Category Archives: Oprah Winfrey

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7 Reasons Why Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding Was the Best Royal Wedding Ever!!!

Hello World,

My husband couldn’t understand why yesterday I was nearly as excited as I was the day I got married almost five years ago (Yes, chile, we are almost at our first five-year anniversary!) A Royal Wedding is the like the Super Bowl, the NBA championship and the World Series (am I getting that right? so not a sports aficionado although I pretend to be sometimes) for romantics the world over! What’s better than an everyday wedding with a bride who feels like a princess and a groom who feels like a prince? A wedding with actual royalty!!! Bring on the Kings (with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being my favorite earthly King…more on that later…) Queens, Princes & Princesses. Yes, I know as a Christian, I am a child of the King, but until Jesus returns, earthly monarchies will have to do 🙂 And I will not be made to apologize for my fan girl behavior…so take all of the shade elsewhere…And please indulge me as I make the case why Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding was the Best Royal Wedding Ever!!!

As a little girl, who just completed first grade, I woke up early with my parents and watched the wedding of Prince Charles & Diana on July 29, 1981. I actually do remember some of the details including her blue sapphire engagement ring. As the great lyricist Lil Wayne says, “bling bling.” (I had become familiar with that concept after my father read “Cinderella” to me.) Similarly, I watched Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding on April 29, 2011. I remember before William was born so it was nice to watch him grow up and get married.

But babay, when I learned that a shonuff sista (yes, I know she identifies as biracial and I respect that.) was the love interest of Prince Harry (my favorite of Diana’s boys. Who doesn’t love a red-headed bad boy?) I knew special attention must be paid. And my dues were worth it when they announced they were engaged on  November 27, 2017!  And from then, it was off to the races, galloping until their glorious wedding day May 19, 2018. And it was everything I hoped for and more…So without further ado, let’s go…

Started at the bottom, now I’m here!

1. It was the “Cinderella” story come to life! Complete with the evil stepsister Samantha Markle (the sister who is writing the book “The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister”), Meghan Markle was supposedly not princess material. (I know she is officially the Duchess of Sussex but whatever.) Biracial. Divorced. American. Roman Catholic. Older than Harry. An Actress. A Commoner. All are attributes that were supposed to disqualify her from going to the royal ball like Cinderella, but Harry didn’t care about all of that. She was the one and he knew that pretty quickly from what I’ve read. Ladies, if you love romance novels, “Cinderella” was likely the first one you read and this story showcases the same themes explored in this timeless love story. What others think of you and maybe what you think of yourself to some degree does not disqualify you from the best of what this life has to offer if only would believe.

2. What would Cinderella be without her prince? The Royals are usually austere at least by appearances but Prince Harry was in his feelings yesterday and he let the world into his adoration for bride when he uttered these words when he first saw her, “You look amazing.” Insert sexy lip bite and shy look from Meghan. “I’m so lucky.” My heart just melted. Like the songstress Anita Baker says, “I was caught up in the rapture of love.”

3. The inclusiveness of the wedding. As a black person, I was so proud that black culture was infused into the festivities. I’m pretty sure this is the first royal wedding to include an address given by a black minister. The Most Reverend Michael Curry, the first African American to serve as bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, delivered a word on yesterday. You hear me! Replete with references to slaves in the antebellum South to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., you could not only hear his address, you could feel it. “There’s power in love!” Yeah, his message was a little lengthy, but that’s how the black church rolls. LOL. And did you see that woman? The Church of England’s Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Queen Elizabeth’s chaplain no less? Who knew the Queen got down with blacks like that? And I love a female reverend! And she is Jamaican! Wah Gwaan! And “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King as sung by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir was magical in that moment! A gospel choir at the Royal Wedding?! And did y’all hear them sing”Amen” as the ceremony ended. Let the church say, “Amen.” I cannot forget 19-year-old Sheku Kanneh-Mason and his cello! A prodigy he is…And most of all, a black mama with locs and a nose ring!

