Brandy has come a long way since her Moesha days. And for fans who are ready to see the actress, singer, and mother get her grown woman on, there’s Zoe Ever After, a new sitcom premiering tonight on BET.
Brandy stars as Zoe Moon, a soon-to-be-divorced mom determined to move out of the shadows of Gemini (Dorian Missick), her boxing champion of an ex husband, in order to launch a cosmetics company. But Zoe and Gemini also have to work hard as co-parents and do all that they can to raise their 8-year-old son Xavier (an adorable Jaylon Gordon) the right way.
8 Reasons Why We’ll Always Be Down with Brandy
Brandy is one of the comedy’s executive producers along with Debra Martin Chase (Just Wright). Stan Lathan (Def Comedy Jam) also directed several episodes of Zoe Ever After. Here are five more reasons to tune in:
1. Brandy
At 36, Brandy is still as likeable and funny as she was as a teenager. The difference is that she has lived a full adult life and brings that experience to the role and the show, particularly as the real-life mother of a 13-year-old. Zoe is nothing like Chardonnay from The Game. OK, maybe they use the same slang and gestures, but this is a much more evolved and realistic character.
2. The cast
Missick (Southland) is funny and charming as Zoe’s ex hubby. Viewers should also take note of relative newcomers Haneefah Wood and Tory Devon Smith. Wood costars as Zoe’s best friend and public relations guru Pearl and Smith plays her assistant Valente. Ignacio Serricchio rounds out the cast as Miguel, Zoe’s office building contractor/repairman. The exchanges between Zoe and Miguel are some of the show’s best and are reminiscent of Murphy and Eldin’s relationship on Murphy Brown.
Style Evolution: Brandy Norwood
3. The clothes and hair
Brandy’s 9 to 5 wear is on point and so are her tresses. After all, she’s supposed to be in New York (the show is shot in Georgia) and Zoe Ever After’s wardrobe stylist, Rita McGhee, makes her look the part and then some. The sexy and sophisticated white pantsuit Zoe sports in episode two will have people Googling and tweeting for sure.
4. Celebrity cameos
Brandy has a lot of famous friends and some appear on the show. The first-season list includes supermodel Jessica White, Grammy winning R&B star India Arie and pop singer Jordin Sparks, all of whom will play themselves.
Hairstyle File: Brandy’s Tress Transformation
5.The sisterhood
Zoe and Pearl have a heartwarming friendship, made all the stronger after Zoe’s divorce. There is a nod to Golden Girls that makes the bond between the two women very sweet and relatable.
Zoe Ever After premieres tonight at 10pm ET on BET.