Big Mama Thornton Elvis Movie: Who plays Big Mama Thornton in the Elvis movie?

Shonka Dukureh, an actress and singer played the role of  Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s new film Elvis.  Shonka was born on September 3, 1977, in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

She graduated from Charlotte High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Fisk University. She was also a Trevecca Nazarene University graduate with a master’s in education.

Shonka Dukureh has collaborated with several well-known musicians, including recording artist Jamie Liddell and The Royal Pharaohs.

The role of Big Mama Thornton was her first major film role.  Shonka appears on the “Elvis” soundtrack and in the music video for Doja Cat’s song “Vegas,” which is also on the soundtrack.

Dukureh also performed with Doja Cat at the Coachella music festival in April 2022.

Shonka Dukureh passed away in her Nashville apartment on Thursday, July 22 2022. She was 44 years old. She was discovered in the bedroom of the apartment she and her two kids shared, according to the police.