Exceptional vocalist Ledisi will reintroduce her acting abilities to the world in Ava DuVernay’s Martin Luther King biopic, “Selma.”
The eight-time Grammy nominee will transform herself into gospel great Mahalia Jackson in the forthcoming Paramount production. The drama film’s focal point will touch on Dr. King’s 1965 voting rights campaign.
The renowned director announced bringing the “Missy Doubt” artist aboard the new project via Instagram, “Warmly welcoming Ledisi, one of my favorite vocalists, to the SELMA film family as the great Mahalia Jackson #selmafilm,” she wrote.
DuVernary recently took on the primary role as director after the film’s original director Lee Daniels could not collect the funds to bring the biopic to life. Thankfully, the Oprah Winfrey-produced picture will start shooting soon.
Ledisi’s acting resume includes 2008’s “Leatherhead” and 2011’s “Leave it on the Floor as Princess’ Mother.
The soulful singer is currently spreading “The Truth” across the nation on her latest tour with the Robert Glasper Experiment. Her current single “I Blame You” stands at No. 4 on Urban Adult Contemporary radio and at No. 5 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart.