Fans Mourn 'Elvis' Star Shonka Dukureh, Passes Away Just After Achieving Fame

A rising star in Hollywood has been sadly snuffed out. Actress Shonka Dukureh, known for her role as Big Mama Thornton in the recently released Baz Luhrmann’s "Elvis," has sadly passed away.

Dukureh, who was a thriving gospel singer in her hometown of Nashville before getting her break on the big screen, died suddenly at 44.

Dukureh was reportedly found dead in the bedroom of her Antioch apartment, which she shared with her two young children. The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed the devastating news via a tweet that read:

"No foul play is evident in today's death of actress Shonka Dukureh, 44, who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in this year's Elvis movie. Dukureh, a Fisk Univ graduate, was found dead in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apt that she shared with her 2 young children."

Per reports, Dukureh was found unresponsive in her room on Thursday by one of her children, who ran to a neighbor for help. The neighbor called 911 around about 9:30 am but when the paramedics arrived, she was pronounced dead.

The cause of death remains unknown as investigators are waiting for an autopsy report. Dukureh made her debut on the big screen in the highly-beloved biopic, charming fans' hearts almost immediately.

However, before her role as Big Mama Thornton was unveiled, Dukureh shared the stage with rapper Doja Cat at Coachella as they electrically performed the chart-topping tune, "Vegas." Dukureh's powerful voice opens the hit track, singing

Yeah, ah, get it

Yeah, ah, get it

Yeah, yeah, ah, get it

Yeah, ah, get it

Yeah, ah, get it

Yeah

Before charming the world with her thunderous voice on the Coachella stage and onscreen, Dukureh was a singer in her local church and theater productions in Nashville.

According to WPLN News, she was a graduate of theatre from Fisk University and also earned a degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene. Her first love was teaching and she always gave of herself to help the community.

"I taught second grade for a little while over at Buena Vista Elementary in Metro Schools, and then did a lot of work with inner city youth doing after school programming, summer programing — those programs that we need during the break so that kids can have a positive place to be," she once said in an interview.

In an interview with the publication last month, Dukureh opened up about how she snagged the role in the "Elvis" biopic and how she wanted to pay tribute to Big Mama Thornton, the iconic singer whose song “Hound Dog” became one of Elvis’ first big hits.

She explained to WPLN News that she was initially chosen as part of a group of Nashville singers who were to serve as a choir in the film. However, her soulful performance caught the eye of Luhrmann and she was asked to play the character of Big Mama Thornton.

"I thought it was the best Christmas present I had ever received," Dukureh recalled of the experience. She was flown to Australia where she filmed the part and returned home riding on the thrill of experience when another good news came.

Almost two years after she was done filming her part, she received a call from Luhrmann telling her that a part of her performance would be included in Doja Cat's single and she would be needed to perform at Coachella.

Before her heartbreaking demise, Dukureh was working on an album titled "Lady Sings the Blues," which would pay tribute to Billie Holiday.

Fans have since taken to social media to mourn and honor the late actress even in the short time she blew their minds. One fan wrote, "So sad. Just when her career was about to blow up. Missing walking up to accept her supporting actress award 😔."

Another fan wrote, "ShonkaDukureh passing away is so heartbreaking. More than just a beautiful voice...she was a mom to 2 babies. Lord, please wrap her babies and loved ones in love and healing."

Mayor John Cooper of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County honored her legacy, writing, "My deepest condolences to the family of ShonkaDukureh. Shonka graduated from @Fisk1866 and called Nashville home for many years. Her powerful voice and artistry will live on through her music, and we honor her memory on this sad day."

RIP.