Michelle Williams and K. Michelle Join BET’s ‘American Soul’

Michelle Williams and K. Michelle will star on American Soul (Credit: Derek Blanks and Atlantic Records)

Michelle Williams, K. Michelle, Gabrielle Dennis and Bobby Brown are the latest names added to the lineup of BET’s American Soul, about the life and career of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius.

Former Destiny’s Child member Williams will portray Diana Ross in the drama series as Cornelius courts the legendary singer to appear on his new show, BET said in a statement.

Singer and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta alum K. Michelle will play R&B singer Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas.

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Brown is taking on a guest starring role as Rufus Thomas, who was best known for the classic soul song Do the Funky Chicken.

Dennis, who delivered a powerful performance as Whitney Houston earlier this year in BET’s The Bobby Brown Story, will play Tina Turner as the singer and her husband, Ike Turner, perform their hit single Proud Mary on Soul Train.

The four will join previously announced cast members Sinqua Walls as a young Don Cornelius. Series regulars also include Grammy-nominated singer Kelly Price, Jason Dirden, Iantha Richardson, Christopher Jefferson, Katlyn Nichol and Jelani Winston. Kelly Rowland, also of Destiny’s Child, will portray Gladys Knight.

American Soul is set in the 1970s and will blend fictional and real-life characters. Production began in September in Atlanta.

Jesse Collins of Jesse Collins Entertainment (The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story) is executive producing the series. Jonathan Prince, Devon Greggory, Tony Cornelius, Andy Horne and Dionne Harmon are also serving as executive producers. Greggory and Prince wrote the pilot.

American Soul will premiere with back-to-back episodes on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on BET in the U.S.

The drama will debut on BET’s International linear channels in the UK, France, South Africa and South Korea on Feb. 7.