Lifetime’s Voices of a Lifetime returns this winter with a trio of powerful movies featuring the voices and legacies of three of the music industry’s most influential talents including the Queen of Hip Hop and Soul, Mary J. Blige; Latin Hip Hop Pioneer Lisa Velez (Lisa Lisa); and powerhouse Gloria Gaynor, who’s epic career spans more than 50-years in the music business. The movie event kicks off on Saturday, January 25 at 8/7c with an all-new original movie executive produced by Mary J. Blige along with Jordan and John Davis.

Inspired by Blige’s best-selling hit Family Affair, the third movie installment continues Kendra and Ben’s epic love story from Lifetime’s 2023 fan favorite movies Mary J. Blige’s Real Love and Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman. Ajiona Alexus (BMF, Acrimony,13 Reasons Why) and Da’Vinchi (BMF) also serve as executive producers and return to reprise their roles as Kendra and Ben. Mary J. Blige’s Family Affair is produced by Front Street Pictures. Mary J. Blige, Bruce Miller, and Milana Edwards-Brooks executive produce from Blue Butterfly alongside Davis Entertainment’s Jordan and John Davis and Ajiona Alexus and Da’Vinchi also executive produce. Troy Scott directs from a script written by Rachel Ingram.

 

 

Voices of a Lifetime continues Saturday, February 1 at 8/7c with the premiere of Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story. The fully authorized biopic follows the journey of singer and actress Lisa Velez (Lisa Lisa) who rose to fame in the 80s supergroup Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. Velez both executive produces and stars as her mother along with Jearnest Corchado (Sneaker Heads, Little America) who stars as Lisa Velez, Bre-Z (All American, Empire) who takes the role of Toni Ménage, and NYC radio personality, Angie Martinez rounds out the cast as Nurse Rodriguez.

The fully authorized biopic tells the story of global phenomenon, Lisa Lisa (Jearnest Corchado) who paved the way for artists like Selena and Jennifer Lopez to shine. As a 15-year-old Puerto Rican girl from Hell’s Kitchen, Lisa Velez endured sexism, racism and hid her breast cancer diagnosis to become the first Latina artist to hit multiple music Billboard charts including songs “Can You Feel The Beat,” “All Cried Out,” and “Lost in Emotion.” Lisa’s constant companion through her tumultuous ride to the top was her best friend and backup singer, Toni Ménage (Bre-Z). Toni’s unwavering support helped Lisa learn how to take control of her professional and personal life. This true-life story of two best friends who refused to allow themselves to be destroyed by the entertainment business is filled with twists and turns and ends triumphantly as the two refused to give up on their dreams. Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story is produced by Swirl Films with Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Lisa Velez, Toni Ménage, Abbey Sibucao, Ron Robinson and Eric Tomosunas serving as executive producers. Produced in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment with Richard Foster and Chet Fenster serving as executive producers. Tailiah Breon directs from a script by Rebecca Murga.

 

 

The event concludes on Saturday, February 8 at 8/7c with the premiere of the authorized biopic, Robin Roberts Presents I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story. Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukangoexecutive produces and stars as two-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and music legend Gloria Gaynor with Lance Gross (Tyler Perry’s House of Payne) starring as Gloria’s husband Linwood Simon. Gaynor executive produces and also wrote and recorded an original song for the biopic. Produced by Rock’n Robin Productions, the film reunites executive producer Roberts with Kalukango who also starred in Roberts’ Emmy Award nominated movie music biopic, Mahalia.

Following the biopic is the Tribeca Spotlight documentary Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive, which follows Gloria as she embarks on a long and unexpectedly difficult journey wielding her inner drive to change the course of her life as she tries to get a dream gospel album made against all odds from Emmy nominated filmmaker, Betsy Schechter.

 

 

Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive is produced by Storyville Entertainment, Sing Me Back Home Productions and Tora 9. Carol Chirmside, Dawn Gates, Gloria Gaynor, Pippa Lambert, Cindy Mabe, Betsy Schechter and Michael Schechter serve as executive producers. The film is directed by Betsy Schechter.