Celebrity Coverage
‘In Her Words’: Megan Thee Stallion Sets a Record – Essence
Photo credit: Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images
Amidst the headlines and rumors, Megan Thee Stallion is able to share her side of the story. The recent documentary, premiering October 31 on Prime Video, offers fans an unfiltered have a look at the girl behind the enduring character. Known for her daring and fierce presence within the music industry, she now invites audiences to see her life through a more sensitive lens.
Directed by Nneka Onuorah, the documentary delves into Megan’s journey, stuffed with intense highs and equally significant lows. From her meteoric rise in 2019 with “Big Ole Freak” to private tragedy and public criticism, this chronicles her determination to beat challenges and take control of her own narrative.
“I was really tired of people telling my story for me and giving my life their own voice and I wasn’t doing it,” Megan tells ESSENCE. “So I just wanted to give people a real-time insight into what I’m really going through.” This feeling sets the tone for the documentary, where Megan sees a likelihood to tear down the facade created by others and reveal her true self.
Onuorah, who has previously directed projects corresponding to , brings a real approach to the film, allowing viewers to follow Megan through her real-life experiences without the filter of staged interviews. “It’s not a group of people sitting in a chair and talking about it,” he explains. “I did it on purpose because I want to show the process of finding power within yourself.” The documentary highlights not only famous moments within the Texas rapper’s profession, but in addition moments of introspection and resilience that shaped her into the girl and musician she is today.
The documentary follows Houston’s Megan’s rise to international recognition and the challenges she faced along the way in which. After releasing the now iconic “Hot Girl Summer,” Megan continued to rise, eventually winning a GRAMMY for her remix of “Savage” with Beyoncé. However, her public success was overshadowed by profound personal losses, including the deaths of her mother and great-grandmother. “I definitely got emotional when I remembered how sad I was at the time,” Megan said, “but it made me happy to know that I made it through that phase and now I’m here.” This perseverance, reflected in her triumphs and trials, forms the backbone of the narrative.
Recognizing Megan’s passion for anime, Onuorah creatively integrated animation to symbolize Megan’s internal struggles, providing a visual representation of her psychological battles. “Everything that was internal to Megan’s story, I told it through anime,” Onuorah says. “not just because he loves anime, but because I felt like we could really sense what was going on in the subconscious.”
In addition to chronicling Meg’s success, the documentary also addresses the extraordinary public scrutiny she faced, particularly following the 2020 shooting incident with rapper Tory Lanez. For Onuorah, her character’s journey represents the broader struggle of girls, especially black women, to have their voices recognized. “The feminist in me wanted to give Megan a safe space to be,” she notes. “In this misogynistic world, women’s voices are often silenced and I feel my goal is to amplify women’s voices.”
Megan also hopes viewers will see her story as a call to empathy and humanity. “I hope people learn to be more kind. “I hope people just learn to treat other people better,” she said, expressing her wish that the documentary would challenge viewers to look beyond her public image and acknowledge her humanity. is a testament to the TSU graduate’s unique journey, a chronicle of triumphs and challenges that reveal her strength and authenticity. It’s a story not only about fame, but in addition about resilience, showing that, as Megan says, “I’m human. Stop talking to me like I’m not.
As audiences prepare for this long-awaited release, Onuorah’s vision carries a critical message. “I hope people take away from this documentary the belief that they should speak up when they feel silenced and that there is power within them,” she says. “And Megan is a perfect example of that.”
Celebrity Coverage
Sabrina Elba’s CFDA award-winning look was delivered with autumn glow – essence
Courtesy of Sabrina Elba for ESSENCE
Last night, Sabrina Elba attended the 2024 CFDA Awards in New York City to have fun fashion’s biggest event designers of the yr. Her halter knit dress – designed by the one Black CFDA nominee and recipient of the American Womenswear Designer title, Rachel Scott Diotima– he complimented her gold jewelry and timeless, autumn look.
“Awards season typically falls in the cooler months, so there are a lot of beautiful fall colors on the carpet,” Elba tells ESSENCE about her maple, monochromatic shades. “It’s also the season for change, and people tend to change their hairstyle or do something fresh and go for elegance.”
