Chelsea Lazkani is the latest addition to the popular Netflix reality series Selling Sunset. The British-Nigerian boss made her debut on season five of the show which is about the luxury real estate market in Los Angeles and the people who sell it. She quickly became a fan favorite due to her captivating fashions and bubbly personality, but Selling Sunset’s newest star also wants to open doors for other Black women.
In an interview with Tudum, the 29-year-old realtor said, “My main goal in all of this is to inspire other women, give access to other women, support and help other Black women — who were me — get into living their best life. It’s not just in real estate, it’s in anything they choose to do.”
“Representation is so important. When I decided to get my license, I was looking for somebody that was killing it in real estate. I found so many role models, but none of them were Black girls. I was like, ‘Damn, that sucks.’ When you don’t have your role model, you become your role model — and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Here are five things to know about Chelsea.
Chelsea is a wife and mother.
Chelsea is married to businessman Jeff Lazkani whom she said on the show that she met shortly after moving to the United States. The couple shares two children, Maddox and Melia, and live in Manhattan Beach, CA.
The stylish realtor took a break from real estate after having her kids but decided to go back into the industry. She met Jason Oppenheim who is the co-owner of The Oppenheim Group along with his twin brother Brett through her husband and later joined the brokerage after impressing the owners.
Chelsea’s British accent is real.
I’ve lived 3 countries (not 4) in 29 years. Born and raised in United Kingdom. Lived in Switzerland and now United States 😊 pic.twitter.com/cCYYOtE760
— Chelsea Lazkani (@ChelseaLazkani) April 23, 2022
Selling Sunset fans had a bone to pick with Chelsea over her British accent. Many fans suggested that she wasn’t British and that her accent was fake. However, the mom of two had an explanation for that.
“I’ve lived 3 countries (not 4) in 29 years,” she tweeted. “Born and raised in United Kingdom. Lived in Switzerland and now United States.”
She’s the definition of having beauty and brains.
Chelsea graduated with a BA in Economics from the University of Buckingham and a Masters in Oil and Gas Economics from Scotland’s University of Dundee. However, she decided to take her talents to Los Angeles and conquer the luxury real estate market.
According to her bio on The Oppenheim Group’s website, she made over $10 million in sales in her first year as a realtor in the bustling city. Her mom worked as the Chief People Officer at Emerson and her dad is an architect and property developer, and both parents serve as an inspiration for her.
Chelsea has an affinity for fashion.
Every time the British babe appeared on screen, she was 'designer'-ed down. Chelsea, who has referred to herself as “Black Barbie” made an entrance in a Balmain green dress and blazer and later we saw her strut down Sunset Blvd alongside her co-star Christine Quinn in a Louis Vuttion trench coach that was a head-turner. Chelsea explained her love for fashion in the Tudum interview. “Fashion’s always been my creative outlet, but more than anything it’s been really important for me to redefine what it means to be a boss lady and not have to wear tailored black pants and a shirt,” she said.
“You can be intelligent, you can be smart, you can be quirky, and you can wear colorful and even slightly revealing clothing. It doesn’t take away from your professionalism or how great you are at what you do. I just really want to go out there with my fashion to show people that you can wear whatever you like.”
She’s not for the drama and is getting along with everyone.
If you’ve been watching the new season, then you know that Chelsea isn’t about the drama, and in an interview with PEOPLE, she revealed that she has formed friendships with nearly everyone on the cast. "I just adore Christine. We have such a great relationship," she said. While Christine is portrayed as the show’s villain, the realtor introduced her to the brokerage.
"Emma and I have a very special connection. I think the world of Chrishell. To be honest with you, I just have a budding relationship with all the girls. I'm still getting to know some of them, but I didn't know them before the show."
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Netflix
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.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Serena Williams Hits Back At Skin-Bleaching Accusations: 'I’m A Dark, Black Woman, And I Love Who I Am'
Serena Williams is clapping back at skin-bleaching accusations. During a makeup tutorial for her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty, the tennis legend took the opportunity to address the "haters."
“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” she said. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
The rumors started after the mom of two posted a video of herself and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, at their daughter's school play. In the video, she appeared to look a few shades lighter. During her response, she revealed that she was volunteering at the play and wore stage makeup.
“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous that everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin,’" she said. "I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look and that's just not my thing.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also said that she doesn't judge anyone who bleaches their skin as she "stays in my lane."
Serena has always had style on and off the court, and even collaborated with Nike with her own collection Serena Williams Design Crew. However, the tennis champ has now pivoted into beauty.
Wyn Beauty was launched in April 2024 with at 10-piece collection of lip, eye, and complexion products. The brand was inspired by Serena's time on the court and the packaging is reminiscent of a tennis ball due to its chartreuse color.
“Throughout my career, I was always searching for makeup that looked good after hours on the court, mixing products myself and creating my own formulas while traveling the world,” she said in a statement. As she continues to make a name for herself in the beauty industry, I'm sure we will see a lot more looks from the tennis star.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Marc Piasecki/WireImage