Ciara Spoke The Life Of Her Dreams Into Existence At The Age Of 17
You are the first person to hear every word that comes out of your mouth, and it's time you stop being so reckless. Being impeccable with your word is a superpower, one that Ciara used to manifest the life of her dreams.
This past Saturday made 15 years since Ciara released her debut song, "Goodies," which subsequently launched her career and laid the foundation for her future. In an interview with Billboard, the singer opened up about how she spoke the life she wanted into existence at only 17 years old.
Fresh out of high school, Ciara had big dreams for her future and she used the power of the tongue to manifest them. She explained:
"I graduated when I was 17 years old and I was on camera going, 'I see myself having a No. 1 song on the Billboard chart and da da da,' and I was declaring what I foresaw happening or what I believed could happen."
The vision that Ciara had at the time is one that many of us lose sight of early in life. When we're young, our imaginations are free to run wild and we are confident in the belief that we can be whoever TF we want in this lifetime. Somewhere along the line, we forget this fact and fall victim to the projections that others have for our future, but Cici wasn't having that. She believed she could, and so she did, damn it. She told Billboard:
"This is the one song that I know is going to put me on that map, that is going to change my life. The song came out and it was almost like watching the music board and it was moving without anyone touching it. It was the perfect way for me to meet my fans, the perfect way for me to start off my career, everything that wanted to happen and more happened in that moment."
Although at the time, Crunk & B was a new concept, Ciara made a choice to bet on herself and several platinum-selling hits later, it's clear that she got her return in full. She continued:
"What Lil Jon did was historic for music, because he came in with the fresh sound and he went against the grain of what traditional pop was at that time period. And I was the first girl to do it. So I was really proud of that and will forever be proud of it."
Today, Ciara has become the woman of her dreams and more. As a wife, mother-of-two, and owner of several businesses, Ciara knows that the only real way to level up is by shifting your mindset.
"My dream came true in every way I could have imagined and more."
To watch the full clip, click below!
Ciara Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Her Career + Debut Album Goodiesyoutu.be
Featured image by CarlaVanWagoner / Shutterstock.com
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Roscoe Dash joined xoMan host Kiara Walker to share the journey of his personal and spiritual evolution—from the party anthems that made him famous to a deeper life rooted in faith, family, and purpose. This episode offers an honest look at how the artist has grown beyond early fame, addressing fatherhood, masculinity, creativity, and healing.
Dash opened up about the internal transformation that has guided him away from chasing the spotlight and toward seeking peace. “Faith and fear can’t occupy the same space,” he said, underscoring his shift toward a more spiritually grounded life. Throughout the interview, he emphasized the importance of self-reflection:
“The most important conversations to me, honestly, outside of the ones you have with God, is the ones you have with yourself in the mirror.”
Dash is focused on the man he’s become. “I’m not the accolades I’ve achieved—I’m the person who achieved them,” he added, pointing to a broader understanding of identity and worth. A large part of that growth has come through fatherhood, especially raising daughters, which he said has deepened his understanding of love. “Love is unconditional and love loves to love no matter what,” he shared.
He also spoke candidly about the pressures of fame and its impact on creativity. “Chasing fame can kill your creativity as a musician,” he warns. Instead, his advice to other artists is simple but clear: “Keep your focus on your art form, whatever that may be, and stay passionate.”
The conversation also touches on gender dynamics and emotional safety in relationships. “Safe men make soft women. If she feels safe, she’ll melt like butter,” he said, challenging traditional notions of masculinity. Roscoe also offers wisdom on discernment and spiritual testing: “Sometimes the devil will give you what looks better than your blessing.”
Ultimately, Dash has learned to embrace peace over chaos. “All I can do is control what I can control. And that's how I respond to things and what I'm giving out,” he said. It’s a thoughtful, soulful side of Roscoe Dash that many may not expect—but one that leaves a lasting impression.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube