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Mary J. Blige is expanding her production portfolio and will executive produce two original Lifetime movies based on her chart-topping songs “Real Love” and “Strength of a Woman.”
The self-proclaimed “Queen of Hip Hop Soul” is boosting her Hollywood portfolio with two new original films based on two of her best singles. The made-for-TV films “Real Love” and “Strength of a Woman” will air on consecutive Saturdays commencing June 10 at 8 p/7 c.
Blige’s Blue Butterfly production firm will executive produce the flicks. Ajiona Alexus and Da’Vinchi feature in both films as Kendra and Ben, a couple who traverse the highs and lows of young Black love.
Others in the cast include Princess Davis, Austin Anozie, Millan Tesfazgi, Shiraine Haas, Garfield Wilson and Hamza Fouad.
Kendra and Ben’s love story is continued in Mary J. Blige’s “Strength of a Woman,” which follows the pair 15 years later. Kendra is a professional photographer in a failing marriage who is struggling with the mistakes she made in the past to attain the life she thought she wanted.
Meanwhile, Ben reappears suddenly in Kendra’s life, requiring her to find the fortitude to embrace the love he may be providing again or remain in her miserable marriage. Kendra’s desire to change her life will need great courage.
Lifetime viewers are no strangers to Mary J. Blige. The Grammy Award-winning singer previously executive produced “The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel,” the network’s top-rated original movie of 2020, with Queen Latifah and Missy Elliot. The “No More Drama” singer also featured as Dr. Betty Shabazz in the Lifetime civil rights film “Betty & Coretta,” with Angela Bassett, that same year.
Lifetime partnered with Take Back The Night Foundation® to support the two original films. Take Back The Night Foundation® is an international event and non-profit organization dedicated to ending all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender harassment, and relationship violence, as well as supporting survivors in their healing journeys.
