A Diva’s Christmas Carol 2000

Marli's Ghost Visits Ebony in New York

During Ebony Scrooge's charity concert in New York, the ghost of her former singing partner Marli Jacob appears. She accuses Ebony of abandoning Marli during her drug struggles and warns that Ebony could pay for exploiting Marli's death to pedestal her solo career. Marli also tells Ebony she will be visited by three spirits to turn her life around.

The Ghost of Christmas Past Reveals Ebony's Childhood Wounds

The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Ebony her abusive, alcoholic father and the years she and Ronnie were placed in foster care. Ebony learns that her guarded heart grew from these wounds, and Ronnie was the one constant who tried to keep the family hopeful. She sees how she refused to forgive her father, and Ronnie eventually dies after starting a family with Olivia.

Desire Era and the Costly Betrayal of Terry

The Ghost guides Ebony back to the Desire era, showing how her cold leadership and Marli's drug problems contributed to the band's dissolution and strained friendships. Ebony is confronted with Terry Freeman, a once-close friend who is now a Meals on Wheels client after Ebony abandoned her and fought over the Desire name in court. The vision underscores how Ebony’s ambition damaged people she cared about.

Present's Backstage Chaos

The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Ebony overworking her back-up crew and driving them to the edge, revealing how much they secretly resent her. It also reveals Bob's struggle with his sick son Tim and the strain on his family, and exposes Ernie Hoskins’ embezzlement from Ebony's accounts. The spirit even takes Ebony to meet the homeless people the concert is supposed to help, illustrating their warmth despite poverty.

Olivia and the Warning

The Present spirit leads Ebony to her estranged niece Olivia, who tells her that she still loves her aunt. Ebony begins to feel regret for neglecting Olivia and realizes she is the only living relative she has left. The spirit warns that Ignorance and Greed are two forces that could destroy Ebony if she does not change.

The Future's Behind the Music

The Ghost of Christmas Future presents a bleak Behind the Music-style portrait of Ebony’s life, filled with grievances from former collaborators about the real person behind the superstar. Tina, a former backup singer, speculates that Ebony deliberately caused Marli's death and undermined Terry, further wrecking her reputation. Bob’s confession about missing Tim’s death highlights the personal costs of Ebony's choices.

Morning Resolve

The next morning Ebony awakens with a renewed Christmas spirit and resolves to change. In interviews she pledges to help the homeless and confronts the excesses of her career, including overpriced CDs. She hires Wolfgang Puck to prepare a lavish Christmas dinner and decides to buy up every available ticket so families can attend the show, even if it means bending financial cautions.

Airport Interception and Tim’s Hospital

Before the concert, Ebony rushes to the airport to stop Bob from boarding his plane, insisting his wife Kelly and Tim must come to New York. She then arranges Tim's admission to the best pediatric hospital and personally funds his care, signaling a genuine shift toward family first. She also ensures Kelly is with Bob, showing her commitment to mending broken ties.

Concert Night Charity Triumph

That night the concert becomes a triumph as all proceeds go to charity and Ebony publicly atones for past mistakes. She fires Ernie and has his embezzlement uncovered when his girlfriend is revealed to be an undercover FBI agent. On stage, Ebony and Terry perform Sleigh Ride while Marli watches from above, blessing their reunion.