2021 saw Gospel legend Kirk Franklin and GRAMMY-nominated singer-actor Luke James join the rush of holiday movies for the first time in their respective careers.

While Franklin served as executive producer of Lifetime’s critically acclaimed ‘A Gospel Christmas’ (starring Demetria McKinney), James rocked TV ratings alongside Destiny’s Child alum Michelle Williams for Hallmark’s ‘Christmas in Harmony.’

This year, Kirk and Luke are joining forces with fellow multi-hyphenate Naturi Naughton for Lifetime’s ‘The Night Before Christmas.’ 

Ahead of its December 10 premiere, look inside for the Tailiah Breon-directed flick’s official trailer and official plot.

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Godmother of Soul Patti LaBelle is no stranger to being listed atop music charts over her six-decade career thanks to a treasure chest of classic hits, but now the R&B icon is looking to do the same on TV ratings via her latest acting gig – Lifetime’s ‘New Orleans Noel.’

Starring alongside Brad James, ‘The Cosby Show’ alum Keshia Knight Pulliam, ‘Sister Sister’ alum Tim Reid, and other familiar faces, the festive flick sees LaBelle Portray “Loretta Brown” – a New Orleans praline icon who has contracted architects (played by James and Pulliam’s characters) to redesign her NOLA home.  The two butt heads at first, but could the magic of the holidays turn their relationship in an unexpected direction?

Ahead of the film’s December 3 premiere on Lifetime, look inside to get a sneak peek at the action set to unfold.

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As Ne-Yo fans ready themselves for the release of ‘Self-Explanatory,’ the long-awaited succeeding studio album to 2018’s ‘Good Man,’ more good news surfaces about projects the 42-year-old is attached to.

Just months after winning rave reviews for starring opposite Keri Hilson and Serayah in VH1’s ‘Hip Hop Family Christmas,’ the singer (born Shaffer Smith) is reuniting with the latter for yet another yuletide-flavored flick.

Details inside:

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If critical acclaim and fan response are any indication, K. Michelle will be scooching up R&B charts next week with her latest single, ‘Scooch.’

The Lil Ronnie-produced mid-tempo has been banging its way up real-time and streaming tallies since its February 11 premiere – a feat aided by its live performance debut on the EMMY-winning talk show ‘The Real’ the same day.

While there, Michelle not only blazed the stage but also dished on the killer success of her Lifetime reality show, ‘My Killer Body,’ and why ‘I’m the Problem’ (the parent album of ‘Scooch’) will be her last foray into R&B before releasing her long-awaited and heavily teased Country album.

Did you miss the action when it first aired? No worries; we’ve got you covered.

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For over four decades, Janet Jackson has reigned over the musical landscape as the Queen of Pop.

From hits to awards to record-breaking statistics, the superstar defines legendary on every metric.

The latest chapter of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s journey was the production of her own self-titled documentary.

Over five years in the making, the special made a splash on Lifetime in the US – and was watched by over 15 million total viewers on its premiere weekend.

With the truth-baring film now available on Sky Documentaries in the UK, That Grape Juice had the honor of sitting down with Ms. Jackson.

During the EXCLUSIVE interview, she opened up about the documentary, new music, Bruno Mars, and more.

Watch above and be sure to let us know what you think.

All episodes of ‘Janet Jackson’ are available on-demand on Sky Documentaries and NOW.

Your thoughts?

Although the wait for new music from singer-songwriter Keri Hilson is still hot as ever, the GRAMMY-nominated songbird has made clear her intent to nest on the acting side of the entertainment spectrum.

Having already rocked TV ratings with made-for-television films ‘Don’t Waste Your Pretty’ (TV One), ‘Lust’ (Lifetime), and ‘The Hotline’ (BET Her) earlier this year, the 38-year-old is now setting her sights on a return to the big screen with the forthcoming film, ‘For the Love of Money.’

