11 January, 2024
Linda Ronstadt, a renowned figure in country, rock ‘n’ roll, and Latin music, achieved critical and commercial success with albums like “Heart Like a Wheel” and “Simple Dreams” in the 1970s. Winning 11 Grammys throughout her career, Ronstadt received Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy.
Selena Gomez, the pop singer and star of “Only Murders in the Building,” is set to portray the legendary Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic. Gomez hinted at the role by sharing an Instagram story featuring a snapshot of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir, “Simple Dreams,” on Tuesday night. The music biopic, currently in pre-production, has notable producers, including Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan, and James Keach, known for producing the 2019 documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.” Further casting details are yet to be announced.
Both Ronstadt and Gomez share Mexican heritage. Gomez, recognized for her performance in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” where she also serves as an executive producer alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short, has earned two Golden Globe nominations. Rising to fame through Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” Gomez has excelled as a music artist with hits such as “Lose You to Love Me” and “Love You Like a Love Song.
The upcoming biopic, produced by James Keach and John Boylan, promises to delve into the remarkable journey of Linda Ronstadt. The film aims to narrate the pop cultural story of Ronstadt, who, breaking through folk, rock, and country genres, became a prominent music star in the male-dominated 1970s and 80s rock scene. Despite achieving six consecutive platinum albums, including “Simple Dreams” and “Heart Like a Wheel,” Ronstadt faced challenges in asserting her place in the often sexist music industry.
Gomez, presently working on her fourth studio album, following the success of “Rare” in 2020, continues to thrive. Beyond her role in “Only Murders in the Building,” she is set to appear in the musical comedy drama “Emilia Perez,” directed by Jacques Audiard, known for films like “A Prophet,” “The Beat That My Heart Skipped,” and “Rust and Bone.”
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