Christopher B. Stokes (born ) is an American filmmaker and former record executive. He founded the record label the Ultimate Group (or TUG Entertainment) in 1997, whose roster included B2K, Omarion, Jhené Aiko, Marques Houston, IMx and NLT, among others. He has also directed the 2004 dance drama film You Got Served, as well as the direct-to-TV films House Party 4 (2001) and Somebody Help Me (2007).
Career Stokes first became connected with film and television through the talent of whom he managed. In 1992, Marques Houston made his acting debut in the animated comedy film Bebe's Kids, and received his big break as a regular on Sister, Sister in 1994. All three members of Immature appeared in the film House Party 3 (1994).
Stokes' first film credit came in 2001 as the writer and director of House Party 4, which starred Immature, which by then had transitioned to their new name IMx. He then served as the writer and director of the 2004 dance film You Got Served, which was commercially successful and starred members of his TUG label; The cast included Houston, as well as rapper Lil' Kim.
In 2007 Stokes launched a clothing and fashion line,Christopher Stokes Reveals Plans Behind Clothing Line Debut. Fashion Victim, Dennicas's Place. Dennicasplace.com Retrieved July 3, 2014. the Christopher Brian Collection, which debuted at Magic in Las Vegas February 2007.Take Cover: Kim Kardashian. J'Adore Magazine, November 2007. Jadoremag.com . Retrieved July 3, 2014. The line featured Kim Kardashian as the principal spokesmodel and was available at Dash, her Calabasas boutique. Promotional images for the brand featured topless pictures of Kim Kardashian wearing just the Christopher Brian pants.
He also wrote and directed the horror films Somebody Help Me and Somebody Help Me 2. The first of which made a television premiere on BET on Halloween 2007, and released to DVD the following November.Who Is Chris Stokes. ChrisStokesLife.com. Chrisstokeslife.com Retrieved July 3, 2014. Both were distributed by Vivendi. The company's second feature, No Vacancy, another horror, was completed in 2011 and the first of Stokes' films not star talent from his musical career. It was distributed by Grindstone / Lionsgate Home Entertainment.No Vacancy, 2012 on IMDb. Internet Movie Database
Also in 2011, Stokes returned to the dance battle genre with the dance-drama Battlefield America, starring Houston, Gary Anthony Sturgis, and Lynn Whitfield. The film follows a young businessman whose community service obligations require him to turn a group of misfit kids into a dance team.
In 2018, Stokes signed a 3-picture deal with Viacom for his films We Belong Together, Running Out of Time, and Fall Girls.Chris Stokes directing 1st of 3-picture deal with Viacom. Rollingout.com, April 2018. . Retrieved April 30, 2020. The former launched BET Network's original movie franchise by premiering simultaneously on BET and BET Her, produced by Chris Stokes' Footage Films production company.BET Networks kicks-off its original movie franchise with the world premiere of "We Belong Together". BET Press, June 12, 2018. . Retrieved April 30, 2020. In August 2019, BET+ announced their legal thriller, Sacrifice to be written, directed, and produced by Stokes, and to star Paula Patton.BET+ press release announces Sacrifice to premiere Thursday, December 19. BET+ Press Room, August 15, 2019. . Retrieved April 30, 2020. In May 2020, Stokes' new musical series "Howard High", starring Marques Houston debuts on subscription-based platform UrbanflixTV.'Howard High' Trailer: This inspiring musical drama is going to be this generation's 'Fame'. Hollywoodlife.com, April 17, 2019. . Retrieved April 30, 2020.
In 2020, BET+ acquired Trigger, directed by Stokes. It is set to be released this summer as a BET Original on their streaming platform.BET to air Chris Stokes directed Trigger this summer. ChrisStokesBlog.com, July 2020. . Retrieved July 13, 2020. That same year, the company released Always and Forever, directed by Stokes and starring Lauren London, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Deborah Ayorinde, Rocsi Diaz, Wood Harris and Loretta Devine.Chris Stokes directed Always and Forever gets picked up by [BET] on their cable channel and UMC network. July 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020. In September 2020, BET+ launched Sacrifice into a television series, ordering 10 episodes to be written, directed, and produced by Stokes.BET+ Movie ‘Sacrifice’ Starring Paula Patton Picked Up To Series. Deadline.com, September 28, 2019. . Retrieved January 1, 2021.
