Daughter of Donna Summer on new documentary: ‘She was a box breaker’ | ABCNL

ABC News’ Linsey Davis spoke with directors Brooklyn Sudano and Roger Ross Williams about the complex life and career of the “Queen of Disco” in their documentary “Love to Love You, Donna Summer.”
ABC News Live Prime, Weekdays at 7EST & 9EST
WATCH the ABC News Live Stream Here: • LIVE: Latest News Head...
SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: bit.ly/2vZb6yP
Watch More on abcnews.go.com/
LIKE ABC News on FACEBOOK / abcnews
FOLLOW ABC News on TWITTER: / abc
#donnasummer #documentary #brooklynsudano #lovetoloveyou #abcnlprime

[@pressplay7918]

Donna Summer is a legend.

[@Chicago48]

Underrated

[@Berighteousone]

@@Chicago48 Far from underrated. Huge success back in the day.

[@tonynegron1927]

🤔 Yes & very under appreciated.Donna had fantastic range.

[@nancyclinton959]

And everything she sang is beautiful. Not just disco- what an amazing talent.

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

I saw her in concert in 1985 and she held a note for so long I thought she was going to pass out she doesn’t get enough credit for her vocal range rip Donna

[@tana5098]

I totally agree. She and Barbra Streisand are the only women i know who had the vocal longevity to hold a note for an extended period of time. They both sang a duet in the 80's together, and it was amazing to hear their powerful voices belt out the song. Donna Summer had such a beautiful voice. I miss singers of her caliber today. There are so few artists like her anymore. The music industry puts out mostly crap today unfortunately. Really looking forward to watching the documentary her daughter helped make. 💗🎙🎶

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

@@tana5098 amen tana👏🏾🥰🥰

[@heiswise2012]

​@@tana5098the duet No More Tears is from 1979.

[@tana5098]

@@heiswise2012 thank you for the date.

[@Danuta628]

Anyone who grew up with Donna Summer the way I did.. we feel like she belongs to us. She was such a huge part of everyone’s lives from that era- no doubt. She was woven into the fabric of society’s every day culture of that time ❤❤❤

[@elisageorge2261]

Loved Donna in the movie," Thank God it's Friday".. I often go back and rewatch it..

[@Berighteousone]

She didn't belong to you or anyone else. She was amazing but belong to no one.

[@berniecasey7592]

OMG YES - She was a Treasure.........

[@Danuta628]

@@Berighteousone try not to have stroke. have you ever heard of a metaphor… ?? That is a rhetorical question

[@Bigdrip840]

I always say she was the queen of pop of the 70s and early 80s she was not limited to disco like they try to play her as!

[@brentcormier6775]

She was my Queen! My first 45 was “Bad Girls” when I was in the 5th grade! No one will ever fill the void she left. Love to love ya, Donna!

[@tonjamarshall4842]

Exactly!

[@kncdco5966]

Oh my gosh one of my first memories. I cleared a dance floor at kindergarten with this song....one of my first memories dancing to that song and people including the teachers clapping.

[@twerkinthecityhuh6340]

45?????? Wowsa I only bought the 12" singles plus her albums of course!!!

[@RayG-e7u]

the matching hair..

[@JorgeEscobar-s8q]

I can't wait to see this documentary. I love Donna Summer.

[@Darrigrande]

I love her too! She was the Queen of Disco! Now is a legend!

[@Globalman43]

@@Darrigrande I have watched the documentary and love it!! I am going to watch it again.

[@elisageorge2261]

I was thinking Kelly Rowland was gonna play Donna.. being she resemble her..

[@Rwethereyet]

I grew up loving Donna Summer and never get tired of her music. Not only am I flooded with nostalgia when I listen to it, she still makes me want to move and sing. Then there’s “The State of Independence” which always gives me goosebumps every single time. It is with deep gratitude that I thank all who were involved in this documentary and mostly, I’m thankful for all of the joy that her music continues to bring. The world needs more of that.

[@DyreStraits]

I remember being transfixed the first time I heard "State of Independence" I think it was 1985.

[@tana5098]

Amen. ✝️🙇‍♀️🙏 The world needs more love and less hate.

[@RaymondHng]

Her double albums are amazing: _Once Upon a Time_ , _Bad Girls_ , _Live and More_ , _On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II_ . I cannot believe that she's gone.

[@JohnSmith-qj6bj]

ONCE UPON A TIME...MASTERPIECE!

[@Laura-ef1mb]

I know my first double album was bad girls, never forget it, such good times.

