Many people were saddened by the death of Ronnie Spector earlier this week, but one person who had special reason to mourn the loss is actress Zendaya, who will play The Ronnettes lead singer in Be My Baby, a new biopic focusing on the early life and career breakthrough of the star. Spector’s death was announced on Wednesday, when she passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 78, and tributes from many performers across the industry were fast coming as well as from many fans.
Euphoria star Zendaya was personally selected by Spector, who was an executive producer on the A24 produced biopic, to play the singer, and therefore the tribute shared on her Instagram account proved to be a very personal and heartfelt piece that ended with the actress hoping that she makes Ronnie proud in the role.
“This news just breaks my heart. To speak about her as if she’s not with us feels strange as she is so incredibly full of life,” Zendaya posted. “There’s not a time I saw her without her iconic red lips and full teased hair, a true rockstar through and through. Ronnie, being able to know you has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
The Spider-Man: No Way Home star continued: “Thank you for sharing your life with me, I could listen to your stories for hours and hours. Thank you for your unmeasured talent, your unwavering love for performing, your strength, resilience and your grace. There is absolutely nothing that could dim the light you cast. I admire you so much and am so grateful for the bond we share. You are a magical force of greatness and the world of music will never be the same. I wish everyone got to experience you the way I did. We celebrate your beautiful life and give you all the flowers you so rightfully deserve. Rest in great power Ronnie. I hope to make you proud.”
Zendaya Had The Personal Endorsement Of Ronnie Spector For The Upcoming Biopic
A deal to the life rights and the “Be My Baby” memoir written by Spector with Vince Waldron was closed in 2020, with it being announced in September that year that Zendaya had been personally chosen by The Ronnettes lead singer to play her in a biopic that would chart her early life and her rise to fame with the iconic girl group. Originally heading to Fox until the Disney takeover of the studio, the film shifting to A24, who also produce HBO series Euphoria, there was quite a bit of speculation about whether Zendaya would take on the role and although there was not a final confirmation on the subject at the time, the actress' tribute post certainly does suggest that the casting is a done deal.
Zendaya is one of the hottest young actresses currently in the Industry, becoming the youngest actress to win an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the age of 24, and is only the second black woman to pick up an award in that category after Viola Davis in 2015. There is currently no other information known about when the biopic is expected to go into production, but it would be likely that this will now become a priority for A24.