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Source: Isaac Brekken / Getty

UPDATE: 1/5, 8:39 PM ET: 

In a statement released to Billboard.com, Beyonce’s camp denies that the superstar has plans to write and star in a film about the life of Saartjie Baartman.

“Beyonce is in no way tied to this project,” her rep said. “This is an important story that should be told, however.”

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ORIGINAL STORY

Beyoncé may be working on bringing the story of Saartjie Baartman to film as she forges ahead with her rumored quest for an Academy Award.

There’s word that the “Pretty Hurts” siren is working on a screen play about the South African woman, who was displayed around Europe under the name “Hottentot Venus.” A source told The Sun that she also plans to star in the movie, which she hopes will be enough to grab the Academy’s attention.

“Beyoncé is desperate to be taken seriously as an actress,” the source said. “Even though she’s had a string of well-received movies, she still feels her breakthrough role is yet to come.”

The tipster continued, “She now wants to write a screenplay that gains her respect–and hopefully awards–from the film industry, and thinks Saartjie’s story could be her ticket.”

Supposedly, Beyoncé is so committed to this mission that she has requested every book that her team can find on Saartjie so that she can accurately tell her story.

The insider added, “Winning an Academy Award would mean everything to her, and she’s a woman who is used to getting exactly what she wants.”

Beyoncé has yet to comment on these claims, but we know she’s got some time on her hands until A Star Is Born goes into production.

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