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Like mother, like daughter. 

Brandy Norwood is returning to Lifetime later this year in a new Christmas movie – and she’s bringing her daughter Sy’Rai with her. 

And that’s not the only big project the Cinderella star has in the works. She’ll also perform the theme song for Netflix’s upcoming rebook of A Different World, she revealed Tuesday. 

Brandy and Sy’Rai to star in ‘Christmas Everyday’ sequel for Lifetime 

The Grammy-winning singer and actor will star in Christmas Everyday Again (WT), a sequel to last year’s Christmas Everyday, the network announced on August 10. Brandy will reprise her role as Francine “Fancy” Ballantine, while her real-life daughter Sy’rai Smith returns as Fancy’s younger sister, Belle.

“I’m so excited to step back into Fancy’s world,” Brandy said. “Making Christmas Everyday was such a special experience, and I’m thrilled that audiences will get to continue this journey with these characters.”

In Christmas Everyday Again, Chicago fashion designer Fancy is working hard, with the help of her mother and sister, to secure the future of her thriving boutique while also planning her Christmas wedding to her fiancé, Jaylen. But as business pressures mount and a reformed ex unexpectedly returns, Fancy shoulders all the burdens on her own and unintentionally pushes Jaylen away. As Christmas approaches, she must decide whether she’s willing to let go of the past before it costs her the future of her dreams.  

The cast also includes Debbi Morgan as Fancy and Belle’s mother, Evelyn, and Robert C. Riley as Fancy’s fiancé, Jaylen. Also returning from Christmas Everyday are Kajuana S. Marie as Deena, Journey Carter as Tia, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Germaine, and Lamman Rucker as Richard. Gregory Alan Williams joins the cast as Earl. Christmas Everyday Again will air later this year as part of the It’s a Wonderful Lifetime holiday slate.

Brandy sings theme song for ‘A Different World’ reboot 

A new Lifetime movie isn’t the only thing Brandy is cooking up. She’ll also sing the updated theme song for Netflix’s A Different World reboot, the streamer announced on Tuesday. 

“Singing this iconic theme song for A Different World means everything to me,” Brandy told Tudum. “It was one of those shows that I had to watch every time it came on. I remember the song and how it made me feel.” 

Brandy had some big shoes to fill in taking on the theme song for the new series, given that Aretha Franklin performed the theme for the original show, starting in season 2. (A Different World aired from six seasons beginning in 1987.) 

“It feels amazing to be a part of the legacy,” Brandy said. “I just hope I can do it as much justice as Ms. Franklin.”

The new version of A Different World premieres September 24 on Netflix. It follows Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the daughter of original series characters Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy), in her first year at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU.

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