Marisa Abela channels Amy Winehouse in "Back to Black" biopic

Marisa Abela will be embodying Amy Winehouse in the upcoming biopic "Back to Black" and is eagerly awaiting the audience's reaction.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at the film's premiere, Abela described the experience of inhabiting the role as almost out-of-body.

"I'm really excited," Abela tells PEOPLE of moviegoers seeing her performance. "It doesn't feel like it's me singing. You know, when you inhabit a character, you do what it is that you need to do. And that's my job as an actor to inhabit her in every corner of her life and to be able to tell the story at every single moment of her life.”

The process of filming offered Abela new insights into Winehouse, who tragically passed away in 2011. "I mean, so much, you know, I think more than anything just how singular of an artist she was, how authentic, you know, as a songwriter, one of the most incredible poets," she says.

Fans got a glimpse of Abela's transformation into the iconic singer in January when director Sam Taylor-Johnson shared photos of the actress sporting Winehouse's beehive and signature earrings.

The official synopsis for "Back to Black" describes it as a journey through Winehouse's rise to fame and the making of her groundbreaking album, told through her eyes and inspired by her lyrics. It explores the complexity of the artist and her turbulent relationship alongside the creation of her legendary music.

The movie also stars Jack O'Connell as Winehouse's ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil. "Back to Black" hits theaters May 17th.