Stokes announced in 2021 that Footage Films was greenlit to produce a new series, Foster Law, for the Black streaming network UrbanFlix.UrbanFlix greenlights new series! Footage Films & Director Christopher B. Stokes Continue To Illuminate The Screen With Brian White In The New Series “Foster Law”. September 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021. In 2023, Stokes released the third installment of The Stepmother, marking the first three-movie franchise in Tubi's history. Each film follows Elizabeth Carter (Erica Mena)'s escapades to find the perfect family and stars recurring Stokes cast members, including Houston. Tubi then released four new original Black cinema thrillers by Stokes in 2023: The Assistant, Best Friend, You’re Not Alone and No Way Out.
Sexual assault allegations In December 2007, Stokes was accused of sexual assault by his cousin, B2K member DeMario "Raz-B" Thornton, alleged to have happened while Stokes was managing the group and Thornton was eleven or twelve years old. B2K group member Omarion defended Stokes, calling the allegations untrue. Stokes denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusation "ridiculous" and saying "all the allegations they made are false." The following day, Thornton retracted the allegation and apologized to Stokes, though Thornton's brother Ricardo implied the retraction was coerced and that Thornton will "come back around."
In July 2008, Vibe magazine published an article in which singer Quindon Tarver, once signed to Stokes' TUG label, alleged he had been sexually abused by Stokes for four years, beginning at age twelve. Stokes called the accusations from both Thornton and Tarver "a cry for attention" and denied the allegations.
Filmography YearFilmRoleNotes2001House Party 4Writer, DirectorCameo appearance as "Ray Ray"2004You Got ServedWriter, Director2007Somebody Help MeWriter, Director, Producer2010Somebody Help Me 2Writer, Director, Producer2012Battlefield AmericaWriter, Director, ProducerThe HelpersWriter, Director, ProducerBoogie TownWriter, Director, Producer2016Only for One NightDirectorBoy Bye Director 2017 'Til Death Do Us Part Writer, Director 2018 Always & 4Ever Writer, Director We Belong Together Writer, Director BET Television Movie Running Out Of Time Writer, Director 2019 Fall Girls Writer, Director Sacrifice Writer, Director BET+ Original 2020 Howard High Director TV Mini-Series Trigger Director TV Mini-Series Always and Forever Writer, Director BET Television Movie 2022 The Stepmother Writer, Director Tubi Original The Stepmother 2 Writer, Director Tubi Original 2023 The Assistant Writer, Director Tubi Original Best Friend Writer, Director Tubi Original You're Not Alone Writer, Director Tubi Original No Way Out Writer, Director Tubi Original The Stepmother 3 Writer, Director Tubi Original Picture Me Dead Writer, Director Tubi Original Rock the Boat Writer, Director Tubi Original Vicious Affair Writer, Director Tubi Original Still Here Writer, Director Tubi Original I Hate You to Death Writer, Director Tubi Original Forever Us Writer, Director Tubi Original2024The StepdaughterWriter, Director Tubi Original Snatched Writer, Director Tubi Original Rock the Boat 2 Writer, Director Tubi Original Robbin Writer, Director Tubi Original The Assistant 2 Writer, Director Tubi OriginalVicious MurderWriter, Director Tubi OriginalThe Stepdaughter 2Writer, Director Tubi Original Adopted Writer, Director Tubi Original2025Happy AnniversaryWriter, Director Tubi Original Wrong Place, Wrong Time Writer, Director Tubi OriginalThe Killing CoveWriter, Director Tubi Original TKO Writer, Director Tubi Original Run Writer, Director Theatrical release The Follower Writer, Director Tubi Original Adopted 2 Writer, Director Tubi Original 2026 Twin Writer, Director Tubi Original Unrequited Writer, Director Tubi Original Rockabye Writer, Director Tubi Original Hijacked Writer, Director Tubi Original I Didn't Do It Writer, Director Tubi Original Night Shift Writer, Director Tubi Original Stepfather Writer, Director Tubi Original I Know Where You Live Writer, Director Tubi Original Leave Writer, Director Theatrical release Writer, Director
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