4. How Harry Remembered His Mama. If you are in my age group and older, you remember the tragic death of Princess Diana and the heartbreaking funeral featuring two lonely looking boys. I cannot imagine the pain they felt having to face the world (and what a big world they have) without the protection of their mother as they grew up. He was a mere boy of 12 when his mother passed away. But from various accounts, he thinks of her all of the time. And that was evident in the Royal Wedding. Princess Diana’s sister Lady Jane Fellowes gave the reading and all of her siblings were there. Princess Diana’s favorite flower, forget-me-nots, were featured in the bridal bouquet, and Prince Harry reportedly hand-picked flowers from their private garden at Kensington Palace for the wedding. Also, “Guide Me, O Thy Great Redeemer,” a hymn sung at his mother’s funeral, was also sung during the ceremony. Meghan’s engagement ring also includes diamonds from her late mother-in-law. And Meghan is 36 years old, the age of his mother when she passed…Coincidence? Maybe, but maybe not…

5. The Celebs! I’m a pop culture Ph.D. so seeing some of my favorite celebrities in the mix made it all the more festive. New mama Serena, one of the sports wonders of the world, slayed with those gorgeous braids! The ever handsome George Clooney was giving me geriatric goosebumps. The newly married Idris Elba looked at home in his home country. (What the ’90s Gucci Purse was his girl (wife) wearing though? The sweater dress in spring of it all!) Our American Queen, Oprah, was flitting about, seemingly spreading fairy dust, like the fairy godmother that she is. (Cinderella y’all?) There were others that I spotted but these are the ones that I was watching.

6. One of the Mulroney Twins’ reaction when the doors opened to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in England. His face captured how we all felt when Megan Markle was about to become the Duchess of Sussex! His toothless mouth agape with wonder was adorable and appropriate for the grandeur of what was to come…

7. Meghan Markle’s Wedding Reception Dress. I loved the demure quality of her wedding dress. But the dress that she wore to the reception “suits” her best…Not to mention it actually resembles the style of my wedding dress….

And I hope Harry turnt up just like dis at his wedding reception…

 

And there you have it…there’s more I could say, but I’ve given you enough to relive the highlights the royal wedding…So did I prove my case? Do you agree? What are your top 7 reasons?

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gospel Music’s Warryn & Erica Campbell Set to Star in Reality Show “WE’RE THE CAMPBELLS” on TV One! But Should They?

New Series Will Follow the Grammy Award-Winning Power Couple as They Raise Their Family in a Faith-Based Household, While Juggling Multiple Thriving Careers...

 

Hello World,

I don’t know if I agree with this but TV One has announced the start of production in Los Angeles for the new original reality show WE’RE THE CAMPBELLS.  The reality show follows gospel music power couple Warryn and Erica Campbell as they balance raising their family, building their own individual empires, growing their flourishing church ministry and maintaining their strong faith. Married since 2001, WE’RE THE CAMPBELLS will allow viewers to follow Warryn and Erica as they manage their hectic daily work schedules while fostering a healthy marriage and raising three children with the help of their core group of family and friends.

At the center of this close-knit and loving musical family is Erica Campbell – in addition to her busy roles as a wife and mother, she is one half of the award-winning Gospel music super duo Mary Mary, an entrepreneur, co-host of the popular nationally-syndicated Reach Media program Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell and First Lady of a thriving church ministry.  Her equally ambitious husband, award-winning music veteran Warryn Campbell, has produced music for many of today’s most influential artists, is the founder of record label My Block Inc., and Pastor of the fast-growing church ministry, California Worship Center.

WE’RE THE CAMPBELLS will film between the family home city of Los Angeles and Dallas, where Erica divides her time while taping her daily radio program. Slated to premiere in June 2018, the nine episode docu-series will highlight the obstacles many families face while trying to balance careers, maintain a healthy marriage, and raising their three children Krista, Warryn, and Zaya.

WE’RE THE CAMPBELLS is produced for TV One by Entertainment One (eOne).  Executive Producers are Tara Long, Mark Herwick, Kim McCoy, Warryn Campbell and Erica Campbell; Co- Executive Producer is Narvin Russaw. For TV One, Tia Smith is the Executive in charge and Sr. Director of Original Programming & Production; Donyell Kennedy McCollough is Sr. Director of Talent, and D’Angela Proctor is Head of Original Programming and Production.

