“Elvis” director Baz Luhrmann and singer Doja Cat late on Thursday paid tribute to Shonka Dukureh, a performer and blues singer in the film who was found dead in her apartment on Thursday.
“A special light went out today and all of the Elvis movie family are heartbroken by the loss of Shonka Dukureh,” Luhrmann wrote on his Instagram. “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.”
Also Read:
Shonka Dukureh, ‘Elvis’ Actress and Blues Singer, Dies at 44
Dukureh, 44, portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Luhrmann’s film “Elvis” in what was her feature film debut. She’s also credited with recording “Hound Dog” on the “Elvis” original movie soundtrack. And as for her work with pop star Doja Cat, Dukureh appeared...
“A special light went out today and all of the Elvis movie family are heartbroken by the loss of Shonka Dukureh,” Luhrmann wrote on his Instagram. “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.”
Also Read:
Shonka Dukureh, ‘Elvis’ Actress and Blues Singer, Dies at 44
Dukureh, 44, portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Luhrmann’s film “Elvis” in what was her feature film debut. She’s also credited with recording “Hound Dog” on the “Elvis” original movie soundtrack. And as for her work with pop star Doja Cat, Dukureh appeared...
- 7/22/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Shonka Dukureh, a singer and actress who recently portrayed blues legend Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, has died at age 44.
The Charlotte, North Carolina native was found dead in her Nashville apartment on Thursday, July 21, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. The police department confirmed on Twitter that “no foul play is evident,” adding that the actress shared her home with her two young children. A cause of death has not yet been identified.
Dukureh was raised in Charlotte and relocated to Nashville to attend Fisk University,...
The Charlotte, North Carolina native was found dead in her Nashville apartment on Thursday, July 21, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. The police department confirmed on Twitter that “no foul play is evident,” adding that the actress shared her home with her two young children. A cause of death has not yet been identified.
Dukureh was raised in Charlotte and relocated to Nashville to attend Fisk University,...
- 7/22/2022
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
Shonka Dukureh, who just made her film debut in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, was found dead Thursday in her Nashville apartment, police said. She was 44.
One of her two children discovered Dukureh’s body in her bedroom and went to a neighbor for help. The 911 call came in at 9:27 a.m. Nashville time, police said. The city’s medical examiner is working on finding a cause of death, but foul play is not suspected.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Dukureh played Big Mama Thornton in the Elvis film. Thornton was the first to record the classic “Hound Dog” song later covered by Presley. Kukureh also is featured singing the song on the Elvis soundtrack.
Originally from Charlotte, Nc, Dukureh received a bachelor’s degree in theater from Fisk University, followed by a master’s in education from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Dukureh has performed and recorded with Nick Cave,...
One of her two children discovered Dukureh’s body in her bedroom and went to a neighbor for help. The 911 call came in at 9:27 a.m. Nashville time, police said. The city’s medical examiner is working on finding a cause of death, but foul play is not suspected.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Dukureh played Big Mama Thornton in the Elvis film. Thornton was the first to record the classic “Hound Dog” song later covered by Presley. Kukureh also is featured singing the song on the Elvis soundtrack.
Originally from Charlotte, Nc, Dukureh received a bachelor’s degree in theater from Fisk University, followed by a master’s in education from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Dukureh has performed and recorded with Nick Cave,...
- 7/21/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Shonka Dukureh, the singer and actor who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” was found dead in her Nashville, Tenn. apartment on Thursday, police confirmed. She was 44.
According to a tweet from the Metro Nashville Police Department, no foul play is evident in Dukureh’s death. “Dukureh, a Fisk Univ graduate, was found dead in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apt that she shared with her 2 young children,” the tweet reads.
Breaking: No foul play is evident in today's death of actress Shonka Dukureh, 44, who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in this year's Elvis movie. 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
As reported by The Tennessean, Dukureh was found unresponsive on Thursday morning by one of her children, who went to a neighbor for help.
According to a tweet from the Metro Nashville Police Department, no foul play is evident in Dukureh’s death. “Dukureh, a Fisk Univ graduate, was found dead in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apt that she shared with her 2 young children,” the tweet reads.
Breaking: No foul play is evident in today's death of actress Shonka Dukureh, 44, who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in this year's Elvis movie. 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
As reported by The Tennessean, Dukureh was found unresponsive on Thursday morning by one of her children, who went to a neighbor for help.
- 7/21/2022
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Shonka Dukureh, an actress and blues singer who had a brief appearance in this summer’s film “Elvis,” was found dead in her apartment in Tennessee on Thursday. She was 44.
Metro Nashville Police announced via Twitter that Dukureh was found dead in the bedroom of her apartment that she shared with her two young children. Authorities added that no foul play was evident. Dukureh’s death was also reported by local Tennessee media and TMZ, who added that one of Dukureh’s children found her unresponsive and went to a neighbor’s apartment for help. Authorities are investigating a cause of death.
Dukureh portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” in her first feature film role, and she also recently appeared in the music video for Doja Cat’s song “Vegas.” She even got the chance to perform with Doja Cat on stage during the pop star’s...
Metro Nashville Police announced via Twitter that Dukureh was found dead in the bedroom of her apartment that she shared with her two young children. Authorities added that no foul play was evident. Dukureh’s death was also reported by local Tennessee media and TMZ, who added that one of Dukureh’s children found her unresponsive and went to a neighbor’s apartment for help. Authorities are investigating a cause of death.
Dukureh portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” in her first feature film role, and she also recently appeared in the music video for Doja Cat’s song “Vegas.” She even got the chance to perform with Doja Cat on stage during the pop star’s...
- 7/21/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
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