Beyonce Recognizes Badass Women For Women's History Month And The List Is Lit
OK ladies, let's getttttt in formation, y'all! Our "Black Parade" Queen has spoken! And she has spoken in such a monumental, celebratory way.
As we all know, March has been designated as Women's History Month. And all month long, businesses, social media, blogs, and all the in between, have highlighted women's contribution to society in beautiful ways.
Beyonce.com
For example, Hershey rolled out the hashtag #CelebrateSHE and changed their name is HerSHEy to raise awareness. Secret Deodorant released a docuseries titled, Secret Superhero Moms, and pledged $1 million to support more than 100,000 women and their families with childcare, workforce development and barrier reduction. And although we celebrate women every day, we've also highlighted ground-breaking women who have risen to the occasion of excellence.
But now that the month is winding down, the final infinity stone has been collected, signifying the completion of the celebration as one of the most powerfully decorated women in history decided to highlight a few women of her own.
And that woman issss—let's say it all together now—Beyonce.
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Up first, Thanos, herself, took to her website to recognize a handful of entertainers, rule-breakers, and truth-sayers, across various industries. Of the entertainers, she says:
"Their passion and brilliance shone on courts, Zoom stages, streaming services, television, books, dance and song. They gave us joy and provided escapism in the midst of an overwhelming year. For Women's History Month, we honor the women entertainers (and sports greats) who rose to the occasion in delivering stand out feats that made us all shine."
These women include Adele, Andra Day, Allyson Felix, Cardi B, Catherine O'Hara, Chloe x Halle, Cynthia Erivo, Hallie Mossett, Issa Rae, Kelly Rowland, Megan Thee Stallion, Michelle Williams, Mariah Carey, Michaela Coel, Misty Copeland, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Solange Knowles, Taraji P. Henson, and Viola Davis.
Next, were women who are "creating their own way to tell their stories, finding other avenues to get to the destinations, and breaking every rule in the process."
On this list was: Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, Jane Fonda, Bozoma Saint John, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Meghan Markle, Amina J. Mohammed, Maxine Waters, Rosalind "Roz" Brewer, Stacey Abrams, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Elsa Majimbo
And in her last group of women, Bey spotlighted several truth-sayers, wishing that "grace continue to lie at their feet," and that "every girl walk in their footsteps."
These women were none other than: Amanda Gorman, Tamron Hall, Tamika Mallory, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Michelle Obama, Cleo Wade, Oprah Winfrey, Tarana Burke, Lena Waithe, Gayle King, Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Angela Rye.
Queens.
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OK, can I just say, I am here for this? Likeeeeee, front-of-the-class-mark-me-present-attending-every-event-I-need-to-attend, here. Not only is Beyonce highlighting women on her platform who have put it all on the line, she comprehensively did so in a way where she took a step back from her power, and relinquished it to others.
Taraji has been openly vulnerable for the benefit of the culture for all of 2020, in a lane where so many of us are unfamiliar or struggling (mental health). Luvvie has pioneered a lane of highly clever, highly intelligible women who aren't afraid of speaking with impact. Serena is the greatest athlete of all time and for some reason, has to continue to have to explain *why* when the trophies. speak. for. themselves. And Stacey Abrams. Well, she has single-handedly redefined what it means to outsmart and play, the very game put in place by everyone that ultimately tried to stop you.
These. Are. A. Flex.
So, thank you to these Black women. We are lit. Society doesn't want you to remember that. But...we do.
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Featured image by Beyonce.com
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Meet The Black Woman Behind Cynthia Erivo's 'Wicked' Nails
Almost two weeks later, Wicked is still on everyone's lips. The high-grossing film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, as their characters, tell a story about race and acceptance. However, what has captured audiences on and off the screen are Cynthia's and Ariana's looks as they play on their characters' styles.
Ariana, like her character Glinda, is often dressed in pink, and Cynthia, much like Elphaba, is covered in green. But what also has many people talking is the British actress' nails. Her nails are often long, blingy, and, of course, green. Many TikTok girlies are even doing their own versions of Elphaba's nails. But there's one person to thank for the green nail mania: Shea Osei.
The London-based nail artist has been working with the Wicked actress since she was 16 and shared all the tea on her epic nail styles with Unbothered UK.
Here what she said.
Shea On Elphaba's Nails Being The First Thing We See Before Seeing The Character
I was ecstatic. I was happy. It was just great to see my craft, my artistry just out there, not just nationally but globally.
Shea On Elphaba's Nails Representing Her Character Development
When we started with the first [nail] look, we chose nice, subtle green ombre nails that show who she is but a calm, chilled-out version of Elphaba. As she grew into herself, became more confident, and found herself, she was more like, yes, this is me, I’m Elphaba, I am who I am, and her nails became more daring. In the salon scene, when she had a transformation, her nails were, one, longer and two, they were more daring. There are many close-ups of Elphaba’s hands in the film, where you see her nails, and you see the difference in what they were [at the start of the film], so I feel like that helps to tell the story.
Shea On Elphaba's Nails Representing Black Womanhood
Yes, it was 100%. And I feel like, yes, the nails represented Black womanhood but also just being yourself. I just feel like the nails represented Cynthia as if to say, ‘I'm Black and I can be a Black witch’. This is who I am. And also, I can have braids and they can be done in any kind of way and can still be styled however is needed. I think we saw, if I'm correct, three or four different braid styles in the movie. Sim Camps, who styled the braids, did an amazing job — there would be mornings when she would be making sure the braids were intact and looked amazing on camera. So, yeah, definitely the braids were an ode to Black culture and the nails were 100% like, yes, we're doing it.
Shea On Seeing The Fan Recreation On TikTok
Yes, I have! If you are going to the salon and you want to recreate Elphaba's nails and let's say, you're going for the nails after the salon scene, where she just gets a fresh set, I would say ask for a plain black base and then ask if they have green foils to stick it on top to give that green effect. Then apply a shiny top coat. And it looks insane! The green ombre is more complicated with colours mixed to give it a green earthy colour.
Shea On The Importance Of Expressing Yourself Through Nail Art, Despite Some Criticism
We love it and don't want anyone to change. Let's look at athletes such as Flo-Jo, remember her nails? Now we have ShaCarri Richardson and her nails are always long and she's always got nice designs [on them]. It’s also Black people, not only Black women — because if you look at athletes that are men that make sure they get their nails painted as well. A$AP Rocky gets his nails painted. It's just so good to see that our culture is so colourful and also so inviting. It’s not only Black people that can have these kinds of nails, anyone can have them. I’m glad we can be the inspiration to everybody and they can draw bits of our culture and add it to theirs.
I like the fact that Cynthia is able to go out of there into the world and still be authentically herself. She hasn't changed for anything or anyone. This is how I am. I like my nails like this, my nail techs love doing my nails like this.
I'm over the moon that Cynthia can go out and still have her nails how she wants to. [Cynthia’s nails] has been a topic this entire Wicked press tour. Everyone will ask Cynthia about her nails in every interview and I love that. I love it because that's who she is. And if you see her you'll see that she's always got her nails done and she’s always got some banging heels on. Even on her down days, she’s always dressed. That's just how she is.
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Feature image by Jeff Spicer/ Getty Images