Lifetime has found its disco queen.
The network announced Wednesday, Oct. 30, Broadway actress Joaquina Kalukango has joined the cast of its upcoming Gloria Gaynor biopic from executive producer Robin Roberts.
Kalukango will portray the two-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, while Tyler Perry’s House of Payne actor Lance Gross will star as Gaynor’s husband Linwood Simon.
The authorized film titled Robin Roberts Presents I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story chronicles the “queen of disco” and her rise to fame, from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most iconic voices in music history with her legendary hit, “I Will Survive.”
Related: Lisa Lisa Biopic in the Works at Lifetime Starring Lisa Velez and Jearnest Corchado
The biopic will also “delve into the deeply personal challenges Gaynor faced, including overcoming her long and tumultuous marriage to a controlling husband.”
As part of Lifetime’s Broader Focus Initiative, which was created to support and hire more women in the entertainment industry, the production features women in key positions.
Alicia K. Harris is the director and the script was written by Njeri Brown and Jane Espenson.
The film will also be reuniting Roberts with Kalukango, who had a role in Roberts’ Emmy-nominated 2021 Lifetime music biopic, Mahalia.
Gaynor is attached to the film as well, the singer will write an original song and serve as an executive producer.
Roberts’ company, Rock’n Robin Productions is the producer.
Along with the Gaynor biopic and Mahalia, the company also produced Stolen By My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story, which starred Niecy Nash.
I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story is part of the cable network’s “Voices of a Lifetime” slate that also includes May J. Blige’s Family Affair and Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story.
The biopic is slated to premiere sometime in 2025.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
