So starts an
epic 148-tweet of strippers, pimps and a murder during a weekend trip to Florida as told by A’Ziah “Zola” Wells King
Zola, while waitressing at Hooters, meets Jessica who tells her she can make $15K over a weekend exotic dancing in Tampa. The next day Zola and her new friends Jessica, Jarrett and "Z" are on a road trip in a black SUV from Detroit to Tampa to make some real money. Unfortunately Jessica never told Zola that the big Nigerian "Z" was her pimp and they expected her to do more than dance.
Zola is a wild comedy, a thrill ride with a feeling of dread, like the wheels could come off this roller coaster at any time. It is also a cautionary tale, as Zola said in an interview "It's common and it happens. It could happen to anyone"
Most of the story is true, reporter David Kushner interviewed A’Ziah Wells King and other participants in the story. Some details diverge but most line up. Zola embellishes somewhat but then it is her story to tell.
Akporode “Rudy” Uwedjojevwe ("Z" in the film) is currently in prison in Nevada serving a 16-year sentence for sex trafficking and coercion.
An article in Rolling Stone breaks down crazy road trip:
Zola Tells All: The Real Story Behind the Greatest Stripper Saga Ever Tweeted by David Kushner
An exclusive account of how Aziah “Zola” Wells’ road trip to Florida with an exotic dancer, a boyfriend and a pimp went south
https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/zola-tells-all-the-real-story-behind-the-greatest-stripper-saga-ever-tweeted-73048/NY Times has an in depth interview with director Janicza Bravo:
How She Transformed a Viral Twitter Thread About Sex Work Into a Sinister ComedyAll of Janicza Bravo’s previous movies were playing in the place where humor and trauma meet. “Zola” was a natural fit.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/magazine/how-she-transformed-a-viral-twitter-thread-about-sex-work-into-a-sinister-comedy.html 88% on RT
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zola 
