H.E.R. set to make her acting debut in 'The Color Purple' film adaptation

H.E.R., aka Gabriella Wilson

 

Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, better known as R&B singer H.E.R., will make her movie debut in a new film adaptation of the Broadway musical version of The Color Purple.

The 24-year old Filipino American performer and songwriter will play Squeak — a juke joint waitress/aspiring singer — in the film adaptation produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

The Oscar and Grammy winner, has expressed a desire to be a multi-dimensional and multi-faceted performer. In an earlier interview for Variety, she said, “There is so much I want to do.

"People don’t really get to see my comedic and fun side, except for when I’m impersonating my aunt,” she joked. 

“But I definitely want to do a lot more voice-overs, and comedy, but also some serious roles,” said Wilson, whose father is Black and mother is a Filipino.

The new adaptation is based on Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and adapted from the 1985 film and the Tony-winning musical — which starred Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo, respectively. 

The only other person cast so far is In the Heights star Corey Hawkins. Blitz Bazawule, who was signed on as director.

In the works since 2018, the new film is scheduled to be released in December, 2023.