Praise This 2023

Atlanta, Georgia’s Praise Team, known as The Oil Factory, faces a tough setback during their inaugural large competition where their conservative preparation backfires, resulting in a rejected performance that sees them booed off the stage. Seeking to regain their footing, they struggle to find a connection with the audience.

The story centers around Sam, played by Chloe Bailey, who is brought to stay with her aunt Liz, Uncle Larry (Kendrick Cross), and cousin Jess (Anjelika Washington) in Atlanta. This move is prompted by her recent run-ins with the law in Los Angeles, where her passion for music inadvertently led her to trouble. Larry, a psychiatrist, believes it’s important for the family to discuss the circumstances surrounding Sam’s exit from LA. It turns out that Sam misled her family about her intentions to attend college, instead choosing to take a gap year to pursue her dream in music, which landed her in legal issues after a recording studio she was at was raided.

While adjusting to her new environment, Liz encourages Sam to consider enrolling at Georgia State in the spring, leveraging her connections at the university. However, Sam is resistant and reluctant to embrace a more traditional path. Jess, full of energy and optimism, attempts to welcome her cousin by bringing her coffee and serenading her with an off-key song, ultimately convincing her to attend church.

At the church, which the community has converted from a warehouse, Sam is less than impressed with the Praise Team she encounters. Their pastor, Googman, insists that the team needs a second chance to showcase their talent after their initial disappointment during the competition.

Not one to shy away from adventure, Sam, inspired by her enthusiasm for Atlanta-based rapper Ty, manages to persuade Jess to crash his party. Despite the fun, the gathering is abruptly shut down by the police. Officer Troy, a patient of Uncle Larry, assists in getting them home. As a consequence for her deception regarding the party, Liz and Larry compel Sam to join the Praise Team, a situation she is far from thrilled about.

As time progresses, Sam begins to uplift the church choir, transforming them into a stronger group that even earns a spot in the regionals, particularly following the shocking departure of Melissa. In a moment of creativity, Sam empowers Jess to take over the drums during their performance, leading them into an enthusiastic display of improvisation and flair.

Amidst the growth, Sam fosters a connection with Ty, exploring songwriting together for an upcoming single. However, she finds herself in a complicated mess when she uses one of his songs without first asking for permission. The coming competition adds tension when Ty unexpectedly shows up, leading to their team’s last-minute switch to his song during their performance—a choice that doesn’t land them in the top three.

Following the fallout from the song incident, Jess confronts Sam with fierce honesty, leading to an emotional rift as Sam declares she no longer sees Jess as her sister-cousin. The night finds Sam drifting into a cocktail bar owned by Natalie, where she seeks advice on her current troubles and learns to appreciate what she has.

Upon returning home, Sam offers heartfelt apologies to Jess and attempts to mend her relationship with Ty the following morning, but he is not ready to engage. Adding to the plot twist, The Oil Factory secures an unexpected spot in the nationals after another team bows out due to scandalous circumstances.

In a climactic finale, Sam’s father Darius arrives just in time to witness The Oil Factory’s triumphant victory at the National Finals, leaving everyone, including the host and the lead singer of Champion Life, astonished. The story reaches a satisfying conclusion as Ty is present, giving Sam an opportunity to apologize genuinely, along with hints of potential future collaborations, reminding everyone of the unpredictable journey of passion and perseverance in the world of music.