Detroit's gospel music scene takes center stage in new reality TV series 'Grown & Gospel'
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Apologizing for having an affair. Tearfully wondering whether you have what it takes to succeed. Collapsing onstage. If the trailer for “Grown & Gospel” is a barometer of its emotional impact, the new We TV series set in Detroit seems like an answered prayer for fans of ultra-dramatic reality television.
The show focuses on a group of six childhood friends who were born into the Motor City gospel music scene and who are seeking success while dealing with their own insecurities, challenges and past mistakes.
Like “Preachers of Detroit,” the 2015 Oxygen series about men and women of the cloth from the Motor City, “Grown & Gospel” could be must-see TV in the 313. Here are the essential details.
What is the show about?
“Grown & Gospel” follows six young men and women who have apparently been pals since, well, forever. According to the show’s description, their real-life drama will be intense and “hearts are broken, dark secrets revealed, as they work to make names for themselves in the music scene and balance their personal lives with career ambition.” Another compelling fact about the cast? These emerging talents have some very well-known parents in music and religious circles, so they could be described as “nepo babies,” the hot new term for the offspring of celebrities who attempt to follow in their mom and dad's footsteps.
When does it premiere?
The first of six one-hour episodes will debut at 9 p.m. Thursday on We TV. After episodes air, they'll also be available on the AMC streaming site ALLBLK each Monday. We TV, owned by AMC Networks, is the cable channel known for reality shows like "Life After Lockup," "Growing Up Hip Hop" and "The Real Blac Chyna" and still-popular reruns of ‘Law and Order: Criminal Intent.”
Who's in the cast?
Breeann (Bree) Hammond. She's the daughter of Grammy-winning gospel icon Fred Hammond and feels as if her “musical clock” is ticking in terms of her place in the gospel world.
J. Brooks. He’s the son of producer-songwriter Michael Brooks, who's bishop of the Restoration Fellowship Church International (and a founding member of the gospel group Commissioned).
Tasha Page-Lockhart. She’s the stepsister of J. Brooks and the daughter of Lisa Page Brooks, an original member of the gospel group Witness. She won the sixth season of BET’s gospel singing competition “Sunday Best," hosted by Kirk Franklin.
Elijah Connor. The singer and songwriter went viral in 2018 for his staring contest with Sean Combs on Fox's "The Four: Battle for Stardom." Long story short: After Connor performed, Diddy, who was one of the judges, said: “Straight up, I didn’t like it at all." Connor locked eyes with him after losing the judges' vote and the rest is meme history.
Nikkia Cole-Beach. She’s the daughter of gospel legend Dorinda Clark Cole of the Clark Sisters, who previously was a regular on “Preachers of Detroit.” We TV says Cole-Beach is balancing her role as tour manager of the Clark Sisters with motherhood and “being the rock for her family.”
Shana Wilson-Williams. The singer, wife and mother of three is also the youngest daughter of Bishop Samuel Wilson of the Community Christian Fellowship Church and the late Lady J. Wilson. “Although a worship leader in her own right, she feels like an outsider in the gospel music industry,” according to show creators.
More:The 2023 Oscars overlooked these awards for hot dog fingers and mournful donkeys
More:'Five Days At Memorial' chronicles Hurricane Katrina's hellish toll on New Orleans hospital
Who's producing it?
“Grown & Gospel” has several executive producers, the best known of which is Carlos King. He's the founder and CEO of of Kingdom Reign Entertainment, the production company behind shows like “Selling It in the ATL” (We TV), “Love and Marriage: D.C.” (OWN) and “My Super Sweet 16” featuring Reginae and Lil Wayne (MTV).
Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.
'Grown & Gospel'
Series debut
9 p.m. Thursdays
We TV
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit gospel scene is star of 'Grown & Gospel' reality TV show