[@heiswise2012]

I agree. And Greatest Hits On The Radio is her best compilation album

[@Cin2023]

Wow! I want to thank the family for making this film. For being upfront and honest about her life from an inside view and bringing us the truth about this beautiful woman.🤗 No judging, just honesty because she was so intriguing. She had a presence onstage I've always loved her and her music and wanted to know more about her. Thanks to the family for doing this. 🤗☺️

[@Globalman43]

I agree with you. I watched the documentary and love it. It’s better for the family to make the documentary than someone who didn’t know her.

[@brettsfav4]

Yes this documentary was beautifully done. Thank you to Brooklyn and her family for giving us so much insight into this extraordinary woman.

[@kennethfletcher3241]

She had great vocal placement, and vocal resonance, connected to the emotion in the words, made beautiful sounds, and was just beautiful. Her creative process was so free, and it's amazing to hear the serendipity and synchronicity of her art. She allowed creativity, recognized it, and blew up whatever she created with her musical and vocal skills, through emotion, most of all, love.

[@SS-ii6nz]

Donna Summer is a legend. I'm glad her daughter gave the world a chance to continue her legacy. My 23 year old daughter love her. Her music in the 70s and 80s was the best era of great artist. Ms Donna Summer will forever be the Queen of Disco. R.I.P to the beautiful Queen.

[@lyndaslocs]

A daughter really knnows hwe mother. It's great that Brooklyn Sudano is able to describe her mother from first hand experience.

[@dwayitis]

I discovered Donna Summer at the ripe age of 14 yrs old when I listened to “Spring Affair” and was hooked with her voice and sensual delivery. Donna quickly became my favorite singer and to this day, she still remains the best even after her passing. This documentary brought so much joy and I learned so much about her life that I didn’t know. It was also a treat to discover some songs we had not heard Donna sing before. The last 10 minutes were heart wrenching when we knew we had to confront her passing and I cried with Brooklyn, Bruce and Mimi in that emotional scene at the end. Thank you Brooklyn and team for bringing this gem of a documentary to fruition. It’s a gift to us who love Donna Summer and her musical legacy.

[@adelaferreira4575]

A few new singers can only dream of ,Donna Summer was the real deal,talented,beautiful ,sexy and a magnificent voice that has no comparison , she made us feel wanted and loved !

[@tonjamarshall4842]

They don't come close!

[@raineyj560]

That doc was everything. Was happy to see all those beautiful pictures of Donna.

[@seanMdandilyon7]

OMG, my very first record that I bought was by Donna Summer. I was 10 years old and it was 1977, forgive the year if I’m wrong. 🎉I asked my grandmother, RIP, if I could have $10 to go down the record store. And I ended up buying ‘Bad Girl’ by Donna Summer. I played it on my grandma’s little record player that looked like she bought in the 60’s or whenever. And I’ve been a dancing queen ever since. Now at the age of 56 I’m jamming to an evolution of disco, House Music. That I became fanatic of right away in the’80’s. Donna Summer changed my life ❤. Toot toot yeah beep beep, toot toot yeah beep beep 🕺🏽💃🏾🤗🌈.

[@soniafigueroa5170]

Yes! I was 9 in 77 and that's was when I was introduced to the Amazing Legend Donna Summer by my cousin Judy RIP my love I inherited her vinyls

[@SweptAway529]

The "Bad Girls" album was released late April 1979.

[@seanMdandilyon7]

@@SweptAway529 whoops, I had a feeling that the year was probably wrong, considering that it happened over 40 years ago. Sorry thanks for correcting me. 🤗👍🏾

[@seanMdandilyon7]

Correction; ‘Bad Girls’

[@tana5098]

I fondly remember the disco days of the late 70's and early 80's. Wasn't it fun to go to a record store, put on the headphones, and listen to music? I'm 58 and remember the excitement of purchasing an album at my local record store. Those were fun days. 🎼💿🎶

[@janetwatson7966]

Summers was a great singer. Love her music

[@LivewireT]

Donna Summers and her music continues to live on...she is absolutely Amazing!!!

[@user-Suspenseart]

So excited to see her documentary!! Donna Summer…A True Legend!!❤️⭐️❤️

[@tealemon1465]

It’s not fair that she had so much talent in so many art forms!! ❤Her voice is rarefied and unmatched, except for a very few. her album Bad Girls has deeply moving songs as well as great dance music. I have owned it in vinyl cassette and CD.

[@vernaburns1629]

I'm so glad that this documentary has been made. Donna Summer was a tremendous talent!

[@glamslamcam]

I can’t wait to watch the Documentary. Donna Summer is a part of the Soundtrack to my Life so to understand her more will be a journey that i can’t wait to undertake!

