Shonka Dukureh

The actress and musician played Big Mama Thornton in the critically-acclaimed movie, which was directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Dukureh, a Fisk Univ graduate, was found dead in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apt that she shared with her 2 young children.— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) July 21, 2022 My deepest condolences to the family of Shonka Dukureh. Shonka graduated from— Mayor John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) @Fisk1866and called Nashville home for many years. Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted his condolences to Dukureh's family, saying that she had graduated from Fisk University in the city that she had called home for many years.

Director Baz Luhrmann has said he felt “truly blessed” to have had time with Shonka Dukureh, who starred in his Elvis biopic, before her death aged 44.

“A favorite word of Shonka’s, in daily use, was “blessings,” and I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her.” “Shonka was just starting to find a larger audience for her tremendous talent, and I got to see her uplift whole crowds of people at Coachella and beyond. Director Baz Luhrmann has said he felt “truly blessed” to have had time with Shonka Dukureh, who starred in his Elvis biopic, before her death aged 44.

The actor who played Big Mama Thornton in this year's film about Elvis Presley has been found dead in a bedroom at her home.

The 59-year-old added that the cast and crew of Elvis were sending their "love and support" to her children and family. Singer and actress Shonka Dukureh, who starred as blues singer Big Mama Thornton in the film Elvis, has been found dead at her home in Nashville, Tennessee. The actor who played Big Mama Thornton in this year's film about Elvis Presley has been found dead in a bedroom at her home.

Ms Dukureh starred as Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann's high-acclaimed Elvis Presley biopic.

“Shonka graduated from @Fisk1866 and called Nashville home for many years. She starred alongside Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker in the 2022 film. Dukureh achieved notoriety following her breakout role as Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis”.

Actress and singer Shonka Dukureh, who starred in the biopic Elvis, has died at the age of 44. She played Big Mama Thornton in the film about superstar ...

The actress, who also shared the stage at Coachella this year with Doja Cat, had a theatre degree from Fisk University in Nashville and graduated from Trevecca Nazarene with an education degree, WPLN-FM reported. There were no signs of foul play following the death of the singer, who shared the apartment with her two young children, police said. Actress and singer Shonka Dukureh, who starred in the biopic Elvis, has died at the age of 44.

Tributes poured in for Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in the recent "Elvis" movie. Director Baz Luhrmann wrote: "A special light went out ...

Dukureh, a Fisk Univ graduate, was found dead in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apt that she shared with her 2 young children.— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) July 21, 2022 “An incredible talent taken from us too soon,” Doja Cat, whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, posted on Instagram in a tribute. “From the moment she came into our world, Shonka brought joy, spirit and of course her voice and her music. Whenever she was on set, on stage or even just in the room, everyone always felt uplifted,” Luhrmann added. The movie is widely expected to scoop up accolades during the Hollywood awards season. Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted his condolences to Dukureh’s family and said “her powerful voice and artistry will live on through her music, and we honor her memory on this sad day.”

Doja Cat is among many to mourn the death of musician and Elvis actress Shonka Dukureh, who passed away aged 44.

The last video she shared with her daughter was on June 25, having a little chat about going to the Elvis movie. Shonka was a singer, actor and author. Sending my deepest condolences to her loved ones,” she wrote further.

A clip of the actor singing Hound Dog went viral after the film was released. | ITV National News.

He said: “A special light went out today and all of the Elvis movie family are heartbroken by the loss of Shonka Dukureh. The 44-year-old was a well-known singer in Nashville and shared her apartment with her two young children. Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in the new Elvis film, was found dead on Thursday in a bedroom at her home in Nashville, US police have said.

The singer starred as Big Mama Thornton in the recent Elvis Presley biopic.

“Shonka was just starting to find a larger audience for her tremendous talent, and I got to see her uplift whole crowds of people at Coachella and beyond. “A favorite word of Shonka’s, in daily use, was “blessings,” and I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her.” The actor and singer, who played Big Mama Thornton in the recent biopic about Elvis Presley, was found dead in a bedroom of her home in Nashville at the age of 44.

Shonka Dukureh, who starred in the new Elvis Presley biopic, has died at the age of 44.

Sending my deepest condolences to her loved ones.” Speaking about her role in the Elvis biopic, she told Shadow and Act: “It’s been amazing and I’m looking forward to doing it all over again. “My deepest condolences to the family of Shonka Dukureh. Shonka graduated from Fisk and called Nashville home for many years,” Nashville mayor John Cooper tweeted following the tragic news of her passing.

Elvis” actor Shonka Dukureh was found dead Thursday in the Nashville, Tennessee, apartment she shared with her two young children, police said.

And I could totally relate to that” "I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her. “Whenever she was on set, on stage or even just in the room, everyone always felt uplifted.

The singer starred as Big Mama Thornton in the film about Elvis Presley.

“A favorite word of Shonka’s, in daily use, was “blessings,” and I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her.” “Shonka was just starting to find a larger audience for her tremendous talent, and I got to see her uplift whole crowds of people at Coachella and beyond. Director Baz Luhrmann has said he felt “truly blessed” to have had time with Shonka Dukureh, who starred in his Elvis biopic, before her death aged 44.

Ms. Dukureh impressed in her Hollywood debut, with one castmate calling her performance “a spiritual experience.”

Olivia DeJonge, who played Priscilla Presley in the film, told Entertainment Weekly that watching Ms. Dukureh “was a spiritual experience.” Ms. Dukureh, who was from Nashville “by way of Charlotte, N.C.,” originally planned to become a teacher and held a master’s degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene University, according to her website. Her cover of “Hound Dog” especially captivated audiences. “Elvis,” the biopic of Elvis Presley that starred Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, was Ms. Dukureh’s first major acting role. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed the death but did not provide a cause, saying only that no foul play was evident. Ms. Dukureh’s performance as Big Mama Thornton, her Hollywood debut, was described by one castmate as “a spiritual experience.”