
They say heartbreak can be your greatest teacher if you let it, and Apryl Jones most certainly lets it do its thing.
The 38-year-old actor and media personality has kept it cute and rarely on mute about the fact that her very public relationships have also meant she's been through the ringer a few times in love. Through the pain and challenges, the mother of two has clearly done the work, which is why she can look back at her past relationships with reflection rather than reactivity.
The former reality star recently sat down for an interview with Carlos King for his YouTube series Reality With the King, where she talked about personal power, her journey to sobriety, choosing to use her degree between acting jobs, and her most talked-about relationships. Here's what we learned.
What She Said About Taye Diggs...
Since their breakup, a question I see frequently in comment sections when I see Apryl or Taye Diggs pop up on my feed is a variation of "why did y'all break up?" Carlos finally got us some insight by allowing the entertainer the space to "clear the air" about what happened with her and Taye. She revealed to the host about their relationship, "It was great. It was great. While it was great. And we had some good times. We laughed a lot."
She talked briefly about how their funny videos together came about and repeated the sentence, "We had fun." They were together for a little over a year and when asked why they didn't work out, Apryl said, "Why didn't it work out? I will say this about Taye and I. I think that-- I will say this truthfully, we were--we went to therapy because I think we spoke different--we had different communication styles, you know. So we did do therapy, which I think is healthy for all. That's partnership. And so we did. I think we tried. I think we-we tried to understand each other.
"I think sometimes it doesn't always pan out. I think sometimes you cannot--the communication can hit a roadblock. And I think that, that's kind of what happened. I think like I may have felt like I needed certain, you know, that he wasn't and then he and it was like, 'Well, I'm telling you.' And he's like, 'Well, I'm telling you.' And it's like, 'Okay well, can we understand?' And we just couldn't get there. And that's okay."
Apryl concluded things with a story about a semi-recent NYC run-in, sharing that he didn't recognize her initially and she had to walk up to him but that there was laughter, banter, and light and that it was "cute." "I think that sometimes that's how relationships are. Sometimes two people recognize that like it just doesn't go further than where it goes. And who's to say that something later on down the line couldn't revisit itself when folks grow up, right? But yeah, that's kind of what happened with us. But it was fun while it lasted."
What She Said About Omarion...
At the start of the interview, Apryl briefly touched on how she and Omarion initially met. "At the gym," she revealed to Carlos. They shared a trainer at the time who thought it'd be a good look to introduce them to each other since they both did music. Apryl talked of not thinking anything of it and looked at Omarion at the time as "cool people" and nothing more.
After they chopped it up a bit during a gym session, Apryl said moments after leaving, she got a text from Omarion who surprisingly had her number despite her not giving it to him personally. She was new to California and Omarion was intent on being someone she hit up if she ever needed anything. "We kinda connected a little bit of time afterwards. And when we hung out, we just used to dance together and talk about spiritual stuff, and yeah like, we were just friends first. For a while."
She admitted he was her favorite of the B2K members as a child, but that she wasn't starstruck when she met him. She was used to meeting people in the industry so she looked at him like a person and he was "nice" in a way that was real. Apryl even admitted they went on to become roommates before anything romantic between them flourished.
Though they were sometimes intimate, they slept in separate rooms, had "banter," and spent a lot of time together. "I think we just really took our time," she told Carlos. According to Apryl, "within a year and some change," their somewhat situationship evolved into something more.
They went on to welcome two children, Megaa and A'mei, which was partially documented during their time on the reality show Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood together. There's no bitterness when she spoke about why they ended. "Life," she stated simply. "I think that life happened." By the time they got pregnant with their second child, their daughter A'mei, Apryl theorized that Omarion might have just been in "a different space." "And I think when he went to Dubai, he had came home one day off a trip and he was just like, just kinda like need a break. And I was just like, 'Okay.'"
She said he wasn't happy "with certain women in his life" and believed he was "feeling a lot of pressure." "Omari takes care of his family," she said of his responsibilities, "I think, you know, it was at a point where he came home, he was just like, 'I just--this is too much for me.'" The fact that she was pregnant with their second child at the time of hearing that was hard for her too. Still, she tried to give him space for a month to give her some clarity about his why behind wanting a break but said he never did.
She came to her own realization after thinking about what she'd tell her daughter if she had come to her with a situation like that and since the answer would be to get TF out of dodge, she left, got an apartment, and moved out. Apryl was a little blindsided at the time and "didn't get it" but now she says she does understand. She had to make her own peace about what happened between them which has helped her move forward in a healthier way.
What She Said About Lil Fizz...
Perhaps one of the most controversial moments in Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood was when Apryl took her relationship with Omarion's bandmate and former "friend" (quotations because the status of them is apparently up for debate), Lil Fizz public. Back then, not only was their perceived code-breaking with the Apryl-Fizz-Omarion of it all, but there was also some bad blood created between Fizz's child's mother and their fellow castmate, Moniece Slaughter. Fans speculated if the entire ordeal was a get-back to Omarion.
But, in her true transparent fashion, Apryl addressed Carlos' inquiry of her past with Fizz when the question was raised during their interview. She started off by clarifying the timing of everything and said within a span of five years of no longer being with Omarion, a lot happened on a personal level that the audience and fans of B2K or fans of the show weren't privy to.
"At that time, me and Drew (Fizz) really did become good friends from the show, me coming back to the show, and I was dealing with so much at the time," she explained to Carlos, briefly noting court and legal matters transpiring. For that reason and perhaps some others, she expressed feelings of gratitude for Fizz and what he was for her at that time in her life. He was a friend who looked out for her and had her back when she felt like she didn't have anyone in her corner.
"Things were intimate between me and him, obviously. Clearly. But that was a life I was living. It wasn't anything trying to get back at O at the time. O was far gone," she shared. "You know, my real life was happening here. And as a woman who was vulnerable and who was going through a lot of things at the time, I just feel like he was there as someone that I trusted in that time of my life. I didn't feel or see anything wrong with it."
She continued, "Now, while I can understand the world's perspective, while I could see it stepping outside and what that looks like, I get it and I respect it. You know what I mean? We are now in what is it 2025 about to be 2026? You're talking about six years now has gone by. And there has been a lot of evolution within me, a lot of growth."
Most of all, looking back, she wouldn't change a thing.
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Exclusive: Viral It Girl Kayla Nicole Is Reclaiming The Mic—And The Narrative
It’s nice to have a podcast when you’re constantly trending online. One week after setting timelines ablaze on Halloween, Kayla Nicole released an episode of her Dear Media pop culture podcast, The Pre-Game, where she took listeners behind the scenes of her viral costume.
The 34-year-old had been torn between dressing up as Beyoncé or Toni Braxton, she says in the episode. She couldn’t decide which version of Bey she’d be, though. Two days before the holiday, she locked in her choice, filming a short recreation of Braxton’s “He Wasn’t Man Enough for Me” music video that has since garnered nearly 6.5M views on TikTok.
Kayla Nicole says she wore a dress that was once worn by Braxton herself for the Halloween costume. “It’s not a secret Toni is more on the petite side. I’m obsessed with all 5’2” of her,” she tells xoNecole via email. “But I’m 5’10'' and not missing any meals, honey, so to my surprise, when I got the dress and it actually fit, I knew it was destiny.”
The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."

Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
“I just knew I was going to end up on a local news network at the head anchor table, breaking high speed chases, and tossing it to the weather girl,” she says. Instead, she ended up working as an assistant at TMZ before covering sports as a freelance reporter. (She’s said she didn’t work for ESPN, despite previous reports saying otherwise.) The Pre-Game combines her love for pop culture and sports in a way that once felt inaccessible to her in traditional media.
She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
“Tribe Therepē has evolved into exactly what I have always envisioned. A community of women who care about being fit not just for the aesthetic, but for their mental and emotional well-being too. It’s grounded. It’s feminine. It’s strong,” she says. “And honestly, it's a reflection of where I am in my life right now. I feel so damn good - mentally, emotionally, and physically. And I am grateful to be in a space where I can pour that love and light back into the community that continues to pour into me.”
Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
If there is one thing that I am going to do, it’s buy myself some scented soy candles. And, as I was looking at a display of them in a TJ Maxx store a couple of weekends ago, I found myself wondering just who decided which scents were considered to be “holiday” ones. The origin stories are actually pretty layered, so, for now, I’ll just share a few of ‘em.
I’m sure it’s pretty obvious that pine comes from the smell of fresh Christmas trees; however, scents like cloves, oranges, and cinnamon are attributed to two things: being natural ways to get well during the cold and flu season, and also being flavors that are used in many traditional holiday meals.
Meanwhile, frankincense and myrrh originate from the Middle East and Africa (you know, like the Bible does — some folks need to be reminded of that—eh hem — Trumpers) and ginger? It too helps with indigestion (which can definitely creep up at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables); plus, it’s a key ingredient for ginger snaps and gingerbread houses. So, as you can see, holiday-themed scents have a rhyme and reason to them.
Tying this all in together — several years ago, I penned an article for the platform entitled, “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry ‘Christmas Sex’?” Well, in the spirit of revisiting some of that content, with a bit of a twist, I decided to broach some traditional holiday scents from the perspective of which ones will do your libido a ton of good from now through New Year’s Eve (check out “Make This Your Best NYE. For Sex. EVER.”).
Are you ready to check some of them out, so that, whether it’s via a candle, a diffuser, some essential oil, or some DIY body cream (check out “How To Incorporate All Five Senses To Have The Best Sex Ever”), you can bring some extra festive ambiance into your own boudoir? Excellent.
1. Vanilla

