Halle Berry is a legend for many reasons, one of those being that her face card never declines. While she will always be cemented in history as one of the most beautiful women in the world, the Oscar-winning actress is getting real about aging. At 57, she is experiencing what many women do at this age, menopause.
The mother of two is shedding light on what she is learning about this stage in her life and how she is breaking stereotypical norms. Halle focused on these topics in an essay for Women’s Health.
“I'm challenging all those stereotypes about how you have to look a certain way or feel a certain way,” she shared. “I'm my best self now that I reached 56 years old. I have the most to offer. I have zero blanks to give anymore. I'm solidly in my womanhood. I finally realize what I have to say is valuable, even if no one else agrees.”
The Bruised actress and director also explained the importance of women having safe spaces and feeling comfortable having these types of conversations with one another. As Halle puts it, “If you start the conversation, most women will follow.”
“Community is the entrée into understanding. We're all going through it. And we learn from one another when we talk about it, when we become curious, and when we share with each other what we're going through," she said. “We educate each other and we give each other ideas. We understand how to manage things better.”
Outside of acting and directing, Halle is also the founder of rē•spin, which is a health and wellness website. The site features products from supplements to skincare. As a health and wellness advocate, Halle often shares posts about self-care and fitness on her social media. Further talking to Women’s Health, she revealed that it’s less about the look and more about feeling good.
“As women, it's really important that we stay in touch with our bodies. That we stay active, that we put importance on working out. And so I always try to find the fun in it,” she said.
“When we're working out, it's not for a look. It's for a feeling, right? It's for a health benefit. And by feeling good and having those health benefits, the byproduct is okay, you also look good.
The Catwoman star concluded, But looking good is never the motivation. It's always about a feeling and about a health benefit.”
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London Alexaundria is the contributing editor for xoNecole. She is an alum of Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Mass Media Arts and has worked in journalism for over ten years. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @theselfcarewriter
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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The new music released this week is alluring in the sense that it seems like everyone has stopped to consider how they relate to others and how they see themselves. Some analyses ("Chanel Pit" and "First Person Shooter") conclude that they are fantastic individuals, while other analyses ("Red Flags," "These Four Walls," "Tummy Hurts," and "Get Close") leave artists feeling angry with the people in their immediate environment and the way they have been treated by them.
Other tunes, like "Ninety Three 'Til Infinity And Beyoncé" and Noname's recent Tiny Desk Performance, induce a sense of calm by encouraging introspection. This week's music, in contrast to previous weeks, exudes confidence and self-assurance. Although the artists are still seeking personal development, it's encouraging to see people recognize their own beauty and opportunities for growth without criticizing or punishing themselves for not reaching their goals.
Here are the top ten songs of the week, you'll be thankful you gave them a listen.
"ON THE RIVER (Live Session)" - Offset
If you haven't viewed this video and song yet, please do so immediately, as it is less than two minutes long. For what reason? Well, a variety of factors. First off, Offset's career is at its pinnacle. Following the release of his most recent album, SET IT OFF, Offset has demonstrated remarkable artistic development.
He has exceptional lyricism, and his creative approach is more methodical. With these changes since his 2019 album, it has been a delight to observe his superabundance of imagination.
This song "On the River" demonstrates just how strategic he has become in his artistry. With Kirby talking about the Mississippi River in the backdrop, Offset performs his song in a fast-paced flow with his son, Wave, acting as his hype-man. With his son in hand, Offset raves about his success and lists how he has gained riches since he left his group. When he begins talking about how these riches provide for his family, Wave begins dancing creating a charming father-and-son moment.
"First Person Shooter" - Drake ft. J. Cole
It was a wise choice for Drake to release "First Person Shooter," which features J. Cole for his newest single and video. This is mostly because the other tracks on the album For All the Dogs—aside from "Rich Baby Daddy," "8am in Charlotte," and "Calling For You"—are mediocre at best, if not downright dull. "First Person Shooter" was released a few days after Drake and Cole revealed their 2024 joint tour, and the song tracks the two artists as they talk about their present standing in the rap business and how they demand to be considered one of the best.
