Shonka Dukureh as Big Mama Thornton in Elvis. Image Source: AceShowbiz
Shonka Dukureh, singer-actress, has passed away.
Shonka Dukureh, who recently made her big screen debut as Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, in which Austin Butler played the role of Elvis Presley, was found dead in her Nashville apartment. She was 44 years old.
The Nashville Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the news of Shonka Dukureh’s unfortunate and sudden passing away. The police department and 911 were altered by her neighbor, who was informed by one of her two young children, who found her unresponsive in the bedroom of their Kothe Way apartment.
According to the reports, no foul play has been suspected, although the authorities are awaiting the autopsy report from the Davidson County Medical Examiner’s Office to officially announce the cause of the death of Shonka Dukureh.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper expressed his condolences to Shonka Dukureh via a statement to Fox 17. He extends his deepest condolences to the family of Shonka Dukureh, who graduated from Fisk and called Nashville home for many years. John Cooper added that her powerful voice and artistry will live on through her music, and they will honor her memory on this sad day.
Shonka Dukureh made an appearance in Doja Cat’s song ‘Vegas’ from the movie Elvis’ soundtrack and on scoring her first big role, Shonka Dukureh shared a picture on her social media stating that she is grateful for everything in life and being grateful is something that her grandmother, gmama, mother, and family modeled and instilled in her. She continued by saying that this attitude is not one of inferiority or crumbs-scraping, but rather one that recognizes that good things aren't always guaranteed and that the only appropriate responses are thanks and gratitude.
Big Mama Thornton, according to Shonka Dukureh, was extremely honest and true in everything she did and created songs according to how she felt. Shonka claimed that she could identify with her and that she was conscious of the need of honoring her musical heritage and all that she contributed to it. She also added that she could relate to her. Shonka Dukureh claimed that the foundation was set by Big Mama Thornton, who is the sole reason she can accomplish it all. In the film, Olivia DeJonge, who played Priscilla Presley, stated that Shonka Dukureh performed like a star in front of the cameras and that something in her sort of broke free and it was insane to watch her.
The singer and actress received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Fisk University. Before deciding to pursue a career in the performing arts, she also possessed a Masters' in Education degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, which she earned with the hopes of becoming a teacher. She said in an interview that she briefly taught second grade at Buena Vista Elementary in the Metro Schools before working extensively with inner city youngsters on after-school, summer, and other activities that they require during the break so that children may have a safe place to be.
In an interview with Shadow and Act in April, the singer opened up about getting the opportunity to not only have her dreams play out on the big screen but onstage, too. She said that it's been amazing and she is looking forward to doing it all over again. Shonka said that everything has been a dream and she does not even know it was a dream of her until she got there and experienced everything, but it has been a chance of a lifetime, this life-altering experience.
We offer Shonka Dukureh's family and friends our sincere condolences.
