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Meet CJ Nickolas, the American Taekwondo Contender Who Is Fighting for Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics – Essence

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The United States is eyeing a return to the sport of taekwondo after failing to send a single male athlete to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Now, America is back, with CJ Nickolas set on not only competing, but additionally winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

And Nickolas got that from his mom, who he began training with when he was three. “She would take classes and she was better than me and that was it, until two years ago — I had to stop her,” Nickolas said Youth fashion“She was fighting with 18-12 months-old girls, and she or he’s 63. She got here home with bruises and stuff. I said, ‘Baby, you should calm down.’

“My mother was smart. She looked up combat sports for her child and found martial arts that are in the Olympics, where you can build a career” Santa Claus she stated. “And she found this random taekwondo school and signed me up.”

Compared to athletes who recently qualified in gymnastics and athletics, Santa Claus He’s been sitting on his messages for the last six months. But he says, “I’m really happy that everyone else is happy for me, my family, seeing how excited they are that I’m going and all the hard work that my mom put in for me and everyone that put into me, they’re just so happy for me and I’m happy that I can make them happy.”

“It was six black women and me. They raised me, and having that in my home and then being able to go to taekwondo and see the other side gave me a great sense of self-worth,” she says. Santa Claus.

With the support of his family, it’s the culmination of 20 years of labor. Last 12 months, he made headlines by becoming the first American athlete since 2009 to win a medal at the world championships. The 23-12 months-old is now the highest-ranked American Taekwondo athlete and is “the second-ranked athlete in the world in the 176-pound weight class. Additionally, Nickolas is the only American in the top 20 in taekwondo.”

“He’s one of my favourites to win gold in the welterweight division, which is my old division,” said Lutalo Muhammad, a two-time British heavyweight champion. Olympic medalist. “America is back. They have a great team, they have a great coach… they have young, hungry athletes.”

The sport officially debuted at the Olympic Games in 2000. From August 7-10, 2024, viewers will give you the chance to follow Nickolas’s competition at the Grand Palais in Paris Taekwondo competitions at the Olympic Games.

However, there are recent rules this 12 months. Instead of cumulative points, matches can be decided by whoever wins a best-of-five match, so competitors will now have to “win two out of three rounds to win the match.” According to Associated Press Press Agency, “These changes were made to increase the number of activities and minimize wait-and-see strategies.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Celebrity Coverage

Shaboozey on her YSL – Essence fragrance partnership

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Courtesy of YSL

Masculinity just got a brand new scent – and that is what it smells like Shaboozey. Starring Lil Nas XPeso Pluma, Vinnie Hacker and The Kid LAROI in the newest Yves Saint Laurent fragrance project “Bar song (tipsy)” artist is the newest to define the meaning of “modern masculine” beauty.

“The collaboration with YSL Beauty is truly exciting because the company has always been at the forefront of culture, redefining what it means to be bold and timeless,” Shaboozey tells ESSENCE. The musician’s true self-expression, showcased within the brand’s digital design “Born MYSLF, No Matter What”, represents the message behind their latest men’s fragrance MYSLF Perfume.

“I liked how we explored the concept that being strong doesn’t have to mean fitting into a box,” he says, topping off the country music genre with bleached-tipped wicks. “It’s about owning who you are, being real, and YSL Beauty gave me the space to show that.”

Known for his 18-week #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (one week away from breaking Lil Nas the important thing to Shaboozey’s success is easy: balance.

From gym workouts to meditation sessions and knowing when to walk away, “for me, self-care was about finding balance,” she says, which is a chord that also strikes in the brand new fragrance. Vanilla bourbon in a YSL bottle, the extreme masculine aroma hits each floral and oud notes, providing sensuality and strength in equal measure. “She has that presence and stays with you, which is exactly what I need when I’m on the move.”

The global men’s grooming market is anticipated to be price $115 billion by 2028 (up 77 percent year-on-year) the boys’s cosmetics boom represents a obligatory shift not only from two-in-one shampoos and overpowering fragrances, but in addition within the definition of masculinity as an entire. According to Shaboozey, YSL’s latest fragrance is ahead of the curve. “YSL Beauty has a track record of pushing boundaries while staying classic, and that’s a vibe I’ve always admired.”


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Kelis published her first children’s book, “The Seven Wonders of Africa”, inspired by her travels

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Kelis is a lady of many talents, and her latest featured work is as a children’s book writer. The singer announced on Instagram that she has written a brand new book titled, which follows the adventures of foremost character Abel Sabbath Brown across the continent. The singer also announced in the identical breath that she had began a brand new company.

“I’m so happy to finally show you something I’ve been working on. I WROTE MY FIRST CHILDREN’S BOOK!!! I started a company called MAKE IT BROWN,” she wrote within the caption on Instagram under a video during which she discusses the brand new book.

“We only aim to offer characters and stories about places and adventures that our youngsters can see themselves in. It’s all about love and representation. The inspiration to write down this story was my trip to Africa this yr,” she continued within the caption.

Over the past yr, Kelis has been giving us the travel content we didn’t know we wanted, documenting her travels across Africa. Artist Milkshake has traveled to places similar to Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar and Rwanda, immersing herself in local communities and agriculture.

The 45-year-old artist further wrote: “I traveled with my family and we were so grateful to see all the sweetness this continent has to supply. From the people to the bottom, it was just amazing. And I desired to share this with all of you and your families. I actually love us, so from the underside of my heart to you! Welcome into your heart THE SEVEN WONDERS OF AFRICA AND THE SABBATH BROWN. ❤️ #book #kids #To read #children’s book #Africa #eastafrica #to learn

The latest writer also announced in a separate post that the children’s book is now available on her website in paper, digital and audio versions.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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EXCLUSIVE: Bilal’s unfiltered genius comes to life live at Glasshaus – Essence

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Grammy Award-winning singer Bilal doesn’t need an enormous arena to dominate the room – only a studio in Brooklyn, 100 devoted fans and collaborators who understand the soul of music. On a December night in 2023, energy at Glasshouse was electrifying, with stars like Questlove, Common and Robert Glasper gathered close together, exchanging riffs and jokes as if the audience wasn’t even there. Now this magic has been closed and awaits its premiere on November 20, 2024 on Glasshaus’ YouTube channel.

Bilal isn’t only a concert film – it’s a mirrored image of his journey as some of the progressive and underrated musical talents. Directed by Glasshaus founder Jarrett Wetherell, the 65-minute documentary takes us on a rare, intimate performance. Alongside such influential collaborators as Questlove, Common and Robert Glasper, Bilal delivers performances which might be raw and electrifying, filled with the vulnerability and soul that make him an artist artist. The film captures not only the music, but additionally the unspoken bond between these legends and highlights Bilal’s position as some of the influential voices of our generation.

“This film is a love letter to one of the greatest singers of our time,” Wetherell reflects. “Bilal conveys a sense of vulnerability during his performances and interviews, which is rare among artists today. It is an intimate way that puts you in the studio with five legends, immersed in their music and the moment.”

it is a masterclass in creativity, captured in real time. Questlove turns a six-minute anecdote concerning the making of “Sometimes” into an unforgettable lesson in musical storytelling, while Common blurs the road between audience and performer, breaking into out-of-the-box freestyles and revisiting timeless verses from “Reminisce” and “Funkowo for You.”

In essence, the film is a love letter to some of the influential artists of his generation. From his genre-bending debut to underground hits like and , Bilal returns to his catalog with a fresh twist, delivering long-awaited releases just like the business release of “Something to Hold” and “All For Love.” Split-screen cinematography enhances the intimacy, drawing the viewer into every subtle moment – the movement of fingers over the strings, the glances exchanged during improvisation – all highlighting the magic of the music and the deep connection between these legends.

It’s Bilal who finally gets the flowers and each moment seems late. As Questlove put it best: “He’s Beyoncé’s favorite singer.” The film doesn’t just showcase Bilal’s vocals – it shows him as a cornerstone of the Soulquarian movement, whose influence is woven into the material of up to date music.

For fans, the experience goes beyond the screen. The limited edition 2xLP vinyl offers a tangible piece of magic, while the live album, released earlier this yr, is essential for collectors.

Watch the premiere on November 20, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET Glasshaus YouTube channel. Watch the video below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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