TV One’s “Unsung” is one of the network’s most popular shows. Seen as the African-American version of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” music lovers tune in to reminisce and gain behind-the-scenes access of the careers of their favorite old school musicians like DeBarge, Phyllis Hyman, Teena Marie, David Ruffin, and Vesta Williams. Season six of the one-hour series is slated to premier on June 25, 2012, just in time for Black Music Month with Sly and the Family Stone. But while some musicians are very much willing to tell the world their stories, others aren’t so enthralled. Veteran singer Stephanie Mills is one of them.
Mills gained popularity on the charts in the 80s with hits like “I’ve Learned to Respect (The Power of Love) and conquered the Broadway stage in “The Wiz” and “Maggie Flynn.” Her life and career have all the toppings worthy of an “Unsung” episode, as she has triumphed through three failed marriages and the challenges that come with raising a special needs child. But the Brooklyn-born powerhouse is not trying to hear it.
“I don’t like that show,” Mills told The Huffington Post in a recent interview. “They have approached me quite a few times, but I [won’t] do that show….I’ve always been very private and at 55 I don’t want to open up my life to that”They’ve done Angela Winbush and they even wanted me to say something about her on that show, and I love Angela, we’re sisters. But I had to tell her, ‘I don’t want to do that … I’m not that girl…I don’t want to get on these shows and open my life up; I don’t think it’s anyone’s business….They even called my agent and tried to offer me some kind of tour if I did the show, and I was like, ‘I can’t do it,'” she said. “It [goes against] everything that I believe in.”
The musicians that the show has featured have often faced devastating hardships and tragic endings, whether it’s drug/physical abuse, alcoholism, and/or death. However, Mills is still up and going strong; she’s headlining New York City’s Blue Note Music Festival in June. And because of this Mills says she doesn’t feel “unsung.”
“I just think that it’s not for me,” she continued. “Let me sing, let me do my concerts, let me do music… I feel like I’ve had a wonderful career. I’ve done wonderful things and met so many wonderful different people. So I don’t feel like I’m unsung at all.”
The upcoming season of “Unsung” includes Angela Bofill, Kool Moe Dee, and the late Gerald Levert.
Stephanie Mills is an iconic R&B legend whose career has spanned over four decades. Despite her outstanding accomplishments and the countless awards she’s received, the star isn’t interested in being featured on TV One’s “Unsung” show. Read on to learn why Stephanie Mills doesn’t want her story told through Unsung’s lens.
The life of this living legend includes a long list of impressive accolades. She burst onto the music scene as a child star and hasn’t stopped since then; she was nominated for five Grammy Awards and won one for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1989. In addition, Mills has starred in some of Broadway’s most popular shows, including The Wiz and Beauty & the Beast. Her discography also boasts several hits with big names such as Teddy Pendergrass and Michael Jackson. Clearly, this woman has accomplished quite a lot throughout her career!
Despite all these achievements, Stephanie Mills recently made it clear that she wasn’t interested in having her story featured on TV One’s “Unsung” series – much to fans’ surprise. With so many extraordinary moments from her life to highlight, people were eager to see how they’d be captured by Unsung’s cameras. Unfortunately, we’ll never know what could’ve been because Mills declined the opportunity — but there are still plenty more stories yet to be shared about this legendary artist!
Background Of Stephanie Mills
Stephanie Mills has been a household name in the music industry for decades. She made her debut on Broadway at age nine, and went on to become one of R&B’s most successful female vocalists with hits such as “Never Knew Love Like This Before” and “Home”. Her career saw her collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, including Michael Jackson, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Teddy Pendergrass.
However, it appears that Stephanie is not interested in being featured on TV One’s “Unsung” series. The show celebrates African-American artists who have achieved success but are often overlooked by mainstream media. It seems unlikely that Stephanie would want to appear on Unsung given her impressive accomplishments over the years; she was recently inducted into the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame which recognizes legendary performers from its stage.
Given all this, it is understandable why Stephanie may be reluctant to participate in Unsung. Despite the renown associated with her name and many awards won throughout her illustrious career, she may still prefer to remain out of the spotlight.
Why The Singer Declined To Appear On “Unsung”
Given Stephanie Mills’ extraordinary accomplishments, it is understandable why she may have declined to appear on TV One’s “Unsung”. The series celebrates African-American artists who are often overlooked by mainstream media and, given her widespread success over the years, there would be no need for her to participate in such a show.
Stephanie has achieved a level of fame that many other singers can only dream of. She was inducted into the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame which recognizes legendary performers from its stage; this honor alone speaks volumes about how highly regarded she is within the music industry. Furthermore, she has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music throughout her career including Michael Jackson and James Brown – two icons whose legacies will remain immortalized long after they’re gone.
It appears that Stephanie prefers to keep out of the spotlight despite all her accolades and awards won throughout her illustrious career. It could be argued that appearing on Unsung would only serve as a reminder of past successes rather than an opportunity to further establish herself in today’s music scene. Thus, it seems reasonable why she might not want to take part in such a program at this time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Stephanie Mills is a living legend. The singer has been in the music industry for over four decades and her influence continues to be felt today. She has made a name for herself through an illustrious career that includes numerous awards and accolades. Despite being offered the chance to appear on TV One’s “Unsung”, she respectfully declined due to wanting to protect her legacy from any potential negative publicity or criticism the show might bring with it. As such, fans have respected this decision and continue to recognize her as one of the greats in R&B history. Although we may not get to see her on “Unsung”, Mills will always be remembered for her incredible talent and accomplishments throughout her career. Her refusal to appear on the show can only be seen as further evidence of how passionate she is about preserving her own story and honoring those who came before her in the extensive lineage of soul singers.
