From beauty to style, stirring up everything that chic brown girls love!
As you guys may already know, Tracy Reese is one of my all-time favorite fashion designers. I’ve absolutely adored her ornate style and ethnic-inspired designs for several years. If there’s one designer who knows how to create a fabulous frock – it’s Ms. Reese. Check out my chat with the celebrated fashion designer here!
Growing up in the public eye since her teenage years on the hit show, “Sister, Sister,” actress Tia Mowry talks with me about the differences between her and her twin sister, marriage, “The Game,” and her new romantic comedy, “Double Wedding,” premiering Sunday, June 20th at 8pm EST on the Lifetime Movie Network.
Click here for the Q&A!
Grammy-award-winning singer, TV star, former Covergirl and mother — Brandy has already done what would take most people a lifetime to accomplish. And, at 31, the entertainer proves that she’s still ready for business.
Tell me a little about R&B Productions. Will you and your brother Ray J produce other artists?
“Right now we’re just focusing on the Ray J and Brandy movement — as a team. It’s always been our dream to be like the new Donny & Marie, so we’ve been working on developing a sitcom. I’m really trying to get [Ray J] in the studio. We need to do an album together. We’re just waiting for the right time. Timing is everything, so I’m really excited about that because I know it will happen.”
So you’re working on a new TV show?
“Yes, because that’s where we come from. Together on camera is where we’re skilled. The chemistry between Ray and I is so magical, so we have to explore that.”
Speaking of Ray J, you guys are so close. Was there ever any sibling rivalry between the two of you?
“We are very close, almost scary close! [laughs] We don’t have sibling rivalry, but discovering different aspects of our relationships on the show is very interesting. For example, Ray is very business savvy while I’m not. I’m very emotional and very artistic. He is too, but he’s more into ‘I’ve got to make money.’ Sometimes I want him to just be my brother all the time, but he can’t because he’s a businessman.
Click here for the full Q&A to find out why she thinks it’s best for her to be a friend to her daughter and more!
From magazine spreads to red carpet looks, Ted Gibson has styled the hair of some of today’s hottest celebrities, including Gabrielle Union, Angelina Jolie, Zoe Saldana and more.
Ted’s effervescent attitude and knowledge of hair has made him one of the country’s most sought-after stylists. He’s appeared on a number of shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and most recently as the resident hair guru on TLC’s hit series, What Not To Wear. His mantra, “Beauty is Individual,” is a testament to celebrating every woman’s uniqueness.
Click here for our Q&A!
What’s styles are you wearing this summer?
Having a successful rap career isn’t the only thing Common has in common with Will Smith, Ice Cube, and Queen Latifah. He shares the love of acting with each of these rappers-turned-actors.
In his first leading role as down-to-earth basketball star Scott McKnight in the new romantic comedy Just Wright, Common is showing Hollywood that he has more to offer than just music. I recently had the chance to catch up with him to dish about his new role and why you won’t hear him playing the piano anytime soon.
For the rest of my interview click here.
Photo by Fadil Berisha
Before Chanel Iman, Tyra or Naomi ever thought about walking down the fashion runways, there was Beverly Johnson – one of the original “supermodels.” Paving the way for countless African-American models, Beverly has strutted her stuff on hundreds of runways and graced a myriad of magazine covers. Not only has this true beauty modeled, she is also an actress and author. But for all of you hair and beauty buffs, Beverly is a businesswoman who owns a line of wigs and most recently a restorative/conditioning and styling product line called, Beverly Johnson Hair Care.
Available at Target, Beverly Johnson Hair Care, has the perfect products to help protect heat and chemically treated hair. I’ve been using several of the products for a few weeks now and have been thoroughly pleased with the results and I’m sure you will be too!
Check out our Q&A:
BGG: What inspired you to start your wig/hair business?
Beverly Johnson: In 1996, I discovered a wig and hair extension company that was on the verge of bankruptcy. I was presented with the opportunity to partner with the company and against the advice of my business manager, agents and attorneys, I decided to invest in the company. One year later, the company not only was in the black but we were showing record profits. I was grateful that I had found an outlet for my vast beauty expertise and desire to help ethnic women look their optimum.
BGG: What can women expect when they wear your wigs and use your hair products?
BJ: Women can expect to indulge in wigs that truly have been stylized to maximize their specific hair style needs. As for the hair care products, they have been specifically designed for ethnic hair needs.
BGG: What’s your favorite product from your new hair care line?
BJ: The Conditioning Pomade–this is a highly effective pomade that smooths edges with optimum results. I think it’s the best pomade ever formulated in the history of hair care!
BGG: Do you remember your reaction when you first saw yourself on the cover of a magazine? Did you go out and buy a ton of copies?
BJ: I was on location on an island when my first Glamour magazine cover hit the newsstands. The editor brought the issue with her and showed it to me. When I first saw it, I thought is that really me? I was excited beyond belief. Upon arriving back home, I saw the row of magazine covers in the airport newsstand; it was awesome.
BGG: Why do you think there’s been a regression of women of color being represented on today’s runways?
BJ: Fashion is cyclical. If you notice all things in fashion have cycles. During the seventies, there was an enormous surge of black models on the runways. Then it lessened. Then the nineties saw another resurgence. Now we are in a holding pattern. It’s heartbreaking to see so many stunning black models being under used. As usual, the solution is about having our own outlets to provide employment.
