Lifetime continues its partnership with Academy Award nominated, Golden Globe, Grammy, SAG and Emmy Award winner Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere and their Flavor Unit team to bring the inspiring true story of Wanda Pratt, a single mom who struggled and sacrificed to raise her two sons Tony and Kevin Durant, in the Lifetime Original Movie The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story (working title). Named 2014's NBA Most Valuable Player, Kevin captured the hearts of the nation with a speech dedicated to Wanda for all she has done to get him there. Executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere and Wanda Pratt, production on the two-hour film is currently underway in Vancouver. Set to premiere in celebration of Mother's Day this year, The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story is produced by A+E Studios.
Cassandra Freeman (Inside Man, Single Ladies) stars as Wanda, Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent) as her best friend and confidante, and Pauletta Washington (Wilma) will portray her mother Barbara. The adult Kevin and Tony will be played by newcomers Daniel Bellomy and Nic Few.
"Latifah and I are so lucky to be able to collaborate with Wanda Pratt on her story. Wanda's tale is both empowering and inspirational and we cannot wait for the Lifetime audience to see it," said Shakim Compere.
The Real MVP is the inspiring true story of Wanda Pratt and her dedication to raise one of the greatest basketball players in the world. As a single mom of two by the time she was just 21, Wanda tirelessly worked to make ends meet and put a roof over the heads of her young sons. With the support of her mother Barbara and of her best friend, Wanda focused all her energy on keeping her boys out of trouble and on the basketball court, selflessly putting aside her own dreams and desires to make sure their goals could be achieved. Her hard work paid off as Tony earned basketball scholarships while Kevin headed to the NBA. When Kevin was named NBA's Most Valuable Player, he dedicated his speech to Wanda, naming her "the real MVP" for all of her sacrifices that allowed him to pursue his dreams.
The Real MVP:The Wanda Pratt Story is produced by A+E Studios. Executive producers are Queen Latifah (Steel Magnolias, The Rap Game), Shakim Compere (Bessie), Shelby Stone (Bessie) and Wanda Pratt. Gina Ford and Brynee Baylor are Co-Executive Producers. The film is directed by Nelson George (Life Support, A Ballerina's Tale) and written by Yolonda Lawrence (Witches of East End) and Ligiah Villalobos (Ed).
ABOUT A+E STUDIOS A+E Studios is the studio unit of the award-winning global media company A+ENetworks, LLC. A+E Studios creates, produces and distributes high quality scripted programming across all networks and platforms in the A+E Networks portfolio, including A&E(R) Network, Lifetime(R), History(R),LMN(R), FYI(TM), H2(R) and A&E IndieFilms(R). A+E Studios' slate of programming consists of scripted series, event series and movies, including the upcoming event miniseries Roots,
UNREAL for Lifetime and SIX, Knightfall and
HOUDINI for HISTORY.
ABOUT LIFETIME Lifetime is a premier female-focused entertainment destination dedicated to offering the highest quality original programming spanning scripted series, nonfiction series and movies. Lifetime Television(R), LMN(R), Lifetime Real Women(R) and Lifetime Digital(TM) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation.
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