Which character did Beyoncé play in the 2008 film Cadillac Records?

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

Directed by Darnell Martin, Cadillac Records dramatizes the history of Chess Records and the musicians associated with the Chicago label. Beyoncé portrayed Etta James, whose recordings became closely connected with the label's blues, soul, and R&B legacy. The film also stars Adrien Brody as record executive Leonard Chess and Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters.

For the role, Beyoncé recorded several songs associated with James, including “At Last.” Her performance brought renewed attention to James's music and showed Beyoncé working in a historical musical drama rather than a comedy or fictional pop story.

The role is frequently confused with Beyoncé's portrayal of Deena Jones in Dreamgirls. Deena is a fictional character, while Etta James was a real recording artist. Beyoncé also played Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers in Goldmember, another entirely different screen role.