Leading a star-studded cast filled out by the likes of R&B royal Keith Sweat as well as Katt Williams, Rotimi, LisaRaye McCoy, Lyfe Jennings, Latto, DC Young Fly, and more, Hilson portrays a single mother who has to return to a life of crime to protect and provide for her young daughter.

Ahead of the Leslie Small-directed movie’s November 24 release, see its official trailer inside:

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Since her death in 2012, Whitney Houston‘s story has easily become one of the most documented of all deceased celebrities thanks to a number of authorized and unauthorized recounts of her meteoric rise to fame, public and private demons, family life, and more.

Across books, films, documentaries, TV specials, reality shows, and more, a number of projects have been dedicated to Houston’s larger-than-life legacy since her untimely passing and that production timeline shows no signs of slowing.

Ahead of her first big screen biopic due Thanksgiving 2022 (as we reported here), Lifetime – the women’s network responsible for the Pop icon’s first posthumous made-for-TV biographical effort – is now unveiling a documentary in honor of the fallen star.

Titled ‘Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn’t We Almost Have It All,’ look inside for the official trailer and description:

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Save the date for the Liddles!

After topping TV ratings with the 2019 holiday film ‘Merry Liddle Christmas’ (click here to read more), Kelly Rowland, Thomas Cadrot, Debbi Morgan, Bresha Webb, and the gang reunite for the network’s first-ever Christmas sequel, ‘Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding.’

Details inside:

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Thanks to the popularity of her first Lifetime holiday film, ‘Merry Liddle Christmas’ (as we reported here), Kelly Rowland makes history for the network by toplining its first ever Christmas sequel – ‘Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding.’

Set to air November 28 at 8pm, the new movie assembles the prequel’s cast and stars the likes of Rowland, Thomas Cardot, Debbi Morgan, Bresha Webb, Latonya Williams, Jaime M. Callica, Nathan Witte, Chris Shields, and more.

Like last year’s warmly received ‘Love You More at Christmas Time’ (click here to listen), the flick’s GRAMMY-winning lead is building anticipation for it by unveiling a featured cut from its accompanying soundtrack.

Putting a 2020 spin on the 1966 yuletide classic, ‘We Need a Little Christmas,’ look inside to hear and see Kelly shine:

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Kelly Rowland has a new movie on the way!

The ‘Coffee’ singer was seen alongside her co-stars brewing the sequel to hit Lifetime film ‘Merry Liddle Christmas.’

Last Fall saw the original deliver major ratings for the cable network, so much so that it’s birthed a follow-up named ‘Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding.’

Ms. Kelly was snapped alongside the likes of Debbi Morgan, Bresha Webb, and Thomas Cadrot.

Peep pics and clips below…

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After scoring a television ratings home run with their Clark Sisters biopic (as we reported here), the set’s producers – Queen Latifah and Holly Carter – are reuniting to bring another faith-based film to the masses:  the biopic of Queen of Gospel Mahalia Jackson.

Not to be confused with the Jackson life story coming to Lifetime (as we reported here), the Latifah and Carter-produced rendition (which also sees Academy Award-winning Jamie Foxx sign on as producer) is headed to the big screen.

To portray the Gospel icon?  None other than 3x GRAMMY-winning soulstress Jill Scott.

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She’s known by many as the Queen of Gospel, but getting Mahalia Jackson‘s storied life adapted into movie form has been nothing but a royal pain.

The previously planned biopic, which pegged powerhouse singer Fantasia to assume the role of Jackson, was reportedly halted due to unfavorable news in the GRAMMY winner’s personal life (click here to read more). Since then, the film’s hit a number of bumps on production’s road including financing, the Gospel legend’s family members causing delays, actresses tapped for the title being dismissed, and more.

However, after seeing the success of The Clark Sisters biopic on Lifetime (click here to read more), resident ‘Good Morning America’ anchor Robin Roberts has taken up the charge of bringing Jackson’s life to the small screen.

See how inside:

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