Rated R&B
  • News
  • Music
  • Videos
  • Features
  • Playlist
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Music
  • Videos
  • Features
  • Playlist
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Rated R&B
No Result
View All Result

Luke James and Naturi Naughton to Star in ‘Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas’ Movie

It will premiere on Lifetime.

by Keithan Samuels
October 31, 2022 8:56 PM
in Film/TV, News
luke james and naturi naughton in kirk franklin's night before christmas movie

Naturi Naughton and Luke James in "Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas." (Courtesy of Lifetime)

Luke James and Naturi Naughton will star in Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas. 

The festive film, directed by Tailiah Breon and written by Tara Knight, will premiere Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.

The movie centers around an estranged mother Journee (played by Naughton) and daughter Nia (played by Lorea Turner) who find themselves seeking shelter at a church on Christmas Eve, after getting caught in a snowstorm.

They join other stranded churchgoers, including youth pastor Adam (played by James) and a music teacher (played by Franklin). Together, Adam and the music teacher work to encourage Journee and Nia to reconcile their differences through music, faith and love.  

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by L U K E J A M E S (@wolfjames)

Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas is produced by Swirl Films and Big Dreams Entertainment. Franklin and Naughton serve as executive producers, as well as Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd and Leslie Greif.

James is no stranger to Christmas films. In 2021, he starred in the Rusty Cundieff-directed movie, Christmas in Harmony, alongside Ashleigh Murray, Loretta Devine and Michelle Williams.

In 2013, he appeared in the feature film, Black Nativity. Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Tyrese and Jacob Lattimore also starred in the movie.

As for music, James is featured on Grammy-winning musician Robert Glasper’s album, Black Radio III (Supreme Edition), on “My Queen.” 

Last year, James released his live album, A Live Sensation, which featured reimagined versions of songs from his 2020 LP, To Feel Love/d, with symphonic support from Nu Deco Ensemble.

“A Live Sensation is a raw orchestral expression inspired by the verb: love. It is a live recorded offering to the world, taken from a film inspired by love,” James explained.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by L U K E J A M E S (@wolfjames)


Jacomo Bairos, Nu Deco Ensemble co-founder and conductor, added, “It feels cosmically aligned to once again collaborate with our friend – the sensational and truly creative Luke James.”

He added, “We all recognized his unbelievable talent as well his generous and collaborative spirit when we first met years ago, so to have him return to collaborate on a project that highlights his unique vision through his GRAMMY-nominated album on such a dynamic and creative project simply means the world to us. We are blessed to share this moment together, bringing more beautiful and meaningful music experiences to such a wide audience.”

Luke James
Luke James “To Feel Love/d” album cover. (Culture Collective/Howling Nights)

To Feel Love/d was among Rated R&B’s 30 Best R&B Albums of 2020.

Rated R&B’s Anders Hare wrote, “A pleasant slice of nostalgic R&B rolled up into a 32-minute project, To Feel Love/d was truly worth the wait, as this 2021 Best R&B Album nominee will surely be a standout in James’ ever-growing catalog.”

To Feel Love/d includes features from BJ the Chicago Kid, Ro James, Big K.R.I.T. and Samoht.

Watch the trailer for Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas below.

Tags: Kirk FranklinLifetimeLuke JamesNaturi Naughton
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Ne-Yo and Serayah to Star in BET+ Original Movie ‘The Sound of Christmas’

Next Post

Rileyy Lanez Shares New Song ‘4 Life’

Keithan Samuels

Keithan Samuels

Keithan Samuels is the founder and editor-in-chief of Rated R&B. With a deep-rooted passion for R&B, he's been extensively covering the genre since launching the publication in 2011.

Related Posts

A side-by-side photo of Mariah Carey and Jamie Foxx, who will receive the BET Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards.

Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx to Receive Ultimate Icon Award at 2025 BET Awards

by Keithan Samuels
May 29, 2025

BET names Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin, and Snoop...

A photo of Keshia Chanté and Keri Hilson, who will star in the Lifetime movie Fame

Lifetime Debuts ‘Fame: A Temptations Story’ Trailer Starring Keri Hilson and Keshia Chanté (Exclusive)

by Keithan Samuels
April 3, 2025

Rated R&B has the exclusive first look at Lifetime's movie...

A photo of Keri Hilson and Keshia Chanté who will star in Lifetime's new movie FAME: A Temptations Story

Keri Hilson and Keshia Chanté to Star in Lifetime Movie ‘Fame: A Temptations Story’

by Keithan Samuels
March 24, 2025

Lifetime has announced its new original movie Fame: A Temptations Story starring Keri...

Instagram Facebook Twitter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy

Recent Stories

  • KIRBY Questions the American Dream With New Song ‘The Man’: Listen
  • Leon Thomas and Dylan Sinclair Cover D’Angelo’s ‘Brown Sugar’
  • Khamari Contemplates Under ‘Sycamore Tree’: Listen
No Result
View All Result

© 2024 Rated R&B

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • FEATURES
    • Lists
    • Interviews
    • Editorial
    • Reviews
  • MUSIC
  • TOURS
  • VIDEOS
  • PLAYLISTS
  • SUBSCRIBE