The striking similarity between Kelly Rowland and Donna Summer is undeniable, and many fans have been calling for the former Destiny’s Child member to play the latter in a biopic. With both acclaimed singers sharing similar facial features, hairstyles, and personas on stage, the similarities between them are hard to miss.
In fact, even Brooklyn Sudano, Summer’s daughter, agrees with this sentiment, stating that Rowland’s spirit and appearance reminded her of her late mother in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I’m friends with Kelly and sometimes I look at her, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, Kelly, you remind me so much of my mom,” While adding “So much so and her spirit is the same. The whole world and all of Twitter and everybody [is] like, ‘Kelly, we got to figure this out.”
Rowland has also stated that she would be more than happy to portray Summer in a biopic, noting the similarities between their stories and the impact that Summer had on her life and music.
The resemblance between the two singers goes beyond physical appearance, however. Both have had highly successful careers in the music industry, with Summer being known as the Queen of Disco and Rowland having been a member of one of the most successful girl groups of all time. Additionally, both women have faced their share of challenges and triumphs, with Rowland having endured personal struggles and Summer having been an advocate for women’s rights and a survivor of domestic abuse.
According to a REVOLT interview, Kelly Rowland has long been open to playing Summer and is likely to do the role with both authenticity and respect that best captures the essence of Summer’s legacy.
It is worth noting that the late singer’s estate has been cautious about giving their approval for a biopic, which might suggest a desire to ensure that the project is done in a way that honors Summer’s memory rather than purely for profit. A movie about Summer’s life would need to carefully balance the glamour and excitement of her disco era with the complexities and challenges she faced as a public figure.
It would also need to address the criticism that Summer received for performing at a military base during the Vietnam War, raising questions about artistic freedom, patriotism, and morality in times of conflict.
It is clear that Rowland holds Summer in high regard and has been influenced by her music and legacy. In her 2019 disco-inspired releases and in her Halloween costume inspired by Summer, Rowland paid homage to the late singer and her impact on the industry.
However, Brooklyn Sudano brought her mother’s legacy to life in the 2023 HBO documentary, ‘Love to Love You, Donna Summer.’ which premiered on May 20th on HBO Max. Though fans have been eagerly awaiting a full-blown biopic of the iconic singer, this intimate glimpse into Summer’s life on and off the stage is a worthy substitute. The documentary features rare interviews, archival footage, and personal audio recordings, truly immersing viewers in the soulful sounds that made Summer a vocal powerhouse.
With Sudano and fans alike calling for Rowland to play her mother in a biopic, it is possible that we will see the two singers’ stories and legacies intertwined on the big screen anytime soon.
