Mahalia Jackson: Queen of Gospel
'Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jackson’ debuts tonight, Saturday, April 3rd at 8 PM on the Lifetime network. The biopic stars Danielle Brooks from “Orange Is the New Black,” and is directed by Kenny Leon and executive produced by “Good Morning America” broadcaster Robin Roberts. Leon hopes the film will speak to the audience during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial challenges in this country.
Mahalia Jackson was born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised by her aunt after her mother died when she was just 5 years old. As one of the many migrants from the South to Chicago during the Great Migration, Jackson initially found success as a businesswoman with Mahalia's Beauty Salon and Mahalia's House of Flowers. She eventually rose to stardom taking gospel music to the national stage, selling millions of records, appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and selling out Carnegie Hall. The film also explores Mahalia Jackson’s connection and influence on Dr. King, particularly the role she played in his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
The movie is to be a love story to Mahalia Jackson in which Danielle Brooks will voice Mahalia Jackson's songs. Roberts and Leon hope to do Mahalia Jackson's music and legacy justice and not have it feel like one big "karaoke moment.” "Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jackson" takes us to church tonight, Saturday, April 3rd at 8PM ET/PT.
Sources:
https://www.essence.com/entertainment/10-facts-about-mahalia-jackson/
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