
Saweetie Reflects On The Early Days Of Her Career After Facing Difficulties: ‘I Miss College Saweetie’
As the saying goes, “the grass isn’t always greener,” which is something Saweetie is finding out now as she continues to reach new heights in her career. The Bay Area rapper recently announced her partnership with Champion as a global cultural consultant and she is nominated for her first Grammy for her hit song “Best Friend” featuring Doja Cat.
But she wants fans to know that the life of an entertainer is not as glamorous as everyone thinks. Saweetie talked openly about challenges she’s faced and more on the PEOPLE Every Day podcast. “I just feel like as artists, you know, we have it tough. I feel like we have all the spotlight on us and people think that it's glamorous when in all actuality there are a lot of difficult things that happen behind the scenes,” she said.
She continued, “Hopefully you have a great team. Hopefully, the creatives that you're working with, aren't overcharging you ... It's like everyone who's around: You have to pay for this. You have to pay [for that] …”
It appears that the Grammy-nominated artist does have a great team behind her. She’s been able to secure several brand deals from MAC to Crocs and even hosted a show on Netflix. And she arguably has some of the best content on social media, but even with all the creative projects she has been a part of, she admitted that it doesn’t feel as authentic as it did when she was first trying her hand at a rap career.
“I miss college Saweetie, and me meeting other creatives,” she said. “I just wanted to make something else. Now everyone wants to charge for every second and it kind of just takes the art out of it.”
Reflecting on college Saweetie, she shared advice that she would give her knowing what she knows now.
“Take your time. And don't [jump] at the first opportunity," she said. “I felt like those tough lessons definitely made me a wiser woman, but I think I would've just taken my time ... Who [you] surround yourself really, really affects the trajectory of your career.”
As of late, Saweetie has been vocal about her struggles with mental health and being overworked. In December, she cut off all of her hair as a way to “start fresh” and she even began meditating and praising its positive effects. In a February 2022 interview with Power 106, she explained, "I wanted to start over and I did research about hair and hair holds a lot of energy. And I really wanted to just feel new and fresh with this new music. I won’t say new me. But elevated me. I really just wanted to start over again."
Here are other things the rapper has said about mental health and how she is navigating it all.
On Being Overworked and Finding Balance
"It's like I live, sleep, eat and breathe music and business. My team is really small, so I have to take on responsibilities that eventually somebody else will, but because my team is small, I have to help them out."
"It's just trying to find balance right now. I have no balance. Everything is just work, work, work and I don't have an outlet. I don't have a therapist. I don't hang out with any of my friends because I work so much, so it's just trying to thug it out into until the New Year."
"Balance needs to happen. I feel like I'm being run down to the ground right now and my body doesn't feel good. I've had mental breakdowns and it's just really stressful, but it's nice to be acknowledged because it lets me know that my hard work isn't going unnoticed," she said via PEOPLE.
On Meditating
"I'm just saying the peace you get, the clarity you get, it's really important for everyone to meditate. And I think the reason why I was so discouraged at first, I--- because I'm thinking that you have to be in a cream[-colored] room, like yoga-ish. But I meditate everywhere," she said via PEOPLE.
On What Self-Love Looks Like to Her
“Self-love is being conscious of self and making sure that you’re taking care of yourself. It’s almost as if it’s a high maintenance requirement to take care of yourself spiritually, physically, mentally. It’s about being conscious of all of the things that you intake, think and say. When you love yourself, you don’t want to pollute your mind, body, soul, and spirit and you protect yourself from the things that pollute the important things," she said via LADYGUNN.
On Her Definition of the "Elevated Saweetie"
“She meditates, she’s centered, she has clarity, she knows what she wants, she puts her foot down. I feel like before I discovered meditation, everything was, ‘Yes yes yes, I’ll do it.’
"No matter how bad my body felt, if the opportunity was great, I just said yes and I kept running down my mental, my spiritual, my physical. But how am I gonna continue to work if I’m depleted?" she continued via Power 106.
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Featured image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Saweetie is going into the New Year with a freshly shaven head and she’s letting the world get a full view. The 28-year-old rapper debuted her new look on Instagram while vacationing somewhere in the tropics. The first photo showed her tilting her head back in all its glory while she soaks up the sun.
The rest of the photos continue to capture the essence of her baldness while she poses poolside and in the clear blue ocean waters. Saweetie used emojis as her caption to encapsulate her mood.
While she never disclosed her reason behind chopping off her tresses, this isn’t the first time she cut her hair. In November 2020, the “Best Friend” rhymer posted a photo of herself rocking a rainbow-colored low cut, which she also wore in her video for her hit song “Back to the Streets.”
But Saweetie isn’t the only baddie who dared to cut off her hair. Here are some other celebrities who made the big chop over the years.
Toni Braxton
“Living legend” Toni Braxton had the internet buzzing when she unveiled her platinum blonde cut to her Instagram followers last year.
China McClain
Although China McClain's cropped hair made its first appearance on Instagram in July 2020, the Black Lightning star revealed that she actually cut her hair “close to a year ago.”