Drake discusses his lavish lifestyle, comparing himself to a Super Bowl game or concert, and how he nearly surpassed Michael Jackson, the greatest artist in history. He also touches on his ruthless and opulent lifestyle during the two verses he raps.
Conversely, Cole talks about how other rappers use his name as a kind of "beef" to start a rivalry with him in order to gain something from it. He also discusses his standing in the rap game as a result of the praise that his albums have received from critics, his notable feature runs, and his luxurious musical productions, all of which have led to him being regarded as one of the greatest rappers of the present generation. The video is fun and clever and in the end, you can't help but agree that they are two of the greatest rappers in the game.
"Chanel Pit" - Tierra Whack
Speaking of the greatest rappers in the game, Tierra Whack needs to be held in that regard, as well. Unfortunately, I am certain that her gender prevents many people from viewing her as such. Even more tragically, she is seldom ever acknowledged for her brilliance when people consider the female rappers who are currently dominating the rap scene. In any case, it's long overdue that Tierra Whack receives recognition for her artistic ability, and I hope this song contributes to that. She creates catchy, fun, lighthearted, and entertaining songs and frequently presents them in the same way. Is this among her finest compositions?
No. If you're looking for that you need to go to her 2018 album, Whack World, or listen to her singles "Only Child" or "Unemployed." Even yet, this song is nonetheless worthy of its popularity since she mumbles humorously over a Kalimba tune, and her strange lines about smells and sensory overload in a mosh pit are accompanied by massive, bass-heavy beats. The term "Chanel Pit" refers to a very real place, a recalls a time when a friend of Whack's noticed her perfume odor while she was at a performance with a mosh pit. The song serves as the first taste of Whack's next album, which is set to be released in early 2024. Judging by her previous singles, it might be something wonderful.
"Get Close" - Ari Lennox
My displeasure with Ari Lennox's lack of recognition is similar to my initial feelings of annoyance with SZA and Victoria Monét. Although the other two have finally begun to receive the credit they deserve, Ari has still been left out in the cold, receiving fleeting moments of acclaim. Despite being a fantastic singer and artist with a vast repertory, for some reason, not enough people have recognized her as the mainstream star that she truly is.
In her latest single, "Get Close," Lennox sings over the chorus with a melodic yearning, demanding her love get close in proximity, and emotionally.
The song is not long, and in all honesty, the song doesn't need to be—it lasts less than three minutes. The message doesn't have to take longer to reach its intended audience, because it is clear-cut and simple. She wants to be close to her lover. She gently draws his attention to his sporadic distancing, despite her worry, and reminds him of the occasions when it is appropriate to trust her enough to be close. So, she knows how obstinate he can be and when he might want to retreat. With this song, she may easily entice him back into her embrace and their inevitable bond.
"These Four Walls" - Khamari
In the sea of R&B singers, it is no surprise that the artist Khamari finds himself drowning in their artistry. Another artist deserving of recognition, his sultry voice is on full display in his newest single "These Four Walls." A song about loneliness and longing for love to come back to him, Khamari proclaims his love for his lover but is only met with disappointment at her ever-flighty behavior.
This forces him to place a higher value on the walls than he ought to because he perceives them as more trustworthy and consistent than the partner who ignores him, betrays him, and makes unobtainable and unreasonable demands. In the end, he sadly recognizes that the walls are the only things in his life that can provide stability and protection for his love's selfishness and although it is not something he wants, he realizes it's the only thing he has.
"Tummy Hurt" - Reneé Rapp and Coco Jones
I will admit that I am not a huge fan of Reneé Rapp. Although I don't have anything against the musician, I haven't found a song of hers that I find particularly noteworthy or that I care about enough to download. That was before today. I didn't anticipate this remix of "Tummy Hurts," coming out like this, but all of a sudden I was downloading and playing the song nonstop. Coco Jones, a five-time Grammy nominee (I love writing that), is featured on the remix, which has brought the song to life in a manner I never imagined.