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When it comes to holiday desserts, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find recipes that don’t include vanilla — and that alone explains why it is considered to be a traditional holiday scent. As far as your libido goes, vanilla is absolutely considered to be an aphrodisiac — partly because its sweet scent is considered to be very sensual. Some studies even reveal that vanillin (the active ingredient in vanilla) is able to increase sexual arousal and improve erectile dysfunction in men. So, if you adore the smell, here is more incentive to use it.
2. Frankincense

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Although, typically, when people think about frankincense (and myrrh), it’s in the context of the gifts that the wise men brought Christ after he was born; it’s a part of the biblical Christmas story. However, frankincense goes much deeper than that. Sexually, since it has an earthy and spicy scent, some people like to use it to meditate (check out “What Exactly Is 'Orgasmic Meditation'?”). Also, since it has the ability to put you in a better mood, soothe and soften your skin and maintain your oral health — with the help of frankincense, every touch and kiss can be that much…sexier.
3. Cinnamon

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I already gave cinnamon a shout-out in the intro. Personally, I’ve been a fan of it, in the sex department, for a long time now (check out “12 ‘Sex Condiments’ That Can Make Coitus Even More...Delicious”). When it’s in oil form, it can be very sweet to the taste while sending a warm sensation throughout the body — which is why the giver and receiver of oral sex can benefit from its usage. Beyond that, cinnamon helps to increase blood flow to your genital region, elevate sexual desire and, some studies say that it can even help improve fertility. Beautiful.
4. Peppermint

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If there’s a signature candy for the holiday season, it’s probably a candy cane — which automatically puts peppermint in the running for being an official holiday scent. Pretty much, in any form, it’s got your sex life’s back because it’s hailed as being a sexual stimulant; in part, because its smell is so invigorating. Plus, it helps to (eh hem) ease headaches, it gives you more energy and it can definitely help to freshen your breath. Also, that minty sensation? The same thing that I said about cinnamon can apply to peppermint too (if you catch my drift).
5. Ginger

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Whether it’s in a meal or in your bedroom, ginger is going to produce results that are hella spicy. On the sex tip, science has praised ginger for being able to increase sexual arousal, improve blood circulation (which intensifies orgasms) and strengthen fertility for many years. Scent-wise, I find it to be one that both men and women enjoy because it is both woodsy and sweet. So, if you’ve got some massage oil in mind, adding some ginger is a way to please you both.
6. Pomegranate

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September through December is the time of year when pomegranates are considered to be in season. And, as someone who is a Rosh Hashanah observer, I have a personal adoration for them because I am aware of the various things that they symbolize in Hebrew culture including the fact that they are a fruit that represents love and fertility. So yeah, they would absolutely be an aphrodisiac — one that is perfect for this time of the year. While consuming it helps to boost testosterone levels in both men and women, the floral bittersweet smell that it produces can help to reduce stress while promoting relaxation (like most floral scents do) — and the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to climax.
7. Nutmeg

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Another signature seasoning during the holiday season is nutmeg. It’s perfect in Thanksgiving sweet potato (or pumpkin) pie and Christmas morning French toast. And yes, it can also make your sex life better. If you consume it, it can intensify your libido and, overall, its warm-meets-spicy-meets-sweet smell is so inviting that it is considered to be a pretty seductive scent.
8. Cloves

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I ain’t got not one lie to tell you — if you’ve got a toothache, put some clove oil on that bad boy and send me a Christmas present for putting you on game. Aside from that, as I round all of this out, cloves are another holiday scent that can do wonders for your sex life. For men, it has the ability to significantly increase sexual arousal and improve stamina and endurance. For men and women alike, it also has a reputation for strengthening sexual desire. And for women solely? Well, if you want an all-natural way to increase natural lubrication down below — the scent and and feel (in DILUTED oil form) can make that happen. It can make the holidays especially special…if you know what I mean.
Ah yes — the atmosphere of the holidays and what it can do.
Take it all in! Scent ‘n whatever stimulating that comes with it! #wink
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