Hype Kingdom

Published on May 31st, 2022 | by richvongod

BET+ Kingdom Business Serayah set down with VZ Vonzell of The HYPE Magazine

Denita Jordan is the Queen of Gospel Music at First Kingdom Church and Kingdom Records in Atlanta. A superstar whose music has been heard around the world, she is determined to guard her family and its many secrets at all costs. Her husband Calvin Jordan may be the Bishop at First Kingdom, but Denita is the true leader, and she has little tolerance for insurrection among her family and employees (and ex-employees). Suddenly, there is a new powerhouse performer on the Atlanta gospel scene — a young pole dancer, Rbel, whose talent and pedigree may bring her closer to God and gold than she ever imagined.

The Hype Magazine had the chance to sit and speak with actress, model, and singer Serayah, known best for her character role of Tiana on the hit television sitcom Empire. Serayah is now showcasing her wonderful gifts of art along with actress and singer Yolanda Adams, and actors Michael Jai White, Michael Beach, and Chaundre Hall-Broomfield, in the new television sitcom on BET+ Kingdom Business.

Vonzell: I know your time is limited, so let’s jump right into it. This is a question that I ask people. How did you feel about the script when you were presented with it?

Serayah: First of all, when I first read the script I couldn’t stop reading it. By just reading the first pilot episode I was hooked. I was drawn into everything that was going on and the characters. I was interested in knowing what was going to happen next. I wanted to know what my character, Rbel was going to do. Basically, let’s say again, I was hooked.

Vonzell: That’s great, because I’m going to tell you, after watching the trailer I was like, “Wow, we really have a real show that is showing actual facts of what’s going on in the church and music industry.” So with that said, I know that you’ve done things before in the secular genre, so how was it like working with so many main characters and artist in the gospel industry?

Serayah: It was different for me. I come from my first booking (Empire) which was a music show where I met a lot of great actors and a lot of real musicians and singers, but with Kingdom Business I met and worked with the gospel stars that I grew up listening to like Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams. It was a really nice experience and a dream come true to be able to connect with the younger gospel singers as well as the veterans in the game of the gospel. Jut to have personal moments with them was really, really dope because I don’t run into them often. It was really nice to do records with some of my favorite people and to be involved in something so spirit moving.

Vonzell: With the gospel, Christian, and inspirational industry I feel that at times they sort of damper it a little bit so that it doesn’t offend anyone. For example, let’s take the scene in the strip club. We all know that there will be Christians who will have something to say about it being in an actual strip club, but they really can’t say anything because this is real life. How can you be true to yourself if you don’t show your true identity and the lifestyle that you’re living. So overall, with your character (Rbel), how do you feel this will help reveal some of the things that happen in the church community?

Serayah: I would say I agree with what you are saying. I grew up in the church. I believe that the purpose of the show is to connect people beyond religion or belief. I think it’s just about having compassion and trying to understand where someone is coming from and why they may be the way they are or why they do the things that they do. Having that type of compassion is needed because there is a lot of judgement that people face in the community with living life. We all have to live it and I believe that this show is going to bridge the gap, at least my character will bridge the gap between that judgmental space of a person who is coming from nothing, and is working with the cards that they have been dealt with in life and are trying to figure it out. I think like you said, it’s a very normal story to a lot of people. I feel like a lot of people get scared. They probably run away from the church because they don’t want to be judged or they feel like they don’t have the answers, but that’s the whole point. It’s suppose to be the whole point of the church to welcome so that people can find their spiritual relationship with God. My character definitely is going to bridge that gap for those watching at home who are thinking in their minds that they can relate to Rbel. They can be a child of a pastor or someone in the world and living life and things are hard sometimes and I have to do what I have to do, that doesn’t mean I don’t love God or have a relationship with Him. Another reason that made me love the project is there is no sugar coating when it comes to the reality of the show. It’s very true to the church, home life, running a business, and even the streets.

Vonzell: See how you tied all that together? That’s dope. I’m glad that a show like this has been put out. It shows a part of why people are running from the church because they see these leaders living one way in front of the congregation, but behind closed doors they are living another way. So people are like if the pastor is living like this or that, then why can’t I? I might as well just stay in the streets or doing what I’m doing.

Serayah: Right. And that’s where the judgment comes in. My character ,Rbel went through a lot. She actually was down on her faith. She had faith, but she was down on it at that time based upon the life she was given, and that’s just a real story. Sometimes trauma or whatever you’ve gone through can make you stray away from your faith for a minute. And so I’m so proud to be a part of something that is going to raise eyebrows and bring awareness of this reality. It may even make some people uncomfortable, but that’s the point of our expression.

Vonzell: Living every day is uncomfortable because you have to make different choices every day. Some personal words that you would like to tell the people and your fans before we go?

Serayah: Sure, I’m excited for everyone to see my character, Rbel, and for them to meet the awesome cast of Kingdom Business for a lot of reasons, but my main reason is that people will find themselves in the characters and see what resonates with them and to understand that nothing is perfect and that the grass isn’t greener on the other side. So I really hope that people get the underlined message of the show.

Vonzell: That was really dope. What’s up with your single POV?

Serayah: Yes (laughing) POV is coming out soon and my EP is coming out real soon as well.

Series Regulars

Yolanda Adams “Denita Jordan”

Serayah “Rbel”

Chaundre A. Hall-Broomfield “Taj Jordan”

Michael Jai White “Julius ‘Caesar’ Jones”

Michael Beach “Bishop Calvin Jordan”

Recurring Guest Stars

Kirk Franklin “Deacon D’Wayne”

La’Myia Good “Essence”

Kiandra Richardson “C.J. Jordan-Walker”

Aspen Kennedy “Zyan”

Dominique Johnson “Malcolm Walker”

Tamar Braxton “Sasha”

Larry Reid Himself

Sam Malone “Dex”

Journey Carter “Jewel”

Al Vicente “Detective Kevin Jackson”

Patrice Fisher “Detective Juanita Parker”

Maura Gale “Dani’s Mother”

Malachi Malik “Dani’s Father”

Gerard William Catus “Ray Johnson”

Shuford Marie “Dani Kajuana”

Danielle Toran “Cristal Sarah”

Tyler K. Whitley “Raven”

Maurice Smith “Ron Washington”

Dominique Johnson “Malcolm Walker”

Bruce Blackshear “Hector”

Louis Gossett, Jr. “Dr. Jeremiah West”

Brandon Valley Jones “Young Caesar”

Willie Moore, Jr. Himself

Tonia Jackson “Linda”

EXECUTIVE CREDITS

Creators: John J. Sakmar & Kerry Lenhart

Produced by: DAE Light Media, Relevé Entertainment, Franklin Entertainment and

FoYo Soul Entertainment

Executive Producers: DeVon Franklin, Holly Carter, Kirk Franklin, Michael Van

Dyck, Kerry Lenhart, John J. Sakmar and Keesha Brickhouse

Showrunners: Kerry Lenhart & John J. Sakmar

Co-Executive Producers: Ruth Ferrera & Deb Evans

Directors: Oz Scott, Mary Lou Belli, Shea William Vanderpoort, Chris Erskin

Writers: John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart, Ruth Ferrera, Jasmine Swift, Shani Am.

Moore, Corey Moore

Series Music By: Warryn Campbell and Kirk Franklin

ABOUT BET+:

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