Ciara Says Abstaining From Sex Before Marriage To Russell Wilson "Took A Lot Of Prayer"
"Thank God I never settled, this view is so much better." Was it me or was Ciaratruly preaching a word in "Level Up"? In a relationship, what seems to hurt so bad always feels so good. But there comes a time when a woman realizes that pain does not equal love. So often are we pressured by our friends and family to find a good partner and "settle down," but that advice hits a lil' different when you're a woman who has no desire to settle.
Ciara echoed this sentiment in her latest interview with InStyle when "The Greatest Love" singer opened up about her relationship with her hubby, Russell Wilson. After a tumultuous, public breakup with rapper/ex-fiance Future, Ciara had to rely on her faith to move past the breakup and ultimately discover her destiny. She explained:
"If you want to get somewhere in life, you've got to have a compass. You've got to know where you really want to get to. And my heart, soul, spirit, and mind just desired to be loved. To be truly loved the right way."
Someone told me once that you have to teach people how to love you, and I felt that in my spirit. The thing is, when you don't know how to love you, where do you start? Ciara said that her path began with the realization that she was accepting less than she deserves. The 33-year-old singer continued:
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Victoria and Albert Museum
"I knew I didn't want to cry tears of hurt anymore. I didn't want to keep going around in circles."
Many believe that strength means having the courage to fight, but truly spiritually mature people understand that letting go can sometimes be the strongest thing you can do. Walking away knowing that what God has for you won't pass you by is your ultimate superpower.
"I truly believe that no one can close the door that God has opened for you."
And in Ciara's case, that door led to a fine Sagittarius man that would soon sweep her off her feet and become the father of her now two-year-old daughter, Sienna. Russell and Ciara met by way of mutual friends, and the news broke of their potential relationship in 2015. The singer explained that when they met, there was a moment of serendipity between them, and the rest was history:
"We both knew. We both had that light-bulb moment."
The couple announced their engagement in March of 2016 and were married shortly after in July. Although Ciara and Russell had agreed to remain abstinent before marriage, Ciara explained that making it through "the wait" was nothing short of a miracle. She revealed:
"That took a lot of prayer. It was hard. I can't lie."
Nevertheless, the couple resisted their temptation and made it to the finish line. Since their daughter's birth in 2017, the Russells' have built a life for themselves that they can truly be proud of, but it didn't come without patience. From fixing her dress on the red carpet to being her rock through hard times, Ciara says that the man of her dreams was well worth the wait.
"He's my sounding board for pretty much everything I do in my life. He doesn't want to see me fail. He's got my back. That's an awesome feeling."
Ciara and Russell prove that the wait really can be sexy, so never let impatience be the reason you settle for less than you deserve.
Read the full interview here.
Featured image by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Victoria and Albert Museum
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage