Original subtitles

Downloaded from YTS.MX

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-♪ Butterfly in the sky

♪ Fly so high

♪ Reflection in my eyes

♪ Shine so bright

♪ Shoulda known the day would come ♪

♪ When you would go away

♪ But I was too wrapped up in your love ♪

♪ To ever know Hey, Elite.

-Hey, sister.

[ Melancholy tune plays ]

-Hey. -Hey, Neffe.

-♪ That you didn’t wanna stay

♪ You were ready to leave

-Well, I guess Frank da Bank finally got her wish.

-What, to check outta here?

-For us to be together again.

♪

♪ You were ready to leave

♪ I guess I’m just a fool

♪ To ever think forever is a thing ♪

♪ Butterfly in the sky

♪ Fly so high

I hear your song every day, Mama.

[ SWV’s "Weak" plays ]

♪

-♪ I don’t know what it is that you’ve done to me ♪

-One more, ’cause I just beat you at UNO.

-♪ But it’s caused me to act

♪ In such a crazy way -Two more,

’cause you owe me a pizza.

-Let a man pay his debt. Keyshia.

-♪ Whatever it is that you do

♪ When you do what you’re doing ♪

-I wish we could unplug the streetlights.

So nobody would come looking for us when the sun goes down.

-When we get married, we gonna do the same thing.

We gonna have our kids in the house

before the streetlights come on.

-And when we get married, we gonna have dinner

at the table together every night.

-[ Scoffs ] Long as you cookin’ every dinner.

-Not me.

I’m-a make enough money off my music

to hire me a private chef. -Ah, okay, okay, okay.

But why dinner at the table every night?

Y’all don’t be eating together at Miss Yvonne’s?

-♪ I can hardly sleep

-Sometimes, but,

they’re not family, you know?

They’re not blood.

-So, we gonna have our own family,

with a little bunch of knucklehead kids.

[ Laughter ]

-♪ Stay with me

♪ By my side

-Oh, snap! I gotta go.

-You not gonna stay and watch "All That"?

I just helped my mom cut the cable back on.

-Next time, but I got to take care of something.

-Something like what?

-Dinner.

-♪ Why your love

♪ It makes me weak

♪ Time after time after time

♪ I tried to fight it

♪ But your love is strong

♪ It keeps on holding on

[ Door closes ]

-Keyshia!

-Yes, Mom.

-Where in the world you been?!

[ Creaking ]

You are pushing your luck

around here, young lady.

-Oh, didn’t see you there, Dad.

-Shh!

I’m hiding from her, too.

-Y’all know I can hear you, right?

Don’t you fool around and let that boy, Jamal,

get you pregnant. -[ Sighs ]

We don’t even be doing nothing like that.

-Ohh.

Yeah, I know what nothing leads to.

A whole lot of girls be doing nothing,

and now they buying Pampers and Similac.

-It ain’t even like that.

Why you be on me so tough?

You don’t never be on Nuttso’s head like this.

-I know what Sean be doing when he says

he’s up at the studio.

No, ma’am.

Oh, you are not leaving this house

and going back over there.

-This ain’t got nothing to do with Jamal.

[ Suspenseful music plays ] [ Sighs ]

Do you really think that’s a good idea?

-She’s gotta eat.

-She’s a grown woman, Keyshia.

You gonna have to leave her in God’s hands.

-What if you did that?

Where would I be?

-It is not the same, baby.

You are a child.

-She’s out there alone.

Nobody to look after her.

She needs me.

-Don’t you write a check

your butt can’t cash.

What are you -- -Excuse me.

♪

[ Hip hop plays ]

♪

Hey, Neffe.

You staying over here now?

-I’m staying with Nunya.

-Who’s Nunya?

-Nunya business. ["None of your"]

[ Laughs ]

-I told you I’d ask Yvonne and Leon

if you could stay with us.

-They don’t want me.

Only the light-skinned girls get adopted.

-That’s a lie.

-What are doing over here, anyway, Keyshia?

Hustling up more money to waste?

-She ain’t been eatin’.

-The hell you care for?

She don’t care if we been eatin’ good.

-She loves us, Neffe.

She just got a problem.

That’s why we gotta help her.

And then when she gets better,

we can all be back together again.

-[ Laughs ]

-What’s so funny?

-You are crazier than she is,

if you think that shit’s ever gonna happen.

Ask me how long I’ve been waitin’ for her to get better.

Then asked me what happened to me while I’ve been waitin’.

Bye, Keyshia.

[ Melancholy tune plays ]

♪

-Aight.

-Yo, it’s Baby Mary J!

[ Laughs ] -What up, Keyshia?

-What’s up, Hands? What’s up, Lefty?

-You got somethin’ hot for us today?

-♪ I told my cousin, if you called ♪

♪ To tell ya I’m not home

♪ ’Cause all the things you do to me ♪

♪ You know you’re wrong, wrong, wrong ♪

-She came with that heat.

[ Laughs ] -Boy.

You got a real talent.

-You a star, baby girl.

Don’t never forget that.

Take this for your family.

[ Hip hop plays ]

-Thanks, y’all.

Stay up.

♪

♪

-I-I’ve been out here lookin’ for Smoke all day.

He got -- He --

He got my money and he ain’t -- and he ain’t show up.

He always be tryin’ to do me like that.

I know one thing, he better --

he better get my money!

Ain’t nobody out here seen him, either, tonight.

I don’t believe this dude.

-Mom. -Ain’t nobody --

Keyshia! Hi, baby!

-Hey, Mama.

Come on. -Where we --

Let me know if you see Smoke.

Alright, see you later. -Come on.

[ Siren wailing in distance ]

-[ Laughs ]

Y’all gettin’ married?

-When we finish school.

-Ding! Right answer!

-[ Laughs ] -Tell her what she’s won, Bob.

Has Yvonne met this Mr. Jamal?

-Yeah, but she don’t like him.

-Yvonne don’t like nobody.

Not even her husband.

And she Hates me with a capital H!

-She never said anything bad about you.

-Not to you, baby.

Jamal sounds like a good one.

And they’re real hard to come by.

But you don’t rely on nobody to pay your bills.

Get your own money.

-That’s why I’ve been doin’ my music.

I’ve been makin’ demos.

Nuttso gonna play ’em for MC Hammer.

Holla!

[ Laughs ]

-♪ Can’t touch this

♪ Can’t touch this

[ Laughter ]

Oh, can I get an autograph?

-I could ask him.

I’m not talkin’ about MC Hammer.

I’m talkin’ about you!

’Cause I been knowin’ you was a star

from the day you was born.

Mwah!

[ Laughs ]

-I’m gonna make me a whole lotta money, Mom.

I’m-a buy me a big house

and put the whole family back together --

me, you, Neffe,

my other siblings, and...

maybe even my dad.

I’m old enough, Mama.

I wanna know.

-Me, you, and the Pope wanna know.

But even the Pope know when to give up hope.

-Can you at least tell me where he lives?

Is he in Oakland? -How in the hell

am I gonna tell you where he is

if I don’t know who he is, exactly?

-You know.

You just don’t wanna tell me.

-Let it go, Keyshia.

This $50 is for food, not for that other stuff.

-Are you the mama or is it me?

-Y’all okay over here? You need anything else?

-No, we straight. -Alright.

-You gotta start takin’ better care of yourself.

What if something happens to you?

You the only real mama I got.

-When are you gonna stop worryin’ about me?

-When you stop givin’ me a reason to.

-[ Sucks teeth ]

Okay, now, can I have that $50?

[ Laughs ]

Ah, holla!

Big money!

Big money!

Big money!

-Yo, shorty is gettin’ it.

They call that the crackhead dance?

[ Laughter ] -Who you callin’ a crackhead?!

-You sure look like one to me. -Right?

[ Suspenseful hip hop plays ]

-Ooh!

-Look at my little Mike Tyson.

Come on, baby. Listen, get your stuff.

We gotta get outta here. Girl, run.

-You can’t be in here doin’ all of that!

Are you okay? You need some ice, baby?

♪

♪

[ Keys jingling ]

♪

♪

-Unh-unh.

You ain’t comin’ up in here tonight.

You keep doin’ this, Keyshia.

Now, if you grown enough to stay out all hours of the night,

then you are grown enough to take care of yourself.

Go on, Keyshia.

-You just gonna let her kick me out like this?

-You wrote this check, Keyshia.

Not me.

♪

♪

♪

-Neffe?

Hey. Uh, Yvonne kicked me out again.

You got room for me?

I’m on my way.

♪

-Come on, let’s go.

Come on, clap your hands.

