Danielle Brooks takes on a new role in Lifetime’s biopic “Mahalia,” produced by Robin Roberts, and the former “Orange is the New Black” star said she felt there were multiple “signs” leading her to accepting the role as Mahalia Jackson, one of gospel’s greatest voices.
Brooks said that she was first introduced to the idea of playing Jackson while working on the musical “The Color Purple” during its 2016 Broadway run that landed Brooks a Tony Award nomination. “The Color Purple” famously featured Brooks, “Aretha” star Cynthia Erivo, and Jennifer Hudson (who will also play Aretha Franklin in an upcoming biopic called “Respect”).
“I had the privilege of working with Jennifer Hudson, and I remember her coming to my dressing room, which she did every day, and she would say, ‘You should play Mahalia Jackson,'” Brooks said. “I said, ‘Ok,’ but I didn’t think too hard about it.
Brooks said that she was first introduced to the idea of playing Jackson while working on the musical “The Color Purple” during its 2016 Broadway run that landed Brooks a Tony Award nomination. “The Color Purple” famously featured Brooks, “Aretha” star Cynthia Erivo, and Jennifer Hudson (who will also play Aretha Franklin in an upcoming biopic called “Respect”).
“I had the privilege of working with Jennifer Hudson, and I remember her coming to my dressing room, which she did every day, and she would say, ‘You should play Mahalia Jackson,'” Brooks said. “I said, ‘Ok,’ but I didn’t think too hard about it.
- 4/2/2021
- by Samson Amore
- The Wrap
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