{"id":79827,"date":"2017-06-11T12:49:00","date_gmt":"2017-06-11T12:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2017\/06\/11\/ladies-tnts-claws-join-mary-j-blige-celebrating-strength-of-a-woman\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T02:25:52","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T02:25:52","slug":"ladies-tnts-claws-join-mary-j-blige-celebrating-strength-of-a-woman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/ladies-tnts-claws-join-mary-j-blige-celebrating-strength-of-a-woman\/","title":{"rendered":"Ladies of TNT’s “Claws” Join Mary J. Blige in Celebrating the “Strength Of A Woman”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ladies of TNT’s “Claws” Join Mary J. Blige in Celebrating the “Strength Of A Woman”<\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

June 11, 2017<\/p>\n

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Turner’s TNT<\/strong>\u00a0and the cast of the new series\u00a0Claws\u00a0<\/b><\/em>have teamed up with Grammy winner\u00a0Mary J. Blige<\/strong>\u00a0to appear in her new music video for\u00a0“Strength of a Woman”<\/strong>\u00a0the title track off the artist’s 13th studio album.\u00a0Claws<\/em>\u00a0stars\u00a0Niecy Nash<\/strong>,\u00a0Carrie Preston<\/strong>,\u00a0Jenn Lyon<\/strong>,\u00a0Judy Reyes<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Karrueche Tran<\/strong>\u00a0are all featured in the video.<\/p>\n

The release of “Strength of a Woman” comes during the buildup to the\u00a0Claws<\/em>\u00a0premiere, taking place this\u00a0Sunday, June 11<\/span><\/span>, at\u00a09 p.m.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0(ET\/PT)<\/strong>\u00a0across TNT platforms. The premiere will be followed by an encore presentation on\u00a0Twitter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Niecy Nash, Carrie Preston, Harold Perrineau, Jenn Lyon, Judy Reyes, Karrueche Tran, Jason Antoon, Kevin Rankin, Jack Kesy<\/strong> and Dean Norris<\/strong> star in the hour-long dramedy.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe inspiration for \u2018Strength of a Woman\u2019 came from my life. It came from some very heavy trials and hardships through my life that I had to come through,\u201d\u00a0<\/em>said\u00a0Mary J. Blige.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201c<\/em>There are a lot of similar themes in the show\u00a0Claws<\/i><\/strong>.<\/b><\/em>\u00a0They\u2019re in some heavy, sticky, nasty situations but that is what survival is about.”<\/p>\n

With its story focusing on five manicurists working at a Central Florida nail salon,\u00a0Claws<\/em>\u00a0celebrates empowered women as they navigate the challenges of their professional and daily lives. Blige integrated members of the cast into her “Strength of a Woman” music video in order to show off an array of proud, hard-working women \u2013 a common thread woven throughout the R&B songstress’ album and resonating at the heart of its title song. “Strength of a Woman” is a reflection of Blige’s journey to overcoming emotional turmoil and, like\u00a0Claws<\/em>, honors women by exploring themes of self-worth and empowerment.<\/p>\n

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Claws is executive-produced by Rashida Jones<\/strong>, Will McCormack<\/strong>, Janine Sherman Barrois<\/strong>, who also serves as showrunner, and director Howard Deutch<\/strong>.\u00a0 Creator and co-executive producer Eliot Laurence<\/strong>\u00a0wrote the pilot, which was directed by Nicole Kassell<\/strong>. Claws is produced by Jones and McCormack’s Le Train Train, in association with Warner Horizon Television and Turner’s Studio T<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

At the center is salon owner Desna (played by Niecy Nash<\/strong>), who lives with and cares for her mentally ill twin brother, Dean (played by Harold Perrineau<\/strong>). Desna\u2019s staff includes best friend Jennifer (Jenn Lyon<\/strong>), a tenuously sober ex-party girl raising two children from previous relationships; Quiet Ann (Judy Reyes<\/strong>), Desna\u2019s enigmatic driver who also provides security for the salon; Polly (Carrie Preston)<\/strong>, a mild-mannered preppy who recently served time in prison for identity theft; and Virginia (Karrueche Tran<\/strong>), who makes no effort to hide her boredom and impatience with her job.<\/p>\n

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Adding chaos to the Nail Artisan mix is Roller (Jack Kesy<\/strong>), a gangstered-out redneck who runs a barely legal pain clinic and uses Desna’s nail salon to launder their obscene profits; Bryce (Kevin Rankin<\/strong>), Jennifer’s husband who is also newly sober and trying to stay legit by working as an abundance coach; Dr. Ken Brickman (Jason Antoon<\/strong>), a bona fide doctor at a decidedly un-bona fide drug clinic; and Uncle Daddy (Dean Norris<\/strong>), a dangerous Dixie Mafia crime boss who is deeply Catholic and actively bisexual.<\/p>\n

Trailer<\/p>\n