Kim Burrell is a singer mostly famous among the famous, at least in the music world. Known for her talent in "Jazz Gospel," a genre of her own naming, she's a favorite among her industry peers: Her "The Love Album" was nominated for a "Best Gospel Album" Grammy, and successful folks like Beyonce and Jessica Simpson cite her as a musical influence. Burrell has recorded with the likes of Diddy, Missy Elliott, and R. Kelly. She was close friends with Whitney Houston.
For the last year Burrell and her managment team have been recording the quotidien saga of being a widely respected but not quite mainstream recording artist, and the recently revealed promo of the show, called Whatever It Takes looks AMAZING. Not only is Burrell herself a warm and likeable character, opposite her plays Krishnar Lewis, an attractive and...emphatic model/businessman/yenta/jack-of-all-trades-type. Burell has an especially close business partnership-cum-friendship with Lewis, who started as her brand manager and helped raise her profile, especially after she succeeded in losing more than 150 pounds. Lewis is a hoot and of, well, certain sesibilities (for example, a clip of one of Kim's photoshoots shows him postulating "that might be too much thigh!" Jus' sayin'.)
The drama raises sky-high when the promo reveals that Lewis is diagnosed with Stage IV rectal cancer right before some big entertainment opportunities for their team, all of which gets enveloped by the fallout of Whitney Houston's death. Burrell, a close friend of the tragically-ended singer, is suddenly barraged with interviews as Lewis begins chemo treatments.
The show's potential is based on Burrell's life as a true working musician, not an over-the-top celebrity dramafest. Her talent speaks strongly in performance, and unlike washed-out, former media stars trying to reinvoke some past glory, Burrell's goal is to elevate her already strong platform with little apology. What an enjoyable personality she will be to gaze upon--one with her dues already paid, unlike other reality stars who seek stardom first and whose talents remain "TBA."
Check out the promo below.
