Yesterday [Tuesday, May 3] VH1 taped their first Mother’s Day special event titled Dear Mama at St. Bart’s Church in New York City.
Named after Tupac Shakur’s legendary tribute song to his mother Afeni Shakur [who tragically passed away on Monday], this is VH1’s first annual Mother’s Day tribute, shedding light on the mothers who raised today’s stars to become the people we love. VH1 is honoring them with an hour of heartfelt tributes and performances along with other surprises.
Blackish star Anthony Anderson is the host of the special. Anthony will no doubt bring us a night full of love and laughter and also pay tribute to his mother, Doris Hancox, who’s no stranger to tickling our funny bones as well. Other tributes will include Queen Latifah honoring her mother, Rita Owens, Jaden and Willow Smith paying tribute to their mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Alicia Keys and Alessia Cara also paying it forward in honor of their mothers.
Dear Mama is the result of a Flavor Unit and Jesse Collins Entertainment partnership. Flavor Unit was founded by Queen Latifah, along with her partner Shakim Compere. Jesse Collins has produced some of our favorite award shows and television programs, such as the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, and The Real Husbands of Hollywood, to name a few.
Dear Mama is set to premiere on Sunday, May 8 at 9pm ET. VH1 is encouraging viewers to participate by posting selfies on social media with your mom, mother-in-law, God mother or whomever you consider to live up to such a significant role in your life and use the hashtag #DearMama.
Watch the trailer here.
