What role did Beyoncé portray in the 2008 film Cadillac Records?

Beyoncé portrayed singer Etta James in the 2008 film Cadillac Records.

Cadillac Records, written and directed by Darnell Martin, dramatizes the history of Chess Records and several artists connected with the label. Beyoncé played Etta James, the blues and R&B singer whose powerful voice made her one of the most influential performers of her generation.

For the film, Beyoncé recorded “At Last,” one of James’s signature songs. The performance introduced the song to a new audience, though the movie takes liberties with chronology and historical events for dramatic purposes. Beyoncé’s role was one of several acting projects between her major music releases.