Dionne Warwick has had a career resurgence thanks to her social media savvy, and now her life story is headed for the big screen.
Producer Damon Elliott has announced that Teyana Taylor (who looks A LOT like Warwick) will play the lead role as the famed singer, with a script that will most likely be based on her 2010 memoir, My Life, as I See It: An Autobiography.
According to Elliott, the film is funded and has a shoot date this year.
Warwick found stardom in the 1960s working with songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David, scoring hits with "Do You Know The Way To San Jose," "Walk On By" and "Don't Make Me Over." She continued to record hits throughout the 1990s, when she pivoted to television, hosting the successful Psychic Friends Network informercial for years.Warwick has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and won six Grammy Awards, adding a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
The big screen is nothing new for Warwick, whose documentary Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over premiered at TIFF in 2021.
Taylor confirmed the news on Instagram, sharing Elliott's post, adding, "Ms. Dionne Warwick… A woman of great statue, poise and elegance, with a fiery spirit — Realizing I was looking at my future self. My reflection without a mirror. Being able to learn and study from one of the greats like, @therealdionnew has allowed me to learn a lot about myself and the woman I am today. She has taught us to be proud of who you are…. —Don’t Make Me Over. ❤️ @therealdionnew Your music and social involvement has enhanced the culture. Your soul and artistry serves as an example of not only resilience and strength, but of faith and purpose. "
Warwick joins a stacked list of forthcoming biopic topics that includes Anthony Kiedis, Pharrell, Amy Winehouse, Linda Ronstadt, Joey Ramone and Bob Marley, but not 21 Savage.