[@rikymira1]

So excited , can't wait, thanks to Brooklyn who looks stunning !! ❤

[@josephinempundu4205]

Donna Summer's records were a must have growing up in the late 70's and early 80's. As teens we blossomed on her music.

[@mondoenterprises6710]

I collect Donna Summer to this day! Uplifting Music for the Journey!

[@ppppssss7971]

Donna was a TRUE artist in every sense of the word. I was blessed to see her 🙏

[@kitsmith806]

Loved seeing her in concert ❤ Then again when her daughters and husband were on stage with her👍🏽👏🏽❤️ Sleep in peace Donna Summer, you were magic 🎉

[@teena168]

Four seasons of love, Once upon a time, just superb . What a lady ❤

[@RAralar]

Donna Summer had a whole European career singing in German. She was fluent in German. People forget how talented she was

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

her time in europe is what made her stand out in the usa. she was molded in europe and influenced by the arts and music there at the time. that is how she became the first black female artists to appeal to white people who tried to hide that they liked donna summer.

[@babsx191]

Love that we finally get a peek into this Icon!!! It's about time❤ Whenever im feeling tired, worn out, or just blah ... I put on Donna Summer and get happy! I love this women and her incredible voice❤ What an amazing life she lived!!! Thank you so much for making this documentary 🙏 ❤

[@TheLovely990]

Donna Summer was a legend. Talented, and beautiful. Her daughters are really beautiful! Glad they are bringing her story to life.💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@Royaltea-tz2hq]

I told Mi mi thank you for sharing her momy with me so thank you too Brooklyn. I HAD NO MOMMY. I LOVED HER.

[@JorgeHernandez-yr2xr]

I have watched Documentary twice already today, I got surprised for things I didn"t know as a 30+ years fan, then I laughed and at the end I was crying, I couldn't Imagine her pain, her struggles with her faith, her freedom and her sex life as a woman in an era of female repression. and the worse to deal with her terminal cancer. Now I admirer more as a human being. 😍🥰❤❤❤

[@michaelrachels8785]

Put this on DVD as soon as possible Donna Summer is so important to music she is the queen 👑 of song

[@USABeauboy]

Donna seems to be such a beautiful spirit. RIP lovely lady,,🙋🌹🌷❤️‍🩹

[@MariaJuarez-oc7zq]

Donna Summer, what a voice! She always said her most important job was being a mother and wife. She was amazing!

[@thecliff4670]

I saw the Broadway play in NY and I stayed on my feet the entire time, and, knew every word to the songs. I grew up on her music. A true legend. RIP Queen.

[@jmda58]

Donna summer was my absolute favorite singer from the disco era🤩😍 she was an amazing artist I feel was underrated,she deserved more!

[@tangojuli209]

Donna Summer: On the Radio vol 1 &II is the first album I ever bought at 12 or 13 and is the only I artist whose songs I know back to back even now, 45 years later. Some of those songs are so captivating they stop me in my tracks and give me the chills. Even today.

[@Trilly007]

Donna Summer IS LITERALLY AN ICON!!!!! Omgggoooodness I love everything about this woman. My parents grew up listening to Donna's music and in turn passed it down to my sister and I. I look up to women like her.. I don't really know much about her other than her music being a Millennial but I'm so excited to learn!!! Such an amazing individual.

[@patcummings6950]

Met Donna Summer at Messiah College when we were both there for orientation for our daughters. What a lovely woman. Loved all her music. Miss her presence and her talent ❤

[@virginiamaldonado1963]

I hope that the other daughters of Donna Summer speak as well on this documentary. I remember when Donna first came to the scene singing Last Dance from the movie Thank God it’s Friday

[@an.american]

I love Donna Summer and her daughter is just as beautiful. But, that guys hair stole the interview. 😊

[@ilovegoodsax]

I agree lol. His hair is higher than Brooklyn's top knot!😂

[@Globalman43]

@@ilovegoodsax 😂

[@jungledog4868]

Huge Donna Summer fan since she first came out in the 70s. Have all her albums, and cds for her later music. Love her. Still listen to her almost daily, mostly her not as popular songs. She's blows all these more current singers off stage. She had a great voice and great songs. Incomparable. One of the greatest of all time. .....her daughter is gorgeous! ........Cheers to the family.

[@lukeskywalker1840]

I think Rolling Stone rates Donna Summer has 144th on their list of greatest singer. That’s an absolute crime. She was pretty amazing.

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

Yup, but just their opinion.

[@lorenzoclement2013]

Donna summer was a awesome creative lady period

[@gwen3010]

Donna Summer was an icon!! Miss her so much.

