TV One is giving Marvin Sapp’s life the biopic treatment with Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story, starring Chaz Lamar Shepherd as the famed gospel singer. The movie title is a nod to Bishop’s award-winning 2007 hit “Never Would Have Made It,” which topped the Gospel chart for nearly 50 weeks and across multiple genres.
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Ambre Anderson is starring opposite Shepherd as Sapp’s late wife, MaLinda Prince Sapp. Prince Sapp passed away in 2010 from complications of colon cancer. They have three children: Marvin II, Mikaila, and Madisson.
Russ Parr is directing the biopic that chronicles the prominent gospel music artist and preacher’s Michigan upbringing. It will also detail his battle against teenage alcohol abuse, love for his wife, MaLinda Prince, as well as his rise in the music industry, and growth in his faith.
“It is an honor to tell Marvin Sapp’s life story,” said TV One’s Executive Producer Jason Ryan. “His vast contributions to the gospel and American music are undeniable. We know this film will resonate with our viewers.”
The 55-year-old rose to fame over 30 years ago as a member of Commissioned and is now an author and radio show host, and serves as senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Dallas, Texas, and pastor emeritus of Lighthouse Full Life Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the church he founded with his late wife.
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It is produced for TV One by Swirl Films, with Eric F. Tomosunas, James Seppelfrick and Keith Neal serving as Executive Producers. Additionally, Marvin Sapp and Phil Thornton are Executive Producers. For TV One, Jason Ryan is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production, Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting and Susan Henry is Senior Director of Original Programming and Production.
The Marvin Sapp biopic is scheduled to air on the network, August 21, 2022.
The 55-year-old rose to fame over 30 years ago as a member of Commissioned and is now an author and radio show host, and serves as senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Dallas, Texas, and pastor emeritus of Lighthouse Full Life Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the church he founded with his late wife.