Combined with a brown, highlighted cut, model S’ABLE Laboratories Preparation of the founder skin began 24 hours before the event. “I always use Qasil exfoliating mask the day before,” Elba says of her A-beauty product that offers her a moonlit glow. “This will give me a really good exfoliation and make me look really bright and glowing the next day.”
Then he uses it Rooibos micellar fluid as a base for the remaining of your skincare routine. Antiseptic Tonic with black seedsproof against discoloration Moisturizing baobaband botox without toxins Okra Face Serum Follow the makeup application preparation steps. To complement her skin-first routine, a makeup artist Vanessa Eckels He got here in with Hourglass Veil moisturizing skin tone then he touched it Vanish concealer for airbrush.
Eckels barely set her complexion Vanish Airbrush pressed powder within the shade Tan and a soft, radiant and golden bronzer and blush from Ambient Lighting Palette Volume II. The shades paired well with a matte brown cat eye and a neutral pink lip for a fall look. Final result? A melange of pale yellows, coffee browns and soft gray eye shadows.
To complete the look, she used the smaller side Veil powder brush with reliable technology. “I pressed and rolled the brush into the center of my face fix makeup for a super smooth finish that is a must for special events,” says Eckels. As this yr’s awards season involves an end, Sabrina Elba’s beauty moment is a telling sign of holiday beauty to come back — and tones value adding to our wishlists.
Celebrity Coverage
From “I’m sorry to this man” to “I’m sorry about the money”: Here’s a look at the business of being Keke “Keep Your Job” Palmer – Essence
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JULY 07: Keke Palmer attends Coca-Cola®’s ESSENCE 2024 Cultural Festival at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 7, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
In a time when “quiet quitting” has gone viral and the great churn has forced everyone to rethink their relationship with work, Keke Palmer selected violence – against the grain of traditional profession manuals, that’s. The powerful multi-connector machine secured greater than only one bag; she created a complete collection of luxury handbags, metaphorically speaking.
When Black Twitter (X) jokingly called her “Keke “Keep Your Job” Palmer,” little did they realize they were witnessing a masterclass in modern wealth constructing. While many of us were wondering whether to start this side hustle, Palmer was quietly turning her side hustle into full-fledged businesses, constructing an empire spanning entertainment, beauty, wellness and digital media.
What’s much more impressive? She achieved all this while remaining true to her brand of authenticity and humor. There isn’t any corporate rigidity here – just strategic moves from the boss wrapped in viral moments and authentic relationships with the audience. And in 2024, with many successful ventures under his belt, including: a reported net price of greater than $7.5 million (give or take a few dollars according to Palmer) that continues to grow, Palmer shows us that the real flexibility isn’t in maintaining jobs – but in creating them.
Turn your moments into movements.
Remember when Palmer made us cry together with her “I’m sorry to that man” moment? The viral clip could have just been one other funny web moment, but Keke said, “Hold my business plan.” It has transformed the dynamics of social media into KeyTVputting $500,000 of his own money in launching a digital network based in Los Angeles. This wasn’t one other celebrity vanity project – it was a calculated investment in the future of entertainment. The network launched immediately with nine original series, all developed, shot and produced by what Palmer calls “a new generation of creators.” It’s not only about constructing your individual platform; it’s about creating a channel for fresh talent to enter the industry.
For those of us who take notes, this movement screams “pay attention to your viral moments.” That work presentation everyone was talking about? Document it. That unique approach to problem solving you took last week? Write it down. Your social media is not only for sharing brunch photos – it’s a testing ground for future business ideas. Start treating your on a regular basis experiences as market research. Publish a newsletter with insights about your industry, even for those who start with just ten subscribers. Real talk: Keke didn’t wait for her hundreds of thousands of followers to start constructing – she turned every moment into a dynamic.
Building an empire, one power move at a time.
Palmer plays chess while others play checkers as of 2021, when she won the award groundbreaking development agreement with eOne. This shift in power has given her the ability to create each scripted and unscripted content, showing that she understands the long game – constructing infrastructure before you would like it.
In between executive producing recent shows and constructing its online presence, Palmer’s also leveraged its hosting talents to create Emmy Award-winning performance on the NBC series “Password.” Each move is not only about adding one other title – it’s about creating ownership opportunities and constructing long-term wealth drivers.