He’s faithful, even when we are not. Amen?

-Amen! -Amen?

-Amen! -Amen! Amen!

Now, look, before I close, I wanna know,

is there anyone that’s in need of a special prayer today?

Something that you’ve been bombardin’ heaven with

for the longest. Come on. Anyone.

One that needs special prayer today.

Come on, let’s encourage this baby as she comes.

[ Applause ] Amen.

Come on! Come on, now.

Hallelujah. -Hallelujah.

-Welcome, welcome, welcome.

Now, is there anything that we can all touch

and agree with you today, my sister?

-I wanna sing. -Amen.

-I wanna use my voice to take care of my family.

-Y’all hear that? She wants to use her voice

to take care of her family.

And those that are believers,

you can talk to the Lord with us.

Come on, stretch your hands towards this baby.

Yes.

Let’s all pray for her.

-Hallelujah.

Mm.

-In Jesus’ name.

Hallelujah.

Thank you, God.

[ Exhales forcefully ]

It’s done.

It’s because of your faith it is so. Amen?

-Amen. -Do you believe that?

-I do. -Let’s give this baby

another applause here. [ Applause ]

Come on, now. Come on. -Yes! Amen!

-This could be your baby up here.

This could be you! -Hallelujah! Yes!

-She is not ashamed.

So proud of you.

-Thank you. -God bless you, daughter.

♪

[ Hip hop plays ]

-♪ Yo

-How’s your drink? [ Laughs ]

[Indistinct]

-Tastes sour as hell.

There’s my sis?

Yo, Keyshia!

-What up, Nuttso?

-What up, sis?

I was literally just thinking about you.

-Yeah, right. -Nah, for real.

Some lady’s been calling the house, looking for you.

You got mail.

Where you been at, girl?

I haven’t seen you in a minute.

You know, some days, I’m at my auntie’s house.

Other days, I’m at my grandmama’s house.

But right now, I’m staying with Neffe.

Something’s gotta give, Nuttso.

I can’t keep living house to house like this.

-Come home.

-[ Sighs ] I tried that already,

but as soon as I stayed out late again, she kicked me out.

Again.

Nuttso, don’t you ever want something different?

I’m sick of people around me getting high all the damn time.

It’s time for me to go.

-Back to L.A.?

-Yeah, back to L.A.

I think I’m ready, but --

-But what?

-I ain’t got no money.

And I can’t leave Frankie here.

-Don’t you think Frankie would just wanna see you win?

You got hella talent.

-Excuse me, bruv. -[ Scoffs ] Damn.

-Oh. What up, Jamal?

-Damn, Jamal’s girl’s pregnant.

-Hey, forget about him.

You should do it.

We should do it.

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

[ Knocking insistently ]

-[ Clears throat ]

What do you want, Keyshia?

I told you, you cannot move back up in here

until you’re ready to follow my rules.

-Nuttso said that I have mail.

-No.

-Keyshia, baby, you come on in.

-[ Sighs ]

-What is this? Who’s -- Who’s it from?

-Social Services.

Guess they were holding on to it till you turned 18.

$14,000?

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God! Thank you, Jesus!

Oh, my!

I’m getting outta here.

-You’re doing what?!

-I’m moving back to L.A.

-You ain’t going back to L.A.

Nothing good happened for you there before.

-I’m grown, remember?

You kicked me out.

I can go wherever I want to go.

-Oh, you have amnesia.

You broke the rules repeatedly, and that’s on you.

Could’ve got me in trouble with the authorities out here,

doing whatever the hell you wanted to do.

-Yvonne, that was years ago.

You need to let that go, be happy for Keyshia.

-The boy she was working with, he got killed.

-That ain’t had nothing to do with us.

-Only by the grace of God.

-No, by the grace of God, I’ve been okay

since you wouldn’t let me move back in.

Do you know how I’ve been living?

You know what? [ Scoffs ]

Dad is right.

That was a long time ago.

All I know is this money is a blessing from God

and it’s gonna be my ticket out of here.

-That’s right, Keyshia, baby, ’cause you a fighter.

You go on and you take that leap of faith.

-So you gonna let her do this?

-Let her? -Let me?

-So, Keyshia, you gonna be like this, huh?

After all I’ve done for you?

After me bringing you in my house,

I fed you, I clothed you, I -- -Yvonne, that’s enough, now.

-Don’t you go spending all that money on Frankie.

-Yvonne, I said, that’s enough, now!

[ Sighs ]

♪

-[ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ]

-Don’t mind her.

She loves hard, just like you.

But we all gotta let go sometimes.

So, Keyshia, baby, you go on and you chase that golden dream

and we gonna support you 100%!

Okay?

And you don’t owe us anything.

[ Tender tune plays ]

-Thanks, Dad.

[ Sighing ]

[ Knocking insistently ]

-Keyshia!

You scared me half to death!

-I’m goin’ back to L.A.

I’m finally gonna get my music career off the ground.

-Fantastic!

Now, can we talk about it some other time,

please and thank you?

-Mom., please.

-Keyshia, I am with a special friend.

-You can’t keep doing this forever.

Between the men and the drugs,

it’s always something under your skin.

-Keyshia!

-Come with me.

We can start over in L.A.

-God gave you that dream!

I would just be in the way.

-No, you wouldn’t.

God gave me this dream for you.

I want you with me.

-Hang on, honey. I’ll be right back.

I’ll tell you what.

Get yourself settled out there, first,

and then I’ll come out and join you.

Alright?

I want you to take my butterfly ring.

Give me your finger.

This way, I’m with you always.

I’m proud of you, Keyshia.

I love you.

♪

[ Door opens ]

[ Door closes ]

[ Keys jingle ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Suspenseful hip hop plays ]

♪

♪

♪

♪

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

-♪ I used to think that I wasn’t fine enough ♪

♪ And I used to think that I wasn’t wild enough ♪

♪ But I won’t waste my time tryna figure out ♪

♪ Why you playing games, what’s this all about? ♪

♪ And I can’t believe you’re hurting me ♪

♪ I met your girl, what a difference ♪

♪ What you see in her you ain’t seen in me ♪

♪ But I guess it was all just make-believe ♪

♪ Oh, yeah

♪ Never know what I was missin’ ♪

♪ But I knew, once we start kissin’ ♪

♪ I found

Dang, I messed up.

[ Clunk ]

♪ Love

[ Hip hop plays ] [ Siren wailing in distance ]

♪

-I just need an appointment.

Is this Death Row Records?

This is Keyshia Cole.

Can I speak to Marcy Phillips?

She doesn’t work there anymore?

♪ I told my cousin, if you called ♪

♪ To tell ya I’m not home -No, he doesn’t know me.

Could she just take one more meeting today?

I know I owe you. I’m-a pay you.

Can I just leave my demo in the lobby?

♪ ’Cause all the things you do to me ♪

♪ You know you’re wrong, wrong, wrong ♪

I told y’all I needed time.

I told you I’m-a pay you in two weeks.

No, I was just about to walk out the door.

♪ But I gotta move on ’cause you’re wrong ♪

♪ Oh, ’cause I’m gone

♪ Oh, and I’m movin’ on

[ Suspenseful hip hop plays ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Sniffs, groans ]

♪

♪

Nothing’s working.

Help me, please.

♪

I don’t know, Sean.

I just need something to happen.

-Excuse me. -I need something to happen fast.

-Sorry to hear that, little sis.

But I tell you what.

It’s an open house party at the studio where I work out at.

Slide through.

-Wait, so, I got an invite?

-[ Laughs ]

Nah, but when has that ever stopped you?

-[ Laughs ] You right, you right, you right.

-I mean, it’s gonna be a lot of industry execs,

producers, who’ll be there.

And even that dude that did, uh, Mya’s record.

Ron Fair.

-What?! -Yeah.

-Okay, okay. I’m-a come through there, then.

-[ Sucks teeth ] Aight, yo,

I’m-a see you tomorrow, sis.

-Okay. -Bring that demo, too.

-I’m-a bring it.

Thank you. [ Laughs ] -Mm.

Aight, I love you, sis. -I love you, too.

-Be safe. -Aight.

[ Scratching ]

[ Hip hop electronica plays ]

♪

♪

♪

[ Indistinct conversation ]

Ron Fair?

-Yes. -Hi. I’m Keyshia Cole.

-[ Laughs ] Nice to meet you,

Keyshia Cole. -Nice to meet you.

-So, a few of my producers have been bragging

about you and your work ethic.

I hear you have enough records done for a whole album.

-Shoot, more than that.

-Well, I’d love to hear something.

