The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Brandy Norwood is set to make her return to Lifetime with a new holiday film, and she’s bringing along her daughter, Sy’Rai. This festive project will hit screens later this year.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the Cinderella actress. Brandy will also lend her voice to the theme song for Netflix’s upcoming revival of A Different World, as she shared on Tuesday.
Brandy and Sy’Rai to star in ‘Christmas Everyday’ sequel for Lifetime
The celebrated singer and actress will take the spotlight again in Christmas Everyday Again (working title), a follow-up to last year’s hit Christmas Everyday, Lifetime revealed on August 10. Brandy is once more stepping into the shoes of Francine “Fancy” Ballantine, while her daughter, Sy’rai Smith, reprises her role as Fancy’s little sister, Belle.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to dive back into Fancy’s universe,” Brandy expressed. “Creating Christmas Everyday was a truly unique experience, and I can’t wait for audiences to continue this adventure with these characters.”
In Christmas Everyday Again, Chicago fashion designer Fancy is working hard, with the help of her mother and sister, to secure the future of her thriving boutique while also planning her Christmas wedding to her fiancé, Jaylen. But as business pressures mount and a reformed ex unexpectedly returns, Fancy shoulders all the burdens on her own and unintentionally pushes Jaylen away. As Christmas approaches, she must decide whether she’s willing to let go of the past before it costs her the future of her dreams.
The cast also includes Debbi Morgan as Fancy and Belle’s mother, Evelyn, and Robert C. Riley as Fancy’s fiancé, Jaylen. Also returning from Christmas Everyday are Kajuana S. Marie as Deena, Journey Carter as Tia, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Germaine, and Lamman Rucker as Richard. Gregory Alan Williams joins the cast as Earl. Christmas Everyday Again will air later this year as part of the It’s a Wonderful Lifetime holiday slate.
Brandy sings theme song for ‘A Different World’ reboot
A new Lifetime movie isn’t the only thing Brandy is cooking up. She’ll also sing the updated theme song for Netflix’s A Different World reboot, the streamer announced on Tuesday.
“Singing this iconic theme song for A Different World means everything to me,” Brandy told Tudum. “It was one of those shows that I had to watch every time it came on. I remember the song and how it made me feel.”
Brandy had some big shoes to fill in taking on the theme song for the new series, given that Aretha Franklin performed the theme for the original show, starting in season 2. (A Different World aired from six seasons beginning in 1987.)
“It feels amazing to be a part of the legacy,” Brandy said. “I just hope I can do it as much justice as Ms. Franklin.”
The new version of A Different World premieres September 24 on Netflix. It follows Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the daughter of original series characters Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy), in her first year at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU.
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