Tag: Lifetime

a/k/a Wendy Williams:  The Hot Topic

Release Date:  1/30/21; Lifetime
Genre:   Biography
Rating:  NR
Director:  Darren Grant
Studio(s):  Front Street Productions
Running Time:  Unknown

Cast:  Ciera Payton (Wendy Williams), Morocco Omari (Kevin Hunter), Rothaford Gray (Thomas Sr. Williams), Liza Huget (Shirley Williams).

Story:  Talk show host Wendy Williams executive produces the biopic on her life, revealing the highs and lows she has experienced throughout the years. Wendy has made herself the go-to source for great celebrity dish on her hit talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, but recently the spotlight has turned towards her. The authorized project provides a revealing look at Wendy’s journey, from her scrappy upstart days in urban radio to the success of her own syndicated talk show. Despite all the naysayers and obstacles Wendy encountered throughout her life, her strength and determination have allowed her to thrive. Ciera Payton takes on the lead role while Morocco Omari stars as Wendy’s ex-husband Kevin Hunter.

Details:  After years of being in limbo, a biopic on Wendy Williams’ life will finally air in January.  The film will detail Williams’ ups and downs – from her start in urban radio to her highly successful syndicated talk show. It will also take a look into her private persona, discussing the joy and humiliation she’s experienced throughout her life.  The Oval’s Ciera Payton will portray Wendy and P-Valley’s Morocco Omari has been tapped to depict her ex-husband Kevin Hunter in Lifetime’s forthcoming biopic about the talk show queen.   Source(s):  Mylifetime.com; BET.com; IMDB; 9news.com; urbanbridgez.com.

Trailer:

Release Date:  1/23/21; Lifetime
Genre:  Biography
Rating:  NR
Director:  Mario VanPeebles
Studio(s):  Lifetime

Cast:   G. G. Townson, Laila Odom, Monique Paul, Jermel Howard, Cleveland Berto.

Story:  Salt-N-Pepa details the journey of Queensborough Community College students Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton as they enter the world of rap and hip hop, after recording a song for their friend Hurby Azor. Salt-N-Pepa made a huge impact as one of the first all-female rap groups, changing the look of hip hop and being unafraid to talk about sex and share their thoughts on men. The movie follows the group as they become the first female rap act to go platinum and experience ground-breaking success with multiple awards, including a Grammy award – paving the way for all female rappers to follow. The film will feature performances of Salt-N-Pepa’s greatest hits, including: “Let’s Talk About Sex”, “What a Man”, “Shoop” and “Push It”. The movie stars GG Townson as Cheryl “Salt” James, Laila Odom as Sandra “Pepa” Denton, Cleveland Berto as music producer “Hurby Azor,” Jermel Howard as rapper “Treach” and Monique Paul as “DJ Spinderella.”

Details:  Lifetime has announced the premiere date of the long-awaited Salt-N-Pepa biopic, with an after show special featuring the hip-hop icons.  The project stars G.G. Townson as Cheryl “Salt” James, Laila Odom as Sandra “Pepa” Denton and Monique Paul plays Deidra Roper aka DJ Spinderella.  The three-hour feature is co-produced by Queen Latifah and billed as a biopic miniseries that will chronicle the groundbreaking group that made huge strides for women in hip hop.

The miniseries follows the story of Queensborough Community College students Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton as they fall into the world of rap and hip hop, after recording a song for their friend Hurby Azor.  Salt-N-Pepa made a huge impact in hip hop by being one of the first all-female rap groups, changing the look of hip hop and unafraid to talk about sex and share their thoughts on men.  Salt-N-Pepa became the first female rap act to go platinum and experienced ground-breaking success with multiple awards, including a Grammy, paving the way for all female rappers to follow. The miniseries will also feature the group’s biggest hits like “Let’s Talk About Sex”, “What a Man”, “Shoop” and “Push It” among others.

The mini-series will be followed by a “fun and intimate” interview. The discussion with host Loni Love will focus on the duo’s iconic partnership work, how these two very different personalities find the delicate balance to keep it going, and how their pioneering style continues to influence the music world today.  It will also include behind the scenes footage and special appearances from surprise guests.

Unfortunately, DJ, Spinderella, will not be a part of this great moment.  Spinderella, Deidra Roper, sued James and Denton after she was fired from the group for unpaid royalties from their reality show, Ladies Night, their Best Of album as well as concerts. Roper also requested a restraining order against her former group members. Roper, who joined the group in 1987, filed the lawsuit after she found out that the group has had profits over the past decade that she claimed that she hasn’t seen one dime of.  Source(s):  Mylifetime.com; The Grio; Madame Noire; Nostalgicexpress.com; Shadow & Act.

Trailer: