Monica: Still Standing

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Monica: Still Standing
Starring Monica
Melinda Dancil
Bryan Michael Cox
Rocko
Opening theme"Still Standing" by
Monica
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producer James DuBose
Production locations Atlanta, Georgia
Release
Original network BET
Original releaseOctober 27, 2009 (2009-10-27) 
January 19, 2010 (2010-01-19)
Related
Monica: The Single

Monica: Still Standing is an American reality series from executive producer James DuBose, in conjunction with Jimmy Iovine. [1] The series was first aired on BET October 27, 2009, plugged by the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards [2] which featured Monica joining Keyshia Cole on stage to deliver a live performance of the duet "Trust." [3] Production of the ten part docu-series was strategically developed to gear towards Monica making an official comeback after lengthy hiatus. [4] The show focused on searching for a hit single for her fifth studio album release, while aiming to balance her life with father of her children and former fiance Rocko da Don [5] and recovery from a troubled past. [6] Reports reveal Monica: Still Standing the television series is that which 'cemented' the success of Monica: Still Standing the 2010 album release of the same name of the series. [7] [8] [9]

Contents

Overview

It focused on searching for a hit single for her fifth studio album release and balancing her personal life of being a full-time mother and troubled past. The strategic planning of the special leading to her successful return to the limelight following a ten-year hiatus from the recording industry, [10] Monica—whose real name is Monica Denise Arnold—credited consulting producer of episode one, Ryan Glover and executive producer of the project, James DuBose [11] for helping to navigate the reemergence of her artistic career through the reality docu production of the BET broadcast; which led to both the 2009 DuBose Entertainment series and the 2009 Interscope Records album to be named: Monica: Still Standing"

"I have to be honest, I did not come up with the idea for the television show. I have to give credit to Ryan Glover and James DuBose that did "The Way It Is" for one of my good friends (Keyshia Cole)." – Monica [11]

Cast

Main cast

Guest stars

Production

While searching for a hit single for her sixth studio album release, the singer balances her personal life of being a full-time mother and troubled past. The show was a spin-off to the one-hour reality special television show Monica: The Single on Atlanta's Peachtree TV on August 5, 2008. [12] The series was later picked up by BET the following week. The show premiered on October 27, 2009 directly after the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards. The series runs all-new episodes every Tuesday at 10 pm and 10:30 pm EST. The show has appearances by Bryan Michael Cox and Kendrick "WYLDCARD" Dean. Also stars Monica's trainer Carlos and her cousin Melinda.