Yvonne Orji
Not exactly bald, but close enough. Insecure star Yvonne Orji debuted her chopped-off tresses on Instagram in the summer of 2020.
Sanaa Lathan
Sanaa Lathan did the big chop back in 2018 for her role in the Netflix film Nappily Ever After. Since then, the actress has been documenting her astonishing hair growth.
Michaela Coel
Prince Williams/Wireimage/Getty Images
Michaela Coel first shaved her head back in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. In an interview with BET, the I May Destroy You star said that she wants it “to be very normal that some women don’t have hair.”
Tamar Braxton
Toni may have been inspired by her little sister Tamar Braxton for her decision to rock a bald look. The youngest of the Braxton sisters actually made the “big cut” back in May 2020.
Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish made the big chop back in 2020 in a video she shared on Instagram. The comedian said that “I wanna see my scalp. I know every single part of my body. I know where every single mole is. Anybody that’s ever done my hair has heard me say it.”
Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer shaved off her hair back in May 2017 and later dyed it purple for a more edgy style. The actress shared that she was motivated to cut her hair due to heat damage.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith has been wearing her hair short most of her career, but in the months leading up to her 50th birthday, she decided to cut it all off. The Red Table Talk host has also opened up about her battle with alopecia and most recently posted an Instagram video about her hair loss journey.
Danai Gurira
George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images
Black Panther star Danai Gurira shaved her head for her role in the Marvel film and it quickly became an iconic look for the star. Since then, she has been experimenting with many different natural hairstyles.
Amber Rose
Amber Rose is the OG of the bald head baddie gang. Since she hit the scene with Kanye West back in 2008, the model has been an inspiration for many women on how to confidently and effortlessly rock a shaved head.
Featured image by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Saweetie is getting candid about her life in the spotlight. The “My Type” rapper has been consistently dropping music and expanding her brand as an artist since her 2017 hit single “ICY GRL.” But the downside of growing her empire is that she has little time for herself or her mental health. This year alone, Saweetie had innumerable opportunities that many artists would dream of. She partnered with McDonald’s to launch her Saweetie meal, she became an ambassador for MAC and Crocs and she hosted the 2021 MTV EMA’s.
Not to mention, she just launched a nail polish line with Sinful Colors. With such a busy schedule, the 28-year-old admitted that her mental health suffers while she chases success.
"It's like I live, sleep, eat and breathe music and business," Saweetie toldPeople. "My team is really small, so I have to take on responsibilities that eventually somebody else will, but because my team is small, I have to help them out."
She continued, "It's just trying to find balance right now. I have no balance. Everything is just work, work, work and I don't have an outlet. I don't have a therapist. I don't hang out with any of my friends because I work so much, so it's just trying to thug it out into until the New Year."
Closing out the year, Saweetie is looking to take a much-needed vacation to relieve stress and walk into the New Year rejuvenated.
"Balance needs to happen. I feel like I'm being run down to the ground right now and my body doesn't feel good,” she said. “I've had mental breakdowns and it's just really stressful, but it's nice to be acknowledged because it lets me know that my hard work isn't going unnoticed."
When she does get some free time, she tries to meditate. In November, Saweetie stopped by her alma mater USC and spoke with a business class about meditating and how she believes it’s “better than sex.”
"I'm just saying the peace you get, the clarity you get, it's really important for everyone to meditate,” she said. “And I think the reason why I was so discouraged at first, I--- because I'm thinking that you have to be in a cream[-colored] room, like yoga-ish. But I meditate everywhere."
The New Year is already looking promising for the Bay Area beauty as she snagged a Grammy nomination for her hit song “Best Friend” and fans are still anticipating her debut album.
But in the meantime, get that rest, Queen!
Featured image by Gareth Cattermole - MTV/Getty Images for MTV
Saweetie is giving back to her alma mater, University of Southern California, in a big way. Last week, the "Icy" rapper went back to her alma mater to visit a business class she once took while she was a student there. Saweetie graduated from USC in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.
During the business class, the rapper discussed entrepreneurship and gave business advice. She even offered a lucky student $1000 if they could sell her a bottle of water.
But with all the success she's experienced in her career since she hit the scene with "ICY GRL" in 2017, the rapper discovered a few gems along the way that relates to her mental health. Saweetie revealed to the class that she believes in meditating, so much so that she says it's better than sex.
"It's my new favorite thing to do. Meditating is better than sex," she said.
"I'm just saying the peace you get, the clarity you get, it's really important for everyone to meditate. And I think the reason why I was so discouraged at first, I--- because I'm thinking that you have to be in a cream[-colored] room, like yoga-ish. But I meditate everywhere."
She also dished on what she likes to do after her meditation practice that helps her get through the day.
"At the end or throughout my meditation I write down three goals of the day or I take three positive adjectives to describe myself and it really works, that's why it manifests in a day."
Meditation seems to be working for the "My Type" rapper. Over the last few months, Saweetie has announced some major moves in her career that are helping to diversify and set her apart as an artist.
