Celebrity Coverage
V-Day’s new audio performance, “Voices,” spotlights the stories of Black women
Shannon Finney/Getty Images on V-DAY
It’s unlucky that violence against black women has long been an issue, which is what makes movements like #SayHerName so necessary. This reality inspired the audio game, and Day V creator, V, formerly Eve Ensler, collaborated with Aja Monet, the director and composer of the show Leahann “LaFemmebear” Mitchell and producer Hollis Heath to take listeners on a sonic journey through the stories of Black women that can heal your soul.
Audio playback, which lasts roughly one hour, could be found on all pages streaming platforms, allowing you to access it from home, while traveling or wherever is most convenient for you. I used to be fortunate to listen to this moving work for the first time amongst a supportive community at the Apollo Theater as a non-public debut. Upon entering this space, I immediately felt validated by seeing other black and brown people appreciating the soulful melodies and calming aromas.
Once we were seated, we got headphones and eye masks (which I like to recommend using while listening as well) so everyone might be deeply immersed in the sensory experience and really consider the voices and stories, without distractions. These black women (mentioned in the graphic below) shared so beautifully and vulnerably their experiences with pleasure (or lack thereof), molestation and more, to perfectly chosen tunes.
When you press play, do not be surprised for those who start laughing, crying, or each – sometimes at the same time. Definitely expect to reflect on your personal experiences. Personally, I used to be hooked from the very starting. However, halfway through the fifth track “Untitled”, written by Dalychia Saah and performed by Zonya Love Johnson, during which she felt for the first time that she was experiencing true pleasure, which she poetically in comparison with “flying a plane”, I discovered myself reduced to tears.
Why? While it wasn’t necessarily the most categorically “sad” piece in the play, Johnson’s joy during the performance moved me deeply, but additionally left me with many questions. Did I cry because I rarely hear us black women speak about pleasure in such a positive way? Was it because I, too, had some experiences where I felt like I needed to “fake it”? Have I not given myself permission to deal with my intimate experiences? The list kept growing in my head.
As the show progressed, I wavered between sadness and joy. But I didn’t leave feeling heavy and discouraged. Anyway, when the audio ended, I felt lighter, hopeful, and empowered to make use of my very own. I used to be reminded that when one of us (or on this case, many of us) speak up for ourselves and our rights, we speak up for all of us. Not only because we share similar experiences most of the time, but additionally because in doing so we give one another permission and support to inform our stories in our own way.
Monet – nominated for a Grammy for her poetry album – put it so eloquently once we spoke on the phone. “It’s an invitation to listen and learn about our stories,” she told me. “There is so much more to witness. There is much more to tell. I hope this project will create new opportunities to create more works of art like this.”
And as for the process of creating this revolutionary listening experience, which began to blossom in 2020 after the horrific murder of George Floyd, Monet said the team reached out to Black women of their communities through social media and listening tours. “We asked ourselves, ‘What communities, countries, neighborhoods, etc. are not being listened to?’” The goal was to “listen and uplift,” she said. After all, art has long been a real balm for black women. As Monet put it, “I think it is incredibly healing to live with the sensitivity and expression of another person.”
Celebrity Coverage
A Fall Hairstyle Rihanna Approves: Medium-Length Curls – Essence
Neil Mockford/GC Images
BobsLobs and pixie cuts, like Rihanna’s iconic short black bob, have been among the most beloved hair trends this summer. While these big cuts have been flooding our feeds all season long, this week the Fenty Hair founder introduced mid-length curls just days before fall.
Rihanna didn’t take the front row at London Fashion Week to have a good time the opening of Fenty Hair’s recent home in Selfridges. Her loose waves were parted to the perimeters, with the left half tucked behind her ear, revealing a chandelier-shaped earring. On the opposite side, the waves sat above her breasts — accentuated by custom Jacquemus robe— and rocked manicure butter.
To achieve this look, Fenty Hair Global Hair Stylist Ursula Stephen she washed her hair with shampoo and conditioner before preparing 5 in 1 heat protection type. She then curled the sections with a medium-diameter iron, pinning each section because the curls cooled. After resting, Stephen combed the curls and backcombed the roots for added volume, securing his curls with edge control.
The tycoon matched her hair together with her cherry-coloured makeup, which was highlighted Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix Lipstick in “Blaz’d Donut” and Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palette in “True Neutrals”—turning this look into Rihanna’s first fall trend.
Celebrity Coverage
Best New Music of the Week: GloRilla, Monaleo, Shenseea & More – Essence
Happy Friday, folks. As summer officially involves an end, let’s enjoy its final days with some great music from some of the most talented artists in entertainment.
Today, GloRilla drops “Hollon,” the first single from her highly anticipated debut album. Monaleo and Kaliii team up on recent track “Flush Em,” iconic MC Lyte returns after a decade along with his 1 Of 1 album, and TDE’s ScHoolboy Q drops the video for “THANK GOD 4 ME” with . Our roundup also includes music from Lecrae, Future, Rich Homie Quan, and more.
Check out today’s list of recent releases below.
Celebrity Coverage
Arike Ogunbowale strives for excellence both on and off the pitch – Essence
Arike Ogunbowale during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images
In Yoruba, the name means “a child you cherish, nurture, pamper, and love.” So from the moment she was born, WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale was special—and now the world knows it. In just six seasons, she became the fastest player in league history to achieve 4,000 points and broke the Dallas Wings’ all-time scoring record. For an athlete who has achieved a lot, she still has so much to supply.
Ogunbowale was born in Milwaukee to Nigerian parents and was raised surrounded by sports. Her mother was a former softball player at DePaul University, and her brother Dare played football at the University of Wisconsin before joining the NFL as a running back for the Houston Texans. Growing up, Ogunbowale showed off her athletic skills in multiple sports, contributing to 4 state football championships during her highschool years. However, her passion shifted to basketball, where she rose to fame at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, earning accolades similar to Wisconsin Miss Basketball and being chosen as a McDonald’s All-American.
The point guard’s profession took off when she joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and eventually led the team to a national championship in 2018. Since being drafted by the Wings the following yr, Ogunbowale has earned quite a few accolades, including 4 All-Star selections and two All-Star MVP honors — the latest coming in an exciting game in Phoenix on Feb. 18. “I just love having fun and playing with a lot of super great players — that’s always what I look forward to in the All-Star Game,” she says.
Amid all her successes, the 27-yr-old understands the responsibility she has to influence the next generation. “I was lucky enough to have two amazing parents who always did the best they could for me and more,” Arike says. “I know how hard it is to get out of Milwaukee. So I always think that when I see little kids, I always try to be the best person I can for them.”
“I know I’m a role model,” she continues. “That just comes with being in your shoes, so I definitely embrace that. I want to be the type of person that people look up to. Young boys, young girls, young black kids — it doesn’t matter. I want to be someone they can see themselves in. So I know I’m a role model, and I try to treat myself that way because I know people are looking up to me.”
The past yr has been a memorable one for the popular basketball star on both a private and skilled level. After establishing herself as one in all the most prolific scorers the WNBA has ever seen, the one thing Ogunbowale hasn’t managed to capture during her illustrious profession has been a league title. As an athlete in her prime, a championship is something she will check off her bucket list in the very near future. Off the court, she reached a key milestone by announcing her engagement to Lala Ronay. For some, balancing home and basketball might be difficult, but for Ogunbowale, this latest relationship has been the perfect complement to her life.
“It really makes me happy,” she says of her decision. “My biggest goal has always been to have a family and kids, and now I’m a little closer to that. It definitely brings me a lot of peace and I feel like I’m headed in the right direction.”
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