Sparkle – Der Weg zum Star (1976)

Sparkle – Der Weg zum Star: Directed by Sam O’Steen. With Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith. Three sisters form a singing group in 1950s Harlem, but success threatens to ruin their relationship forever.

“I watched this movie every chance I got, back in the Seventies when it came out on cable. It was my introduction to Harlem, which has fascinated me (and Bill Clinton) ever since. I was still very young, and the movie made a big impression on me. It was great to see a movie about other young girls growing up, trying to decide whom they wanted to be, and making some bad choices as well as good ones. I was dazzled by Lonette McKeeu0026#39;s beauty, the great dresses they eventually got to wear, and the snappy dialogue. As someone being raised by a single mother as well, I could really identify with these girls and their lives. Itu0026#39;s funny, these characters seem almost more real to me than Beyonce Knowles!”