-Here’s a CD. -[ Laughs ]

Thank you. I can’t wait to listen to it.

-You don’t have to. -Hm?

-♪ Oh, love

[ Music stops ]

♪ Never knew what I was

♪ Missin’ -Okay.

-♪ But I knew, once we start kissin’ ♪

♪ I found

♪ You

[ Cheering and applause ]

-Yes, yes -Okay.

-Gorgeous. Stunning.

-With a voice like that,

a record deal is definitely in your future.

-Thank you. What about my present?

-[ Laughs ] Touché.

If you’ll excuse me. -Yes.

-I feel you the kind of woman that doesn’t like to wait.

-I’ve been waiting long enough.

I got bills to pay.

-So, why wait for Ron, when I can sign you right now?

-You jokin’?

-I can make you a star, baby.

I’ve done it for countless others

and I’ll do it for you.

-Okay, well, I got CDs out in the car.

I’ll just run out and go get some

and I’ll come right back. -Hold on.

[ Suspenseful hip hop plays ]

I have a better idea.

Why don’t we go back to my place

and you could play it for me there, baby?

-Mister, I might be my mama’s daughter,

but I damn sure ain’t her mistakes.

-I don’t follow.

-Good. Don’t.

♪

[ Hip hop plays ]

-Hooked me up again.

Thank you, girl! -Always.

You know I got you.

-You know what I wanna know?

When is this album comin’ out? -Girl, you tell me.

I been tryna get a deal for years.

These people never do

what they say they gonna do. -Huh.

♪

Ron Fair? What are you --

Ron, what are you doing here?

-Ms. Cole, you’re like a needle in a haystack to find.

-I’ve been here. Where you been?

-Uh, [ Laughs ] I’ve got good news for you.

Can we chat? -Yeah, we can. I’m sorry.

-Go, girl, go! -I’ll be right back, okay?

I’ll be right back.

-Your voice has been stuck in my head

since that night last year.

-Are you serious? -Yeah, I haven’t stopped talking

about you to my team.

I’d like to offer you a deal at A&M Records.

-Wait, wait, wait. You mean to tell me

I have a deal and I can quit my job?

-I wouldn’t do that just yet.

It’s gonna take some time for things to be finalized.

Who do we send the official offer to?

Do you have a lawyer? -No, I mean,

look where I’m workin’. -You gotta get one.

Your lawyer will walk you

through everything.

-Okay. -This is big.

-[ Laughs ] -I-I-I

am excited to work with you. Are you excited?

-Yeah, I’m excited. It’s just

I’ve been working at this for so long.

-I’m telling you, what you have is gold, okay?

-Okay. -Alright.

-Thank you, Ron. -You’re welcome.

You’re welcome. You deserve it.

I’ll be in touch. -Okay.

[ Tender tune plays ]

Yo, I got the deal. [ Laughs ]

-No! What?!

-Yeah, I mean, that’s crazy. -Congratulations, girl.

-Thank you. -You ’bout to be outta here.

-Thank you. Thank you. -Wait.

You gonna finish my hair before you quit, right?

-That’s the thing, I gotta finish your braids.

I’m-a be here for a while, for one,

because I gotta find a lawyer

and I don’t even have money for that.

-Congratulations. You should be celebrating.

-I’ll celebrate when I get my deal money.

Come on, girl. -I got lawyers.

Producers, writers.

I got everything you need to get the ball rolling,

once your deal comes through. -Mm-hmm.

First of all, I write my own songs.

Second of all, what are you, some kind of music pimp

or something? -No, I’m a manager.

That’s what you need. We bring home the bacon.

The label just pays for the stove.

-Come on, girl, he trying to make us some breakfast.

Let’s go. -[ Laughs ]

-You think I’m playing?

-Look, I said I’m good, okay?

-You still need somebody to get you gigs.

I got connections across the board.

I could walk you through this crazy-ass industry

and you could come out on top.

-So, you pay bills, too?

-What JD say?

"Money ain’t a thang"?

-Okay.

I’m-a need you to take care of this lawyer

and take care of my bills

until this deal money come through

and we might have something.

-Look at you!

Keep it all the way real. I like that.

We gonna get along just great.

-Mm-hmm, these bills, though?

-I got one better for you.

I’m-a book you a show.

You can make up to 10 racks.

-Yeah, right.

Are you serious?

-Dead ass.

-Alright.

Alright, cool. -Alright.

-Keyshia Cole.

-Manny Halley.

-Alright. I’m-a get some money. -Got a deal and some money.

-I gotta get outta here. -[ Laughing ]

-♪ Deal money, show money

♪

-[ Clears throat ]

[ Laughs ]

-Oh!

Aaaaah!

-Seal it with the thumb.

[ Laughs ]

Thank you.

Well.

♪ I used to think that I wasn’t fine enough ♪

♪ And I used to think that I wasn’t wild enough ♪

♪ But I won’t waste my time

♪ Tryna figure out [ Rin ]

♪ Why you playin’ games -At the tone...

-♪ What’s this all about? -...please record your message.

[ Bee ] -Hey, Mom,

if this is still your number,

I’m calling you to let you know that I signed my deal.

It’s your daughter Keyshia.

Call me back. And --

If this is still your number. I don’t know.

I love you. Bye.

♪ Oh, love

♪ Never knew what I was missin’ ♪

♪ But I knew, once we start kissin’ ♪

♪ I found

♪ Love

♪ Never knew -Oh, you can’t count it in front of me?

-I’m counting it in front of you,

just counting over here. -It’s all in.

[ Laughs ] ♪ Once we start kissin’

♪ I found

♪ Found you

♪ Now you’re gone, what am I gonna do? ♪

♪ So empty ♪

♪ My heart, my soul ♪

♪ Can’t go on ♪

♪ Go on without you ♪

♪ My rainy days fade away ♪

♪ When you come around ♪

♪ Please tell me, baby ♪

-Keyshia?

-♪ Why you go so far away? ♪

-That’s Keyshia! -Oh, wow.

-Code 10!

Code 10!

That’s my baby on the radio! -♪ Never knew what I was ♪

♪ Missin’ ♪

♪ But I knew, once we start kissin’ ♪

♪ I found

♪ Love ♪

♪ Never knew what I was missin’ ♪

♪ But I knew, once we start kissin’ ♪

♪ I found

-Ooh, this one’s cute! -♪ You

-♪ Ooh

-Oh, the blue one!

-Oh... -Definitely.

-I still kind of like the dress. -[ Sucks teeth ]

Sister, what do you think,

the blue one or the sparkly gold dress?

-Um, whatever y’all want, Neffe.

-Mm...

-I say try ’em both on,

but I would go with the blue two-piece.

That way, you can dance a little bit.

[ Laughs ] -[Indistinct] Okay.

Girl, this is Versace.

I can’t afford that.

-Try it on, Elite. I got you.

-You sure? -Girl,

Keyshia just went platinum with her first album.

She could buy both of these racks,

if she wanted to. -Okay.

Oh, I just wanna say, I still cannot believe

that you are my sister. When they said the Keyshia Cole,

I was like, "Oh, my God." Thank you.

-I knew it was more of us out there.

Girl, seven of us, all together.

-Really? -Mm-hmm.

-Aye, Neffe, are you sure this is the right number?

Manny said Mama not picking up. [ Rin ]

-That’s the last number she gave me.

-Well, he’s at the airport. [ Rin ]

Hello?

Yeah, Manny, did you find her?

[ Whimsical hip hop plays ]

-Okay, girl!

You look cute!

-[ Laughs ] -Let me see. Let me see.

-Okay. -Okay. That’s cute.

Now, it’s kind of short, though.

Girl...

I don’t know how you gonna dance in that.

[ Laughs ] -Is Mama coming?

-I know you’re new to all this, sister,

but let me help you out.

Lesson number 1?

Don’t rely on Frankie Lons

for a damn thing.

Keyshia, you ’bout to be late to your own party,

worrying about Frankie. -I just hope she okay.

That’s what I’m talking about.

I been trying to get her to move in with me

ever since I got signed.

-She probably high as a kite, in the street somewhere.

-She gonna be here, Neffe.

She ain’t gonna miss it. It’s too big!

-[ Claps ] Keyshia, let it go!

She’s not coming!

-[ Sucks teeth ] -Okay?

You keep expecting more from her

because you got way more from her

[ Clapping ] than I ever did!

She left y’all with good families.

Y’all ain’t been through none of the shit I’ve been through.

[ Suspenseful hip hop plays ]

-What happened to you, Neffe?

-[ Sighs ] You know what?

It’s not about me.

