Debbie Gibson To Star, Sing In New UP Movie

UP network has tapped 1980s pop music singer/actress Debbie Gibson to star and perform in a new network original movie The Music In Me, the network announced Tuesday.

Gibson (Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark, 3 Billion and Counting) will star with Gloria Reuben (Lincoln, E.R.) in the series, which follows a small town girl who had given up her dreams of musically performing only to rediscover her joy of singing/songwriting as an adult through her work with a failing church choir. Gibson has written and performs the film’s original song, “Promises,” said network officials.

The network has begun production on the movie, will premiere in early 2915, according to UP officials.

The Music In Me is a terrific story about a woman dusting off a dream, not knowing that this musical journey she embarks on with a broken choir will lead to all sorts of joy in her life,” said Barbara Fisher, senior vice president of original programming for UP.  “We are thrilled to have the multi-talented, award-winning, world record-setting Debbie Gibson as the lead, joined by actress/singer/social activist Gloria Ruben, who was once a backup singer for Tina Turner.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.