Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story
“I’ve been up and I’ve been down, I’ve had my feet swept off the ground by somebody who just picked me up and threw me away. I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor, I’ve had boys in and out my door, but I know you’re the only…really the only one for me.”
When it comes to Miki Howard, perhaps no truer words have ever been spoken. Those words are lyrics from one of her chart topping hits “Ain’t Nobody Like You”. When she sang that song almost twenty five years ago, she had no idea how prophetic it would be.
To say that Miki has been through a lot in her 55 years would be an understatement. Born Michelle Howard, she grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and was the daughter of Ms. Josephine Howard of the gospel group The Caravans. Her childhood was far from a fairytale however, having been neglected and abused in her early years. Music was always a place she could go for refuge to escape in times of trouble, or to simply take her away to a happier place when she needed it. Since music and singing was always around her, it was an obvious retreat and safe haven for her in the midst of the tumultuous world she so often found herself a part of.
Quiet on the Set Magazine caught up with Miki right after the premiere of the TV One made for television movie biopic “Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story”. It tells the story of her life from childhood until present day, here and now. “Love Under New Management”, set a ratings record for TV One, and has the distinction of being the very first Unsung inspired movie production. The whole idea came from the producers of Unsung after the overwhelming response to Miki’s 2011 episode, which was also among the highest rated of the franchise series since it began. They approached Miki with the idea of making it into a biopic for the network, and she agreed. She came on board the project as one of the executive producers to make sure they “got it right”.
Actress Teyonah Parris of Mad Men, Survivor’s Remorse, and Chi-Raq fame, stars as Howard. Gospel star Josephine Howard is portrayed by Vanessa Bell Calloway, and music executive Sylvia Rhone is portrayed by Lisa-Raye McCoy. Chaka Khan, who is Howard’s good friend, is played by her daughter Indira Khan, and Darius McCrary co-stars as Gerald Levert, who Miki describes as the “love of her life”. “Darius knew Gerald and looked up to him and is playing Gerald at the age he is now. He was so happy to do it,” she said. “We’re all old friends. Gerald was my friend even when we weren’t together romantically. I miss him. He was my work husband.” Miki and Gerald recorded an R&B top ten hit titled “That’s What Love Is”, the 1988 duet from Miki’s “Love Confession” album. When she speaks of him, one can’t help but wonder if those words to “Ain’t Nobody Like You” are really about him. She still thinks of him with fond memories, and now realizes that he was the man “who really loved her.”
When asked if having to go back and not only rehash a lot of unpleasant issues from her past, but also relive them for the sake of the film, was more painful or therapeutic, Howard simply states, “That’s why I did it. I’ve had a lot of loss in my life. There was a period of time where I lost my mother, family members, friends, and Gerald. It hit me hard…it was rough for a while, but I got through it.”
As a singer trying desperately to carve out a career that was littered with many personal and professional highs and lows, Miki experienced a lot of adversity. She found herself struggling with domestic abuse from her ex-husband, sexism within the industry, and eventually a dangerous drug habit. But thanks to a good rehabilitation program and the love of family and friends, Howard persevered and eventually came out on top to reclaim her place in the music industry. “I really hope that people who have been abused or who have struggled with drugs see this and see themselves,” she says. “If you want to know what happens to a lot of our Black celebrities, watch my movie. It’s the truth and it’s always good to tell the truth.” When asked what advice she would have for someone going through the same things she found herself going through she said, “Get help! Tell somebody. That’s what I had to do.”
More than anything, Howard said, her music is at the center of the movie just as it is in her own life.
“I did the music so that it would last forever.” In the film, the singer’s career is compared to her then contemporary, the late Whitney Houston, but Howard feels like she’s more like her idols Aretha Franklin and Nancy Wilson. “I love jazz. I always have. Even though I grew up around a lot of gospel music, I always loved jazz. I have a jazz album and I also have a blues album. A lot of people don’t know that. You see, I never tried to make a hit record,” Howard says. “I only tried to make records that hit home and touched the heart. These themes are the same for millennials – love, hate, heartache, loneliness. It’s the same for all of us as human beings. I never had a trendy sound or a trendy record.”
From the looks of things, Miki Howard is back…and back with a vengeance as well as a purpose. She is brand new, but with the same old voice we all know and love. She is currently on a U.S. concert tour, so look for her in your city or a city near you. You can see LOVE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: THE MIKI HOWARD STORY on TV One. Check your local listings for dates and times.
To see Quiet on the Set Magazine’s exclusive interview with Miki Howard click the link below:
