MadamGoodnight said:

I do understand why she wouldn't want to be on, but not all are messy. Full Force's Unsung was not, neither was Ray Parker Jr's.

Ray Parker Jr . Is not Unsung. But I enjoyed his the most out of all of them. Plus he is still wealthy. Like that he revealed(which i already knew that he helped Prince build his home studio)...

For those interested in a take on Stephanie and Jeffrey, look up Jody Watley's commentaries on Shalamar's Unsung. I think she addresses this in particular on part 3 of her series.

The series is like 11-12 parts long and Jody gets into some long winded yet fascinating stuff about how Shalamar broke up, she and Howard's drama, and much more. Give it a listen.

[Edited 5/29/12 19:53pm]

[Edited 5/29/12 19:55pm]

scriptgirl said:

Those aren't always reliable sources

I've seen you say that more than once. It may be true, but they ARE sources. Where do you think people would get the info they posted here from anyway? Even when people know the story, half the time they still look for an easy way to copy and paste it from the internet. And Wikipedia, while occasionally wrong, is much, MUCH more reliable than it used to be. Cross-checkable sources must be supplied for all facts included on each entry. In fact, it's now recognized as the largest encyclopedia ever created. Passing an ancient text (I think it was Japanese) that held that honor for thousands of years.

Personally, I respect that any artist, in this day and age, would be willing to just let their musical output stand as is. Let it speak for itself, as it were. Too much of being "famous" these days has to do with an individuals dirt, instead of their talent.

Oh well, there are other acts

MadamGoodnight said:

I do understand why she wouldn't want to be on, but not all are messy. Full Force's Unsung was not, neither was Ray Parker Jr's.

The Ray Parker Jr. story was one of the best Unsung episodes It was nicely done.

MadamGoodnight said:

I do understand why she wouldn't want to be on, but not all are messy. Full Force's Unsung was not, neither was Ray Parker Jr's.

I found Sheila E.'s episode to be pretty tame as well, and ending on an upnote (thankfully).

But, I respect Mills' decision, even though I really enjoy the show and would have loved to see an episode devoted to her career.

No one is obligated to do the show. I respect her decision.

On another note: She looks so small or tiny compared to Michael in those shots. Does anyone happen to know how tall she is? She can't be any more than 5 feet tall.

That's too bad.... I'm not looking for dirt... I just LOVE music documentaries in general. When I buy a concert DVD or CD with a bonus documentaty, the doc is usually the first thing I check out. Behind the scenes footage, learning about how an artist got their start, rehearsal footage...etc. That's my thing!

I think the Unsung series is awesome!!! I've learned so much about artists, some of whom I never even heard of until seeing their Unsung episode. And WIKI/Google is just not the same as seeing and hearing people talk.

I do understand how someone can be turned off by the title...some of these folks have been very successful and celebrated. Even if it was 30 years ago. And if their is dirty laundry to air, I'm sure the producers will dig for it.... oh well..

Musicslave said:

No one is obligated to do the show. I respect her decision.

On another note: She looks so small or tiny compared to Michael in those shots. Does anyone happen to know how tall she is? She can't be any more than 5 feet tall.

I read somewhere that she is only 4'11.

gemari77 said:

That's too bad.... I'm not looking for dirt... I just LOVE music documentaries in general. When I buy a concert DVD or CD with a bonus documentaty, the doc is usually the first thing I check out. Behind the scenes footage, learning about how an artist got their start, rehearsal footage...etc. That's my thing!

I think the Unsung series is awesome!!! I've learned so much about artists, some of whom I never even heard of until seeing their Unsung episode. And WIKI/Google is just not the same as seeing and hearing people talk.

I do understand how someone can be turned off by the title...some of these folks have been very successful and celebrated. Even if it was 30 years ago. And if their is dirty laundry to air, I'm sure the producers will dig for it.... oh well..

^^AGREED^^

I respect her decision not to participate but also disappointed. She's done plenty of interviews over the years discussing her professional career but remained tightlipped on her personal life. She's entitled not to share her personal life with the public but I do think her professional background will be an interesting subject.Im sure she plenty of stories to share. I want to know her side of the story from her mouth as well as testimonials from her family and industry friends. If TvOne approached her more than one time it goes to show there's a public demand for her, it will introduce her to this generation who is unfamiliar with her.

Another thing Im bothered by is she wont give any testimonials for another artist either ex. Angela Winbush

Like alot of you here hinted I think she doesnt want to speak about her personal life if she watched the Freddie Jackson episode neither did he. (Though we know the truth.)

SoulAlive said:

Musicslave said:

No one is obligated to do the show. I respect her decision.

On another note: She looks so small or tiny compared to Michael in those shots. Does anyone happen to know how tall she is? She can't be any more than 5 feet tall.

I read somewhere that she is only 4'11.

Thanks! I believe it.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

MadamGoodnight said:

I do understand why she wouldn't want to be on, but not all are messy. Full Force's Unsung was not, neither was Ray Parker Jr's.

Ray Parker Jr . Is not Unsung. But I enjoyed his the most out of all of them. Plus he is still wealthy. Like that he revealed(which i already knew that he helped Prince build his home studio)...

Never knew that bit about the studio. It was interesting.

SoulAlive said:

MadamGoodnight said:

I do understand why she wouldn't want to be on, but not all are messy. Full Force's Unsung was not, neither was Ray Parker Jr's.

