RECAP EPISODE 1: "Grown & Gospel" sets the stage for realism + drama in handling life conflicts
By Mona Austin
A love and lockdown marriage, a former stripper, infidelity and a sex hungry "devo." These are not exactly the expected ingredients of a show premised on the life and careers of the children of gospel music legends. But it is the exact recipe for drama the first of six one-hour episodes of "Grown & Gospel" (G&G) offered during its premiere on WeTV Thursday. Introducing 5 children of Detroit's gospel elite, it fits the stereotype that preachers' (or religious parents) kids are the most rebellious of rebels.
Not since "Mary Mary" has the network presented this level of intense toxicity in "Gospo-ality" (gospel reality) TV. The press material for the program foretells a stormy season ahead: "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."
Even though the content is marketed as faith based the only difference between it and others from the family reality ilk is the name. "Grown & Gospel" easily stands beside "Growing Up Hip Hop," not only by borrowing from the concept, but also it is on-pitch with the worldliness.
For this tight-knit group of friends the Motor City is the birthplace of their family's dreams but it may not be where they find success. Each cast member has a thorn in their flesh that will be addressed as the season progresses.
Episode one focuses on Breann "Bree" Hammond, the daughter of Fred Hammond coming into the fold.
Bree is unquestionably attractive. She wears a curly blond natural hairdo and looks like she could be a poster child for Carol's Daughter. Her style is laid back in comparison to her flashy peers and at this juncture in life her priority is survival. At the party she was dressed in a tasteful fitted Black dress accentuated by a cropped, gold-toned jacket that looked like fur.
"Right now I'm trying to figure out how to get off a blow up mattress," she tells her mom in an earlier scene. Bree is looking for a fresh start after returning home from living in Nebraska. She explained that all of the family business came "crashing down" following her parents divorce and seems to harbor some resentment toward her father who left them in a position to start from scratch.
To help the family make it Bree turned to stripping. She longs to have a close relationship with her father and admits not having his endorsement has taken a toll on her music career aspirations. The lack of support from Mr. Hammond may be fueling pre-conceived notions about the emerging singer's talent as well.
Bree meets the crew at a surprise party for Nikki Cole Beach. Because it is a family affair some of the big names from the Detroit church scene are in attendance (Bishop J Dew Sheard, Lady Karen Clark Sheard, and Kierra Sheard Kelly).
The first clash in the show happens at the event. Belittling her appearance and seeming to degrade Black beauty standards altogether, Elijah Connor said he felt "second hand embarrassment" for her. She should have long hair he said. Yet, demonstrating zero social etiquette, he ran his hands through her short hair. She stopped him saying only her man can do that.
Connor, a flashy, metro sexual PK is "over the church," opting for a career in R&B. He has an over-the-top sense of fashion and giant personality to match. In a radio interview he said he is sticking with R&B because "I love sex." He then introduced the sexy song "Appetite." His mother, a pastor, disapproves of his decision to sing secular music. The shows him collapsing on stage.
Nikki is the daughter of Dorinda Clark Cole and the manager of the famed Clark Sisters. The love of her life is behind bars for unknown reasons. The most affable of the bunch, Nikki is humble and honest in a relatable way.
"My mom and I are like best friends 'cus she didn't give up on me. She never condemned me," Nikki stated as she recalled being a rebellious youngster.
Her husband Dion is a guy from "the streets." He planned a lavish 40th birthday bash for her while in prison.
"I don't care what people think about my husband being in prison...and I hate when church folk want to come at it being stereotype or judgmental," she said.
In addition to the surprise party he upgraded her wedding ring expressing his love in a phone call. He coordinated the large rock being delivered to her on a black draped cart and it was presented sitting upon a piece of crystal.
The man she called "Zaddy" is currently serving the 4th of a 7-year sentence. She admits it is a challenge to keep the romance in their marriage under the circumstances. The mother-of-two spends her time handling all aspects of the Clark Sisters career.
Sunday Best victor Tasha Page Lockhart may be one of the most recognizable faces on G&G.
The first episode didn't reveal much about Lockhart's rocky backstory. However, it is obvious she has reservations about Bree who she knows from dating her step brother J Brooks.
Immediately Tasha becomes judgmental towards Bree whose appearance she called "a little Salvation Army-ish." She too made cracks about Bree's hair. Tasha believes that despite the family connection you have to work for what you want.
J Brook welcomed Bree with open arms. Their fathers were original members of Commissioned. So far, he may be the only person in the clique who accepts her. Brooks set up a lunch meeting to tell the crew about Bree but did not tell them she was coming to the party.
An additional cast member, Shana Wilson-Williams, did not appear in the first episode.
The immediate negative attitudes toward Bree foreshadow potential drama which harkens viewers to lock in for more. Reality TV producer Carlos King could have another hit on his hands -- perhaps for ungodly reasons.
Episodes air, will be available on the AMC streaming site ALLBLK each Monday.
MEET THE CAST
Breanna Hammond
With her "Musical Clock" ticking, Breeann “Bree” Hammond returns home to the hub of Gospel of Music to give her career one more shot. The daughter of Gospel great Fred Hammond has a now-or-never attitude and strives to integrate herself not only in the music scene, but with this tight-knit group of childhood friends…also offspring of the Gospel elite. Will they welcome her back with open arms?
J. Brooks
Son of Bishop Michael Brooks, founding member of gospel group “Commissioned” along with Fred Hammond…the younger Brooks had his first placement at only 14 and has been a traveling musician and producer ever since. With a strong belief that music creates the genre and not vice versa, he was Bree’s first call upon her return to Detroit. Will he be able to rally the crew to support Bree?
Tasha Page-Lockhart
She is the daughter of Lisa Page Brooks, one of the original members of the contemporary gospel group “Witness.” A mother of two and winner of BET’s Sunday Best striving to push her career forward…Tasha is working on a compilation album with stepbrother J. Brooks and struggling to hold on to her marriage. But will her sordid past sabotage it all?
Elijah Connor
An R&B singer on a strictly secular path in the music business and lives by the motto, “Ask for forgiveness, not permission.” Regardless of having grown up in the church as a PK (Preacher’s Kid), his interests led him in a different direction. Though he is tirelessly working towards success...the pressure to prove himself to his parents is immense as they are still disappointed that he never graduated from college and strayed from the church.
Nikkia Cole-Beach
"Nikki" was rebellious in her youth and all eyes were on her as the daughter of the legendary Dorinda Clark Cole of “The Clark Sisters.” Having overcome many demons on the journey to adulthood, Nikkia is now balancing her fulltime job as tour manager for “The Clark Sisters,” motherhood and being the rock for her family, while her husband is in prison. Although she has come a long way, she is in a constant battle to escape the judgment of her past.
Shana Wilson-Williams
A singer, wife and mother of three, Shana was raised by two Pastors who served the Detroit church community for over 30 years. Although a worship leader in her own right, she feels like an outsider in the gospel music industry and will have to work even harder without any “coattails to ride” like the rest of her peers.
“Grown and Gospel” is Executive Produced by Carlos King, Scott Shatsky and Co-Executive Produced by Angela Dugan of Kingdom Reign Entertainment. Kat Uyenco and Nisa Ahmad also serve as Executive Producers. Lauren Gellert, David Stefanou and Ashley McFarlin, serve as Executive Producers for WE tv.
