Danielle Brooks’ Astonishing Role in Robin Roberts Presents: MAHALIA
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia is a monumental, heart-warming film starring Danielle Brooks which tells the life story of the iconic Gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. This film is a beautiful replay of Mahalia’s music journey leading up to her significant involvement in the civil rights movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Premiering on Lifetime Saturday, April 3, 8/7C, Danielle Brooks takes on the spirit of Mahalia Jackson in a way that brings her story back to life again! Born in New Orleans, we get to see Mahalia from her youth captivating hearts with her anointed, passionate Gospel voice. Having sold millions of copies from her hit song “Move On Up A Little Higher” including a performance at Carnegie Hall and other notable venues, we witness on screen how Mahalia’s voice inspires her audience and motivates racial equity everywhere it is heard.
There are moments throughout the film that will absolutely leave you smitten with adoration for Mahalia and respect the impact she left on this world. Each character surrounding her life and the way they take on their individual roles is impeccably done. I especially appreciate how candid the film shows both Mahalia’s frail humanity as well as her noble spirit and heart for all people.
For more on Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia, please visit https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/robin-roberts-presents-mahalia. This film is executive produced by Robin Roberts & Linda Berman.
*Photos Courtesy of Lifetime TV
DRESS LIKE A GENT
Dress Like A Gent Speaks to Brooks Darnell on his Role as “Rob” in Lifetime’s Let’s Meet Again on Christmas Eve
Just two days away, Lifetime’s annual “It’s A Wonderful Lifetime” will air a beautiful and romantically charming film called Let’s Meet Again on Christmas Eve. The film premieres on Lifetime December 5th at 8PM ET/PT and is one not to be missed! Today I got a chance to interview the very brilliant Brooks Darnell on his lead role as “Rob” in the film. Brooks plays “Rob” alongside lead actress Kyla Pratt, who plays his college sweetheart, “Corrine”. Brooks tells us about his experience in filming this movie and what that was like.
The film begins with a great narration following these two in their younger college days being in love. An opportunity arises for Rob to go and pursue his passion in Italy as the two agree to meet back up in two years on Christmas Eve to determine if they are really destined for each other. When one shows up and the other is a no-show, it leaves unanswered questions and wild emotions to unravel. 7 years later, when the two ironically bump into each other while working a Christmas wedding project for a mutual client, the real adventure begins! Brooks says that shooting this film out of sequence due to the script’s time delay was interesting and somewhat daunting. The part of having to play a younger college-age Rob and then Rob 7 years later, was an exercise in itself; but not that big of a stretch.
In reference to working with Kyla, Brooks says that they actually met for the first time at the airport on the way to do this film and got a chance to really vibe during their layover. He says, the time they got to get to know one another in preparation for the movie was absolutely essential and helped to make things organic during filming. I shared with him how the film as a whole is surprisingly not one of those cheesy holiday films that you have to force yourself to get through. Au contraire, this movie and the chemistry on screen that you sense between Kyla and Brooks was absolutely impeccable. Frankly speaking, this particular film had me in my feelings - the way the characters displayed their unwavering love and willingness to fight for one another was pretty darn moving!
When asked how Brooks traditionally celebrates Christmas, he says that Christmas for him starts right after Thanksgiving. Living in L.A., although snow is rare during Christmas time, it’s never stopped Brooks whatsoever from getting in the Christmas spirit! Every other year, he puts up a large Christmas tree with a different theme and refined decorations. When not having to work, he loves to travel to a different place each year and shop up until the last minute. Brooks tells us that there is no greater joy than being able to give to someone else. In fact, he typically volunteers his time once or twice a year with L.A. Mission for this purpose.
I also asked Brooks if there was anything in particular that resonates with him about playing this role in the film. He says, “Yes, you never know where life will take you… And if you stay true to your heart, you never know where it will lead you.” In his own life, he’s learned the importance of following his heart and seen how staying true to that has opened up grand opportunities that may have been missed otherwise. We see in this film, a theme of old love being rekindled as one couple renews their wedding vows paralleled by new love (Corrine & Rob) also being rekindled all with the love magic that Christmas brings! I believe that this is the type of film that will inspire viewers to love unconditionally, be open to being loved and ultimately, to follow your heart even when it seems unconventional.
For more on this film and other films on the It’s A Wonderful Lifetime lineup, please visit, https://www.mylifetime.com/christmas-movies.
DRESS LIKE A GENT