The partnership between Mary J. Blige Presents and Lifetime began in 2023 when the women-centric entertainment network released Real Love, a film inspired by the artist’s chart-topping single of the same name. The nostalgic coming-of-age romance starring Ajiona Alexus as Kendra and Da’Vinchi as Ben launched a trio of movies inspired by Blige’s work, including Strength of a Woman and Family Affair. Collectively, the films reached a remarkable 6.1 million total viewers via traditional broadcast and cable television.
On February 7, the two titans will once again join forces to release Be Happy, a production that kicks off the network’s “Love of a Lifetime” movie slate. The story follows 50-year-old Val (Tisha Campbell, Operation Aunties, Act Your Age), a devoted wife and stay at home mom, who is eager to reignite the spark in her marriage after her youngest child leaves for college. However, while grappling with empty-nest feelings, loneliness, and growing emotional distance from her husband, Ross (Russell Hornsby, BMF, The Hate U Give), Val begins to realize that her marriage and the woman she once was are both slipping away.
Photo: Lifetime
Photo: Cyndi Brown
Photo: Benjo Arwas
When Val travels to New Orleans to support her pregnant daughter, Kayla (Zing Ashford, Sistas, Camp TV), she meets Peter Mosley (Mekhi Phifer, ER, 8 Mile), a handsome and charismatic photographer who truly sees her for the woman she is. Peter reawakens Val’s artistic spirit and inspires her to rediscover her value. Now, Val must decide if it’s too late to choose herself and pursue the love she truly deserves.
Be Happy was directed by Academy Award-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe (Precious, Give Me Back My Daughter) from a script by Cameron J. Ross (The Summer I Turned Pretty). NAACP Image Award-winners Tisha Campbell and Mekhi Phifer, along with SAG Award nominee Russell Hornsby, star in this complex emotional offering that explores themes of reinvention, intimacy, and turning points in life.
Be Happy premieres on Saturday, February 7 at 8/7c as part of a new three-picture deal between Mary J. Blige and Lifetime. The film marks a collaboration between Blue Butterfly Productions, Blige’s production company, and Mona Scott-Young for Monami Productions, and is produced in association with Motion Entertainment and Swirl Films.
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