Below is a trailer for WE’RE THE CAMPBELLS:

So I think they’re an adorable family, and I will watch, but I think reality shows are toxic for marriages long term. I mean, Erica only has to look at what unfolded on her previous reality show Mary Mary with her sister Tina and her husband Teddy. I wrote about that saga in my post “Why Mary Mary May Need To Get Off Reality TV…My Open Letter to Erica & Tina Campbell.” And later, I interviewed Tina Campbell about the show including her husband’s infidelity in “Mitchell Solarek is NOT Tina Campbell’s Manager & More: My Interview With Mary Mary’s Tina Campbell.” The couple has made the mess their message in their web series “10 Minutes with Teddy & Tina,” but look (and you really could look) at all they went through!

And it’s not like the other Campbells haven’t experienced infidelity too. On that show Black Love on OWN, Warryn Campbell revealed that he cheated on Erica with another woman and got the woman pregnant! See the revelation below:

I had never heard that before but it’s likely we, the viewing public, will learn even more about their marriage AND their children. Like I said, I will watch but I hope this show is only on for a short period not six seasons like Erica & Tina Campbell’s reality show Mary Mary. And remember when the show started, they were a solid duo and now when they perform together it’s a reunion for a special reason…

So will you watch Warryn & Erica Campbell’s reality show WE’RE THE CAMPBELLS on TV One?

Any thoughts?

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Patti LaBelle Cast on Season 3 of OWN’s ‘Greenleaf!’

Hello World,

Ms. Patti On-My-Own, Why-Did-It-End-This-Way (Sung in My James Wright Chanel Voice), Mrs. Adele Wayne from “A Different World and Kick Off Her Shoes Off in a Concert Labelle is joining the cast of OWN’s “Greenleaf” Season 3 which kicks off this summer!!! Ms. Patti been cast in the recurring role of “Maxine Patterson,” a famous Christian motivational speaker and the CEO of a global Christian self-help empire. An old friend of Mae’s from college days, Maxine will be Lady Mae’s sounding board and greatest ally as Mae attempts to consolidate her power at Calvary.

Remember this hairstyle?

Officially, Ms. Patti , who is represented by WME Entertainment and WPR, is known and revered for belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility. However, she has also written six books, Don’t Block the Blessings, LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, Patti’s Pearls, Patti LaBelle’s Lite Cuisine, Recipes for the Good Life and her most recent, Desserts LaBelle. Several years ago, she introduced Patti’s Good Life, a successful product line that includes a variety of sauces, sweet potato pie, cobblers and cakes. She stars in her own highly rated cooking show, Patti LaBelle’s Place, which premiered its second season on the Cooking Channel in 2017. Additionally, Patti released her first jazz album, Bel Hommage, and a holiday album, Patti LaBelle and Friends – Home for the Holidays, in 2017.

World renowned for her dynamic career as an entertainer and entrepreneurial success, Ms. Patti’s work as a humanitarian is just as legendary. She remains an advocate for adoption, diabetes, cancer, HIV / AIDS and many other causes and non-profit initiatives. While she has reached the heights of success throughout her 50-plus year career, Ms. Patti has also endured and survived personal strife. Within a ten-year period, she lost her mother, three sisters and best friend to diabetes and cancer. In 1994, she was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly thereafter became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.

The same motivation that had Patricia Louise Holte blossom from a choir member to lead vocalist for Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles and later Labelle, to a solo artist is the same energy that keeps her fire burning at seventy-three years young. “Each year I grow, and that’s a blessing from God. I do what I can do. I do what I feel God has given me the energy to do, so I just go out there and I do it…It’s not about making money because I don’t need money, but I need to sing. With a voice or without, I’ve got to get on that stage.” And the world is thankful that Ms. Patti’s voice sounds so good to our ears.

I’m so here for Season 3 of OWN’s “Greenleaf!” Will you be watching Season 3 OWN’s “Greenleaf” when it returns this summer? For those of you who read my OWN “Greenleaf” recaps, would you like for me to interview Ms. Patti?

Any thoughts?

P.S. Why does Ms. Patti look as young as the now grown college students from “A Different World?”