‘Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over’ from CNN Films Premieres New Years

“Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over” will premiere New Years Sunday, January 1st, at 9:00pm ET & PT, exclusively on CNN.

The award-winning documentary feature, which is written, produced, and directed by Dave Wooley and directed by David Heilbroner, will broadcast with limited commercial interruption on New Year’s Day, 2023.

Ms. Warwick‘s own velvet-toned voice largely tells the story of her music and life for the film, underscoring her creative and cultural legacies during six decades of an extraordinary career. The film explores her stunning range of musical styles and versatility. Her career has soared despite dramatic upheaval within a fickle industry, and flourished through multigenerational social change. Along the way, Dionne Warwick has earned 6 Grammys, amassed an astonishing array of global solo and duet hits, and remains a stalwart advocate and ally for racial equality and justice, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Her grace, grit, and singular talent are reflected upon in exclusive interviews with her sons, Damon and David Elliott; music legends Burt Bacharach, Clive Davis, Snoop Dogg, Gloria Estefan, Barry Gibb, Berry Gordy, Elton John, Cissy Houston, Quincy Jones, Alicia Keys, Gladys Knight, Melissa Manchester, Olivia Newton-John, Smokey Robinson, Carlos Santana, Valerie Simpson, and Stevie Wonder; as well as commentary from former President Bill Clinton, philanthropist and designer Kenneth Cole, amfAR HIV/AIDS research advocate, Kevin Frost; and Rev. Jesse Jackson.

The film also includes the backstories behind the blockbuster hit songs: “That’s What Friends Are For,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?,” “Alfie,” “Heartbreaker,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and so many more.

Speaking on behalf of the filmmakers, Dave Wooley stated, “Working on Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over has been a true labor of love. We wanted to make a film that people wouldn’t just see…we wanted viewers to feel transported. This is the story of a transformational, global icon.”

Dionne Warwick became the very first solo African American female artist to win a Grammy in contemporary vocal performance, for 1968’s “Do You Know The Way To San Jose.” The song became so ubiquitous, former President and musician Bill Clinton describes how it inspired a road trip for him. Dionne Warwick has earned six Grammy® Awards, with 14 nominations, to date.

Throughout the film, Dionne takes viewers on her own trip through time, sometimes narrating over archival footage, sometimes literally visiting and describing locations of key importance to her life and career. From East Orange, NJ, to the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY, to the capitals of Europe, and back home again, the film includes rare interviews with those who know her best: her two sons, Damon and David Elliott; aunt, Cissy Houston; and long-time collaborators, Burt Bacharach and Clive Davis. And, in an emotional archival interview, Whitney Houston reflects upon her appreciation for her cousin’s talent and mentorship.

As music tastes and styles changed through the decades, Dionne’s style has also adapted and evolved.