This archive report was first published on 22 December 2019.
Shannah Manjeru, an 11-year-old Kenyan gospel singer, was in the running to play a young Aretha Franklin in the upcoming Hollywood movie 'Respect'.
However, she missed the opportunity to land the role in the MGM Studios film, directed by Liesl Tommy, which will also feature the legendary queen of soul.
According to reports, Shannah auditioned alongside top female prodigy musicians worldwide, aged between 10 and 14 years old, via video link.
Shannah rose to fame in October 2017 with her debut song 'Destiny', followed by 'We Are One' in February 2018, and 'Winner' in April 2018, which won the Song of the Year Award at the Kenya Gospel Music Awards in 2018.
She has also won several awards, including the Arts and Culture Award at the 2nd Annual African Children of the Year Awards 2019 and the Outstanding Alternative-Urban Fusion Minister of Excellence 2019 award during the Maranatha Global Gospel Music Awards, 2019.
Published on December 22, 2019, at 5:15 PM.
