Baz Lurhmann Pays Tribute to Shonka Dukureh After Her Sudden Death

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.

Shonka was found dead on Thursday (July 21) in a bedroom at her home in Nashville, which she shared with her two young children, the Metro Nashville Police Department said.

In his Instagram tribute, Baz said, “A favorite word of Shonka’s, in daily use, was ‘blessings,’ and I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her.”

According to her website, Shonka was planning to release her first studio album, The Lady Sings the Blues, this year.

Find out more details about what happened when Shonka was found unresponsive by one of her children.