Mary J. Blige is getting into business with Lifetime again for a new project and this time, it is a television film based on one of her songs.
Blige will executive produce an original movie for the network inspired by her 1992 debut single, “Real Love.” The project will be one coming down the pipeline from her own production company, Blue Butterfly.
The song was Blige’s first Top 10 hit and was certified gold just two months after its release.
It’s still one of Blige’s of her most beloved songs and is never absent from her tour performances. She’s excited to share the song in a different forum.
“I wrote ‘Real Love’ based on my real life experiences and my fans connected to it in a deeply personal way.” Blige said in a statement received by S&A. “It’s exciting to now use this song and my music to create a new story by way of film, continuing to build on a pillar of the foundation of my production company, Blue Butterfly. My passions for acting and music now include developing diverse stories with music as the backdrop. I am grateful to Lifetime for their partnership in the story of Real Love.“
'Real Love' is billed as a coming-of-age romantic drama.
According to a logline: Kendra sets off on her own for the first time to a college in upstate New York, determined to focus on her studies. But when she meets her film class partner Ben, she tries her hardest to keep things professional. Despite disapproving parents, financial hardship, and competition for the top spot in class, Kendra and Ben find themselves falling hard for each other and ultimately learn the meaning of real love.
The movie is written by Sonja Warfield and Rachel Ingram. Along with Blige, Ashaunna Ayars and Nicole Jackson will executive produce for Blue Butterfly, and Jordan and John Davis executive produce for Davis Entertainment, with Sony Pictures Television distributing the movie.
Blige has worked with Lifetime previously
The singer has impressed Lifetime’s audiences in other projects. She executive produced the network’s top-rated original movie of 2020, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel. She also starred as Dr. Betty Shabazz in the civil rights biopic Betty & Coretta alongside Angela Bassett. Blige played Shabazz.