[@lisalovelace6784]

I loved her music do much, I grew up on it and would play my record over and over, until I wore it out, I would I have given anything to see her in concert. We loss her too soon, rest in heaven Donna Summers.

[@BlueAlien1313]

Donna Summer had a voice that reached into your body, grabbed your soul and moved it. I have fond memories of dancing to your music as child in Jamaica. R.I.P beautiful Queen of Disco and an American Legend!

[@antoniomiranda638]

Donnna Sunmer is a legend ever. The eternal Queen of Disco in the world.

[@jamorang23]

Absolute Diva Donna💙🎤

[@monicademps4511]

Everyone whoever loved this woman please tune in...it was amazing if you're a fan of hers. I loved it.

[@PeaceLoveAndHarmny]

There will always be a spot in my heart for Donna Summer. Her music and voice was so amazingly beautiful and such a huge part of showing those young girl's that we could be ourselves. And to this day, no album sounds as good as hers in a surround sound system. PERFECTION! May she be singing with the angel's and Tina Turner right now. ✌🏼❤️🏳️‍🌈

[@bentoth6377]

Such a trendsetter and icon...her daughter is beautiful too. Can't wait to see this

[@margaretwrein9606]

❤ Donna Summer was a beautiful woman and she was the Queen of Disco! I had all of get albums! I can't wait to see the movie!

[@lgrant2540]

It's a wonderful documentary on one the most powerful vocalists/artists of our time. Bravo!

[@charlene.elovitzChannelYT]

It sounds very interesting and personal, being told by family & in Donna Summer's voice... (haven't seen it yet)

[@fashionista5523]

I am a lifelong fan of Queen Donna Summer, I seen her in 2010 at the Horseshoe Casino Venue. She is missed and thank you for this documentary.❤️🙏🏽❤️

[@MissD1029]

Thank you for Love To Love You. Miss Summers gave me so much joy in my younger self. I have every song, and still play her. She was truly one of the best. God Bless you, Miss Summer. Thank you for YOU😇🎵💫🙏🏽

[@alovetriIogy]

Can't wait to watch this documentary!

[@sonyahall5080]

Donna Summers music brings back memories of my teenage yrs….

[@keithbell9348]

Hands down. Donna Summer could sing her A double S OFF! Her range was awesome. Just yesterday I heard an old tune from hers that I had forgotten about and was amazed at the sheer control and multiple ranges in her vocal performance.

[@debbiemartin2026]

She was the best. I used to work out at Jack La Lanne in Manhattan in 1981 and I met Holly Hunter jumping rope to a Donna S cassette. She had just gotten her first play on broadway. Many great disco nights to her music. Her sister was on worship team at a church I attended in Fort Lauderdale. Fantastic voice. I heard she died from side effect so inhalation of 9/11 debris since she lived close by. Got cancer from it

[@DD-hy1nl]

What a beautiful woman Donna was and what a beautiful voice she had..She was a beautiful package all together...R.I.P Lovely Donna.

[@BricaB]

I had no idea this was her daughter! I remember her from the My Wife & Kids tv show. So cool! ❤

[@SANDYMILLER23]

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!!! I absolutely love Donna Summer.

[@grantchow13]

What a beautiful woman! R.I.P.

[@4catsnow]

Disco lyrics and a beat, combined with her vocal delivery that fit like a glove....And as a bonus, the recording quality on the vinyl was exceptional...We had a lot of her music in our stereo component room at work...way back in the day..

[@horseranch1615]

I saw her concert in Phoenix- Hard for the Money tour-the best concert I had ever been to--she was so authentic--what a performer!!! I recall not sleeping all night I was so pumped up!

[@italishgirl5601]

This Boston girl loves Donna Summer! I saw her live twice and she was amazing!

[@elbroder5555]

Wow, I respect and love her more than ever. R.I.P. We ❤ you.

[@ladydia3928]

MacArthur's Park 20 min extended remix was a roadtrip MUST-HAVE!

[@tana5098]

Yes. For sure. 👍

[@tjj5337]

She was so huge in the 70’s and 80’s!!

[@g-love6507]

Donna Summer had One of the most captivating and versatile voices you'll ever hear ! I love vintage Ree Ree and I think Donna Summer was one of the few vocalist in the world that was the equal to the Great Aretha Franklin ...

[@antoniomiranda638]

Donna Summer is a Icon of Music. Brazilians fans love her .