[ Crying ] It’s not about Frankie.

We supposed to be celebrating, so,

Keyshia, get dressed! Okay?

[ Laughter ]

-Well, Frankie did make some beautiful people.

[ Laughs ] And we together now, that’s all that matters.

-Should we toast? -Uh, yeah.

-Okay. [ Laughter ]

-Okay. To Frankie Lons.

-And her bomb-ass daughters!

[ Laughs ] -Okay.

[ Upbeat hip hop plays ]

♪

♪

-ATL, let’s go!

[ Cheering and applause ]

First, it was "Never."

Then it was "(I Just Want It) To Be Over."

And then you all fell in love with "I Should Have Cheated."

Then she dropped "Love" and y’all went crazy

and made her platinum.

[ Cheering and applause ]

Y’all, give it up for Keyshia Cole!

[ Cheering and applause ]

-What up, ATL?

Show yourselves some love for making my debut album

the way it is -- officially platinum.

[ Cheering and applause ]

Damn, that’s sexy.

You know, coming up in Oakland,

I used to think that was a place where prayers weren’t answered.

But you see me -- anything is possible. [ Laughs ]

[ Cheering and applause ]

I wanna give a shout-out to my team for helping me get here.

I also wanna thank my family

for coming all the way from California!

[ Cheering ] Thats my sister!

I wanna give a special shout-out to Frankie Lons,

who couldn’t be here tonight.

[ Tender tune plays ]

She’s the reason why God gave me this voice.

I do this for her and my family.

[ Cheering and applause ]

Enough talkin’. Let’s party. Let’s go!

[ Cheering and applause ] ♪ Have a little bit of fun tonight ♪

♪ Keep it... till the morning light ♪

♪ I had a drink, so I’m feeling right ♪

♪ Me and my girls heading out tonight ♪

♪ Have a little bit of fun tonight ♪

[ Laughter ] ♪ Keep it... till the morning light ♪

-I can’t believe Monica came.

-Yo! And JD?

-Girl. -He was there!

-He is so short, but his money long!

[ Laughter ] -Girl, shut the hell up.

You always got something [indistinct].

-It’s the best.

-You should see me when I was getting --

-Oh, my God! -What is it?

-Mama?!

-Aah! -There’s my golden egg.

Come give your goose a hug!

[ Laughter ]

Y’all not gonna hug your mama, too?

Neffeteria, bring it on over here. -Oh!

[ Laughs ]

-I don’t know if you remember me.

-Elite Noel.

Pretty little peach! -[ Laughs ]

-Come on, bring it in, bring it in.

-Hey. -Okay.

It’s okay. It’s gonna be alright.

-We glad you made it, but you missed the party.

-You did. -I don’t care about no damn party!

I am the party!

-Aye! -I am the party!

[ Laughter ]

Listen, for real, y’all, I just want y’all to know

that I came to see my babies, alright? -Oh.

-And now, I wanna know if somebody gonna take my bag

or are we gonna stay out here all night?

It’s hotter than a mofo out here!

-It was so lit. I was cute.

-You got your titties hanging all out.

♪

-Hey, Ma.

-When I heard your voice on the radio,

I damn near jumped out of my skin!

[ Slaps leg ] -[ Laughs ]

-You know, I did a lot of things wrong in his life, Keyshia,

but you

are the best thing I ever did.

You really are my golden egg.

-I’ve been worried about you, Mama.

-I know.

I gave you every reason to be.

Took a while, but I’m here.

It was rough all those years without you.

-But you made it.

Because we some

tough women.

We got rocks in our blood. [ Laughs ]

Music, too.

-Yeah. You do love your music.

-I’m talking about singing!

You got that from me. -[ Laughs ]

-What?!

You used to be a singer?

-♪ Butterflies in the sky

-[ Laughs ] -♪ Fly so high

♪ Reflections in my eye

♪ Shine so bright

♪ Shoulda known the day would come ♪

♪ That you would go away

♪ But I was so wrapped up in your love ♪

♪ To ever know

♪ How would I know?

[ Laughter ] -That was beautiful.

-Ah. Had a lot of dreams.

Can’t blame nobody but me.

And these demons with they

[ Tearfully ] big-ass horns, following me around.

-We gonna get rid of them demons and...

[ Laughing ] get that song on the radio.

-You don’t even like it!

-I do! What are you talking about?

-♪ Butterflies in the sky

♪ Shine so

-♪ Fly so high

-♪ Fly so high [ Laughter ]

-♪ Reflection in my eyes

♪ Shine so bright

♪ Shoulda known the day would come ♪

♪ That you would go away

♪ But I was so wrapped up in your love ♪

♪ To ever know

♪ How would I know?

[ Laughter ]

-Alright.

[ Suspenseful hip hop plays ]

-[ Sighs ]

♪

♪

Hello, Neffe?

Come over here.

Ma, we think that you should seek some professional help.

-Somewhere safe where people can look after you.

-Somewhere safe?

You trying to send me to a loony bin?

-No, Ma.

We -- We just think that you should go to rehab.

-Same thing!

Ain’t nobody lockin’ me up!

Where is this coming from?!

-The housekeeper said she found

some drug paraphernalia in your bathroom.

I mean, like you brought drugs in this house?

-Whoa, whoa!

Ain’t nobody find no drugs!

You said paraphernalia!

That is not the same.

-Mama, stop lying!

[ Striking table ] Please!

We’re worried about you, Mom!

We wanna see you get better before it’s too late!

-You got places to go, grandkids to meet.

-You know, you talkin’ about like --

like I’m ’bout to die or something.

-You will, if you don’t -- -[ Striking table ] Shut up for a minute!

Now, look, I -- this stuff ain’t about to kill me!

-You know what? -And I don’t even mess with it

like that no more!

-Ma, why do you even have this at all?!

Like Keyshia is really trying to help you!

Like don’t you want better for yourself, Frankie?!

-Breaking my heart, Ma.

Breaking my heart.

♪

At least give it a try.

-Your family loves you, Frankie.

Let them take care of you.

-Ugh!

[ Exhales forcefully ]

Alright, fine.

I’ll try it.

♪

-Instead of pouring more money into another music video,

Keyshia and I have been thinking about creating a reality show.

-Starring me and my family.

-[ Scoffs ] So,

you want to put your family on TV?

-Every family has issues.

I mean, ours cut deep, but we’re working through them.

-That’s all wonderful,

but a happy family won’t sell.

Our viewers want edge.

-Oh, trust me, they got some edge.

-My mom just got out of rehab,

me and my sisters are making up for lost time,

and I still have no idea who my biological father is.

-Oh, now, see,

see, that’s the Keyshia Cole the people don’t see!

-Exactly. And if they see my scars,

maybe I can help them heal.

-That’s beautiful.

-It’s a sneak peek

into the life of Keyshia Cole.

Her fans will eat it up.

-And we can name it after my first album.

-It’s gonna be a hit, I can promise you that.

-[ Laughing ] Well.

Well, then let’s tell it.

"The Way It Is." -Aah!

[ Laughter and applause ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-Thank you.

-Aye.

That’s crazy!

-You back!

-Yes! Got it. We got the show.

BET ordered six episodes. -[ Claps ]

Holla! Holla! -[ Laughing ]

-You mean I’m about to be a star?!

Now, you know I’m-a steal the show, right, Keyshia?

-We already know how you do.

-Oh, man, God, Keyshia, I’m so nervous!

You know, I need to get a facial and I gotta get my nails done.

-We don’t even film for a few months.

-I stay camera ready, feel me? -[ Laughs ]

-Oh, congratulations, baby. -Oh, thank you.

[ Hip hop plays ] [ Camera shutter clicking ]

-Beautiful.

♪

And...let’s take a break.

-Thank you.

-It is hot as hell up under all these damn lights.

-Makeup is melting.

-I don’t know how you do it.

I need a drink.

-You’re supposed to be sober.

-I am.

From all the other stuff.

-Sober is sober, Mama.

-How about some fresh air?

That sober enough?

[ Suspenseful hip hop plays ]

♪

♪

Whassup with you?

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-Girl, your mom is a character.

Y’all got something special.

I couldn’t be around my mom all day.

-Ooh! Family, cameras.

[ Pats thighs ]

It’s like I’m carrying five grown-ass people on my back.

[ Laughs ] -Hey, what up, Rachel?

-Oh, you showing up early now.

-You said 12:30. -I said 2:30

and you interrupted my shoot! -Oh, wow, that’s right.

I’m sorry. My bad.

[ Laughter ] -Mm-hmm!

Boobie, this is -- -Just call me speechless.

