Grammy Award-winning R&B singer and Broadway star Stephanie Mills is scheduled to perform at the newly built VyStar Amphitheater in metro Atlanta on Saturday, May 23, per blackenterprise.com.
The 69-year-old artist will share the stage with Karen White and Take 6 amid the ongoing success of “The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage” tour. Organised by the Black Promoter’s Collective, the historic tour is currently in its third iteration due to high public demand, featuring Mills alongside fellow music icons Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and Chaka Khan.
The veteran entertainer, whose career began at the age of nine, credited the endurance of her peers in an industry where many have passed away. Mills noted that the most rewarding aspect of touring with her fellow legends is that they all continue to sing in their original keys.
To maintain autonomy over her artistic output, the former Motown, 20th Century Fox and MCA signee established her own independent company, JM Records. Mills manages her own releases and has adapted to the modern digital landscape by actively overseeing streaming and independent promotion, rather than relying on traditional record executives.
Beyond her musical career, Mills emphasised her primary dedication to her role as a mother to her son, Farad, who was born with Down’s syndrome and regularly accompanies her on tour. Farad participates in her live shows by handling stage introductions and escorts, and has recently authored his first book.
Mills rose to national prominence at age 16 after securing the lead role of Dorothy in the original Broadway run of The Wiz during the 1970s. Her performance helped pave the way for a generation of Black-led Broadway productions, including Dreamgirls and Sophisticated Ladies. She expressed support for contemporary figures like Kandi Burruss who continue to produce Black theatre in the current political climate.
•Featured image courtesy of TreMedia
