singer and actress Shonka Dukureh, who made her film debut just a month ago playing Big Mama Thornton in “Elvis,” has died at the age of 44. Dukureh was found dead in the bedroom of her Nashville apartment, local police confirmed in an official statement.
It was one of her two young children, with whom the artist lived, who found her unconscious at home. The boy ran to ask the neighbor for help, who called the emergency room, but they could not do anything to save his life. The cause of death has not been revealed, pending the results of the autopsy, but the statement from the Nashville police states. death occurred without apparent signs of violence.
Dukureh portrayed passionate blues singer Willie Mae Thornton, better known as Big Mama Thornton, in the film directed by Baz Luhrmann. The film, released in theaters on June 24, marked his first acting role. Dukureh plays an applauded version of the theme “Hound Dog”, first recorded by Thornton in 1952, later made famous by Elvis Presley.
singer and educator
In addition to appearing in the film and being part of its soundtrack, Dukureh starred in the video clip of the song ‘Vegas’, by popular singer Doja Cat, which is also included on the backing album of ‘Elvis’, and took the stage to perform with her at the Coachella festival in April.
Dukureh studied theater at Fisk University in Nashville and graduated in teaching from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville (via The Guardian). Before making the leap to the cinema, she worked as an elementary school teacher and worked in special programs with young people from marginalized neighborhoods.
Source: E Cartelera