BGG: If you could give only three words describing what it takes for a young woman to have a successful modeling career, what would they be?
BJ: Stunning beauty, tremendous drive and fortuitious LUCK.
BGG: You are not only a phenomenal supermodel, author and actress, but an outstanding business woman too. What do you think you has been the key to your success?
BJ: Nothing comes easy for me. But I do notice that I have tremendous perserverance. I simply keep going and ride each wave of reinvention with dignity, grace and humor!
**One lucky reader will win the entire Beverly Johnson Hair Care line, which includes an Extra Strength Serum, Anti-Breakage Serum, Light Polishing Shine Spray, Strengthening and Smoothing Treatment 2 Vial Pillow Pack, Combing Spray, Relaxing Mousse, and Conditioning Pomade. Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.
Earlier this year I asked if you guys would like to read about fabulous women doing great things in a new column called, Brown Girl of the Week, and you all responded with a resounding “YES.” For the first installment, I had the pleasure of catching up with Trisha R. Thomas, a celebrated writer who has authored over 10 books and is most known for her popular best-selling “Nappily” series.
In bookstores May 25th!
Check out our Q&A:
BGG: What can your fans of the “Nappily” expect from your new book, “Un-Nappily In Love”?
Trisha: Venus and Jake are together. That’s the first and most important thing. I get that question more than any, will Jake and Venus stay together? Now more than ever it’s crunch time. Jake is a celebrity from his rap background and in “Un-Nappily In Love” he’s living his dream as an actor. He stars in a movie with the new ‘It Girl’ Sirena Lassiter, who also happens to share a past with Jake that will come to light. I’m hoping fans of the series will love this ending more than all the others.
BGG: Congratulations on your first novel, “Nappily Ever After,” being adapted into a Universal Pictures movie starring Halle Berry! Did you ever think that any of your books would be brought to the big screen?
Trisha: I never envisioned my book being made into a film. All I wanted was someone to read it and get what I was saying, someone to co-sign and say, ‘yeah, that’s the truth ain’t it.’ But to hear a resounding, “hell yeah, that’s the truth!”made me smile, and cry at the same time.
BGG: At what age did you know that you wanted to become a professional writer?
Trisha: Probably at age six or seven. When I could read, I knew I wanted to write.
BGG: What do you do to get back on track when you have a case of Writer’s Block?
Trisha: I love this question. I’m not afraid of Writer’s Block. I believe in its power to make you a better writer. My philosophy is this: When you hit the brick wall and you can’t go around it, or over it, you need to back it up so you can see it from a distance. The brick wall means, you’ve gone as far as you can go and it’s not leading in the right direction. Put the story in reverse, make a U-turn and go to the place that made you smile, made you confident. Start over right at that point. Writing requires more re-writing than most people realize. There’s nothing wrong with starting from a fresh perspective.
BGG: Do you create your characters based on a mix of people who you know personally or are they based solely from your imagination?
Trisha: The characters from Nappily Ever After were very close to my mind and heart. I penned it with my past and a dash of imagination. Now I write completely from imagination with a dash of my past.
BGG: What’s your favorite book? Why?
Trisha: My all time favorite book for the longest was “A Ship Made Of Paper,” by Scott Spencer. I must’ve read it three or four times. I love the way he writes putting you right in the story. Contemporary writers have a bad reputation as being too aloof with feelings, descriptions, and overall presumption. And it’s true. Most contemporary writers expect you to know what the street, buildings, sky, everything should look like. A lot of fill-in-the-blank-here. But what if your book actually made it to 2050? Wouldn’t you want someone to know what it felt like in 2000, 2010, 2020? It’s important to capture the depth of your time period whether it’s now or written for a story in the 1800’s.
BGG: What advice would you give to an unpublished author who is struggling to get a book deal with one of the popular publishing houses?
Trisha: I’d say, focus on the writing first and the publishing later. Get a full story written which is about 75,000 words. Have it read by as many people who you can find, and get their feedback. If there’s a consistent theme or question unanswered, rewrite and answer those questions. When all that is done, you’re ready to start submitting to agents and publishers. You can also go to press independently. Being with a big publishing house doesn’t create a bestseller. I know many authors who had great success as self-published writers and then signed with large publishers, only to be disappointed with dismal results. i think a good story will sell regardless of who’s doing the publishing. I love a good story with characters who you can root for. Write and be that character who succeeds in the end. Nothing can stop you when you have that attitude of finishing the race no matter what.
Have you read any of Trisha’s books? If you’ve read her debut novel, “Nappily Ever After”, are you looking forward to seeing the movie adaptation? Be sure to check out BGG in the coming weeks for your chance to win a copy of her latest book, “Un-Nappily in Love.“
Carla Hall may not have won season five of Bravo’s Top Chef, but she’s been winning ever since. In fact, the effervescent Nashville native’s star has … Read This Post
Last week, I told you about the MasterChef Junior Live! Tour my family and I planned to attend. Well, it took place yesterday and it was awesome. Held … Read This Post
My daughter, Ava, has been allergic to eggs all her life. I remember the first time she tasted scrambled eggs — I was so excited to feed her something … Read This Post
When it comes to west coast destinations, San Francisco tops the list of must-see cities. The bustling metropolis is 400 miles north of warm and sunny … Read This Post
