Hollywood stars John Legend and Cynthia Erivo will take part in director and screenwriter Bill Condon’s upcoming project, The Road Home, a music-driven drama surrounding the creation of Paul Simon’s 1980s Grammy-winning album, Graceland.
While the EGOT winner will portray the late icon, Harry Belafonte, the multi-award-winning actress will star as the late singer and activist Miriam Makeba.
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What is The Road Home about?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film, set in the mid-1980s, is currently being shot in South Africa and explores the biggest moral debates in pop history. It follows Paul (portrayed by Johnny Flynn) as he travels to apartheid-era South Africa to record with township musicians.
However, his decision sparks widespread criticism, with the Anti-Apartheid Movement accusing the musician of breaking the United Nations’ cultural boycott of the country.
The story is told through the eyes of exiled trumpeter Hugh Masekela (portrayed by Thabo Rametsi). The South African activist faces a difficult choice between supporting his mentor, anti-apartheid leader Archbishop Trevor Huddleston (portrayed by Guy Pearce), who calls for a boycott of Simon, and following his own belief that music could be a powerful force against the struggle.
Ultimately, Hugh parts ways with his mentor and joins Simon alongside Mama Africa to form the Graceland band, a group created to showcase South African music on the global stage.
Also see: ‘I’ve had a taste of apartheid’ – shares Emtee
CASTING NEWS:
John Legend Joins ‘Hugh Masekela’ Film
Legend has joined the cast of the apartheid era drama The Road Home.
The Grammy winner will play the role of American singer, actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, opposite Cynthia Erivo who plays Miriam… pic.twitter.com/bZXbi1tVsu
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) July 30, 2026
John Legend speaks about his role
In a statement, the singer shared how honoured he had been to know and work with Harry in the struggle for justice, adding, “He was an incredible human being who lived a monumental, revolutionary life.
“He was the epitome of an artist and activist who set a standard for me and so many others who stand on his shoulders. I count it a privilege to be entrusted with the role of Harry Belafonte in this special film.”
Also see: Zuluboy speaks out after Mzansi reacts to viral Hugh Masekela cover
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