Episodes

No.TitleOriginal air date
1"Still Standing"October 27, 2009 (2009-10-27)
In our premiere episode, Monica takes us on her journey as an artist, back to where it all began in Atlanta, Georgia. We learn about her years as a singing child star and the trials and tribulations she experienced as a young woman. Now, Monica is working on her fifth studio album and the future of her music career at J Records is riding on its success. While she's working hard with producers to find a single, and setting up a meeting with her record label, Monica is also managing a busy family life. She's excited about moving into a brand new home, but for now she's living in the Presidential Suite at InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta hotel because the house is still under construction.
2"Angel of Mine"November 3, 2009 (2009-11-03)
Monica travels to Birmingham with her family (her two sons, mom and Melinda) to sing at a small club called Platinum. Monica's fans are extremely important to her and this show is a great way to connect with them. During a sold-out performance, Monica is reminded why she sings.
3"Love All Over Me"November 10, 2009 (2009-11-10)
Monica meets with Ne-Yo's manager, Tango, to hear new music for the album. After listening to a number of songs, a debate ensues over which song is right for Monica after a four-year hiatus from the music industry. Is this the day Monica finds another great single for the album?
4"Why I Love You So Much"November 17, 2009 (2009-11-17)
The news from Monica's doctor inspires her to take immediate control of her health. Monica meets with her favorite chef and trainer at the gym to create a daily regimen. Monica wants to do more than look great; she wants to feel great for all of the promotion related to the album….and for her family. The question is, will she stick to the plan? Afterward, Monica goes to the studio to finish working on the song, "Infiniti." During the session, Jazze Pha calls to get her thoughts on the song he pitched. Though Monica doesn't feel that the song is for her, she agrees to listen to it some more before she gives him a final answer.
5"For You I Will"November 24, 2009 (2009-11-24)
Monica is up early so she can spend some time with her mom before making a public appearance at Atlanta's Car & Bike Show. Monica is determined to make her new album a reflection of who she is now as an artist. She and Melinda meet with B. Cox one last time to discuss song selection before the big label meeting.
6"Everything to Me"December 1, 2009 (2009-12-01)
It's 4 days before the big meeting with the label in NYC, so Monica meets with B. Cox to finish putting the final touches on the songs she's recorded for the album. Melinda has the managing business down to a tee – handling everything from Monica's busy schedule to interior decorating. Realizing that she may need to seek more balance in her personal life, she meets with an old romance who gives her advice on why she's still single.
7"Don't Take It Personal"December 8, 2009 (2009-12-08)
On her day off, Monica checks on the status of her new house with Melinda. Later, Monica visits the Atlanta Children's Hospital in an effort to help kids who have asthma like her son, Romello. Monica is determined to make her new album a reflection of who she is now as an artist. She heads into the studio to work with Missy Elliott's producer, Lamb. Later, Monica has a pre-listening party with her industry confidants to get critical feedback and to prepare for the meeting with J Records in New York.
8"Let Me Know"December 15, 2009 (2009-12-15)
Monica and Melinda are in New York for a meeting with J Records about the single. Monica fights for one of her favorite two songs to be named the album's single, but J Records decides that neither song makes the cut
9"Before You Walk Out of My Life"December 29, 2009 (2009-12-29)
In a surprising turn of events, both of the songs Monica hoped would be contenders for her first single were rejected by the label. Back to square one, again. Always determined and driven, Monica steps up her search for the ever-elusive single. The release of her album depends on it.
10"Breaks My Heart"January 5, 2010 (2010-01-05)
In a stepped up effort to make a single that the label will approve, Monica, Melinda and their new assistant Tara travel to Los Angeles to get in the studio with Polow Da Don. Not only is he a bona fide super-producer, but he is also Monica's cousin, and tempers flare when they debate the subject of monogamy and fidelity in male/female relationships. Timbaland makes a surprise appearance and gives Monica some great insight on her album project.
11"Superman"January 12, 2010 (2010-01-12)
On Monica's 29th birthday, she and her work crew travel by bus to Tallahassee, Florida to perform a FAMU Homecoming concert. Before the concert, Monica has an impromptu ‘open forum’ with 30 young women from FAMU's School of Business. Monica opens herself to no-holds-barred questions from the women and shares some of her struggles and obstacles with them.
12"Still Standing: Reprise"January 19, 2010 (2010-01-19)
Monica and the crew are back in NY for some serious business. Along with her meeting with Larry Jackson to play the new potential singles, Monica has a ton of press and promotion to do for her upcoming album. She appears on "106 & Park," the D.L. Hughley radio show, and does numerous other interviews in a whirlwind of activity.

Ratings

The premiere and encore episode garnered 3.2 million total viewers. The James DuBose production was made the second highest series debut in BET history behind the debut of DuBose Entertainment's Tiny & Toya . [13] The show was given a "B" by Entertainment Weekly. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica (singer)</span> American singer, and actress

Monica Denise Arnold is an American singer, rapper and actress. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, she began performing as a child and became part of a traveling gospel choir at the age of ten. Monica rose to prominence after she signed with Rowdy Records in 1993 and released her debut album Miss Thang two years later. She followed it with a series of successful albums, including her highest-selling album The Boy Is Mine (1998) as well as the number-one albums After the Storm (2003), The Makings of Me (2006) and Still Standing (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BET Her</span> American pay television channel

BET Her is an American basic cable television network owned by Paramount Media Networks. The network is a spin-off of BET with a focus on general entertainment targeting African-American women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keyshia Cole</span> American singer (born 1981)

Keyshia Myeshia Cole is an American R&B singer. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she began her career as a backing vocalist for MC Hammer before ultimately signing with A&M Records, under whom she released her debut studio album, The Way It Is, in 2005. The record was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also earned two nominations at the 2006 Soul Train Music Awards. Riding on the album's success, Cole would begin filming a reality television series for BET documenting her career, family and personal life called Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is; the show ran for three seasons, and became one of the most-watched programs in the network's history.

