H.E.R. Set To Star In And Produce A Majorettes-Inspired Dance Movie With Oprah

H.E.R. is teaming up with her The Color Purple producers Oprah Winfrey and Scott Sanders on an upcoming Majorettes-inspired HBCU film set at 20th Century Studios.

The multi-hyphenate, who made her feature film debut with last year’s The Color Purple, would develop, produce, and star in the film. The Hollywood Reporter states, “Fascinated by the majorettes and their impact on Black culture, H.E.R. approached Winfrey and Sanders with this project after working with them on Color Purple.”

They will produce with H.E.R., with Winfrey producing under her Harpo Films banner and Sanders producing through Scott Sanders Productions.

A Black Lady Sketch Show alum, Lauren Ashley Smith, is the film’s writer. Here’s the official description:

The film’s plot revolves around an introverted ballet dancer from L.A. who defies her parents by putting her thriving dance career on hold to go to college. There, she joins her HBCU’s struggling majorette team, a unique blend of marching band, dance, and gymnastic elements, and attempts to overcome culture shock, her stuffy dance background, and fierce rivals to help return the team to its former glory.

“The intent is to make a funny, joyous celebration of authentic HBCU life told through the point of view of a majorette who, through experiencing HBCU life for the first time, will start to tap into who she really is,” states The Hollywood Reporter’s exclusive report. “Majorette traditions, which combines marching band, dance, and gymnastic elements, has emerged in the last 50 years as a major cultural touchstone in college and Black culture.”

Joining the team of producers are Carla Gardini and Mara Jacobs, who have a proven track record of delivering successful films.

H.E.R. has won five Grammys, an Emmy, and an Oscar (for Best Original Song) and is only one award away from an EGOT.

This article first appeared on Blavity.