Rapp starts the song by singing on how difficult it is to depend on her ex for both emotional and financial assistance while an electric guitar is strumming along. She showed him affection even though he wasn't worthy of it, and in exchange he showed another person his affection. She therefore only wants the best for the couple, but she also has a secret hope that they will learn a valuable lesson via the suffering of their predestined kid, whom Rapp hopes would suffer the same anguish she had. Jones reflects similar sentiments, wondering how the devil maintains all of his wicked traits while maintaining such a lovely appearance. It's entertaining to hear the vocalists belt over each other as they join the chorus and express their fervent desire for the demise of both his new partner and their ex.
"The Glass" - H.E.R. ft. Foo Fighters
Remember that time Imagine Dragons and Kendrick Lamar performed together at the 2014 Grammy Awards, and everyone thought, "What the f***?" and "Why the f***?" However, it ended up being a song worth listening to and one of the night's top performances. Well, that's the exact sentiments I expressed when I saw H.E.R.'s name next to the Foo Fighters. Though, unexpectedly this does not have much of the Foo Fighters on the song. Instead, this is a cover of Foo Fighter's "The Glass."
Reflective of her debut album, this song is very ballad-based and anthem-like, which isn't always a bad thing. But after hearing one ballad-like speech too many, it becomes redundant and leaves a lot to be desired with this chosen single. Her voice is beautiful, but once the song concludes, it doesn't leave much of an impression on the listener.
"Red Flags" - Brittany Howard
The excitement I hold for this upcoming album is simply unfathomable. And with the constant releases of her singles, I find that I am getting more and more excited as the weeks drag on. "Red Flags," Brittany Howard's latest single, is an emotional, expressionist rumination on a failing relationship.
Brittany Howard's "Red Flags" unfolds like an ethereal jazz emotional breakdown, except in her interpretation. The topic of the song is the propensity to see warning signs and to ignore them entirely despite knowing better.
Unlike the songs that Howard usually creates, this song leans less on the electric guitar and more on the funky and at times erratic beats of the drum, and Howard's low raspy voice told as if she is coming to some kind of realization throughout the song. When she finally acknowledges where she is at fault, her low rasp turns into a high-pitched scream of frustration.
"Ninety Three 'Til Infinity And Beyoncé" - André 3000
The music on the new album New Blue Sun, is lovely and a great example of how people may get more introspective as they age. André 3000 opted to use a flute, which has been an inspiration to him for the past few years, to produce an album because he wanted to make a rap record but had nothing to talk about. This album, which lasts for one hour and eight minutes, is a peaceful, serene experience as all of the tracks are at 432 Hz, the healing frequency for calmness and relaxation.
With "Ninety Three 'Til Infinity And Beyoncé," André 3000 crafts a catchy, melodious atmosphere that keeps you enthralled for over four minutes.
Noname: Tiny Desk Concert
Not many artists have returned to the Tiny Desk performances. When they do, however, Tiny Desk demands that they either come in a new version or give something completely different. The 23-minute performance included revolutionary raps from Noname's third album Sundial, as well as the premiere of an unreleased song by hip-hop trio Ghetto Sage, which includes her and longtime collaborators Smino and Saba. The album, Sundial, is a brilliant examination of American culture and marks Noname's first release in five years.
Noname is tired of the anti-critical positive culture we've fostered over the years and is disgusted by the way this movement has produced marketed performances that turn Black art and culture into commodities.
This record is remarkable, enlightening, and self-aware in a manner that Noname has never been before. She is not trying to portray herself as a revolutionary in this, but she is also not going to remain silent about the absurdity she is seeing all around her or for other people. Watch the entire 23 minutes of this performance, and become enraptured in the artist as she finally shows that she deserves to be recognized as a groundbreaking artist of her time.
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