Janelle Monae Joins br Gloria Steinem Biopic The film is an adaptation br of Steinem's 2015 br feminist memoir, br My Life on the Road. Monae joins Julianne Moore br and Alicia Vikander. Both actresses portray the br women's rights activist at br various stages in her life. Bette Midler is br also set to play br the role of Bella Abzug. Monae has had a br successful career in film. She launched her big screen career br with 2016's 'Moonlight' and rose to br critical acclaim in 'Hidden Figures.