Amy Winehouse actress Marisa Abela bears uncanny resemblance to the late singer in new look at biopic Back To Black
Marisa Abela bore an uncanny resemblance to Amy Winehouse for a new biopic about the late singer's life, titled Back To Black.
The 26-year-old actress was the spitting image of Amy, sporting the star's iconic winged eyeliner, beehive hairstyle and Beauty Mark Monroe piercing above her lip.
She looked uncannily like the Grammy-winning icon before the film's April 12, 2024 release.
Amy Winehouse tragically died on July 23, 2011 from alcohol poisoning at the age of 27, leaving the country in a state of mourning.
Directed by 50 Shades Of Grey's Sam Taylor-Johnson, the film explores the singer's whirlwind years in London and her journey to fame.
Marisa Abela bore an uncanny resemblance to Amy Winehouse for a new biopic about the late singer's life – Back To Black
Amy Winehouse tragically died on July 23, 2011 from alcohol poisoning at the age of 27 (pictured in 2004)
It is expected to follow Winehouse's life as a talented jazz singer in north London to her rise to global superstardom with her second album, 2006's Back to Black, which featured her hit single Rehab.
At the time, she was one of only five women to win five Grammys in one night, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
The recordings took place earlier this year, among other things recreating the musician's appearance in court in 2009 after she stood trial for assaulting a fan.
Amy's father Mitch Winehouse previously defended the controversial casting choice for the new biopic – after many claimed Marisa and Amy don't look alike enough.
Mitch disagrees with the response and shared that Marisa is a “great choice,” admitting that it doesn't matter if they “don't look exactly alike.”
Chat with TMZ on the new release about his daughter, Mitch said, “Marisa is Marisa and Amy is Amy…so it doesn't matter if they're not mirror images.
“Marisa is a great choice for the role.”
He went on to say that Eddie Marsan, who plays Mitch, doesn't look exactly like him either, noting, “There's too much emphasis on looks.”
The British actress, 26, was the spitting image of the tragic singer (R in 2007) – who died in 2011 aged 27 from alcohol poisoning
The film was previously criticized as fans claimed Marisa (pictured on Tuesday night) and Amy were not similar enough
Amy's father Mitch (pictured outside court with his daughter in 2009) has defended the film's casting
'Because there are plenty of Hollywood examples of actors who don't look like their real characters.'
Mitch's defense comes as the casting choice of Marisa, who is known for her role of Yasmin in the BBC One TV series Industry, left many fans divided when they took to social media.
One fan tweeted: 'Marisa Abela is a good actress but anyone who thinks she looks like Amy Winehouse should make an appointment with their ophthalmologist.'
Mitch and his wife Janis are the parents of Amy, who died in 2011 from alcohol poisoning, and son Alex, 44.
But while the casting had her parents' approval, Amy's friends weren't so convinced either.
One of them told The Mail on Sunday that they were unhappy with Marisa's casting because, despite the near-perfect wig she wears and the identical tattoos, they didn't think she looked like the Rehab singer.
They also contrasted Ms Abela's social background of a Rudean education with the London-born Ms Winehouse, who was known for her streetwise personality.
“No one consulted us about Amy,” the friend said.
“How can it be authentic and accurate if they don't know the real Amy or the truth about what happened in her final years? We are against this and are angry. Amy was definitely striking.”
A24's 2015 documentary Amy won the Oscar for Best Documentary, although this will be the first biopic to cover her life, although other versions were in the works.
Back To Black will be released in UK cinemas on April 12, 2024.
The film is expected to follow her life as a talented jazz singer in North London, followed by her rise to global superstardom with her second album, 2006's Back to Black (pictured in 2007).
A24's 2015 documentary Amy won the Oscar for Best Documentary, although this will be the first biopic to cover her life, although other versions were in the works
Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct the biopic (photo 2018)