[@carolyncruse5495]

Donna Was so polite and well respected so much she was cheated out of so much. But when she held to the microphone and got in stage she was an undeniable power house. She is greatly missed. Kelly Roland wanted to do a movie on your mom and she wanted to sample her music. Let us find a way to make that happen. ❤

[@lornadryden5650]

Anyone who remembers disco has great respect for Donna 🎉❤

[@hildapompa4236]

Her voice was BRILLIANT 👏 👌 😍 🙌 ❤️ 😅😊 XOXO'S 🥰😍🤩🤩🤩🤩🤗 LOVE YOU DONNA SUMMER ☀️ 💋💜💜💜💜💜💜💜👏👏👏👏👏🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@roots4140]

Good job, Daughter!!

[@wizdom-1684]

She saved me, by my delving into her music made me so very happy with the feeling of being loved and alive.

[@oliverv291]

Definitely time for Donna to get her Flowers...more than overdue !!!

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

Yes. It's a shame that some female singers that came after her got their flowers before Donna did.

[@tonygarcia8720]

The best time of my life at the Discos when she sang you could tell the vibes !!!

[@laustpeternielsen-norman9569]

She was the soundtrack of me coming out❤ i hope that she would still make music. Her comeback was amazing😊

[@daniellarkins3849]

Yes it was and I'm happy for you!❤.

[@tanyamccann9478]

What a wonderful artist!

[@dommiepooh85]

I didn't know Brooklyn is Donna's daughter. I loved her on my wife and kids. Small world

[@AlmondJoie]

Sometime ago, I saw a photo of singer Kelly Rowland and had to do a double take bc she reminded me so much of Donna Summer in the shot. If a movie is ever made of Donna's life, I hope Kelly will get a chance to portray her.

[@robertosanchezgracia3783]

Siempre será la única en su género, excelente sigue viva con su música . Saludos a todas y todos .

[@TheCharlesWatterson]

Thank you for your this! Brooklyn thank you!!!!

[@thetayoung3066]

She was always classy to me. Can’t wait to see the documentary.

[@Noone9227]

David Geffen almost ruined her career. She sort of got the last laugh several times when he wouldn’t release her projects and then she took it to someone else who did where they became massive hits.

[@jbak87]

David Geffen is a gay man. What do you expect?

[@Noone9227]

@@jbak87 I’m not sure if you’re referring to the anti-gay rumor, but it doesn’t make sense for him to ruin her career because of that since it means less money for him. I’m on the fence on whether what she said is true or not because it doesn’t make sense since she did work with a number of gay people during her career. However, it did take her a very long time to address the rumor.

[@nancymoore8363]

Thank you thank you. I love her so much❤

[@hoagymapleton2206]

There's a lot of us that still play Donna Summer 24/7 at our house real pictures and posters of her all over our house.. on May 17th 2012 when we lost Donald summer I was inconsolable my friends all came over to try and snap me out of it cuz really I fell to the ground when I heard the news and I was thinking how she was more relevant to me then people in my own family and she really cast a spell over a lot of us in 1977 when we saw this black Cleopatra woman behind this new crazy song called I feel Love we had never heard a song like that ever I mean ever saw a woman with such control and in her zone while singing that it was very fresh than and blew us away and it is still played in our car wherever we go I live in Dana Point a surfer town and I have a convertible in the people on the street the surfers and whatnot are always dancing when I drive by I mean I need that song like heroin,. I remember seeing the bad girls tour at la universal amphitheater and the next night she was there again I didn't have tickets I paid the parking I parked the car and I went up this little kill inside the parking lot just to listen to the concert it really was magic the talent and charisma that that woman had cannot be overstated we just love Donna Summer plain and simple and that love is ongoing God bless her soul

[@ares6953]

Oh i miss Donna Summer so much !! i wish she was still here with us making new music !

[@theresawebb1968]

I hope this comes on television someday it should be seen.

[@daniellarkins3849]

I agree.

[@charliereed9925]

About time to tell Donna's Story❤🙏🏻🧘🏽‍♂

[@rareflower72]

If you need someone to portray Donna Summers, please, please, please choose Kelly Rolland. She will be the perfect choice. I'm just saying.

[@ShannonBlack-mt8hj]

Brooklyn I love your band Johnnie Swims - and your version of Adult Education... And Annie... Your Mama was a true Music Goddess in her own right... ❤

[@babsx191]

She would have loved KZbin and blogging or doing skits❤ She was so creative. A true Artist!

[@lenevee4925]

Now I know where I remember seeing Brooklyn, it's from the show My Wife and Kids. I never knew who her mother was. Donna Summer was beautiful and very talented.

[@MA-yh2ko]

Last Dance had me and my little portable record player in a chokehold ALL Summer in 78.

[@oscarzaras17]

Love to love you Donna Summer. 🌈❤🌈❤🌈❤🌈❤🌈❤

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

I feel love 😂