Roberta Flack Remembered in New OWN Documentary: Her ‘Artistry Stands as a Powerful Testament to Creativity, Courage and Originality’
In honor of Women’s History Month, Oprah Winfrey’s OWN will air a documentary about four-time Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack. OWN Spotlight: Roberta will premiere on March 12 (9 p.m. ET/PT).
The two-hour OWN Spotlight: Roberta chronicles Flack’s life and legacy from piano lounge performer to chart-topping global star as well as the singer-songwriter-musician’s staunch advocacy of civil rights and social change. Rare archival footage of Flack talking about her life is complemented by interviews with the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, Grammy-winning artist and Flack duet partner Peabo Bryson, among others. The documentary was directed, written and produced by award-winning filmmaker Antonino D’Ambrosio.
In an exclusive statement given to Billboard, OWN president Tina Perry said, “Roberta Flack’s artistry stands as a powerful testament to creativity, courage and originality. With this OWN Spotlight presentation, we’re honored to shine a light on a woman whose music helped shape culture and continues to influence artists today. This special is an opportunity to celebrate her legacy in a new way as we explore how her work continues to echo across generations.”
Recently paid tribute to alongside D’Angelo, Ozzy Osbourne and other artists during the 68th annual Grammy Awards, Flack died at age 88 in 2025. Traversing R&B, jazz, folk and pop, she crafted a timeless legacy that includes classic hits such as “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Where Is the Love” with Donny Hathaway and “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Bryson. The first artist to win the Grammy for record of the year in consecutive years (1973 and 1974), Flack will be inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame in October 2026.