New Edition: The Movie is a three-night mini-series that looks into the rise and fall — and rise again — of the all-boy R&B group New Edition. The band started out with five kids from the Roxbury, Massachusetts projects. One of them was Ricky Bell, one of eleven children. It was his big sister Peanut Bell who encouraged the boys to take their talent seriously.
[New Edition released 7 studio albums including their 1983 hit Candy Girl]
Ricky Bell is portrayed in the movie by Elijah Kelley. His sister Peanut Bell is portrayed by rapper Bre-Z. As an actress, Bre-Z is best known for her role as Freda Gatz (Chris Rock’s daughter) in Lee Daniels’ TV series Empire. New Edition: The Movie Part I airs Tuesday, January 24 at 8pm on BET.
