Baz Luhrmann and Elvis cast 'heartbroken' by Shonka Dukureh's death

Elvis Presley separated from his wife Priscilla, The King began dating Miss Tennessee model Linda Thompson. From 1972-6, she lived with the star at Graceland and the couple shared his bedroom upstairs in the mansion. To this day, the music icon's private space isn't open to the public, but now his old flame has shared a rare photo from up there.

Celebrities are expressing their heartbreak over the sudden death of Shonka Dukureh.

Less than one month after the release of the 2022 Elvis biopic, Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in the film, was found dead in her Nashville home. She was 44.

Doja Cat and Baz Luhrmann have paid tribute to Elvis actress Shonka Dukureh following her death. Dukureh, who made her movie debut as blues singer Big Mama Thornton in Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic, was found dead at her home in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday at the age of 44. The actress made a notable appearance in the film singing Thornton's biggest hit Hound Dog - which Presley later recorded - and her rendition of the song was sampled on Doja's single Vegas, taken from the Elvis soundtrack.

Director Baz Luhrmann said he felt “truly blessed” to have had time with Shonka Dukureh, who starred in his Elvis biopic, before her sudden death at age 44.

Baz Luhrmann has said he felt “truly blessed” to have had time with Shonka Dukureh, who starred in his Elvis biopic, before her death aged 44. The actress, who played Big Mama Thornton in the film about superstar Elvis Presley, was found dead in a bedroom at her home in Nashville. It was one of her children who found her unresponsive and went to the apartment of a neighbour, who called emergency services.

Actress and singer Shonka Dukureh, who starred in the biopic Elvis, has died at the age of 44. She played Big Mama Thornton in the film about superstar Elvis Presley and was found dead in a bedroom at her home in Nashville.

Actress Shonka Dukereh, who stars in the new Elvis Presley film, has died aged 44.TMZ reported that she was first discovered by one of her young children in her Nashville apartment on Thursday morning (22 July). In her latest project Shonka played blues singer Big Mama Thornton in the new Elvis biopic. On discovering her body her child is said to have alerted a neighbour who then called 911 for help.

Elvis biopic, has died at the age of 44.Dukureh was found dead by police on Thursday (July 21) in her home in Nashville, after one of her two young children found her unresponsive and sought help from a neighbour, who called 911. According to police, there is no evidence of foul play.

Shonka Dukureh, one of the stars of the new Elvis film, has died aged 44. The recently acclaimed actress was found dead in her apartment by one of her young children, just after recently drawing plaudits for her role as blues singer Big Mama Thornton in the Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic. TMZ reported she was found dead in the bedroom of her apartment in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday.

“Elvis” actress and blues singer Shonka Dukureh was found dead in her Nashville apartment Thursday, ET can confirm. She was 44.

From the thrill of a lifetime to its untimely end, all in less than six months…

A shocking loss. Elvis star Shonka Dukureh was found dead in her Nashville, Tennesse, home on Thursday, July 21. She was 44.

"Elvis" actress Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thorton, was found dead Thursday in a bedroom at her apartment in Nashville, police confirmed. She was 44.  The Metro Nashville Police Department said there were no signs of foul play.

Shonka Dukureh, who just made her film debut in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, was found dead in her Nashville, Tenn. apartment on Thursday, police said. She was 44 and was found in her bedroom.

Shonka Dukureh, who most recently played the role of Big Mama Thornton in the movie Elvis, has died at the age of 44.

 actress and blues singer Shonka Dukureh was found dead in her Nashville apartment Thursday, ET can confirm. She was 44.According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in the Baz Luhrmann production, was found dead Thursday morning, in the bedroom of her apartment that she shared with her two young children.