Hello World,

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The Lifetime Original Movie The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel hit a high note on Saturday night, delivering 2.7 million Total Viewers in L+SD, according to Nielsen Media Research, making it Lifetime’s highest-rated movie since 2016 and the strongest original movie on all of television for 2020 across key demos, including both broadcast and cable! Additionally, The Clark Sisters was the best ad-supported cable original movie since 2018 in key demos, with 1.1 million Adults 25-54, 905,000 Adults 18-49 and 813,000 Women 25-54. With the success of The Clark Sisters, Lifetime now claims the top three original movies on ad-supported cable in 2020 in key demos, along with “Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story” and “Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer.”

On social media, #TheClarkSisters ranked #1 across all TV on April 11 with over 700,000 interactions, according to Nielsen Social. #TheClarkSisters was the top social Lifetime movie over the last year.

None of these metrics surprise me because I LOVED the movie! In fact, I loved the character of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark so much, I wrote this Facebook post:

Attention “This Is Us” writers room, I want a Dr. Mattie Moss Clark – like character to be friends with older Rebecca. I need her to wear the same glasses and be just as ornery (although hilarious at the same time) as she was in “The Clark Sisters” movie. Also, I want her to be portrayed by Aunjanue Ellis because clearly her acting skills have been underestimated until now…

Below is one of my favorite scenes from the movie:

Did you have a favorite scene? What was it?

Hailing from executive producers Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel recounts the story of the legendary pioneers of contemporary gospel music and their trailblazing mother, Mattie Moss Clark (Aunjanue Ellis). Credited with bringing Gospel music to the mainstream, the five Clark sisters (Christina Bell as “Twinkie,” Kierra Sheard as “Karen,” Raven Goodwin as “Denise,” Sheléa Frazier as “Dorinda,” Angela Birchett as “Jacky”) overcame humble beginnings in Detroit, enduring abuse, loss, rejection, betrayal, and sibling rivalries to achieve international fame as icons of the Gospel music industry.

Grammy-winner, songwriter and gospel record producer and artist Donald Lawrence produced all the re-recorded Clark Sister hits for the movie. Christine Swanson (Chicago P.D.) directed, based on a script written by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker. In addition to Latifah, Blige, and Elliott, executive producers also include Holly Carter who also executive produces for Relevé Entertainment and Shakim Compere executive produces for Flavor Unit. Loretha Jones also executive produced.

Any thoughts?

The post 2.7 Million Total Viewers Watch Lifetime’s ‘The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel!’ appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Hello World,

GRAMMY® nominated and Stellar Award-winning inspirational artist and actress, Kierra Sheard, released her latest single, “It Keeps Happening,” which she co-wrote with her brother, producer and songwriter, J. Drew Sheard, II. Coming on the heels of her popular anthem “Don’t Judge Me,” featuring Missy Elliott, “It Keeps Happening” is the latest offering from Sheard’s highly anticipated sixth album, KIERRA (Karew Entertainment / RCA Inspiration), which will release on April 17, 2020.

Sheard, who began performing professionally at the age of nine, continues to showcase her versatility and growth as an artist on the uplifting tune, where she sings about God directing her in every area of her life and continually opening doors. She says, “I started seeing how God was just moving in my life and connecting me with the right people that would push me into purpose”.

In addition to releasing “It Keeps Happening” and preparing for the release of KIERRA, Sheard will co-star in the biopic, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel, which is premiering on Lifetime on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 8/7c. In the film she portrays her mother, legendary gospel artist, Karen Clark Sheard. Also, Sheard can be seen hosting the 35^th Annual Stellar Awards Pre-Show happening in Las Vegas, NV on March 26^th and performing on the 35^th Stellar Awards, which will air on BET on Sunday, April 5^th at 8/7c. She is also continuing to expand Eleven60, the popular clothing line that she created to cater to full-figured women. Listen to “It Keeps Happening” below.

“It Keeps Happening” is available now via all major digital platforms and KIERRA is available for pre-order / pre-add.

Any thoughts?

The post NEW MUSIC: Kierra Sheard “It Keeps Happening (Live)” – Available Now! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Kierra Sheard, Shelea Fraizer, Angela Birchett, Queen Latifah, Raven Goodwin and Christina Bell attend TCA in
Pasadena, CA on behalf of Lifetime’s “The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel.” All photos are from Getty Images for Lifetime.

Hello World,

I’m sooo looking forward to seeing The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel when it airs on Saturday, April 11^th at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, only on Lifetime!

Below is the movie synopsis:

From executive producers and Grammy Award winners Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott, comes the authorized musical tale of the incomparable gospel singers, The Clark Sisters. The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel recounts the story of the highest selling female gospel group in history and of their trailblazing mother, Mattie Moss Clark (Aunjanue Ellis). Credited with bringing Gospel music to the mainstream, the five Clark sisters (Christina Bell as “Twinkie,” Kierra Sheard as “Karen,” Sheléa Frazier as “Dorinda,” Raven Goodwin as “Denise,” Angela Birchett as “Jacky”) overcame humble beginnings in Detroit, enduring abuse, loss, rejection, betrayal, and sibling rivalries to achieve international fame as icons of the Gospel music industry.

Recently, executive producers and the cast from the movie appeared at the TCA panel held in Pasadena, California. Below are a few photos from the panel.

The cast and executive producers on stage…

The cast performs. Look at Queen Latifah getting hype in the background…

Angela Birchett who portrays Jacky…

Christina Bell who portrays Twinky…

Kierra Sheard who portrays her actual mother Karen. Isn’t that wild?

Raven Goodwin who portrays Denise…

Sheléa Frazier who portrays Dorinda…

Queen Latifah, one of the executive producers, just “queening.” I love her…

According to Deadline.com, there was some tea spilled at the TCA panel, “… one question was gotten out of the way early:  Was estranged sister Denise Clark-Bradford consulted in the making of the movie? ‘Yes, she was absolutely given the opportunity to participate in her story,’ said Executive Producer Holly Carter, who was joined on the panel by Executive Producer Queen Latifah (Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott are also EP’s) and cast members Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin and Angela Birchett.” Read the rest of the article HERE.

If you haven’t seen the trailer for The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, check it out below…

Will you be watching The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel come April?

Any thoughts?

The post ‘The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel’ Executive Producers & Cast Attend Television Critics Association Panel (PHOTOS) appeared first on After the Altar Call.