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Derek BlanksGrammy-winning-singer and actress Brandy has joined the cast for ABC’s pilot of the hip hop drama Queens.
According to Deadline, Brandy joins a lineup that already includes fellow Grammy-winner Eve, Power star Naturi Naughton, and Pepi Sonuga from Freeform’s Famous In Love.
Written by Zahir McGhee and produced by ABC Signature, Queens focuses on “four women in their 40s who reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had” as members of the popular hip hip group Nasty [Women].
Eve and Naughton will play two members of the fictitious legendary 90’s group, while Sonuga plays a rising hip hop star.
Brandy will contribute original music as her character Naomi, whose stage name was “Xplicit Lyrics.” Described as “the musical engine” of the group, Naomi was convinced her musical talent would lead to more success after the group disbanded — but it didn’t.
The reunion puts Naomi in a position of seeing her former love once again, as well as the bandmate who stole him from her. Naomi also works to reconnect with her daughter, after being absent for much of her early life.
This is exciting time for Brandy to return to television after starring on Fox’s Star, which was cancelled in 2019. Her other acting credits include Moesha, The Game, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1997 film, Cinderella alongside the late Whitney Houston, which debuted on Disney + last month.
Brandy also made her Broadway debut in 2015, playing Roxie Hart in the long-running musical Chicago.
By Rachel George
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