R&B Singer and Broadway Veteran, Marva Hicks Taha, Dead at 66

Marva Hicks Taha

Broadway veteran, actress and R&B singer Mava Hicks Taha — who duetted with pop music legends Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, and whose credits on the Great White Way include "Motown" and "The Lion King" has died.

A statement released by her husband Akwasi Taha and the rest of the family Sunday revealed that she passed away at the age of 66 on Friday (Sept. 16) in New York City.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear Marva Hicks Taha," the declaration read. "Our beloved wife, family member and friend will be greatly missed and remains marvelous in our hearts forever. The love she had for her husband, family, friends and entertainment community knew no bounds."

It continued, "We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. Memorial arrangements will be announced in the coming days." –

Taha's career on the screen, stage and behind the microphone spanned four decades.

The Virginia native was a fixture in the theater community. In addition to her work on Broadway in musicals such as "Caroline or Change," and "Lena Horne, The Lady at Her Music," she starred in many off-Broadway and regional theater productions nationwide.

Most recently the three-time Helen Hayes Award winner — which recognizes excellence in professional theater in the Washington, D.C., area — starred in an April 2022 performance of "Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous" at Atlanta's Alliance Theater.

In addition to her theater career, Taha was an accomplished musician.

 

After signing with Polydor Records in the late eighties she notched a Top 10 Billboard R&B charts single in 1991 with "Never Been in Love Before" off her debut album "Marva Hicks."

While the singles that followed did not fare as well, Taha continued to be an in-demand backup singer, providing vocals for a diverse array of music superstars over the years including Jackson, Wonder, Whitney Houston, James Ingram and Michael McDonald.

Off the stage, her immense talents as an actress translated well to both the small and big screen.

Her film and television credits include "Mad About You," "Star Trek," "One Life to Live," and "LA Law," among many others. Taha also lent her voice and talents to many nonprofit organizations including the Ronald McDonald House.

Watch: First Look at British Actress, Naomi Ackie, as Whitney Houston in ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ Biopic

"The Voice" may be gone but her musical legacy lives on and thanks to Sony a new generation is set to be exposed to the story behind the rise and fall of one of America's most prolific and acclaimed singers.

On Thursday, the studio released the first trailer for its upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

In the two-minute clip from the fully-authorized biographical drama, viewers get their first glimpse at British actress Naomi Ackie's ( "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker") portrayal of the music legend who the movie's synopsis says went "From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time."

Only time will tell if the movie, slated for release on Dec. 21, will be a gift to fans of the departed diva, but the outlook is promising considering the film's pedigree.

Anthony McCarten, who wrote the hit 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," penned the script. While the man who signed and mentored Houston throughout her music career, super-producer Clive Davis, portrayed by master character actor Stanley Tucci in the film, is producing.

Watch the trailer below for a first look at Ackie in the iconic role:

R. Kelly Convicted on Federal Child Porn Charges in Chicago

R. Kelly

The jury is in and once again R. Kelly has been found guilty.

The once revered R&B singer who was already sentenced to 30 years in prison in June following a 2021 federal conviction in New York on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, including the sexual exploitation of children, was found guilty on Wednesday of three counts of child pornography and three counts of child enticement by another panel of peers in his hometown of Chicago.

Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, is facing 10 to 90 years of additional prison time at sentencing. A judge could determine that the sentence be served simultaneously with his previous conviction or after the first term is served. Either way, since federal inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentences, he is not likely to see a shot at freedom until well into his 80s, if at all.

"Mr. Kelly engaged in multiple sex acts with girls under the age of 18 and he recorded some of those sex acts on video," said U.S. Attorney John Lausch following the conclusion of the trial. "We are pleased with the fact that Robert Kelly is finally being held accountable for that reprehensible conduct. We are particularly pleased that Robert Kelly is finally, finally being held responsible for the abuse of his 14-year-old goddaughter."

U.S. Attorney John Lausch speaking to reporters, says #RKelly faces 10 to 90 years in prison for the counts he was convicted on. He also says “obviously we are disappointed” in the acquittals on other counts. pic.twitter.com/Z54kXcCVmI

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) September 14, 2022

While he was found guilty on six of the 13 counts he faced the jury did acquit Kelly on a fourth pornography count as well as a conspiracy to obstruct justice charge. The latter for accusing him of fixing his state child pornography trial in 2008. He was also found not guilty on all three counts of conspiring to receive child pornography and on other charges of enticement.

Kelly's co-defendants, former business manager Derrel McDavid and employee Milton "June" Brown, were cleared of all charges.

#RKelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean speaking to the media after the verdicts pic.twitter.com/o22FAHjTtr

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) September 14, 2022