[ Camera shutter clicking ] -Ooh!

-Rachel, your man is a flirt.

-Girl, this is not my man.

This is my client

and he puttin’ on for these here cameras.

-Nah, I ain’t no actor. Daniel Gibson.

My friends call me Boobie. -Mm.

-Play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

-Well, I’m-a call you Gib

’cause I ain’t tryna be your friend.

-Ooh! -What? What’d I say?

-Mm-hmm.

[ Laughter ]

-Excuse me. -Yeah.

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

[ Indistinct conversation ]

-Aye,

what you doing after the shoot, Miss Cole?

-Taking my mom to dinner.

-Would you like some company?

-You mean, would we like some company?

-[ Laughs ]

-[ Mocking laugh ] -How you doing?

-I’m fine. Who are you?

-Daniel Gibson. -Oh, you got a nice,

strong handshake. I like that. -Thank you, thank you.

-What do you do, Daniel Gibson? -I play basketball.

-Basketball? -Yeah.

-[ Scoffs ] I know you ain’t startin’.

-Wow. -You kind of short.

-Point guard. Point guard. -Point. Alright. Alright.

So, you’re making a little cash, alright.

[ Tender tune plays ]

-Do you believe in soul mates?

-Ooh, good one.

-Hm.

I don’t know.

-Yo, what up? How you doing?

-Hey. Go on up, man.

Yo, Keysh. [ Knocking rhythmically ]

I pray they exist.

Aah! What are you doing here?

My mom and dad are soul mates.

But mines is taking forever. [ Laughter ]

♪ I

♪ I

-What if I apologized?

-For what?

-For taking so long.

-Oh, well, then I might have to forgive you.

But that does not mean you don’t have to work for it.

-I respect that.

[ Chuckles ]

-Thank you.

-[ Smooch ] -Ohh.

-[ Laughs ]

♪

You lookin’ extra gorgeous tonight.

-You should see my view. -Mm. [ Laughs ]

I was wondering.

Never thought bein’ me would be enough, you know?

-[ Sympathetically ] Mm.

Thank you.

-I’m my best me when I’m with you.

[ Indistinct conversation ]

-Hey.

Gimme my shit.

That’s all you got?

Give me back some of my money.

Shit!

-Babe, I’ve always had to be the strong one.

With you, I have a place to rest.

-You know I can do that for the rest of my life.

If you let me.

♪

♪

-Wait, what? [ Laughs ]

What you mean by that?

[ Laughter ]

What? [ Laughs ]

-Keyshia -- [ Laughs ] -Aaaaaaah! Yes!

Aah!

Oh, I love you.

[ Siren wailing ]

-Man down! Man down!

[Indistinct], KC.

Mm.

-Frankie, come on, let’s go!

-Get on the ground. You’re under arrest.

Get on the ground.

-You look just like your cousins.

Yes, you do! Yes, you do!

-He is just as precious as you were at a year old.

-How you doing, Keyshia?

I know all of my kids took a lot out of me.

-I’m good. Just happy that we’re all here together.

I mean, almost everyone.

-I know. Have you talked to Mom at all?

-When I was 20 weeks.

She don’t know when she gonna be getting out, though.

Can I say something to you guys?

All my life, all I ever wanted was for me and my career

to be a blessing to my family.

-[ Coos ] -I prayed that

I’d be able to raise my children in a loving home

with both parents.

Now, we can do that for DJ.

-Yeah, that’s right, baby.

-And praise God.

-Hear, hear! -I love you, babe.

-Hey! -Hear!

Whoo-hoo! -Love you, too.

-What’s up, Black people?!

-Oh, my God. -Ohhh!

[ Suspenseful music plays ] I can smell that new baby

from a mile away.

Let me see that Chunky Monkey!

-Ma, who even told you that we were here?

-I told her. Well, talked to her parole officer.

I mean, much as you talk about her,

I thought you’d be happy. -I mean, I just wish

you would’ve told me first. -Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.

-Oh, you got Granny’s nose, don’t you?

-Francine, you’re looking good and, well,

you must be starving. -Yeah.

You make some of your ribs, Yvonne?

-[ Exhales forcefully ]

-She alright? -Unh-unh. No, hold up!

-She -- -Hold up, no!

-She alright?

What, she a vegetarian now?

Let me talk to her.

Keyshia, I’ll be damned, you know.

I would’ve thought that I had some roses

waiting for me after two years in jail!

And what the hell kind of welcome is this?!

-That’s your fault, Mama.

DJ don’t need to be around no drama.

DJ deserve to grow up better than that.

-I want DJ to grow up better, too!

I wanna grow up better!

[ Crying ] Keyshia, I know I should’ve --

I should’ve listened to you.

But, you see, it’s this devil on my shoulder.

He -- He be messing with me.

I tried to shut him up.

-Is that why you gave us up, Mama?

’Cause you don’t love us?

-No.

No, Keyshia, I gave you all away because I love you.

Only God knows what would happen if you would’ve stayed with me.

That ain’t gotta be the case for DJ.

-I can’t imagine a day without DJ.

-That’s a mother’s love.

-I always thought it was something I did

to make you leave.

♪

-Keyshia.

There are two Frankies.

There’s the Frankie that I wanna be

and there’s the Frankie that I always been.

And they fighting each other.

But that is my battle, not yours.

-Your battles are my battles. -[ Chuckles ]

-That’s a daughter’s love. -Mm-hmm.

-Let me fix your hair, ’cause you --

This is not cute. -[ Laughs ]

-You know what? You gonna --

You gonna be a better mama than I could ever be.

But I tell you what -- I’m gonna be a damn good Granny.

I’m gonna be the Hip-Hop Granny. Holla!

-You already are the Hip-Hop Granny.

[ Both laugh ]

-Action.

-Now that Frankie’s out,

I thought it’d be a good experience

for her to have a job,

something that showcases her talent

and gives her a sense of purpose.

-What’s up, Atlanta?!

It’s your girl Frankie Lons!

And you’re listening to "Holla at Frankie"!

Who’s our first caller?

-Hi, my name is Toya,

and I have an advice question for you, Frankie.

-Holla at me!

-So, my husband and I have been married for 10 years,

and I just found out he cheated on me

with one of my friends.

-Man down, man down! Code 10!

You said it was one of your friends!

-It was just a one-time thing.

But my question is, who should I try to resolve things with?

My husband or my friend?

-None of them, Toya. Resolve it with God.

Resolve it with yourself.

Because if they were for you, they would have respected you.

Now, you can do better than that.

Feel me? -I do, I do. You’re right.

Thank you, Frankie.

-Holla! Who’s next?

♪

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-That’s crazy.

I’ve been trying to get in the studio with Darkchild for years.

-Aww! -Oh, look at your boo.

-You don’t like your yummy peas? Come on, baby.

Spit them out. I’m gonna go get you cleaned up.

-I can’t wait for the album to come out.

-Excuse me. I’m so sorry.

-Ma, I’m on the phone. -Ooh! What?

I’m sorry.

-Babe, why don’t you just take it in the other room?

-’Cause we have a dinner.

I’m back, man.

Next week?

L.A.? Okay.

I sure will. Alright.

I’ll holla at you. Bye. Yeah.

-You’re going to Cleveland next week?

-Cleveland? -You forgot.

-No, but maybe we can set up the studio in Cleveland

and then have Darkchild fly in for the session.

-You want to let another dude come over in the house?

-He’s not just "another dude," Gib.

He did "The Boy Is Mine," "You Rock My World."

To have him on another album would be a game changer.

-Keysh, look, you always chasin’ a hit.

From album to album -- "A Different Me,"

"Calling All Hearts," "Woman to Woman."

I mean, but what about our family?

I mean, we already can’t walk to the bedroom

without stepping on the camera cord.

I mean, what are we doing here? -[ Scoffs ]

-Is this a home or a business?

-Now, Keyshia, I can take DJ up to Cleveland with me next week,

and then that way, you can go to L.A. and record.

-Hold on. Cut the cameras.

-Hey, guys, cutting. -That’s it.

-Alright, let’s head up.

-You knew who I was when you met me, Gib.

Why is it a problem now?

-I didn’t say it was a problem.

-Okay. So then what are you saying?

-Look, Keysh...

sometimes I just need my wife, not Keyshia Cole.

-But I am Keyshia Cole, and you married all of me.

-And all of me is asking for more of you.

♪

-[ Sighs ]

-Okay. Come on, Mama. What you got?

-Right. Alright, y’all better take this.

-Come on, come on. -10!

Gimme ten and take me to the pen!

-Ooh! [ Indistinct conversations ]

-Y’all better have some...

