For two seasons, TV One’s hit show “Life After” has chronicled the turning points in the lives of boldfaced black celebrities, while also showing how each one survived and even thrived after dealing with tough times. This year, “Life After” has its most compelling group yet. From TV stars with waning careers who then triumph in other areas to singers dealing with mental health issues, the third season of “Life After” is full of people who overcome.
“’Life After’ has been immensely popular with TV One’s audience in its first two seasons, as it balances joyous moments with painful memories and successfully captures how those featured have both celebrated and enjoyed their fame – and endured their darkest hours,” said TV One Executive Vice President of Original Programming Toni Judkins. “Viewers can continue to look forward, in Season Three, to ‘Life After’ investigating the ways in which landmark moments shaped these celebrities’ lives, allowing them to share intimate revelations from the unpredictable journey of life.”
The third season of “Life After” debuts on TV One on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10 p.m. with the story of Jackee, the actress best known for her work on “227” and “Sister, Sister.”
Here are some of the other celebs to be featured this season on “Life After.”
DANIELLE SPENCER
As sharp-witted Dee on “What’s Happening!” Spencer achieved TV icon status at the tender age of 11. But in 1977, Spencer and her stepfather drove across a highway medium into oncoming traffic. Spencer was severely injured, and her stepfather was killed. Spencer eventually returned to work on “What’s Happening!” and is now a veterinarian.
GINUWINE
After his big hit “Pony,” Ginuwine dealt with depression, drugs and alcohol after losing his father to suicide and his mother to cancer in the same year. Eventually, he got help and is now sharing his story, including how he came back from the brink of suicide. “Life After” follows Ginuwine on his incredible journey.
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS
After his success as one of Uptown’s early artists and his starring role in “New Jack City,” Williams faced both professional and career setbacks. Now he’s back acting in stage plays and with new music. He shares the story of his comeback in the new music industry and how he held on to his talent to keep going.
COUNTESS VAUGHN
She won “Star Search” at age 11 and has been acting and singing ever since. From “Moesha” to “The Parkers,” Vaughn has had both enormous success and enormous struggles, especially with self-esteem. Now she tells the story of how she triumphed over divorce and her own issues to finally achieve self love.
ANTONIO VARGAS
Antonio Fargas became a ’70s icon with his portrayal of the pimp Huggy Bear on the classic TV show “Starsky and Hutch.” To another generation, he’s better known as Doc from “Everybody Hates Chris.” After four decades, he’s still in the game, something not many others who started when he did can say. “Life After” takes a look at the career and legacy of one of show business’ most versatile characters.
JAYNE KENNEDY
The first African-American to win the Miss Ohio crown, Jayne Kennedy broke boundaries and was well known as a beauty in her ’80s heyday. As co-anchor chair at CBS’s “NFL Today,” she was one of the first African-American women to host a sports show. Despite scandal and illness, Kennedy has gone on to raise a family and get involved with several new ventures.
