It's been a while since we've really heard from Madge. We know she's in Lisbon, and sometimes she does Britney covers for World AIDS Day — which inspires Britney to sing Elvis covers, in a 360 panorama little-black-dress moment, no less. You know, because "Silence = Death" and stars are just like us!
We also know that Madonna has exhibited a flair for direction in her music videos and overall career arc, yes, (she's not the Queen of Pop for nothing), but directed 2011's Oscar-nominated W./E., which in my opinion is a deeply underrated, high-art capital-f Fashion affair about the IRL scandalous and glamorous Wallis Simpson and her fictional modern-day counterpart.
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Anyway, Madonna is now set to direct an upcoming MGM biopic about ballerina Michaela DePrince, called Taking Flight. The film's title takes its name from the 2014 memoir Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, which was co-authored by DePrince and her adoptive mother. The biopic will chronicle DePrince's triumphant journey from being orphaned in war-torn Sierra Leone, to her upbringing in the States, then, to her rise within the Dutch National Ballet, where she is currently a soloist. Furthermore, she is featured prominently alongside none other than Serena Williams in the "Sorry" video and other iconic scenes from — you guessed it — Beyonce's Lemonade opus. GAG.
In a statement, Madonna said that DePrince's story resonated with her deeply as "an artist and activist who understands diversity," and continued with, "We have a unique opportunity to shed light on Sierra Leone and let Michaela be the voice for all the orphaned children she grew up beside. I am honored to bring her story to life."
This should be interesting. Let's also hope DePrince gets that executive producer credit alongside Ms. Madge — since it is after all, her story. But of course, bless Madonna for wanting to make sure it gets seen. A lesson in how to use your powers for the good of others.
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