TV One produces African American excellence across the board. The network brings viewers a relatable and entertaining take on Black culture from an insider’s point of view, in ways very few networks can do.
One aspect of programming sheds light on once well-known artists whose careers and stardom were cut short due to crisis. Unsung is the name of the series, and for the first time ever, TV One has made a feature film from one of its episodes—none other than singer Miki Howard’s.
The feature film stars Teyonah Parris, who depicts Miki Howard, Darius McCrary, LisaRaye, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Gary Dourdan.
Some really interesting and life altering things transpired in the R&B sensation’s journey, which come to life through the cast’s ability to embody each character and make for an incredibly captivating film. There may have been some inquiry about what some referred to as a “random choice” for the artist to break the series’ barriers, but the high level of content and performance the film delivers are sure to ease the doubt.
The film progresses at a fast pace, highlighting moments in Howard’s life that led to her success and her downfall. It features palpable renditions of the singer’s love life, her experience with drug abuse, and how everything she went through affected her family and ultimately her career.
The feature shies away from sugar-coating the hit maker’s dark times and Howard says she had no issue baring her troubles for the world to see. “I feel like an honest person. I’m a very honest person. I have no reason to lie. I don’t feel like anything that happened to me is abnormal,” the singer said. “Everything doesn’t usually happen, but one of those things happens to all of us.”
Director of the film, Christine Swanson also refers to the Unsung movie as “giving” and says that those who watch are sure to take something away from it.
“We’re making history here. We always complain as African Americans that we don’t have the kind of entertainment that we want to see,” Howard said. “It’s our turn now, and we have a network that’s here to put our stories out in a good way, in a right way,” she added with regards to TV One.
That’s only one of many reasons to tune into the movie, which airs on the network Sunday, June 12 at 7pm ET.
“It’s a film full of inspiration. You watch this woman hit rock bottom not once, not twice, but a couple of times; and then have to pick herself back up and put herself back together and take her family with her.” Teyonah Parris says. “I think that it’s incredibly inspirational, and that we all, like Miki was saying, can relate to it on some level. I think people will learn from it, I think people will begin to heal from it.”
The movie features Howard’s hit songs, including title inspired “Love Under New Management,” “Come Share My Love,” and her duet with Gerald Levert, “What Love Is” that are all sure to remind you why Miki Howard’s presence in music is not to be forgotten, and that she certainly deserves the recognition.