The Ray Parker Jr. story was one of the best Unsung episodes It was nicely done.

Yes it was. It was nice seeing both Chaka and Cheryl Lynn on his. Lots of new info given, (well to me anyway ).

Ottensen said:

MadamGoodnight said:

I do understand why she wouldn't want to be on, but not all are messy. Full Force's Unsung was not, neither was Ray Parker Jr's.

I found Sheila E.'s episode to be pretty tame as well, and ending on an upnote (thankfully).

But, I respect Mills' decision, even though I really enjoy the show and would have loved to see an episode devoted to her career.

That's true about Sheila, it could have gone in another direction, but it didn't. I watched hers twice. It was very good as well.

I would've liked to hear about Stephanie and The Wiz, & her singing career. I respect her decision as well.

Cinny said:

Did I need to know about Miki Howard's drug use or abusive relationship?

Who here didn't already know about Miki's drug abuse?

As far as Stephanie, I respect her wishes. But, she is a perfect candidate for what Unsung was originally supposed to be about in the first place...an artist who was a big star in the black community but could never seem to consistantly crossover to other audiences. Although she was a monster on the R&B charts, she only scored one signficant hit on the Pop charts.

I would love to hear her speak on why she pretty much walked away from secular music after being dropped from MCA in the early 90s and her feelings on that state of the industry today.

MadamGoodnight said:

SoulAlive said:

The Ray Parker Jr. story was one of the best Unsung episodes It was nicely done.

Yes it was. It was nice seeing both Chaka and Cheryl Lynn on his. Lots of new info given, (well to me anyway ).

scriptgirl said:

I bet she also doesn't wanna talk about Jeff Daniels, her first hubby, who allegedly beat the shit out of her.

THIS!!!^

Cinny said:

SoulAlive said:

I heard that Jeffrey was very abusive during their brief marriage it's probably something that Stephanie doesn't really want to discuss.I think Stephanie was really in love with Michael Jackson.Ironically,she married the man (Jeffrey) who taught him how to moonwalk,lol.

It's true that show really digs into the reasons outside of music as to why some performers fell off or didn't reach their full potential.

Did I need to know about Miki Howard's drug use or abusive relationship?

I didn't mind Unsung's about groups: Whodini where the beef was money with the company, or Klymaxx fighting within the group, but all that sad side stuff crops up on the solo performer Unsungs.

Never mind Unsung, Behind The Music does the same thing.

[Edited 5/30/12 16:31pm]

scriptgirl said:

via Shadow and Act

I think most will agree that TV One's hour-long music series, Unsung, has been one of the network's treasured shows, earning his highest-rated, most successful season ever, this year.

Just don't tell that to Stephanie Mills, because she doesn't care for the program, and has absolutely zero interest in being on it, so if you're one of those who's been hoping Mills featured in an episode, it's not happening, despite the fact that her journey is one that's seen as great fodder for an episode in the serie, as noted by HuffPo notes:

... rubbed shoulders with the likes of Michael Jackson and Pendergrass after acclaimed stints on Broadway in "The Wiz" and "Maggie Flynn," three failed marriages and is the single mother of a child with special needs...

Producers of the series have apparently been chasing Mills for an episode, but the reclusive, Grammy Award-winning songstress has been all but elusive, stating, in a nutshell, that she'd prefer to keep her personal life (past and present) private.

"I don't like that show... 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... Let me sing, let me do my concerts, let me do music."

And speaking directly to the show's title, Unsung, suggesting careers that weren't as celebrated and praised as they should have been, Mills added:

"I don't feel unsung... I feel like I've had a wonderful career. I've done wonderful things and met some many wonderful different people. So I don't feel like I'm unsung at all... 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'... It [goes against] everything that I believe in."

So there ya go; can't really argue with that.

As for those acts who will be featured in the upcoming season of Unsung, expect to see episodes on Angela Bofill,Kool Moe Dee, The Marvelletts and the late Gerald Levert.

to me stephanie mills is not really unsung. she took herself out of the business because she wanted to. i felt the same way when they did denice williams.

Good for HER! Just because one is a recording artist does not mean one has to compromise their privacy. I applaud her reclusivity. It's not like those who are inquiring actually know her personally enough to have to know. It leaves one open completely for judgement, gossip, etc... Who needs THAT shit?! PLUS, her career is ANYTHING but UNsung.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

And who she caught in bed with a ---.

Republican? tranny lover?

Who were the other 2 men Stephanie married?

Stephanie mills would do unsung if they cut out certain references to her personal life. lets be clear here... there were a lot of embarrassing moments in her career that she doesn't care to relive anytime soon.

what embarrassing moments?

Yeah jackson35...what embarassing moments? Spill!

scriptgirl said:

what embarrassing moments?

One moment I recall back in the 80's is when one of her background singers sued her because she said Stephanie jumped on her backstage over a pair of shoes or something to that effect.

kitbradley said:

Cinny said:

Who here didn't already know about Miki's drug abuse?

As far as Stephanie, I respect her wishes. But, she is a perfect candidate for what Unsung was originally supposed to be about in the first place...an artist who was a big star in the black community but could never seem to consistantly crossover to other audiences. Although she was a monster on the R&B charts, she only scored one signficant hit on the Pop charts.

I would love to hear her speak on why she pretty much walked away from secular music after being dropped from MCA in the early 90s and her feelings on that state of the industry today.