A theater arts major at Grambling State University and a drama teacher in her Dallas hometown, Badu made her professional debut with a role in 1998's "Blues Brothers 2000", playing Queen Moussette, a voodoo priestess who hosts a battle of the bands competition. The following year she co-starred in Lasse Hallstrom's acclaimed adaptation of John Irving's "The Cider House Rules". Badu played cider house migrant worker Rose Rose in the 1940s set drama, and proved an onscreen natural, handling heavy themes including incest, abortion and race relations with a deft, understated performance. Badu's air of dignity and self-possession served her well in this role and her remarkable watchability offered promise for a bright acting future.