The biopic for Mahalia Jackson is on the way thanks to Lifetime and Robin Roberts. Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia stars SAG and Grammy® Award-winning actress Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black) as the iconic Gospel legend and civil rights trailblazer.
The film also includes an impressive list of Broadway stars including Tony® nominee Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play), Jason Dirden (Fences), Olivia Washington (The Butler), and Rob Demery (Lovecraft Country). Tony® Award-winner Kenny Leon directs the film.
In the movie, Dirden stars as Russell Roberts, the dashing, music-loving Reverend who falls for Mahalia when they first meet in the late 1940s while Kalukango takes on the role of Mildred, Mahalia’s talented and opinionated, long-time pianist.
Washington portrays Estelle, a piano teacher Mahalia meets at church who goes on to become her life-long friend, and Demery stars as the influential civil rights leader.
Born in New Orleans, Mahalia Jackson began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, melding her music with the civil rights movement.
Her recording of the song “Move on Up a Little Higher” sold millions of copies, skyrocketing her to international fame, and gave her the opportunity to perform at diverse settings including in front of a racially integrated audience at the prestigious Carnegie Hall and at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball.
An active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, Jackson sang at numerous rallies, including the March on Washington in 1963 alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in hopes that her music would encourage and inspire racial equality.
From Rock’n Robin Productions and Lincoln Square Productions, Mahalia is executive produced by Robin Roberts and Linda Berman. Danielle Brooks and Kenny Leon are co-executive producers. Leon directs from a script written by Bettina Gilois and Todd Kreidler.
Lifetime’s highly anticipated gospel biopic Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia, will premiere Saturday, Apr. 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The headlining artists for the 2024 Baltimore AFRAM Festival have been announced. Busta Rhymes, Karen…
Multi-award-winning Civil Rights Attorney and Child Advocate, Areva Martin, in collaboration with the Special Needs…
The 28th annual American Black Film Festival is honoring the legend that is Denzel Washington…
Ahead of her 8th studio album, “VANTABLACK,” Lalah Hathaway vocally saunters on her new single “So…
The annual Black Music Honors celebration will take place for its 9th year, with the…
Tiera Kennedy is one of the newer artists on the rise in Country music. A…