Source: Photo by Courtesy of Lifetime Copyright 2020 / Courtesy of Lifetime Copyright 2020
If you were like the millions of people—we predicted—that watched The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel on Lifetime on Saturday night, then you know just how fantastic it was!
Executive produced by Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott this entertaining and moving biography centers on the Detroit-raised Clark Sisters, who became the bestselling female gospel group in history thanks to their strict and God-feating mama, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark (Aunjanue Ellis). With her and God by their side, the five sisters (Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Shelea Frazier, Raven Goodwin and Angela Birchett) went from singing in the pulpit of their church to bringing gospel music into the mainstream.
Every actress bodied their role, but we would be remiss if you didn’t mention that this was Ellis’ moment and her best role to date in her impressive 15-year career. She was that perfect blend of the saved perfectionist overbearing mother who didn’t play any games when it came to her God, her daughters and singing for the Lord. Ellis was born to play Mattie.
Take a look:
While the music was definitely a favorite among fans, every note touched my soul, the film touched on a range of issues from domestic violence, sexism in the church, toxic relationships between mothers and daughters, infidelity and the obstacles Black women face when having ambition and immense talent.
Not to mention, ALL THE DRAMA, including that funeral scene. Directed by Christine Swanson and written by Sylvia L. Jones, this is the first authorized biopic about the group and their story was treated with respect, dignity and grace.
Here, EP Queen Latifah talks about how she was inspired by this dynamic group in her own music.
During these dark times, were are blessed to have this film come into our lives, to bring us a little joy. That, and the best things come to those who wait, which let Dr. Holly Carter, the film’s producer, tell it, took 15-years for this TV gem to get made. While some may have been devastated that they couldn’t promote the film because of the pandemic, Carter stressed that they bounced back, thinking outside of the box.
“God’s timing is perfect,” she told Billboard, adding, “We had a robust plan prepared, from church screenings across the country to press, television and performance opportunities. Then all of a sudden, one by one, everything just canceled. So we shifted to a robust, aggressive digital and social media blitz.”
Oh, and trust, Black Twitter was READY for this biopic, putting on their virtual Sunday’s best to celebrate all this #BlackExcellence, call out that scenes that made them feel a way and express how they wish this would have been longer than its two and a half hour running time! Here’s what they had to say:
Black Twitter Rocked Their Virtual Sunday Best For Lifetime’s Clark Sisters Biopic was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
1.
Saved and sanctified twitter came out tonight ! I love being black #theclarksisters https://t.co/02mixFdsTR
— Ci (@CiCiz_Interlude) April 12, 2020
2.
MISSY ELLIOTT, QUEEN LATIFAH & MARY J BLIGE are in charge of ALL biopics from NOW ON! #TheClarkSisters pic.twitter.com/hUlMrtZaZe
— maxine shaw. (@millennialmuse) April 12, 2020
3.
Man they have FAMILY TRAUMA GEEZUS. And they sang all through that pain. #TheClarkSisters
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) April 12, 2020
4.
#TheClarkSisters needs to be expanded into an 8 part limited series: almost suicide? oppression of women in the black church? Comas? Shoving mamas!?!?!? I need mooooorrrreee!!!
— Katori Hall (@KatoriHall) April 12, 2020
5.
#TheClarkSisters is EVERYTHING we needed to see in this season. Love, faith, family, is the core to success! That’s what matters @lifetimetv did that 🔥AND PLUS @kierrasheard singing for the Holy Ghost makes me wanna shout in my living room
— TAMAR under construction BRAXTON (@TamarBraxtonHer) April 12, 2020
6.
.@lifetime we 👏🏾 needed 👏🏾 two 👏🏾 nights 👏🏾
— brittany packnett cunningham has 3 names. (@MsPackyetti) April 12, 2020
Y’all rushing thru the solo projects & the personal testimonies... Karen was in a coma for almost a month! Her recovery was a literal miracle! Dorinda became The Rose of Gospel! Finally Karen was a MOVEMENT!#TheClarkSisters
7.
Man, I wish that was a three part series! It was so incredible! The tears did flow in the Riley house, and the worship went up too! THANK YOU #TheClarkSisters!!!
— Amber Patrice Riley (@MsAmberPRiley) April 12, 2020
8.
9.
10.
Lifetime put they foot in this. I would believe this productions success has a lot to do with its EPs - Queen Latifah, Mary J Blige and Missy Elliot who evidently gave a damn about the portrayal of this legacy. #TheClarkSisters
— Maura Chanz (@maurachanz) April 12, 2020
11.
I think I would've preferred this as a two-part miniseries. We rushing through the last twenty years. #TheClarkSisters
— C. Jay Conrod (@cjayconrod) April 12, 2020
12.
Um. We needed a miniseries. Y'all hit us with fiftyleven serious issues in 21 minutes.#TheClarkSisters pic.twitter.com/jcZUvTaKVu
— Archie's Chick Inn (@EarthWindFire82) April 12, 2020
13.
Oh my. Mental health. Black family trauma. Black Church trauma. Regret. Pain. Loss. Unforgiveness. Suicidal ideation. Heavy. #TheClarkSisters pic.twitter.com/tIJG04eEeR
— Dr. John Faison, Sr (@johnfaisonsr) April 12, 2020
14.
2% chance to make it...BUT GOD saw it fit to keep Auntie Karen alive #TheClarkSisters pic.twitter.com/qbWDO1r9B5
— Morg B.🍯 (@morg__13) April 12, 2020
15.
“When you play, that’s God in that organ.
— Shanelle Genai (@shanellegenai) April 12, 2020
When you sang, that’s God in yo throat.
When you write, that’s God in that pen.
That...that’s ANNOINTING.”
A WORD CHILE. #TheClarkSisters pic.twitter.com/4Yjjl4ZKVn
16.
17.
When the real sisters appeared #TheClarkSisters #Lifetime pic.twitter.com/BoA7xUKVdO
— Shonda Lou (@Shonda_lou) April 12, 2020
18.
19.
Momma was producing, engineering, doing the musical arrangements...all of it! #TheClarkSisters
— Reagan Gomez (@ReaganGomez) April 12, 2020
20.
Oh, so we telling the truth about domestic violence in the church? I'm here for it. #TheClarkSisters #clarksistersmovie
— Shanita Hubbard (@msshanitarenee) April 12, 2020
21.
#TheClarkSisters ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! MY GOD, MY GOD! Thank You Missy! Thank You Mary! Thank You Queen! ...Jesus!
— QueenL (@EmpressLeaIV) April 12, 2020
What a phenomenal job by the actors/singers! My heart is full!
Kierra, Giiiiiiiiirl! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Aunjanue, Yes Ma'am! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 So good!
Thank You Dr.Clark & Sisters! pic.twitter.com/OHm4OhV9jt
22.
THAT PART!!! Incredible performance. #TheClarkSisters https://t.co/M5fUwXmJVj
— Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) April 12, 2020
