Beyoncé Wants To Write And Star In Her Own Film
UPDATE (1/6/16, 11:23 a.m. EST): Beyoncé's rep denied her involvement in the project to Billboard on Tuesday (Jan. 5). "Beyonce is in no way tied to this project," the rep said. "This is an important story that should be told, however."
No one doubts Beyoncé's superpower talents on the stage and on records. Queen Bey makes massive world tours, complicated choreography and winning Grammys look like child's play. Now, she's eager to embark on her next challenge: film star.
According to The Sun, Beyoncé's is reportedly set to write and star in a biopic about the troubled life of Saartjie Baartman. Bartman, more commonly known as the Hottentot Venus because of her large bottom, was a South African woman exploited in London "freak shows" during the late 1700s and early 1800s against her will.
Baartman's life serves as a reminder of the degradation, exploitation and violence placed on black women's bodies throughout history. In the centuries since her death, feminists and activists have worked to instill dignity and respect to her body, working to remove her remains from display at the Musée de l'Homme in Paris, provide her a proper burial in South Africa (which did not occur until 2002) and open the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children which serves as a shelter for domestic abuse victims.
The role will be a significant one, far more substantial than Bey's past work in lighter fare like "Obsessed," "Austin Powers in Goldmember" and even the critically acclaimed "Dreamgirls" (for which Beyoncé received a Golden Globe nomination).
Sources say Beyoncé wants to be taken seriously as an actress, doing extensive background research on Baartman's life to better develop the role. Knowing Beyonce's dedication, hard work, and perfectionist streak, we are sure the end result will provide the respect and attention Baartman's life serves.