TV One’s breakout series, Unsung, is known for taking music fans behind the scenes (and headlines) to get the real story on their favorite performers. In the latest episode of the hit show, R&B star Regina Belle takes center stage to open up about her life.
Belle was a student at Rutgers University when she linked up with the Manhattans and scored her first hit, “Where Did We Go Wrong.” After being signed to Columbia Records in 1987, Belle released her debut album, All by Myself, which included the hits, “So Many Tears” and “Show Me the Way.”
As Belle’s star quickly rose, her music stayed on the charts, and her collaborations with Peabo Bryson became the stuff of legend. One song, “A Whole New World” was the lead single for Disney’s animated film, Aladdin, and has become a classic.
While she enjoyed great success, Belle was unexpectedly dropped from her record label, triggering a string of challenges that would nearly take her life. After 25 years in the business, she almost lost it all after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“I went to emergency surgery, and the surgery was supposed to take a couple of hours. It took eight. I bled so badly they had to close me up and finish it six months later, they had to open my head back up,” she recalled on Unsung.
Thankfully, Belle survived the ordeal and will share her inspiring story of faith, family, and of course, her music on the next episode of Unsung.
We’ll be tuning in to Unsung with Regina Belle this Sunday, June 10 at 9 p.m. ET.