Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey to host ‘A Motown Christmas’ special

Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey are set to host ‘A Motown Christmas’, a holiday special celebrating the iconic Motown label and its enduring legacy. Airing Wednesday on NBC and streaming on Peacock, the event will feature more than 25 Motown classics, including hits like “My Girl,” “Dancing in the Streets,” and “Superstition.” Robinson will perform some of his signature songs, while Bailey will pay tribute to Diana Ross and The Supremes with a medley.

The show includes a star-studded lineup, featuring performances by Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Jamie Foxx, Ashanti, and others, accompanied by an 11-piece live band led by Emmy-winning musical director Rickey Minor.

Motown’s groundbreaking role in giving Black artists a platform and its influence on American music culture are highlighted throughout the special. Robinson, at 84, praised Bailey as proof of Motown’s cross-generational appeal. Bailey reflected on the label’s universal impact, noting how its stories and melodies resonate deeply with listeners.

Motown founder Berry Gordy’s legacy is further honored, celebrating the artists and timeless music that shaped a cultural revolution and continue to inspire new generations.

Source: AP News