Queen Latifah will portray the legendary lesbian blues singer in a biopic, titled Bessie, written and directed by Out100 honoree Dee Rees. Since Bessie will tell the story of the legendary Smith's "turbulent personal life and her transformation into one of the most iconic singers of the 20th century," and Rees is open about her sexuality and also wrote and directed Pariah, about a young African-American woman's coming out to her family, you can safely assume that the film will also address the queer scene of the era, and Bessie Smith's bisexuality.

In 1930s Harlem, Bessie Smith was a married woman who kept a female lover. In The Boy in the Boat, the singer belted out: "When you see two women walking hand in hand, just look 'em over and try to understand: They'll go to those parties — have the lights down low — only those parties where women can go." And the bisexual singer was known to have keep lots of lovers while touring, once harshly telling Lillian Simpson, her lover at the time: “I got 12 women on this show, and I can have one every night if I want it.”

Mo’Nique will tackle the role of blues legend Ma Rainey (although here in this first photo she's just wielding a feather duster, we can expect plenty of sparks to fly we hope). This is not the only role she'll be in since winning Best Supporting Actress for Precious. She's also starring in Patrik-Ian Polk's Blackbird, also in theaters this spring.

The film also stars Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire) as Bessie’s husband, Jack Gee; Khandi Alexander as Bessie’s older sister, Viola; Tory Kittles as Bessie’s older brother, Clarence; Mike Epps as Richard, a bootlegger and romantic interest; Tika Sumpter as Lucille, a performer and romantic interest; Oliver Platt as famed photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten; Bryan Greenberg as renowned record producer and music critic John Hammond; with Charles S. Dutton as Ma Rainey’s husband, William “Pa” Rainey.

Mikeepps.com
Mark your calendars for May 16th: Dana Owens better known as Queen Latifah, and your boy Mike Epps prepare to “set it off," with their roles in the upcoming HBO film “Bessie." The highly anticipated film which features a slew of stars also including the likes of Mo'Nique, Khandi Alexander, Charles S. Dutton, and Tika Sumpter, a star studded line up that looks to make this movie very promising. A biopic that will span over the life of legendary Jazz singer Bessie Smith(Played by Queen Latifah), chronicling her romantic miseries, alcoholism, and career hangups.

They go on to show how she was affected by racism, and the great depression, but ultimately depicting how she ended up bringing most of her hardships on herself. Latifah delivers in this soulful story, of a struggling jazz singer who would go on to become a larger-than-life figure.Recently nominated for a Critics’ Choice Television Award, in which Queen Latifah also became nominated for “Best Actress”, previews of the highly anticipated television movie capture the essense of the early 1900’s from an urban perspective. In the movie, Bessie; who’s husband Jack Gee(Played by Michael Kenneth Williams) (photo)comes across as abusive, in what would be described as a struggling marriage full of drama.

Meet Richard(Played By Mike Epps), Bessie's side piece so to say, but not exactly how it may sound. Mike Epps explains how his character is more than just a ‘love interest’ for Bessie, serving more of a supportive role, and nurturer who compliments her better. Ultimately, he attracts her because of being different than the guys she would normally date.

Mike Epps has been generating tons of buzz from his peers, known as one of the funniest comic actors in town. He's been gaining praise for his burgeoning dramatic talent, which most recently landed him the starring role as Richard Pryor in the late comedian's biopic film -- coming soon.