<i>The Way It Is</i> (Keyshia Cole album) 2005 studio album by Keyshia Cole

The Way It Is is the debut studio album by American singer Keyshia Cole, released on June 21, 2005, through A&M Records and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Jadakiss, Chink Santana, Metro City and Eve. Cole co-wrote every song on the album, and also worked with a number of producers and writers, including Ron Fair, Sean Garrett, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Polow da Don, John Legend, Alicia Keys and Kanye West. The Way It Is is an R&B album, with some tracks having hip hop and hip hop soul sensibilities. Lyrically, the album speaks of romantic relationships.

Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is is an American reality television series starring R&B singer Keyshia Cole, which aired on BET. The series was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. The series became one of the most-watched programs in BET’s history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Night (Diddy song)</span> 2007 single by P. Diddy featuring Keyshia Cole

"Last Night" is a song by American rapper Diddy that is a single featured on his fourth studio album, Press Play (2006). The song features American singer-songwriter Keyshia Cole. The radio edit version of the song is featured on Cole's second studio album, Just like You (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Still Standing (Monica song)</span> 2008 promotional single by Monica featuring Ludacris

"Still Standing" is a song by American R&B singer Monica, written by Christopher Bridges, Adonis Shropshire, Bryan-Michael Cox and Monica for her sixth studio album, Still Standing (2010). Produced by Bryan-Michael Cox, it features guest vocals by her cousin and rapper Ludacris.

<i>Just like You</i> (Keyshia Cole album) 2007 studio album by Keyshia Cole

Just like You is the second studio album by American singer Keyshia Cole. It was released by Geffen Records on September 24, 2007. Cole started work on the project shortly after the release of her debut album, The Way It Is (2005). She consulted a variety of producers and songwriters to work with her on the album, including Missy Elliott, Bryan-Michael Cox, Scott Storch, Rodney Jerkins, The Runners, J. Wells, Pete Rock, and Soulshock. Guest vocalists include Elliott, Lil' Kim, Too $hort, Amina Harris, Anthony Hamilton, Young Dro, T.I., Chink Santana, and Piper.

<i>Still Standing</i> (Monica album) 2010 studio album by Monica

Still Standing is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer Monica. It was released on March 19, 2010, by J Records. Recording for the album began in 2007, in which the singer intended to take a more traditional approach to the genre and take away any "gimmicks". As executive producer of the album, Monica enlisted a variety of producers including involvement by Missy Elliott, Bryan-Michael Cox, Stargate, The Runners and Jermaine Dupri. Production on Still Standing was chronicled by Monica's BET reality series of the same name which aired between October 2009 and January 2010.

<i>A Different Me</i> 2008 studio album by Keyshia Cole

A Different Me is the third studio album by American singer Keyshia Cole. It was released by Geffen Records in association with Imani Entertainment and Interscope Records on December 16, 2008 in the United States. Cole reteamed with producers Toxic, Ron Fair and The Runners to work on A Different Me, but also worked with a variety of additional collaborators on new material, including Polow da Don, The Outsyders, Kwamé, Carvin & Ivan, Tank, Theron Feemster, and Poke & Tone. Guest appearances include Amina, Nas, Monica and 2Pac.

"Trust" is a song by American singer Keyshia Cole. It was written by Cole and Frederick Taylor and co-produced by Donald "Toxic" Alford and Ron Fair for her third studio album, A Different Me (2008). It is a re-recording of the iTunes pre-order bonus song from Cole's previous album Just like You.

Frankie & Neffe was an American reality television show by James DuBose. It was a spin-off of the Keyshia Cole reality television show Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, broadcast by Black Entertainment Television on August 25, 2009 and presented by DuBose Entertainment. The series chronicled the lives of Frankie Lons and Neffeteria Pugh, the mother and sister of R&B singer Keyshia Cole. The season finale was broadcast on Tuesday October 6, 2009, at 10/9c.

