'I had no idea who she was': Queen Latifah talks about playing blues singer Bessie Smith in new biopic... and reveals she was first offered role 22 years ago

She plays legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the upcoming HBO biopic titled Bessie.

And while talking about the project at a Television Critics Association panel on Thursday, Queen Latifah revealed she was first offered the role when she was just 22 and in the midst of her rap career.

The 44-year-old admitted: 'I had no idea who Bessie Smith was, to be honest with you... I had to become familiar with who she was in particular.' 

Starring role: Queen Latifah discussed her upcoming project, Bessie at a TCA panel talk in Los Angeles on Thursday. She will play 1920s & 1930s blues singer Bessie Smith

The Single Ladies star continued: 'I was just blown away. I could hear her voice in so many people who came after her... If there was a Bessie Smith alive today, she'd blow

everyone else out of the water. I could never match her true ability.'

Latifah explained she was glad the movie didn't happen 22 years ago as she feels she has more life experience and a deeper understanding of Smith and her music now.

She said: 'When the project came my way, I don’t think I had the life journey that went along with it. I got to live more of the blues.'

More life experience: Latifah, 44, was first offered the role when she was in her 20s and says she's grateful it didn't happen back then. Smith is pictured in 1936 - a year before she passed away aged 43

Ready for her close-up: The former daytime talk show host answered questions from the media

Major influence: Smith was one of the most acclaimed performing and recording artists of her time

Coming soon: Latifah was joined by Bessie director and writer Dee Rees

Acting silly: She and Rees had a little fun while walking through the lobby

Latifah was sat alongside the movie's director Dee Rees, who added that the film will not shy away from Smith's sexuality - as she was known to sleep with men and women.

She also said the biopic will show the singer's strength of will and refusal to conform, saying: 'Bessie never walks around things. She just walks right through it.'

The drama also stars Mo'Nique, Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps and Charles S. Dutton but no date has been confirmed for its first air.

Style Queen: Latifah wore minimal makeup on her flawless complexion and pulled back her long tresses in a slicked back ponytail

Panel talk: The star wore a black and white sweater with black harem pants and tan ankle boots

Palling around: Jack Black and Tim Robbins talk about TV series The Brink

Promo: Kim Benabib, Maribeth Monroe and Carla Gugino speak onstage during The Brink panel

It will centre on how Smith overcame her turbulent personal life during the 1920s and '30s to become one of the most successful artists of her time, earning her the nickname Empress Of The Blues.

Smith died after a car accident in 1937, aged 43.

Also taking to the stage at the HBO portion of the Winter TCA press tour, was Jack Black and Tim Robbins to talk about their TV comedy The Brink.

Writer and Director Mark Duplass and actors Melanie Lynskey and Amanda Peet speak onstage during the Togetherness panel

The show follows a government and military scramble to prevent World War 3 from happening amidst the chaos of a geopolitical crisis. 

Promoting HBO's upcoming comedy Togetherness was writer and director Mark Duplass as well as its stars Melanie Lynskey and Amanda Peet.

Togetherness, which premieres on January 11, follows two couples who live under the same roof struggling to keep their relationships alive while following their individual passions. 

Girly: Lynskey looked pretty in a feminine white dress with black lace detailing

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