Selena Gomez will take on the role of music icon Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic. The pop singer and star of “Only Murders in the Building” hinted at the exciting news on Tuesday night by sharing an image of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir, “Simple Dreams,” on her Instagram story.
Currently in pre-production, the music biopic is backed by notable producers, including John Boylan, who managed Ronstadt, and James Keach, the producer behind the acclaimed 2019 documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.” As of now, no additional casting details have been revealed.
Linda Ronstadt, renowned for her contributions to country, rock ‘n’ roll, and Latin music, achieved critical and commercial success in the 1970s with albums like “Heart Like a Wheel” and “Simple Dreams.” Her ability to seamlessly traverse musical genres showcased her versatility, earning her 11 Grammy Awards. Recognizing her significant impact on the music industry, both the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy bestowed upon her Lifetime Achievement Awards.
A significant connection between Ronstadt and Gomez lies in their shared Mexican heritage. While Gomez has garnered attention for her role in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” earning Golden Globe nominations, she initially rose to fame as an actor on Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” and achieved success as a music artist with chart-toppers like “Lose You to Love Me” and “Love You Like a Love Song.”
The upcoming biopic adds another dimension to Linda Ronstadt’s story, especially following the detailed exploration of her remarkable career in the 2019 documentary directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Ronstadt, who announced her retirement in 2011, disclosed her inability to sing due to progressive supranuclear palsy, initially misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease.
As the project unfolds, fans can anticipate Gomez bringing Ronstadt’s compelling journey to life on the big screen, providing a cinematic glimpse into the life of one of music’s enduring legends.