<i>Woman to Woman</i> (Keyshia Cole album) 2012 studio album by Keyshia Cole

Woman to Woman is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Keyshia Cole. It was released on November 19, 2012, through Geffen Records and Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place between early 2011 and mid-late 2012. Cole enlisted a variety of producers, such as Darhyl Camper, Harmony Samuels, Rodney Jerkins, T-Minus, Vidal, and Wonda. Musically, the album is an R&B and pop record, that features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Ashanti, Elijah Blake, and Robin Thicke.

<i>Keyshia & Daniel: Family First</i> American TV series or program

Keyshia & Daniel: Family First is an American reality television series starring Grammy-nominated R&B singer Keyshia Cole. The series premiered on October 9, 2012 on BET, and ended its run on December 4, 2012.

Cainon Renard Lamb, professionally known as Lamb or Lamb Litty, is an American record producer and songwriter from Miami, Florida. He has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, SWV, Missy Elliott, Monica, Keyshia Cole and Jazmine Sullivan. In 2017, Lamb made his rapping debut on colleague Missy Elliott's single "I'm Better".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trust and Believe</span> 2012 single by Keyshia Cole

"Trust and Believe" is a song by R&B singer/songwriter Keyshia Cole. It serves as the second single from her fifth studio album, Woman to Woman and the follow-up to "Enough of No Love". It debuted on October 2, 2012 on Cole's official website and was first released for digital download on October 22, 2012. The music video depicts Cole portraying a heartbroken and scorned woman as she discovers her partner was sleeping with her best friend.

<i>Point of No Return</i> (Keyshia Cole album) 2014 studio album by Keyshia Cole

Point of No Return is the sixth studio album by R&B singer Keyshia Cole; it was released on October 7, 2014, by Interscope Records and Universal Music Group and served as Cole's final album with the label. The album features production from various music producers including Tim Kelley of Tim & Bob, Mike Will Made It, DJ Mustard, WillieDonut, Amadeus, Stargate and features guest appearances by 2 Chainz, Juicy J, Gavyn Rhone, Wale, August Alsina, Faith Evans and Future.

Keyshia Cole: All In was a reality television series starring Grammy-nominated R&B singer Keyshia Cole. The series premiered on February 24, 2015, on BET as a follow-up to her 2012 reality television series, Keyshia & Daniel: Family First.

James L. DuBose is an American television producer, filmmaker, entertainment industry executive. He is widely recognized for his pioneering role as General Manager and Head of Programming of FOX Soul for FOX Broadcasting Network, and is credited as founder of In The Black Network, an advertising-based video on demand streaming network technically operated through Brightcove Inc.

References

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  2. "Monica Shouts Out Fans & AT&T Appearance". MySpace . Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  3. "Singer Monica 'Still Standing' after overcoming tragedies". CNN. November 3, 2009.
  4. "Monica 'Still Standing' After Trying Times". Billboard. February 16, 2010.
  5. "Rocko on Co-Parenting With Monica & Break-Up". DJVlad YouTube. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021.
  6. "In Case You Missed It ~ Monica "Still Standing" [Season Finale]". Straight From The A. January 20, 2009.
  7. "Monica, "Still Standing"". Billboard. April 9, 2010.
  8. Crosley, Hillary (December 15, 2008). "Monica Gets Busy On Sixth Album". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2008.
  9. "This Fall, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences(R) Award-Winning, Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Monica Makes Her Reality Television Debut With "MONICA: STILL STANDING" on Tuesday, October 27 at 10:00 p.m.*". PR Newswire. October 23, 2009.
  10. "The Newest Princess of R&B Reveals Her Soul in BET's Original Docu-Drama, KEYSHIA COLE: THE WAY IT IS". BET Pressroom. July 6, 2006.
  11. 1 2 "Monica Shouts-Out Co-Founding Partner of Visceral Media Group" via YouTube.[ dead YouTube link ]
  12. "Atlanta: Watch Monica: The Single Tonight! @ 10PM at the Insider". Archived from the original on January 10, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2009.
  13. "TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com".
  14. Shaw, Jessica. "TONIGHT'S BEST TV". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014.