You may know her from her days of strutting her wings on the Victoria's Secret runway, but model Chanel Iman is taking on acting, landing a role in the hit Sundance film titled Dope . The indie film features an all-star cast including Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker and Zoë Kravitz, just to name a few.
With a career as successful as Iman's, the transition to acting seems like it was bound to happen. I can't wait to see what this supermodel has in store for us and whether or not she's got real acting chops. Hardly a stranger to the Hollywood limelight, Iman has been a frequent contender when it comes to international campaigns and fashion week runways, and her newest project with acting can only further elevate her stardom.
The film Dope is directed by Rick Famuyiwa and revolves around teen hardships growing up in Inglewood, California. Iman explains that the character she plays, "Lily," was a role that she felt strongly connected to.
She told Style.com, "When I read the script, I just fell in love with it. Acting was something I had always wanted to do, but I knew this was the part for me. [Lily] has a lot of levels and a complexity to her. That really gave me a chance to step outside myself and get into acting."
Iman also revealed who she'd love to work with in the future. She says, "One day I would love to work with Halle Berry. When it comes to people I look up to, she’s my girl crush and just so inspiring to me. Quentin Tarantino would be awesome, too. There are a few directors on my list, but for me, I just like to work with people I know I can create something special with.”
According to Style.com, "Dope sold for $7 million to Sony Pictures at the festival after a bidding war—[with] fresh acting offers on the table."
Well, sounds like Iman is well on her way to making a name for herself not only as a model, but a respected actor as well. I can't wait to see this film and also, what future roles she will choose to take on!
