The “Littles” is the name New Edition gave the young actors who portray them in the three-night mini-series on BET. Actor-singer Tyler M. Williams (young Bobby Brown), actor-singer Caleb McLaughlin (young Ricky Bell), actor-singer Myles Truiit (young Ronnie DeVoe) and Dantae Hoagland (young Mike Bivins) were living it up on their first big red carpet and stole the hearts of Keke Palmer, Meagan Good, the middle New Edition singers-actors and the original group members.
Bobby Brown posted on his Instagram account a video clip from being on set with the “Littles” and he said of young Bobby, “not only does he look like me, it’s like we sit the exact same way and he has some of my mannerisms.” Several viewers during the first night stated what an excellent job the Robi Reed casting agency did when sizing up the boys and casting them for each member they portrayed in the
Several viewers during the first night stated what an excellent job the Robi Reed casting agency did when sizing up the boys and casting them for each member they portrayed in the mini-series. It’s safe to say everyone was extremely satisfied.
Let’s talk about two characters in particular when it comes to the “middles.” Ricky Bell is played by Elijah Kelley (The Wiz Live) and Johnny Gill is played by singer-songwriter Luke James (former background singer for Tyrese) and most people have no idea that both of these young men have amazing voices. After the BET mini-series airs all three nights, I’d highly doubt either one of the middles-actors has trouble getting booked for any gigs or lack any party invitations. Of course, the “Empire” star Bryshere Gray, who plays Mike Bivins, has a jump-start on the other boys. It was actually Bivens and his wife who suggested that Gray be chosen for the part.
Singer-dancer Elijah Kelley not only is remembered for the NBC live musical event “The Wiz,” but he was also in the films 28 Days, Take the Lead, Hairspray, and Lee Daniels’ The Butler. Luke James is a New Orleans native as well as a two-time Ggrammy nominee. Most don’t know that besides singing background for Tyrese; Luke James has written songs for Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Keri Hilson and Justin Bieber. Hopefully, James’ role as Johnny Gill in this New Edition biopic will get the right eyes on him and something huge will come out of this for him and the other cast members as they all delivered excellent performances and the singing was absolutely amazing.
The “Littles” stole the show on the first night as they were introduced by showing how the humble creations of New Edition evolved straight from the projects of Orchard Park Projects in Brooklyn to Hollywood with the assistance of manager-choreographer Brooke Payne.
Meagan Good, Keke Palmer, Evan Ross, Duane Martin, LL Cool J, Mike Epps, French Montana, “Being Mary Jane” actor Richard Brooks, Lisa Nicole Carson, Monica Calhoun, Yvette Nicole Brown, Robbie Jones, and a plethora of Hollywood celebrities showed up for the party. Check out the photo gallery and a clip from the party after the break.
Check out the photo gallery.
