Premiering April 11, 8 p.m. ET, on Lifetime is the first-ever biopic of the legendary gospel group The Clark Sisters. Produced by Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel is written by Camille Tucker and Sylvia L. Jones and directed by Christine Swanson, a Detroit native who also helmed Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story. The story shows the humble beginnings of trailblazing gospel group The Clark Sisters out of Detroit who have sold millions of records off nearly 20 albums, becoming the best-selling female gospel group of all time. The group, most known for hits like “You Brought the Sunshine” and “Is My Living In Vain,” most memorably came together during Aretha Franklin’s memorial service in August 2018.
Starring Aunjanue Ellis (When They See Us) as Clark family matriarch and musical architect, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Raven Goodwin (Being Mary Jane) as Denise “Niecy” Clark Bradford, who left the group, singer Shalea Frazier as Dorinda Clark-Cole, singer Christina Bell from the Stellar Award-nominated group Zie’l as Twinkie Clark-Terrell, Angela Birchett as Jacky Cullum (Clark) Chisholm and Grammy-winner songwriter/singer and actress Kierra “Kiki” Sheard (Preacher’s Kid) as her mother, Karen Clark Sheard, the film explores the humble beginnings in the strict Church of God in Christ and trials and tribulations of the group that started out as five sisters under the stern, but loving tutelage and guidance of their mother.
Blackfilm.com spoke to Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, a bestselling singer/songwriter in her own right whose latest album KIERRA, due out this month, has already produced the hit single “It Keeps Happening,” on the heels of last year’s hit “Don’t Judge Me,” featuring Missy Elliott, one of the film’s producers. Sheard, an actress, as well, played Lithia in the 2010 filmPreacher’s Kid with LeToya Luckett, Clifton Powell, Essence Atkins and singer Tank. The singer/actress opened up about playing her mother, her grandmother’s greatness, The Clark Sisters legacy and more.
How did you come about playing your mother?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: My manager has been wanting to do this story for quite some time. Holly Carter, she’s an executive producer. But I did have to audition. They did not give me anything. I had to fly to LA to audition. I originally auditioned for two roles, my aunt Niecy and I auditioned for my mom and the director, Christine Swanson, connected me with my acting coach, Justin Harris, and that was how it all happened.
Was it difficult for you to play her?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: It was. It was definitely challenging. I’ve done some roles before but this, in particular, was I got to say greater because I took it to heart and it wasn’t just a public thing for me. So, yes, definitely it was because my mom also is a bit more soft-spoken than I am. And I’m kind of more outgoing so I kind of had to match it up but it was a great experience. And then, of course, the singing, she is a monster vocally. She’s a true soprano and I’m not a true soprano. So even having to sing her part was quite challenging, but I loved the challenge. I was down for the cause and ready to go.
Were there things in the story that were difficult for you, just overall seeing your family’s legacy?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: Yes, seeing the challenges that my grandmother faced on both sides in a marriage, as well as the opposition from the church, and then seeing how she had to put balance in a home with our girls. That was a challenge for me. Having to see what my aunt, Twinkie, go through what she had gone through [spoiler] as far as selling her catalogue for a Cadillac. it was really big, and, of course, having such incredible actors made it even more real for me. But, though this was my family’s story, it was really different for me because, as a child of the family, obviously there are some things that they don’t tell us until we get older. So, by surprise, I was, you know, watching some of the story, you know, while we were on set, so it was definitely different for me, and those are some things that I remember that stood out and, of course, seeing my grandmother and her health challenges.
Were you aware of how much struggle and sacrifice, not only just her love that she poured into your mom and your aunts, and how accomplished she was in her own right?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: I heard all of the stories about how she was a stickler for excellence when it came to organizing music and bringing voices together. I did not know it to the magnitude as I had grown older in high school and I was learning that she was responsible for bringing in practice three-part harmonies and stuff like that. I didn’t know it like that. And once I started being in school and learning about her, especially in the urban community, I’m like, ‘okay, wait a minute, this is a little bit more deeper than what I thought. And then, of course, as I had, you know, just going on an understanding of who I was a part of, of where I come from, I started getting more and more informed as well. But even seeing more of her story in depth, I did not know it until I was able to be a part of this film.