And for those who think motherhood will slow her down in 2023, reassess. Her upcoming book “Master of Me: The Memoir”, which will likely be released in November, isn’t only a sequel to her 2017 bestseller “I Don’t Belong to You” – it’s one other source of income that shows her business acumen. And in true boss fashion, she’s already secured her next big screen bag, starring alongside SZA in upcoming buddy comedy produced by none apart from industry powerhouse Issa Rae. The project, scheduled to premiere next yr, proves that Palmer is not only considering about her next move – she’s planning several steps ahead.
Own your table, don’t just sit at it.
The genius of Palmer’s strategy is not only about being in every single place – it’s about having power wherever you’re. That Emmy for hosting “Password”? It’s not only one other trophy accolade; it’s leverage for her next negotiations. Her production deals aren’t just about content creation; they’re about constructing lasting assets in the entertainment industry.
It’s time to audit your moves: are you only collecting paychecks or constructing equity? Start in search of opportunities for ownership in the whole lot you do. Negotiate partial ownership in your next big project. Create digital products that you may sell many times. Create systems that generate income whilst you sleep. Remember: employment is income, but property is wealth.
From star power to the C-Suite.
An actual power move? Palmer doesn’t just land positions – she runs for leadership positions. As Creme of Nature’s first-ever brand director, she doesn’t just turn into the face of the legacy hair care brand. It helps change the entire future. This is not your typical celebrity deal; is a strategic position where Palmer influences the whole lot from product innovation to marketing strategy, packaging decisions and social media campaigns.
This move shows exactly how to advance from brand ambassador to brand director. Instead of simply selling a product, it helps you choose what goes into it. Instead of simply appearing in campaigns, it shapes their message. By specializing in connecting with a younger generation of consumers, Palmer proves that understanding your audience isn’t just a matter of marketing – it is usually about creating products that really serve their needs.
The most significant thing.
Remember when Palmer began? Making $20,000 for the episode “True Jackson, Vice President” might need appeared like the pinnacle for some child stars. But the little girl looked at the Disney Channel check and said, “This is just the beginning.” Now he’s got his hands in the whole lot from digital networks to vegan food firms, proving that a boss’s real moves occur whenever you think outside of your current job.
Lesson? Multiple income streams aren’t just about having multiple jobs – they’re about constructing multiple wealth-generating systems. While everyone was focused on being busy and occupied, Palmer was focused on constructing and buying.
So the next time someone tries to make fun of Keke “Keep Your Job” Palmer, remember: Sister doesn’t keep jobs – she creates them. And while they laugh, she seizes every opportunity for ownership, every trend for a business plan, and each moment for movement.
This is what we call the bag secured, multiplied and redistributed. Take notes, queens – class continues.
Celebrity Coverage
Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 CFDA Awards – Essence
Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
Tonight CFDA Awards 2024 celebrated the better of American fashion at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The annual ceremony honored industry leaders comparable to Fashion Icon Award winner Erykah Badu and Rachel Scott of American women’s fashion company Diotima, recognized for his or her influence on the current fashion landscape. But first the night began on the red carpet.
To accept her award, Badu arrived with enhanced eyeliner, enhanced lashes and a crystal-encrusted headpiece. Meanwhile, the evening’s host, Cynthia Erivo, gave her character Elphaba wine-red suggestions and French suggestions for the sorceress.
In old Hollywood style, La La Anthony’s half-baked kiss curls curved between her threaded eyebrows, and the models’ micro cuts Paloma ElsesserAweng Chuol and Richie Shazam set a brand new hair trend.
And while grunge makeup took the type of gray-tie eyeshadow, as seen on model Alva Claire, spring’s colourful eye makeup also had its moments. See: blue eyeshadow on Tyla, graphic eyeliner on Coco Jones and cranberry under eyes on Winnie Harlow.
Below, we’re sharing 24 of the best beauty moments from this 12 months’s CFDA Awards.
Eric Badu
Aweng Chuol
Victoria Monet
La La Antoni
Teyana Taylor
Cynthia Erivo
Richie Shazam
Coco Jones
Silence
Sabrina Elba
Ciara
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
GloRilla
Lucky Blue Smith and Nara Smith
Paloma Elsesser
Alva Claire
Yseult
Dear Lee
Winnie Harlow
Angel Reese
Mona Tougaard
McMichael’s coin
Mickalene Thomas, Soull Ogun, Joey Bada$$ and Dynasty Ogun
Jeremy O. Harris
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