Following the success of her McDonald's Saweetie meal, the Bay area artist's Netflix show Sex: Unzipped premiered in late October, she recently partnered with Crocs to become the brand's newest face and she will be hosting the 2021 MTV's EMA's on November 14.
We see you Saweetie!
Featured image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Saweetie Responds To Colorism Accusations After Resurfaced Video With Too $hort
Saweetie shut down colorism accusations after a resurfaced video with Too $hort went viral over the weekend. In the video, the "Icy" artist chatted with Too $hort back in December on IG Live when the Bay Area legend began praising women of mixed heritage. "Mixed heritage women have always been my favorite. I don't think I've ever fallen in love with a woman that wasn't mixed," the "Blow Your Whistle" rapper said. Saweetie, who is Black and Filipino, replied, "Really?!"
Too $hort even spoke about mixed babies: "I feel that way about life too like biracial babies are… you can take the two ugliest motha f--a's from different races and they f--k and make a baby and that baby would just be beautiful! It happens all the time!"
The clip garnered backlash after it began making its rounds on social media and Saweetie received a lot of the criticism for not speaking up. However, the "My Type" rapper responded by showing the full clip of the video where she defended Black women.
The rapper said in the full video:
"I heard your comment about when people come together they make a beautiful baby, but Black women is beautiful period on their own, with their own look, you feel me?"
She also retweeted an older post where she defended dark skin women. An anonymous user asked the rapper if she thought dark skin women can be pretty to which she responded with, "I was raised by dark skin women so I find this question insulting. Wts I don't think they can be pretty. I think that they are pretty."
This shouldn’t even be a conversation but thank you for having my back baby. I’m going back to my shoot ✌🏽 Y’all have a Jesus blessed day. https://t.co/Acc6NasxAZ
— icy bae ❄️ (@Saweetie) October 8, 2021
In the tweet about the user's question, Saweetie wrote: "This shouldn't even be a conversation but thanks for having my back baby. I'm going back to my shoot. Y'all have a Jesus blessed day."
While Saweetie received most of the backlash, other people called out Too $hort for his comments as well as the misogyny after Saweetie received the bulk of the criticism and not Too $hort.
Featured image by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Tap In: Saweetie Takes On NYFW, The MET Gala & Becomes MAC's Latest Global Brand Ambassador
New York Fashion Week has finally returned to its in-person fashion shows. The magic, glamour and thriving energy is back after quarantine changed everything last year. While most people were sequestered at home fighting boredom, music superstar, Saweetie used the lockdown to cement her dreams. Through content creation, catchy new music and building her brand, Saweetie explored various business endeavors and began to execute her philanthropic goals.
Leaning on the expertise of her grandmother, Roxane Harper, who is an entrepreneur, author and investor, Saweetie and her "Glam-ma" created a foundation that equips Black and Brown communities to learn about financial literacy. They are set to launch the Icy Baby Foundation this fall.
Managing her time wisely during quarantine gave bloom to the elevation of her brand and star power.
Courtesy of the artist
In one year, Saweetie has become more than just an entertainer, she is now a desirable powerful influencer for top brands. She has been invited to attend several shows during NYFW, including Tom Ford, Kim Shui, Christian Cowan and more. To adding icing on the cake, the "It" girl and queen of content is starting her first day at Fashion Week with a major announcement.
Today, MAC Cosmetics introduced Saweetie as its newest Global Brand Ambassador. MAC snatched up the popular rapper and appointed her as their latest M∙A∙C Girl. Saweetie will join the brand in a long-term global capacity.
"I am so excited about my new partnership with MAC. When I was young, I remember admiring the way my mom would organize her MAC products in the silver MAC travel bag. I would always sneak and play with her lipsticks and products. I loved the creativity of makeup even back then. Now I can't believe I have my own collection. This is definitely a full circle moment," said Saweetie.
"Saweetie is one of those people that truly does it all – musician, CEO, actress, TV show host, gamer, viral sensation, the list goes on – she is an extreme talent and is relatable…she is all of our 'best friends,'" said Drew Elliott, SVP, Global Creative Director, MAC Cosmetics.
"Saweetie's message of self-confidence and female empowerment is the perfect match for a brand like M∙A∙C that has always embraced unapologetic self-expression with open arms! Saweetie IS a MAC girl, because she is a boss, a winner, an artist, and she knows exactly what she wants…and goes for it. I'm obsessed."
As MAC's Global Brand Spokesperson, Saweetie will contribute her wit and beauty as the face of MAC's upcoming renowned collections and key campaigns. In addition, Saweetie will work with MAC Makeup Artists to showcase her signature looks, share beauty secrets and her lifestyle with MAC fans.
"All of the things that happening are like a dream come true. I'm excited about all the shows during NYFW and thankful to be invited. I also hope that designers, stylists and creatives of color can also be given more opportunities to showcase their talents on these type of large platforms."
Fans can see Saweetie's first piece of content for the brand on her Instagram @saweetie and follow @maccosmetics on IG for more updates.
Featured image courtesy of the artist