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MULTIPLE GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS YOLANDA ADAMS AND MICHAEL W. SMITH TO PERFORM ON "THE PASSION"

Inspirational Television Event Airs LIVE From New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20, on FOX

Multiple Grammy- and Gospel Music Association Dove Award-winning musicians Yolanda Adams and Michael W. Smith are set to appear in THE PASSION, the two-hour epic musical event airing LIVE from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Adams will kick off the show with a special live performance and Smith has been tapped for a role as one of Jesus' disciples. Adams and Smith join previously announced host and narrator Tyler Perry, and cast members Jencarlos Canela (Jesus Christ), Chris Daughtry (Judas), Prince Royce (the disciple Peter), Seal (Pontius Pilate) and Trisha Yearwood (Mary, the mother of Jesus).

THE PASSION, written by Peter Barsocchini ("High School Musical"), tells the 2000-year-old story of the last hours of Jesus Christ's life on earth through passages from the Bible and a variety of contemporary popular music, sung by the cast, and arranged specifically for this event by executive producer and hit music producer Adam Anders ("Glee," "Rock of Ages"). Set in modern day, the event will follow the dramatic and inspirational story of Jesus of Nazareth, as he presides over the Last Supper, and then is betrayed by Judas, put on trial by Pontius Pilate, convicted, crucified and resurrected.

The event will unfold live at some of New Orleans' most iconic locations, while featuring a procession of a thousand people carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from outside the Mercedes Benz Superdome to the live stage at Woldenberg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Billboard magazine Gospel Artist of the Last Decade Yolanda Adams is a five-time Grammy Award-winning artist who believes that her music heals, encourages and inspires others to trust more than themselves. She has triumphantly carried the torch for contemporary gospel and inspirational music via 13 glorious albums. Adams has earned numerous accolades for her shining efforts, including the first American Music Award for Contemporary Gospel Artist and four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. Her pioneering blend of modern gospel with R&B - infused with a touch of jazz - continues to inspire her fans and transform the musical landscape. "The Yolanda Adams Morning Show," a program of her creation and ownership (in conjunction with Radio One/Reach Media), can currently be heard on radio stations across the country.

Michael W. Smith is an acclaimed contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 32 No. 1 songs, received 2x RIAA multi-Platinum, six Platinum and 16 Gold certified albums, while earning three Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and 45 Dove Awards. Amassing an in-depth catalog of achievements, Smith was honored at ASCAP's 100th Anniversary for his groundbreaking career and significant influence in music. Smith was appointed by the White House as Vice Chair for the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation and, most recently, was the featured performer at the 2015 USO Gala. In addition to the international impact he has had through multiple global tours, he has written and composed various scored film projects, authored 12 books and acted in assorted motion pictures.

THE PASSION is produced by dick clark productions, Eye2Eye Media and Anders Media. Allen Shapiro (CEO, dick clark productions), Mike Mahan (President, dick clark productions), Mark Bracco (Executive Vice President, Programming and Development, dick clark productions), Jacco Doornbos (CEO and Creative Director of Eye2Eye Media), Adam Anders (CEO, Anders Media Inc.) and David Grifhorst ("The Passion: Netherlands") will serve as executive producers. Robert Deaton ("CMA Awards") also will serve as executive producer and showrunner.

Like THE PASSION on Facebook at facebook.com/FOXTV and facebook.com/ThePassionLive Follow the event on Twitter @FOXTV and @ThePassionLive, and join the discussion using #ThePassionLive. See photos and videos on Instagram @FOXTV/ and @ThePassionLive.

About dick clark productions

dick clark productions (dcp) is the world's largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming, with the "Academy of Country Music Awards," AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS, "American Music Awards," "Billboard Music Awards," "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest," "Golden Globe Awards," "Hollywood Film Awards" and the "Streamy Awards." Weekly television programming includes SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, from 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group and dcp; and WORLD'S FUNNIEST, from Jukin Media and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world's most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries, with more than 55 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

About Eye2Eye Media

Jacco Doornbos is CEO and Creative Director of Eye2Eye Media, a content-driven international television and cross-media company based in The Netherlands. Eye2Eye Media has created and produced award-winning scripted and live television events and series formats since the company's inception in 1998. Its show, "The Passion," is Holland's highest-rated live musical television event annually since 2011 and was awarded the prestigious Dutch TV Statue for best entertainment program in 2014. As creator of "The Passion," Doornbos earned the esteemed J.B.Th Spaan Prize, an award given to one media professional for his or her innovative work every other year. Some of Eye2Eye Media's other live television event successes include the annual National Christmas Celebration in Amsterdam, "Miss Ability" and the "National Bible Quiz." Its most successful scripted series include "In Search of God," "Expedition Unlimited," "Daddy's First Steps" and "McDonald's Kitchen." Eye2Eye Media formats, documentaries and series have been sold to many territories, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Poland and Australia.

About Anders Media Inc.

Anders Media Inc. was founded in 2012 by Adam Anders and Nikki Anders with the sole purpose of developing and producing music-driven content for TV and film. With more Billboard Hot 100 singles chart entries than any producer in history (217), Adam Anders has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and created the music for some of the most successful major motion pictures and television shows in entertainment today. His songs have broken music chart records and his work has earned him four Grammy Award nominations, two People's Choice Awards and an ARIA Award. Anders' music has been heard in movies and television shows, including "Glee," "High School Musical 3," "The Young Victoria," "Cheetah Girls 3," "Evan Almighty," "The Wedding Planner," "Rugrats In Paris," "Camp Rock," "Camp Rock 2," "Hannah Montana" and "Starstruck," among many others. He also holds the distinction of having the most singles charting on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of any producer in history. He served as executive music producer for FOX's hit series, "Glee," as well as the feature film and soundtrack for "Rock Of Ages," a project whose original score is by Anders and Peer Astrom, with all songs produced by Anders and Peer Astrom. Anders has established an unparalleled track record of writing and producing some of the world's most popular songs for both established and developing artists, such as Cee-Lo Green, Tori Kelly, Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Backstreet Boys, Clay Aiken, Sheryl Crow, Steven Curtis Chapman, CeCe Winans, Nick Lachey and Ashley Tisdale, among others. Recently, Anders Media Inc. signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with Capitol Music Group to establish their own Deep Well Records as an associated label of Virgin Records, based out of the iconic Capitol Tower in Hollywood.