Mary J. Blige is the executive producer of two new films for Lifetime based on her best-selling songs – “Real Love” and “Strength of a Woman”, the channel announced Thursday.
Ajiona Alexus (Empire, 13 reasons why) and Da’Vinchi (BMF, all American) lead the castings of the original films in two packs.
Other cast members include Princess Davis, Austin Anozie, Millan Tesfazgi, Shiraine Haas, Garfield Wilson, and Hamza Fouad.
The films titled True Love by Mary J. Blige And The Strength of a Woman by Mary J. Blige premiering in June and will depict the highs and lows of young black love.
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Camrus Johnson directs True love from a screenplay written by Sonja Warfield and Rachel Ingram.
Shari Lynette Carpenter directs The strength of a woman from a script written by Ingram.
The films are produced by Front Street Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures Television.
John Davis and Jordan Davis of Davis Entertainment are executive producers. Blige is an executive producer through her production company Blue Butterfly. Ashaunna K. Ayars and Q. Nicole Jackson are co-producing.
Production is currently underway on the films, which Lifetime revealed in the behind-the-scenes video below.
Lifetime announced a year ago that it was teaming up with Blige to turn his music into movies.
The Grammy-winning singer said at the time, “My passions for theater and music now include developing diverse stories with music as the backdrop.”
Blige has a long history with Lifetime, having previously produced the network’s highest-rated original film of 2020, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel alongside fellow EPs Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott.
She also played Dr. Betty Shabazz, opposite Angela Bassett in the cable network’s 2013 civil rights biopic. Betty & Coretta.
Along with the two new films, Lifetime has partnered with the Take Back The Night Foundation, an international nonprofit whose mission is to end all forms of sexual violence and support survivors on their journey of healing. .
True Love by Mary J. Blige And The Strength of a Woman by Mary J. Blige are slated to air on consecutive Saturdays, June 10 and 17, at 8 p.m./7 a.m. on Lifetime.
Below are the official descriptions for both films.
“True Love by Mary J. Blige follows 18-year-old Kendra (Alexus) as she goes alone for the first time to an HBCU in North Carolina. Receiving a scholarship, Kendra is determined to focus on school while balancing work, studies, and professionalism with Ben (Da’Vinchi), her photography class partner. Despite disapproving parents, financial difficulties, and even an unexpected pregnancy, Kendra and Ben find themselves falling in love with each other and eventually learn the meaning of “Real Love.” Even when Kendra realizes that to pursue her dreams she must leave Ben behind, it’s certain their story isn’t over.
“Strength of a Woman” by Mary J. Blige, continues Kendra and Ben’s story by leapfrogging over 15 years. Now a successful photographer, Kendra finds herself in a failed marriage and must consider the decisions she made for the life she thought she wanted. When Ben unexpectedly returns to her life, she is forced to a point of crisis and must dig deep to find the strength to take control of her life and accept the love Ben can offer her again.