-Season 4 contracts of "The Way It Is."

-Oh, my God! -What are you doing?

-All this attention is starting to backfire.

It’s way too much going on

that the rest of the world just don’t need to see.

-But that’s not fair.

I’m just now starting to save for Kai’s college.

-And I’m coming out with a clothing line.

-Hello, operator!

Do you know how long it’s been since Frank Da Bank

had a real job with a check?

And now you want to take it away from her?

-You mean the job you been getting high at

when you think nobody’s looking, Mama?

-I don’t know what you’re talking about.

-Well, the Program Director said he found drugs at your booth.

-Lord Jesus. Really Francine?

-Really Mom? You’re using again?

-Hell, no, I’m not!

That shit ain’t mine!

And I ain’t -- I ain’t the only one using that booth!

-Ma, this ain’t about you no more.

The rest of the world is watching.

-I don’t give a damn about them!

Now call B.E.T. and tell them to put the show back on.

-It’s over, Mama.

Just let it go.

♪

Plus, it’d be good for me and Gib.

We got some stuff we need to work out, too.

Right, babe? -Oh!

So this ain’t even about Mom!

It’s about you.

-What the hell is you even talking about, Neffe?

-Unh-unh. Now, I think we need to respect Keyshia’s wishes.

She’s the one that even gave us the opportunity.

Now she needs to do what she thinks is best.

-Oh, so now you Team Keyshia?

-Shouldn’t you be in the house, taking care of my grandson?

-What’s best for Keyshia?

That means Neffe gonna do what’s best for Neffe.

-Okay, you do that, Neffe.

-And that’s Code 10 like a red hen!

-Wait. Wait!

-Elite...

-I’m sorry.

-Who the hell is you texting anyway?

-It’s my agent. -Yeah, right.

♪

♪

♪

-[ Speaks indistinctly ]

Dirty drawers.

[ Shower running ]

♪

-Baby, wanna scrub me?

-Really, Gib?

Again? Really?! -What are you talking about?

-You’re not even on the road!

Who you messing with now?! -It wasn’t even like that.

-Hmm. So, you’re bold enough

to bring some ho’s panties up in this house,

but you’re not bold enough to tell me the truth?!

-Baby...

-[ Sighs ]

♪

-Baby, baby.

I’m sorry. I messed up.

Look, it was a mistake.

You got to believe me. -I believed you.

When you said you was done with all that cheating,

I believed you. -Baby, baby, please.

Listen. It was a mistake.

-When did you decide that this wasn’t enough?

-Look, I told you I needed more of you,

and you left me hanging so many times, I’m like, "Damn.

What’s more important -- your career or our marriage?"

-I canceled shows.

I had dinner on the table as a family every night.

Even got all them cameras up out my house.

All to be a better wife to you.

-Look, we stopped talking, Keyshia.

Stopped connecting. Barely making love.

Look, I just needed to feel wanted again, alright?

-By some ho and not your wife?

-Look, I made a mistake, Keyshia.

I was just in my feelings, alright?

Okay, so just tell me what I gotta do.

Anything. Tell me what I got to do

to make this right.

I’ll do whatever you say.

-I want a divorce.

♪

-And that’s what I talk about in my book,

"The Best Years I Never Had,"

because I never had the time with you

that I should have had when you were a child.

And now I see what I lost.

-And that’s why we have this time now, Mom --

to rebuild what was broken, right? [ Laughs ]

-Wait a minute. What’s going on here?

-Hello, my beautiful daughter.

-Is there a problem, Sister?

-I thought we had a clear understanding

that there was no show.

What are y’all doing?

-Wait a minute. This is my house.

You don’t run nothing around here, and your show is over.

This is our show.

-So you mean to tell me I went up to that radio station

asking them to give you another chance,

and this is how y’all repay me?

How’s this even going down anyway?

-Your boy Manny didn’t tell you? -Oh, Manny.

Okay, I’m gonna deal with him. But what about us?

I thought we had a clear understanding.

-You don’t tell me what to do.

Now, I brought you into this world.

There would be no Keyshia Cole without Frankie Lons.

-Really, Mom?

You know this show is no good for you.

-You need to be worried about your marriage.

That’s the real reason why you stopped the show.

-[ Scoffs ] You’re not even married, Neffe.

-You know what? What you’re not gonna do

is come up in my house disrespecting me,

talking all crazy, Keyshia.

Bye! Bye!

-Yeah. Bye!

-Keyshia always trying to start something. -Bye.

-[ Sighs ] Where were we?

♪

-And that’s the way it is.

[ Cheers and applause ]

-♪ It’s hoppin’, no stoppin’

♪ ...got the whole place rockin’ ♪

[ Rapping indistinctly ]

♪

♪ ...got the whole place rockin’ ♪

[ Rapping indistinctly ]

-[ Exhales sharply ]

♪

Ms. Cole. It’s showtime.

[ Rapping indistinctly ]

♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪

-♪ First of all, let me say

♪ You can’t accuse me of all the things ♪

♪ You know that you are guilty of ♪

♪ And I see

♪ That it is easy for you to blame everything on me ♪

♪ If that’s the case

♪ I should go have my fun

♪ Do all the things you say I do ♪

♪ Boy, I can’t

♪ Continue to take this from... ♪

♪

Stop it, stop it, stop it.

I’m sorry, guys. I-I have to go.

[ Crowd murmuring ]

♪

-Keyshia, Keyshia, Keyshia.

You good? -No. My heart hurts.

-I’m getting EMT.

♪

♪

-Okay. Tell me what’s going on.

-My heart. -Just breathe, okay.

Just -- -I’m trying to.

But it feels like I can’t catch my breath.

-You’re okay.

I need to take your pulse, okay?

Come here. You’re okay.

Alright, we’re gonna get you checked out.

[ Crowd chanting "Keyshia!" ]

-It feels like I’m about to have a heart attack.

[ Chanting continues ]

-Paramedics are gonna hook you up

to an EKG machine, alright?

But I believe you’re just having an anxiety attack.

-What? An anxiety attack?

An anxiety attack?

[ Chanting continues ]

♪

♪

♪

-About damn time. [ Scoffs ]

-It’s over.

Divorce is finalized.

-I know that you didn’t summon me here

just to tell me something that I can read about on social media.

-All this time I was hoping that we could put the past behind us.

-Wow!

What a great idea, Keyshia.

That’s what I’ve been saying to you for years.

-Okay, and I was hurt. -Over what?!

A damn reality show?!

-I’m not doing this with you.

How’s Mama been?

What?

What? Just say it, Neffe.

-Mom’s back on the street.

-I thought she was living with you.

-She was.

But then she got back on that stuff.

And it got so bad that B.E.T. canceled our show.

I haven’t seen her in months.

-So what happened this time?

-Mom is an addict.

She don’t need a reason.

[ Sighs ]

♪

♪

-Please stop right here.

Hey.

You know where Frankie is?

You seen her? You know where she at?

-Down there. -Alright.

I knew she was over here.

Just drive down a little bit further.

♪

-Keyshia.

-Keyshia, what you doing out here?

-Why are you out here like this? What are you wearing?

-I’m just hanging out here with my friend. That’s all.

He -- He bought me a burrito. -A burrito, Ma?

You don’t need nobody buying you a burrito.

It’s not a problem. Here.

-You ain’t got to give him no money.

I mean, he got money. He -- -Come on.

-Huh. What, you like me or something?

You want a-a bite of my burrito?

-Would you come on and get in the car?

Come on. -Keyshia, please.

You know, my daughter --

she is always worrying about me, and I don’t know why, Keyshia.

I told you I’m alright.

-You like this lifestyle out here, don’t you?

-You like to live like this, don’t you?

-Keyshia, please. -Okay. Well, then, come on.

-Oh, Keyshia. Come on, baby.

Come on. I’m -- I’m alright, okay?

I am. I’m -- I’m fine. -Okay.

And if something happens to you out here?

-You gonna be alright.

Okay, baby girl?

♪

Bye, cutie.

Come on, baby.

♪

-Are you serious right now? Seriously?

♪

Let’s go.

♪

-They said they could feel my pain,

but they can’t relate,

because they don’t know how much you meant to me.

It’s crazy. They look up to me

not knowing how much it sucks

to be in my shoes right now.

Your mom miss you. Shit, we all do.

I should be shedding tears right now,

but I haven’t accepted the fact that you’re gone yet.

But that’s okay.

It could just be me and you

checking off our bucket list, you know?

So tell me, how is it?

Did you meet the big guy?

Did you tell him I said hi?

