Kanye West, Justin Bieber and more: Celebrities who picked their own biopic stars

From musicians to Hollywood icons, many celebrities have already imagined who could step into their shoes on the big screen. 

Here’s a look at some stars who have handpicked, or at least suggested, the actors they’d love to see play them in a biopic.

Kanye West wants Jamie Foxx:

Kanye West revealed that he thought Jamie Foxx could portray him best.

“My pick is Jamie Foxx. One of the greatest geniuses,” the Homecoming rapper wrote in a since-deleted tweet.

Foxx, who famously collaborated with West on Gold Digger, has long been admired for his versatility in both acting and music.

Justin Bieber wants Chuck Norris:

Justin Bieber once revealed in an interview with Tonight Show that he’d love none other than action icon Chuck Norris to portray him. While it may have been tongue-in-cheek, Bieber’s surprising casting choice definitely raised eyebrows.

Drew Barrymore wants Joey King:

Drew Barrymore took to TikTok in August 2022 to share her biopic dream casting is The Kissing Booth star Joey King. Barrymore, who rose to fame as a child star in E.T. and later headlined Ever After, said she’d love King to bring her life story to the screen.

Dolly Parton wants Reese Witherspoon:

Country legend Dolly Parton has always been candid about who she thinks could play her, Reese Witherspoon.

Parton joked during a December 2014 appearance on Lorraine, “Reese Witherspoon is a dear friend of mine… we were talking about my life story, and I went, ‘Well people always say to me, ‘Why don’t you get Reese Witherspoon [to play you].’ And I always say, ‘Her boobs ain’t big enough! I think she’s too little to rag this around! I wouldn’t put that on her.’”

Witherspoon, however, had the perfect reply, she said “Well, there’s padding, I’ve got enough to do it!”

Aretha Franklin wanted Halle Berry:

Before Jennifer Hudson brought Aretha Franklin’s story to life in the 2021 biopic Respect, the Queen of Soul had her eye on another actress.

“I would’ve liked Halle Berry to portray the older Aretha in the upcoming biopic of my life based on my memoir, Aretha: From These Roots,” Franklin told The Wendy Williams Show in January 2011. “She was my first choice… I never expected Halle to sing. She’s an actress, not a singer.”

Ultimately, Franklin was so impressed with Hudson’s work that she personally asked her to take the role.

Hudson admitted she was nervous but deeply honored, “Even when it was time to film, I was still freaking out in my mind about it. But because she had said, ‘I want you to play me,’ that gave me the courage to be able to get through it.”