Lifetime marked a memorable night celebrating two highly anticipated original films—Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love and Mary J. Blige Presents: Be Happy—with a star-studded gathering featuring cast and creatives from both projects. The event brought together familiar faces and powerful storytellers, underscoring Lifetime’s continued commitment to emotionally rich, character-driven narratives.
In attendance for Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love were Garcelle Beauvais, Boris Kodjoe, Vaughn W. Hebron, and Lela Rochon, who joined author and executive producer Terry McMillan to celebrate the next chapter of the beloved story. Representing Mary J. Blige Presents: Be Happy were director Gabourey Sidibe, alongside stars Mekhi Phifer and Russell Hornsby, honoring a film centered on self-discovery and choosing joy.
(L to R) Boris Kodjoe, D’Angela Proctor, Garcelle Beauvais, Vaughn W. Hebron and Lela Rochon (Photo credits: Leon Bennett)
In Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love, Garcelle Beauvais reprises her role as Ava, a celebrated chef who appears to have healed from the heartbreak of encouraging her younger lover, Luke (Vaughn W. Hebron), to leave the country for culinary school years earlier. Now thriving professionally and headlining a prestigious event in the picturesque setting of Portugal, Ava arrives with her charismatic new boyfriend Ellis (Boris Kodjoe). But fate has other plans. Luke—now an accomplished international culinary graduate—unexpectedly resurfaces with his own partner, Lily (Mara Huf). As their worlds collide amid kitchens and castles, unresolved emotions rise, forcing Ava and Luke to confront lingering feelings and decide whether love, timing, and ambition can finally align. Lela Rochon returns as Ava’s loyal best friend, Deena, offering support and perspective along the way.
Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love premieres Saturday, January 31 at 8p/7c on Lifetime.
(L to R) Russell Hornsby, Mekhi Phifer, Angela White, Mona Scott-Young, Gabourey Sidibe, Cameron J. Ross, Zing Ashford, and Bruce Miller (Photo credits: Leon Bennett)
Mary J. Blige Presents: Be Happy follows Val (Tisha Campbell), a 50-year-old devoted wife and stay-at-home mom facing the emotional weight of an empty nest as her youngest child heads off to college. Determined to reignite the spark in her marriage, Val instead finds herself confronting growing distance from her husband Ross (Russell Hornsby). A last-minute trip to New Orleans to support her pregnant daughter Kayla (Zing Ashford) becomes a turning point—reawakening Val’s long-buried dreams and introducing her to Peter Mosley (Mekhi Phifer), a magnetic photographer who sees her in ways she has long forgotten. As Val reconnects with her creativity and sense of self, she must face a life-changing question: is it ever too late to choose yourself—and the love you truly deserve?
Mary J. Blige Presents: Be Happy premieres Saturday, February 7 at 8p/7c on Lifetime.
Among the notable guests in attendance were Charlie Neff, a fashion designer and TMZ Senior News Reporter; Marisa Hebert, a lifestyle influencer and media personality; Chasity Saunders, a media personality and entrepreneur; Milana Edwards Brooks, a fashion and lifestyle influencer, and film producer; and many more.
Charlie Neff (Photo credits: Leon Bennett)
Chasity Saunders (Photo credits: Leon Bennett)
Milana Edwards Brooks (Photo credits: Leon Bennett)
