Lifetime Unveils Upfront Slate Including Projects from Aly Raisman & Leah Remini, Queen Latifah

For over 35 years, Lifetime has provided thought-provoking story-telling that CHAMPIONS the voices of women, while entertaining them. Recently igniting a global conversation with the powerful documentary series Surviving R. Kelly, the network continues its commitment to share important women's stories with its upcoming programming slate. Following 2018's highly rated film detailing the untold story of Elizabeth Smart, Lifetime partners with the victim's advocate for a newly greenlit documentary, Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case. The 90-minute special, set to premiere Saturday, April 27th at 8pm ET/PT, features Elizabeth Smart's exclusive interviews with key players in Jayme's harrowing case and incredible rescue. Elizabeth also brings together six other well-known victims of abduction for a roundtable discussion to help tell Jayme's story.

Lifetime has also ordered the documentary special From DARKNESS to Light from in-house production division A+E Originals and Emmy winner Leah Remini's No Seriously Productions. Three-time gold medalist Aly Raisman will executive produce alongside Remini. In From DARKNESS to Light, Raisman provides a platform to other victims of sexual assault and highlights their compelling journeys as survivors.

"Lifetime has proven it's as brand that believes in and stands behind the power and courage of female voices," said Gena McCarthy, EVP, Head of Programming, Lifetime Unscripted and Head of Programming FYI. "We're blown away by the fearless strength Elizabeth, Aly and Leah all embody - they inspire us, and prove you can never underestimate the power of a woman."

Lifetime also adds global parenting/family expert, best-selling author and producer Jo Frost to the family, to helm 20 all-new episodes of the international, award-winning series Supernanny. Having helped millions of parents world-wide, Jo will combine her expertise and compassion to resolve the complex challenges facing families today.

Lifetime additionally orders Hopelessly In Love to join its unscripted roster for next year. Following the tragic love stories of some of the world's most famous couples like Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead, Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Andre Rison and others, each two-hour documentary film explores the ups and downs of their romances and untimely deaths that plagued each relationship.

On the scripted front, Lifetime has commissioned a miniseries centering on hip hop PIONEERS Salt-N-Pepa, as they navigated through the male-dominated rap industry and reveals the influence they had on the women who followed them. The miniseries will also feature their greatest hits like Let's Talk About Sex, What a Man, Shoop and Push It, among others.

Lifetime also joins the choir with executive producers and Grammy winners Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott for the feature movie, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel. The authorized movie will detail their humble beginnings, struggles to find their place, to later becoming the best-selling Gospel group in the music world. The movie will feature re-recordings of some of The Clark Sisters biggest hits like You Brought The Sunshine and stars SAG nominee, Aunjanue Ellis. Both projects will debut in 2020.

"Bringing untold stories of phenomenal women to life has been a core tenant of Lifetime," said Tanya Lopez, EVP of Movies, Limited Series & Original Movie Acquisitions, Lifetime and LMN. "We are thrilled to partner with Cheryl, Sandra, Queen Latifah, Mary, Missy and The Clark Sisters for the new projects that will showcase these iconic women in music to new audiences."

Partnering with the Association of National Advertisers (ANA)'s #SeeHer initiative, Lifetime announced new programming to increase more accurate, positive portrayals of women in media. Supporting women both in front of and behind the camera, #SeeHer aligned programming will bring forth positive messages of females in short form and long form. The announcement was made earlier today by Jill Baskin, CMO of Hersey's on behalf of #SeeHer at A+E Networks' Upfront during Lifetime's presentation.

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