So, lets settle in for our first recap of the gritty, outrageous new show.
But I told her fame was a trip it aint love like a lot of people think.
But she wouldnt listen.
Credit: Annette Brown/FOX
Star dont listen to nobody but herself.
Star is a Tori Kelly lookalike with a penchant for oversized hoop earrings.
Alexandra, on the other hand, seems to have it all except she doesnt.
Speaking of crappy parents… (That was easy?)
Those girls sing like angels, she writes.
They need to be safe with each other under the same roof.
And their voices remind Carlotta of their mothers.
I dont know if angelic voices are the reason they need to be safe, but… Yeah.
A rape and a murder in the first 10 minutes?Staris not going to be a subtle show.
In the car they steal from Simones foster father, the sisters catch up (You still sing?
Yeah, I still sing.
You still sing?)
and Simone puffs on a joint.
Theyre driving to Atlanta because the music scene is lit and theyre looking for Miss Carlotta.
Youre shorter than I thought, Star says to her Insta pal.
And youre heavier than I thought, Alexandra answers.
The start of a beautiful friendship!
NEXT: Tension in the salon
The bonding continues at their motel.
Star asks Alexandra why never mentions her parents she says her mom is dead and her dads a surgeon.
They catch up Simone on the music theyve been making, and it turns out she can rapandsing.
After Alexandra goes to bed, though and Star tells Simone I killed that man for us.
Now we can focus on our dream.
Simone reminds Star that, ahem,stardom is her dream, not Simones.
The next day, they finally arrive in Atlanta and Star shows up at Carlottas hair salon.
Did they know Star and Simone as babies, or has Carlotta just talked about them enough?
She cant help it she ugly, she responds.
I have a feeling Carlottas salon is going to produce the shows best lines.
In the present, she recognizes them right away.
But she says they can stay with her now, so long as they help at the salon.
We also learn Carlotta was in a singing group with their mother.
The next morning, they rehearse in PJs and underwear for the gigs they dont have.
Im standing in the middle, I sing lead, Star says.
Alexandra isnt having it: I wrote this song to showcase all our voices, she says.
But the tension dissolves into giggles after Simone makes a joke.
A week later, theyre back working in the salon.
after they make fun of her for being white and not knowing how to shampoo.
Why is it that you think you know anything about me?
Who was good to me, black or white?
Youre a racist, she says.
Interesting point I wonder what more well learn about Stars upbringing, or lack thereof.
Hes throwing dollar bills at some girls ass.
Then, out of the shadows comes Carlottas daughter, Cotton (Amiyah Scott).
Im confused about where you just came from, Star says (I laughed out loud).
She agrees, theyre at the strip club where she dances and she can get them in.
I will go-go, but I dont show my cash and prizes, Star says.
Alexandra doesnt think they should have to, but Simone has a different point: Look at Kim Kardashian.
I love her, and she showed every hole in her body, and now shes famous.
What do I do that seems to get under your skin?
Carlotta wants the best for them, which apparently doesnt mean the music.
So, what isCarlottasbackstory here?
Carlotta isnt having it, though: Youre running from something.
He tells her to Get over here so he can make her feel better.
No, you get over here, she says.
Meanwhile, at the strip club, Cotton gets Star a dance with Jahil Rivera (Benjamin Bratt).
She brings him to the champagne room, where she dances and then she or they both?
They come back to reality and Jahil instantly offers her a gig at NFL player Hunter Morgans house party.
Cotton replies he knew what was down there turns out shes a trans woman!
Wonder howthats received in her religious household.
We find out quickly.
Cotton says they were at the club, and Carlotta says, Quit lyin, boy.
Girl,Mama, she replies.
I got no problem with it.
But I know what goes down in that club.
Basically, Simone is dying for a new mother shes younger than Star, after all.
And Star is too jaded to think a new mother would be any sort of solution.
The only person whos gonna save us is that manager, she says.
Then, a twist: Turns out Carlotta and Jahil know each other and she goes to see him.
Thats Marys kid, Star, she tells him.
Carlotta tells him she knows his music gig is just smoke and mirrors.
Theres some other reason he can afford $10,000 watches and shes going to find out.
Mary with the drugs, you gaining weight and never showing up on time.
He thinks they derailed his career.
But Carlottas tough: She pulls out her gun and tells him to stay away from those girls.
Hes clearly not going to listen.
The girls get ready for their gig in new outfits made by Cotton.
That drag queen can sew her ass off, Alexandra says.
Simone corrects her immediately, Shes not a drag queen, stupid.
Of course, nothing really comes of it.
In a brief final scene, we leave Atlanta and head back to Harrisburg.
Will he confess Simone might have a grudge against him?
I dontthinkhe saw Star, since she stabbed him in the back…
So, little stars…
Thoughts on the pilot?
