Zendaya Set to Play Ronnie Spector in New Biopic

Euphoria and Marvel’s Spider-Man movie actress Zendaya will be playing as Ronnie Spector in an upcoming biopic based on her memoir with release date still unknown.

Spector, leader of the girl group the Ronettes, passed away at 78 on Wednesday (January 12) after a brief battle with cancer. Zendaya paid tribute to the late singer and icon on Instagram following the announcement of Spector’s death saying,

“This news just breaks my heart. To speak about her as if she’s not with us feels strange as she is so incredibly full of life. There’s not a time I saw her without her iconic red lips and full teased hair, a true rockstar through and through.”

“Ronnie, being able to know you has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Thank you for sharing your life with me, I could listen to your stories for hours and hours. Thank you for your unmeasured talent, your unwavering love for performing, your strength, resilience and your grace. There is absolutely nothing that could dim the light you cast. I admire you so much and am so grateful for the bond we share. You are a magical force of greatness and the world of music will never be the same. I wish everyone got to experience you the way I did. We celebrate your beautiful life and give you all the flowers you so rightfully deserve. Rest in great power Ronnie. I hope to make you proud.”

Ronnie, born in 1943 in Manhattan as Veronica Yvette Bennet, formed The Ronettes in 1957 with her sister and cousin. They were responsible for hits such as “Be My Baby”, “Baby, I Love You, “Walking in the Rain”, and “The Best Part of Breakin’ Up.” Spector and the Ronettes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.