Brandy Talks First-Ever Holiday Album and Recording with Her ‘Greatest Gift’ — Daughter Sy’Rai (Exclusive)

Brandy takes the reins this Christmas.

The singer and actress released her first holiday album Christmas with brandy November 10 and starred in a Netflix original movie The best. Christmas. Ever! along with Heather Graham, who arrived on November 16. Needless to say, Brandy was all in this holiday season — and opened up to PEOPLE about how it all came about.

“[The album] it was something fans have been asking for for a long time. I’ve been around so long that I don’t have a Christmas album is kind of absurd,” Brandy, 44, tells PEOPLE.

She adds: “Why not make 2023 a festive moment for me and the fans?”

The 11-track album, released through Motown Records, includes soulful interpretations of classics like “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.” She also recorded two originals: a new single called “Christmas Party for Two” and a duet with 21-year-old daughter Sy’Rai called “Christmas Gift.”

Sy’Rai and Brandy in Los Angeles in December 2022.

Natasha Campos/Getty

Brandy Norwood and Heather Graham are old friends from college in Charming The best. Christmas. Ever! Trailer

“I wanted to have variety for everyone for this album. So of course the first single is about love,” says the “I Do It For You” singer. “People want to be in love during Christmas too. They don’t just want to be happy and cheerful. They kind of want a little money here and there.”

He adds, “And then I have ‘Christmas Gift,’ which is my daughter’s greatest gift that God has ever given me. So it was the perfect song for her to collaborate with me on, and it was just a great experience.”

Brandy at Best. Christmas. Ever!.

Scott Everett White/Netflix

Besides that Christmas with brandyBrandy approached the holidays by starring in a recently released Netflix movie The best. Christmas. Ever! as the joyous and Christmas-obsessed Jackie. It turns out that they are not very different.

“Jackie has a very positive outlook on life. She’s been through a little more than what I’ve been through, but she has a positive outlook on life,” says Brandy.

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“She believes in family, she believes in friendship, and she loves the holidays and anything that can make people smile. That’s her spirit. And I think I have a similar spirit. I’m a people person. I like to make people feel good,” she continues.

This season, Brandy — who recently performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — says she’s most looking forward to the mom-daughter trip.

“I’m going to go to New York and maybe see a couple of plays with my daughter, a couple of musicals and perform there,” she says.

Looking back on her New Year’s resolutions, Brandy hopes to be “a better version of herself in 2024.”

Christmas with brandy it’s out now.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education