Baz Luhrmann Breaks Silence On Shonka Dukureh's Passing: 'A Special Light Went Out'

Shonka Dukureh's death has left a big hole in the entertainment world!

The rising Hollywood sensation, who made her big film debut in the box office hit "Elvis," passed away after achieving worldwide recognition for her remarkable portrayal of the late Blues singer Big Mama Thornton.

Following news of the talented actress's death, Baz Luhrmann, the director of the biopic, paid tribute to the 44-year-old with a poignant message on social media.

Big Mama Thornton went down in history as an R&B icon known for her powerful vocals that earned the late songstress an induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.

On the same note, Dukureh will be recorded as the gospel singer who stole the hearts of millions with her moving portrayal of the "Hound Dog" musician.

The Nashville native's stellar contributions to the "Elvis" movie inspired the wave of tributes that poured out following her tragic passing on Thursday, July 21.

These heartwarming pieces included a special message from the biopic director, who shared three stunning pictures of the deceased on Instagram, including an image of the Australian filmmaker placing a tender kiss on Dukureh's forehead.

Paying his respects to the late singer, the 59-year-old wrote: "A special light went out today, and all of the Elvis movie family are heartbroken by the loss of Shonka Dukureh."

The "Moulin Rouge!" producer revealed that the moment the mother-of-two walked into their lives, the "Elvis" movie family lives became filled with "joy and spirit" in addition to the late entertainer's soulful voice.

According to the Oscar nominee, everyone around Dukureh felt uplifted whenever the 44-year-old walked into the room, whether on stage or the film's set.

Given the gospel singer's charming personality and colossal talent, it was not surprising that the actress began turning heads after her appearance in "Elvis," and this loss of a rising star broke Luhrmann's heart.

"Shonka was just starting to find a larger audience for her tremendous talent," the Tony Award winner penned, "and I got to see her uplift whole crowds of people at Coachella and beyond."

The "Romeo + Juliet" director shared that the actress's favorite daily word was "blessings," stating that he, alongside the biopic's "cast, crew, and musical collaborators," felt grateful for the time they spent with Dukureh.

Luhrmann concluded his touching message by sending the "Elvis" movie family's love and support to the late actress's children and loved ones.

In response to the "Kids of the Cross" star's heartfelt post, fans sent their condolences and prayers for the deceased, while others dropped their good wishes to the Australian filmmaker.

Celebrities such as the famous creative director Brett Alan Nelson and Hollywood sensation Addison Rae shared their thoughts in the comment section.

As reported by The Blast, these A-listers joined the long list of people who have mourned the loss of the gospel singer, who had a thriving career in her Nashville hometown before her breakout role in "Elvis."

A month after her successful film debut, the Metro Nashville Police Department announced on (Twitter) that the 44-year-old had passed away in her Antioch apartment, where she lived with her two young children.

In the tweet, the authorities confirmed that the entertainer's death was not a product of "foul play" after discovering Dukureh's dead body in her bedroom.

Last year, The Blast shared that fans of the late King of Rock and Roll had eagerly anticipated the production of the "Can't Help Falling in Love" singer's biopic since the project was first announced in 2014.

No news about the movie was heard until 2019; unfortunately, any hope of a release was shattered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the delay, the biopic's director and Hollywood stars worked diligently to ensure the long-awaited film would premiere in June 2022.

Austin Butler, Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101" star, was chosen to play the titular character after beating A-listers like Harry Styles, Ansel Elgort, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Miles Teller.

Apart from his acting credits, the California native's ability to play several musical instruments like the guitar and piano made him the perfect man to portray the 20th-century cultural icon.