DETROIT, MI. (Top40 Charts/ Sparkle Project/ TriStar Pictures) Universal Motown singer/songwriter KEM will make his big-screen acting debut in a remake of the 1976 film 'Sparkle,' which is set in, and currently being filmed in, his hometown Detroit, Michigan.
KEM will play the part of club owner and Master of Ceremonies, 'Buddy' in the musical drama. Starring in the musical drama are Grammy nominated and platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks ('American Idol' winner, Season 6), Multi-Grammy Award winner Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale), Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher, Captain America: The First Avenger), Mike Epps (Jumping the Broom, Friday After Next), Carmen Ejogo (I, Alex Cross, Pride and Glory), Tika Sumpter (What's Your Number?, 'Gossip Girl'), Omari Hardwick (Kick Ass, The A-Team) and Grammy Award winner, Cee-Lo Green.
SPARKLE tells the story of the title character, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks), the youngest of three sisters and a music prodigy who struggles to become a star while facing issues that are tearing her family apart. She is from an affluent Detroit area, naive to the unexpected experiences her new life will bring as she and her two sisters (Tika Sumpter and Carmen Ejogo) blossom into a dynamic singing group during the 1960's when Detroit was music's mecca. Whitney Houston plays the trio's mother Emma. Mike Epps plays Satin, who lures Sparkle's sister into an abusive drug-filled relationship while Sparkle ultimately overcomes the obstacles before her and learns to shine alone. The film is scheduled to be released in 2012.
'I've always had the idea that I'd like to try my hand at acting one day, and I'm very thankful to have the chance to do that with a classic film such as SPARKLE,' said KEM. 'That the film is set in Detroit and being filmed in Detroit, only enhances this extraordinary experience for me.'
SPARKLE is being directed by Salim Akil (Jumping The Broom) from a screenplay written by Mara Brock Akil ('The Game', 'Girlfriends') and produced by Debra Martin Chase (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Just Wright) along with Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil, T.D. Jakes and Curtis Wallace (Jumping the Broom, Not Easily Broken). Whitney Houston, Gaylyn Fraiche (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2), and Howard Rosenman (Sparkle, The Family Man) are executive producing. Original music provided by multi-Platinum and Grammy Award-winning artist R. Kelly.
About KEM
Motown Recording Artist KEM recently headlined his sold-out national 'Intimacy Tour' with Special Guests Musiq Soulchild & Ledisi. His latest CD, INTIMACY, debuted at No 2 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums list in August 2010. INTIMACY garnered national acclaim, including two Grammy award nominations, a Soul Train award nomination and a BET Centric Award nomination. In February of 2001, KEM independently released his first CD, KEMISTRY, sold nearly 15,000 CD's, piquing the interest of Universal Motown. The label signed KEM to a five-record deal in November 2001 and re-released KEMISTRY. KEM previewed music from his second release, KEM ALBUM II, for audiences on a 20-city underground tour, after which the CD was certified gold after just two weeks of release in May 2005. Combined, KEM's three albums have sold in excess of 2.2 million units. Additional information, including show dates and recent news is available at www.MusicByKEM.com.