How about every time I book a plane ticket,

I prefer red eye just ’cause I know

that one of those stars in the sky is you

and I be reaching for ’em.

So maybe we should shake hands again, make plans again,

and vacate with the family like we used to.

I wish you could talk back.

Sometimes I just get pissed off.

It’s good, dawg.

I mean, I know you’re around. I just...

Sometimes we just need reassurance

when you can, you know?

-Yes. [ Applause ]

-Yes. Yo. -Yeah.

[ Applause ]

♪

-Damn, Ms. Cole.

What a brother gotta do to get some applause from you?

-[ Chuckles ] -What?

See?

♪ Lo, oo-oo-ove ♪

♪ Never knew what I --

-Okay, just stop.

Oh, goodness. That usually work?

-And I’m hoping it worked this time.

♪

Oh, what? You don’t shake hands?

-I mean, just not in the mood.

-I get it.

Mercury must be in retrograde or something, huh?

-Mm. You look so young.

What you know about all of that?

-[ Scoffs ]

Look, I may be young, but I’m a grown man.

I’m just catching up to my wisdom.

Look, I’m done here for the night,

and nobody’s gonna be able to top what I just did.

So how about me and you go be spontaneous?

-Spontaneous and do what?

-Let’s go find out.

That’s the point of being spontaneous.

We just figure it out.

-[ Chuckles ] What, what? -Hold on.

-What are you talking -- -Don’t make it complicated.

-Don’t make it complicated? -[ Laughs ]

♪

-It’s nice not to be recognized, though.

-Wait till they see you dance.

-Oh, no. [ Laughs ] No, no, no.

-What’s wrong? -No, because I can’t salsa.

-That’s alright. I barely know myself.

-Okay. -Come on.

Salsa is about passion, not perfection.

-So -- [ Laughs ]

-Come here, come here, come here.

-Ready? -Yes.

Go. Come on.

-Oh, wait. Now, wait.

-Relax.

-[ Laughs ]

Did I step on your foot? I’m sorry.

-[ Chuckling ]

-[ Laughs ]

You’re crazy. [ Laughs ]

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

[ Humming ]

-Really?

It’s the fifth time this month, Keysh.

You go out late, you wake up late,

you show up to press events late.

-Why you on me?

Some cameras around here or something,

filming a new reality show?

"Late with Keyshia Cole."

-Look, I said I was sorry, okay? You alright?

-I’m alright. Just woke up late.

-Why? Because of that new dude you hanging out with?

-His name is Niko.

I’ve been seeing him for months.

And why does it piss everybody off to see me happy?

Why y’all just can’t be happy for me?

-You do this every time there’s a new man in your life.

He steals your focus, Keyshia.

-I handle my business.

Six albums back to back. No time off.

-Act like I can’t have a career

and a relationship at the same damn time.

-Of course you can. But not like this.

And it shows.

Yo, we took a major hit with this last album.

-What you saying?

"11:11 Reset" only sold 15,000 copies so far.

Yeah. It’s the worst we ever done --

Who’s doing a reality show now?

♪

Can we just get to work?

-Yeah. Let’s do it.

♪

-Yeah. I’m ready.

[ Baby fussing ]

-It’s so late. What the hell, Niko?

-Told you I had a show tonight.

-No, you didn’t.

-Yo!

-I had the dinner on the table and everything.

-Yo, I’m here every day.

-Yeah, coming in and out of the house

like it’s some goddamn gas station.

-I be busy. I got stuff to do.

-Okay. And I don’t?

-Was I talking about you?

It’s about me, for once!

-What is that supposed to mean?

-It’s always about you.

Keyshia Cole, Keyshia Cole. -[ Scoffs ]

-You got platinum albums, reality TV shows.

I’m trying to get there my damn self.

-Okay. And what that got to do with us?

-’Cause!

I be feeling like you like to throw your career in my face.

-That’s bullshit.

And success means nothing if you come back to an unhappy home

at the end of the day.

-So what are you saying? You unhappy?

-No. I’m saying, I want you to be my peace.

-Baby, I’m trying.

I’m giving you everything I got.

What more you want from me?

-I don’t think you have it.

I don’t think no one has it.

I think I got to find it for myself.

-Are you saying I ain’t enough for you?

-No. I’m saying I’ve been here before on both sides,

and I’m just trying to learn from my mistakes.

♪

-I didn’t know I was a mistake.

-You’re not.

The mistake is me looking for something

in someone that I can only find in God and myself.

[ Baby fussing ]

♪

-Least we made something beautiful.

-[ Sighs ]

[ Fussing continues ]

♪

-I’m searching for something.

I need some time alone. Focus on me and the boys.

-Keyshia, I’m so sorry to hear that.

I, um -- Was it the age difference?

-No, it’s something more than that.

And it got me thinking.

Look, I know we don’t always agree.

And even as a little girl,

I thought you loved Sean and the rest of your kids

more than you loved me.

-Oh, Keyshia...

Keyshia, that couldn’t be furthest from the truth.

I’ve loved you like I carried you myself.

And I’ve tried to carry you after all these years.

But, um, sometimes I feel like

you get mad at me because I’m not Francine.

-I know. I did. -Yeah.

-I shouldn’t have took that out on you.

-I’m sorry, too, baby.

-It wasn’t your fault.

I don’t know where I’d be without you and Dad.

[ Scoffs ]

I don’t know where I’d be if I was with my mama.

-Yeah, well, you know, Francine has always had her demons.

-But I still wanna know who my biological father is.

-That is the reason why I called you.

I didn’t want to say anything

because he hasn’t submitted his DNA to match it with yours.

So it’s still uncertain.

-I’m-a find my mama. Maybe she can help us.

-You’re gonna have to call to get clearance first.

-She in jail?

-She checked herself into a rehab.

♪

♪

-DJ said hi.

And Tobias can’t wait to meet his Hip Hop Granny.

I rarely even see Neffe and Elite.

-You need to fix that, Keyshia.

Yvonne thought she found my biological father.

Boxing coach named Virgil Hunter.

But he won’t do what’s necessary

to confirm the paternity.

-Why does it even matter who your father is?

You got a good life.

Let it go, Keyshia.

Let it go. You -- You got to move on.

I did.

-What made you check yourself into this rehab facility anyway?

-I realized that I didn’t want to die on the street.

That’s why I’m in here.

I’m -- I’m trying to put Frankie back together.

It’s been harder than this damn puzzle.

-Well, I’ve been trying to put Frankie back together, too,

but she keeps fighting me.

-[ Voice breaking ] I told you, this ain’t your battle.

You got to let me fight these demons on my own, Keyshia.

-What if something happened to you?

Come looking for you and you not there.

-It’s gonna be alright.

Like you always been.

-That don’t make me feel better, Mama.

-But it’s the truth.

Keyshia, you walked through the lion’s den

with a pork chop on your back,

and you’ve been alright.

’Cause God got his hands on you,

and he’s gonna be there whether I’m here or not.

So will my love.

♪

-Give me your finger.

♪

I’m proud of you.

♪

-[ Chuckling ]

-♪ Happy birthday to you

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear Tobias

♪ Happy birthday to you

-Yay!

-Yay! Good boy. -Yes!

-Yes.

-Hey, that boy got some lungs on him.

-Alright. Cut the cake, cut the cake.

-Don’t be greedy, Granny.

-Hey! I want a big piece.

-Now, you know what?

You’re really looking good, Francine.

-Keyshia told me you’ve been staying out of trouble.

-Ah! Did Keyshia tell you you ain’t my mama?

No, no, y’all. I’m -- I’m -- I’m --

I want you all to know that I-I’ve been doing better.

And I’m getting too old to be messing with this stuff no more.

I mean, hey, I’m about to be 61, and I have had my fun.

-And it was a good run.

-Uh, yes, it was.

-So, how’s your new place?

-It’s cute.

And I’ve been making up my bed every morning

like a real grown-up. -Mm-hmm.

-You should come see it.

-I will. I got a show this weekend,

but I’ll bring the boys up after your birthday

and maybe we can celebrate.

-Oh, I would love that.

And bring your dominoes so that I can...

spank you like I used to.

-I learned from the best.

[ Both laugh ] -My baby.

-Alright, now, who’s ready for some cake?

-I’ll take... -Me.

-You know what? -Yeah, give Dad first piece.

♪

♪

-[ Grunting, snorting ]

[ Sniffling ]

[ Coughs ]

♪

Ahh!

Ahh! [ Telephone rings ]

[ Ringing continues ]

♪

♪

[ Voicemail beeps ] -Happy birthday, Mama.

