HBO has released a full trailer for their upcoming Bessie Smith biopic, Bessie, starring Queen Latifah as the Empress of Blues. Co-starring alongside Latifah are Mo’Nique as Ma Rainey and Michael Kenneth Williams as Smith’s husband, Jack Gee.
In a biography of Smith from 1972, Chris Albertson writes that "Bessie tried to keep Jack from discovering several aspects of her private life, such as the wide range of her sexual tastes." A quick shot of Queen Latifah in bed with another woman in the trailer suggests the movie will directly discuss the singer's bisexuality.
Advertisement
Bessie premieres Saturday, May 16, on HBO.
Image via HBO.
Contact the author at bobby@jezebel.com.
DISCUSSION
I really hope this is as good as it looks. It's directed by Dee Rees who made 2011's Pariah which got great reviews but not enough people have seen.