Check out this week's edition of UPFRONT Inside the Entertainment Industry. It features an all-star salute to entertainment giants---ARETHA FRANKLIN and ALVIN AILEY.
In my first segment, I will revisit exclusive interviews with two of the stars from the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTtxoz3OIlU">RESPECT, Brenda Nicole Moorer and Titus Burgess. She is here to chat about playing Brenda Franklin and he is here to talk about his role as the iconic Rev. Dr. James Cleveland. The film opens nationwide next Friday, August 13 and stars Jennifer Hudson as the "Queen of Soul." It also features Marlon Wayans, Forest Whitaker, Mary J. Blige and Saycon Sengbloh.
In addition, I am also rebroadcasting a portion of my 2018 tribute to Ms. Franklin the week she passed away. It features Atlanta-based soul music singers Keisha Jackson, Trina Broussard, Avery*Sunshine and WCLK's Rivablue. The ladies shared their personal connection to the "Queen" and what her signature tune "RESPECT" meant to them and much more.
My final segment is a nod to dance icon Alvin Ailey. A new documentary about his life and legacy is in theaters now titled https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97jqfS3_8io">AILEY. The film is directed by Jamila Wignot and features never-before-seen or heard video and audio featuring Mr. Ailey and his beloved Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. The segment is taken from an interview I conducted earlier this year with Wignot for the Sundance Film Festival.