Have the best day.

I’ll see you this weekend to celebrate.

Love you. Bye.

[ Cellphone vibrating ]

♪

-Hello.

-Keyshia, it’s Neffe.

-Hey. -[ Sobs ] Mama’s gone.

[ Crying ]

She’s gone, Keyshia.

-I’m gonna call you back.

-♪ Forever

♪ Forever, mm-mm

♪ Fore-e-e-e-ver

-I hear your song every day, Mama.

♪

♪ Ever-r-r-r-r

♪ Forever

♪

♪ E-E-E-E-E-Eh...

♪

-♪ Mm-mm

♪ Mm-mm-mm

♪ Mm-mm, mm-mm-mm

♪ Mm, mm, mm-mm-mm

-You did right by her, Keysh.

You did everything you could.

♪

-♪ Mm-mm...

-At least she’s in a better place now.

♪

-♪ Mm-mm-mm-mm

-We love you, Mama.

♪

♪

-♪ Forever

-♪ Butterfly in the sky

♪ Fly so high

♪ Reflection in my eyes

♪ Shine so bright

♪ Shoulda known the day would come ♪

♪ When you would go away

♪ But I was too wrapped up in your love ♪

♪ To ever know, how would I know? ♪

♪ That you didn’t wanna stay

♪ You were ready to leave

♪ Am I just a fool to ever think forever is a thing? ♪

♪ You didn’t wanna stay -♪ Stay

-♪ You were ready to leave -♪ Ready to leave

-♪ I guess I’m just a fool to ever think... ♪

-♪ Never thought that I’d be forced

♪ To pick up all the pieces

♪ A whirlwind of hurt

♪ Pain, love

♪ And I can’t tell

♪ The difference now

♪ I’m shattered

-♪ Shattered

-♪ Broken

♪ You’re not around

♪ To help me out

♪ Past the pain, tryna heal

♪ I just wish you were still here ♪

♪ How would I know

♪ That you didn’t want to stay

♪ And you were ready to leave?

-♪ Ready to leave

-♪ Am I just a fool to ever

♪ Think forever is a thing?

♪ How would I know that

♪ You didn’t want to stay?

-♪ Stay

-♪ You were ready to leave

-♪ Ready to leave

-♪ I guess I’m just a fool

♪ To ever think forever is a thing ♪

-♪ Forever

-♪ Forever is a thing -♪ For--

- Okay, so then, what are you saying?

- Sometimes I just need my wife, not Keyshia Cole.

- But I am Keyshia Cole, and you married all of me.

- Yeah, and all of me is asking for more of you.

- It was one of the hardest processes

that I’ve ever experienced in my entire life.

Actors and actresses, I have to tip my hat

because that is the most time-consuming job.

Oh, my goodness, so much time and effort

in learning even your own story.

Like this is my story and I had to learn it.

(dramatic music)

- Hi. I’m Keyshia Cole.

- Ah. (chuckles) Nice to meet you, Keyshia Cole.

- Nice to meet you.

Storytelling in the movies and storytelling in songs,

they kind of all take some accountability of my career,

conveying how I was raised and how I survived

so many different situations coming up as a young girl.

I think that it makes perfect sense to do both

because it all made me who I am today.

- Okay. All right.

- Keyshia. - Keyshia.

- You get it. - Okay, I got you.

- I think I fell in love with storytelling

when I was around 10 or 12.

And so I’ve always wanted to do a movie on my life.

Eminem and 50 Cent had done their version,

and I always felt like it was my time.

I wanted to do the girl version of that movie

because of everything that I’ve experienced in my life,

and I felt like it would always be great storytelling.

During the movie process, for the whole time,

it’s never been where I felt uncomfortable

about telling my story.

And then when I met my folks at Lifetime,

I was like, "I wanna play myself."

And they was like, "Wait, what? (stutters) What?"

I’m like, "Yeah, I think I could do it."

- I’d like to offer you a deal at A&M Records.

- Wait, wait, wait.

You mean to tell me I have a deal and I can quit my job?

The movie is about what I’ve gone through

in the last 30 years of my life.

And so to be actually playing the role

of myself in the movie

is just kind of like an out of body experience.

It’s like it’s happening right now

but it also happened in the past,

so it’s like, it’s surreal.

"The Way It Is" is officially platinum.

(crowd cheering)

(upbeat music)

It was about 20 looks in this movie.

I mean, you know, hats off to everybody

for time and hair and makeup

and wardrobe and figuring it all out.

- You about to be late to your own party

worrying about Frankie.

- I just hope she okay.

- We supposed to be celebrating so, Keyshia, get dressed.

- My mullet moment was crazy for me, like I was so upset.

I was like, "We gotta take this wig off.

I’m so sick of this wig."

And then I seen the movie

and I was like, "Wow, that mullet looks good."

I was mad about it in the moment.

Why did I do this? Who allowed this to go down?

And then at the end,

I was like, "Wow, this looks kind of cool."

I’m not mad at it and I’m still fly.

I told myself the whole time when I was filming the movie,

even on some days that I felt like I didn’t like my hair,

I didn’t like my makeup, or something like that,

I was like, "You know what?

Just trusting God, and just being like,

you know what, whatever happens, if this is a bad day,

you know what, I’ma take it as a good day

because I know you’re in control of this, Lord,

and I’m trusting you and we gonna get through it."

And that was just it.

And at the end, I was kind of proud of me.

(gentle music)

During the movie and shooting it,

it was some really tough moments

but also the love was there during the filming.

Some days that I was filming with Miss Debbi,

I would just see my mom.

I just felt her there.

(gentle music)

- Hey, Ma.

- When I heard your voice on the radio,

damn, it jumped outta my skin.

(Keyshia chuckles)

You know, I did a lot of things wrong in this life, Keyshia,

but you are the best thing I ever did.

- About a year ago, my mom passed away.

After my mom passed, it was just so many different emotions

that I was experiencing,

and I wanted to do something for her in her name as well

and to show my love.

It was rough all those years without you.

- But you made it.

’Cause we’re some tough women.

We got rocks in our blood.

- During the movie and shooting it,

it was some really tough moments,

but also, the love was there.

My mom, I just felt her there.

And it was sometimes, I was filming with Miss Debbi

and I would just see my mom.

And so, you know, I’m thankful I got those last moments.

Okay, I’m not gonna cry.

It’s about to happen.

(Keyshia shushing)

Hold on, hold on, ’cause I had to do this during the movie.

(gentle music)

When I was filming the movie,

I had to stand next to my mom’s casket again,

and that was like a really tough moment.

But I also felt like my mom had my back

and was like in her way of how she supports me.

And that was a difficult moment, but it’s just like,

I just kept telling myself,

"You got this, you got this, you got this."

♪ Butterfly in the sky ♪

♪ Fly so high ♪

I wrote the new song about my mother.

There was this time before she passed,

for a year or so, that I kept seeing butterflies.

I didn’t quite understand it at the time,

and the butterflies would land on my finger.

And then one day, I was like,

"Let me google what kind of butterfly this is."

And it was the omen butterfly

and it was to prepare you for death.

And I’m like, "This is insane."

That butterfly, to me, symbolized my mom and my dad.

My dad also passed.

And I wrote that song and I just had to get that one out,

’cause I haven’t written one about her in about 15 years.

So I think it’s beautiful and I hope she likes it.

(mom’s friend laughing)

Wait a minute, what’s going on here?

- Is there a problem, sister?

- I thought we had a clear understanding

that there was no-

- You don’t tell me what to do.

- Really, Mom?

You know this show is no good for you.

I have done maybe five reality shows

about my life and my career

and my music and all of that.

People in the music business

was saying that maybe you shouldn’t do a reality show,

like nobody puts their family on TV.

- [Director] All right, picture’s up!

- Even during the movie process, you know, the whole time,

it’s never been where I felt uncomfortable

about telling my story.

You’re breaking my heart, Ma.

It made me feel like the all more reason that I should

because people tend to run from where they come from

and what they’re made of and not display that

because of all of the craziness that goes on with it.

And I think that to be able to tell my story

the way I experienced it is the best way to go.

Who better than me?

- [Crew] Okay, speed.

- [Crew] 33 Echo, Take 1, out camera mark.

(bright music)

- I really think that we could show the girls,

the younger girls like myself at that time,

there’s a lot of things that come

that is gonna take your focus and your drive

and steal all of your energy if you allow it to,

but you have control.

You can actually work hard for it

and stay dedicated to whatever craft you’re good at,

and actually, you know, make it

through all life’s difficulties.

You could do it, you know, with a smile too.

(audience applauding)