You probably didn't notice it in the midst of all the greatness that was the three-part New Edition biopic last week, but the audience received some unexpected tea on the past relationship of member Johnny Gill and singer Stacy Lattisaw.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Live, learn and don't look back. Your best days are ahead of you so smile! (See Jeremiah 29:11) <a href="https://t.co/v2L4dRxkoq">pic.twitter.com/v2L4dRxkoq</a></p>
— Stacy Lattisaw (@StacyLattisaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/StacyLattisaw/status/807644626341531648">December 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
When we were first introduced to Gill (played by Luke James) backstage at an NE concert, he was asked about his relationship with "redbone" Lattisaw. The two were know for being duet partners, and their biggest hit together was "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRHVWPXpI_k" target="_blank">Where Do We Go From Here?</a>" (1989)
By the time Gill was brought back in part two of the biopic to be a part of the group and record "Boys to Men," he told Ralph Tresvant (played by Algee Smith) that their relationship, going since they were teenagers, was no more. The reason? Lattisaw's family wasn't fond of it. To drive the point home, Gill rubbed the back of his hand as if to say that his dark complexion was part of the problem.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Johnny Gill and Stacy Lattisaw <a href="https://t.co/YGr14poGC4">pic.twitter.com/YGr14poGC4</a></p>
— Vince Valholla (@VinceValholla) <a href="https://twitter.com/VinceValholla/status/824463397584510976">January 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As is the case with all biopics that feature portrayals of individuals who didn't get a say in the story line (remember the <a href="http://madamenoire.com/718210/perri-pebbles-reid-advances-in-her-quest-to-sue-viacom-over-the-tlc-biopic/" target="_blank">TLC drama</a>?), Lattisaw and her family weren't too happy with how they were portrayed. <a href="http://thejasminebrand.com/2017/01/30/exclusive-stacy-lattisaws-family-pissed-johnny-gill-new-edition-movie/2/" target="_blank"><em>TheJasmineBrand</em></a> received a statement from Lattisaw's brother, Jerry, from the little-known R&B group Prophet Jones. He said if it weren't for their mother, Gill wouldn't even have been in New Edition:
"My mom don’t care about what color Johnny Gill is!!!" he said. "If it wasn’t for her, he wouldn’t be in New Edition period!!! She basically got him his first record deal …. by the way, Stacy husband is brownskin too!!! How they gon’ put my motha out there like that! JG u still my brother tho!"
Even Stacy had to speak up when asked about the role colorism played in the demise of their relationship. According to her, it was "more to it then [sic] that." It sounds like she's interested in getting her own story out there soon:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Not at all. The truth will be revealed in time..! <a href="https://t.co/683Yno4C70">https://t.co/683Yno4C70</a></p>
— Stacy Lattisaw (@StacyLattisaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/StacyLattisaw/status/824729620939411457">January 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As for Gill, he's looking forward to future opportunities with NE instead of talking about the past. Following the success of the biopic, he told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAiSbtLYE-c" target="_blank">TMZ</a> this past weekend that all of the guys are reuniting not only for a new album (with the help of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis), but also tour dates.
"We're ready to move forward," Gill said. "We know that the fans have spoken, and we have to listen."
<em>Images via WENN, Twitter </em>
↧