Preparing to play your mom, did you spend extra time with her?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: Actually, I didn’t get a chance to spend more time with her, but I did do a lot [more] calling. But more of my study was organically remembering how my mom does respond to things and, also, looking at some of the interviews that she did with the sisters, I would notice that she was a little less vocal when it came to speaking and she showed some form of shyness. When she was talking with our sisters, she kind of came off as the young one until she got into like her 50s or her 40s. And I noticed that the vocal sisters were more so my aunt Jackie and my aunt Dorinda but when it came to the stage time, I noticed that they came out like lions, Auntie Twinkie and my mom, and so I took that note and I kept studying just her mannerisms, because I didn’t want to use her as a cheat sheet, if that makes sense. So I made sure I did have in mind those things that I knew about her, my mom and then watching YouTube.
Also, when you are close to a person, you don’t notice those things about them?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: 100%. Absolutely. I agree. I get Mommy so I got her slapping me upside the head when I was out of order, her yelling at me, so noticing how soft spoken she was, I was like, well hold on now, I don’t get that part of you that much. I agree with you one hundred percent. I noticed that though when she was with her family, it was a different role that she embodied or that just came natural to her obviously.
How did you bond with the other actresses?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: I bonded with them so well. I became close to all of them, but, in particular, Angela [Birchett] and Christina [Bell], I still talk to them. That was Jacky and Twinkie. And it was really special. In the film, though, I am most close to Dorinda because they were closer in age. But I loved every last one of them. I mean, Raven [Goodwin] was a beast when it came to playing her role [as Niecy Clark]. And then Aunjanue Ellis, I just watched her because she is, just, she’s a genius. I felt like my grandmother was alive all over again. But, very often I would just watch her and just take all the notes in for the next opportunity that will come.
Yes, because, with Aunjanue Ellis, it’s not even just the voice, the mannerisms, it’s just so many other subtle things that she does to embody your grandmother.
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: Absolutely. She killed the role. And what made it so exciting for me and maybe also emotional is when the Clark Sisters actually came on set, the real Clark Sisters, when they came on set, they saw Aunjanue and she was dressed, and they started crying because it was almost like their mother was resurrected. So she definitely had it. I mean, she’s Aunjanue Ellis. I just think that she’s underestimated. I just think that she exceeds so many of my expectations.
Now how old were you when you truly realized this legacy? Because when you’re growing up in it, you don’t think of it as extra special I would imagine because you’re inside of it. But when did you realize how big The Clark Sisters and your grandmother were?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: I realized it when I started noticing that some of my biggest inspirations in different genres of music started requesting that they were at events or record with them. Persons like Missy Elliott or Mariah Carey or Beyoncé I started noticing it then. However, because I have been blessed with the gift of singing, I’ve always been like, ‘Oh my god, these women are insane because they sang incredibly’ and then there were some records that I would go back on my own, and listen to, when they were younger, like in their teens, and to see their capabilities at that age and it kept me in like a wow moment, if that makes sense. I would say those are the moments that I noticed it.
Now you’re able to collaborate with Missy Elliott, or you can be in a place where you can do a Brandy song, but, one of the things that the film makes clear, is that was not done back then. The rules were so much more rigid. Did you get an appreciation for the kind of freedom you have now artistically?
Kierra “Kiki” Sheard: Absolutely. However, I think what set them apart, you see in the movie where my Aunt Twinkie snuck away and still listened to Stevie Wonder and that inspired her. I think there are benefits in both worlds, if that makes sense. But yes, to answer your question, I just wonder sometimes if our level of creativity is sometimes watered down because we don’t have to work as hard to create something new. And I felt like Auntie Twinkie, The Winans, and so many other artists that were in that day, the Hawkins Family, you could tell who was who. It didn’t sound like we were all in the same pool, if that makes sense. So, I definitely can say it is a blessing, but listening to artists of that day, it challenges me to make sure that I’m not watering down [my] level of creativity, but I’m always striving for excellence in something new and something fresh, and making sure that I don’t always sound the same. But, actually being an artist, yes, I do appreciate that we’re able to collaborate. So I don’t take away the weight that comes with how strong and clear they blazed the trail. Because without them, we wouldn’t be able to have this kind of flexibility. So absolutely. I’m so grateful for it. Because it also extends our reach because if you know what I mean. It takes gospel music into a different space or different spaces. So, yes, I’m so grateful for that.
Clip – Dorinda Clark Sings in the Studio
It Keeps Happening – Kierra Sheard (Official Music Video)
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