Exclusive: Director Dawn Porter talks Luther: Never Too Much documentary
Hitting theaters today from Giant Pictures is Luther: Never Too Much, the documentary on legendary R&B singer Luther Vandross.
Directed by Dawn Porter, the film premiered at Sundance Film Festival and has since played at numerous festivals including ABFF, Essence Festival, Hot Docs International Film Festival and Nantucket Film Festival.
Vandross began his career as a backup singer for Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler and David Bowie. He released his double-platinum debut album, Never Too Much, in 1981 and has sold 40 million albums worldwide. Most of his albums achieved platinum or double platinum status, and he scored five Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “Here and Now,” “Endless Love” and “Power of Love/Love Power.” He earned 27 Top 10 hits on the R&B chart, including seven at No.1, and earned 33 Grammy nominations.
In 2025, Luther: Never Too Much will premiere on CNN, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Max. The doc arrives nearly 20 years after the eight-time Grammy winner died in 2005 at age 54. He suffered a stroke in 2003.
Directed and executive produced by Dawn Porter, whose credits include The Ladybird Diaries, John Lewis: Good Trouble, The Way I See It, Bobby Kennedy for President and Trapped, Luther: Never Too Much is produced by Trish D Chetty and Ged Doherty for Raindog Films; Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner for Foxxhole Productions; and Leah Smith for Trilogy Films.