Mary J. Blige To Star In Simone Biopic

[Sweet Jane 61]

December 5, 2005

R&B star Mary J. Blige is expanding the actress part of her resume, as she is set to star in a film based on the life story of Jazz/Soul great Nina Simone. The untitled project will be Blige's first starring role, since the singer has only acted in a few small roles in the past. The movie will be a MTV Films/Paramount Pictures production, with Interscope's Jimmy Iovine receiving a producer credit, as will Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg.

MTV.com reports that a director has yet to be chosen, and the screenplay is being written by Cynthia Mort. Simone became a star in the 1960s and was known for her Jazz ballads as much as her soulful protest music, such as "To Be Young, Gifted And Black." She essentially retired in the mid-'70s and passed away in France, where she spent much of her life, in 2003.

Blige will release her new studio album, The Breakthrough, on December 20.