Baker’s life, including her childhood in St. Louis, rise to stardom in Paris, work with the French Resistance during World War II, and her civil rights activism.
Speaking about her casting to Variety, Doucouré revealed that twigs made an immediate impression during auditions, recalling:
“I literally started crying because suddenly I was seeing Josephine Baker. I completely forgot that I had written the scene. I forgot that I was sitting in an audition room.”
Beyond acting, twigs has also undertaken singing, dancing and French-language training to embody the multifaceted icon.
With an ambitious international production and a story spanning decades, the forthcoming project looks set to introduce a new generation to one of entertainment history’s most remarkable women.
