

Wine, cheese, and wisdom aren't the only things that get better with time. For Halle Berry, an ageless icon, time seems to be moving backward.
If someone asked me what I want to be when I grow up, my answer would probably be Halle Berry.
Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
Thanks to her Keto diet, consistent work out schedule and two small children that keep her young, Halle Berry is our forever style, beauty, and fitness goals. In honor of her birthday this year, xoNecole has compiled a list of valuable advice that we've gotten from this legend over the years and there is no shortage of gems.
Here are four mantras that Halle Berry gave us to live by:
1.“This is who I am; take me or leave me.”
After competing for years in the pageant industry, Halle made it a point to bring her most authentic self to the entertainment industry. Win or lose, Halle has always valued the importance of keeping it 1,000 and recommends that you do the same. You won't be everyone's cup of tea, but everyone doesn't have to drink it. In a 2009 interview with Harper's Bazaar, the actress said:
"I've always been honest, even when I haven't had good times in my life or my movie bombed or I've had great success. I've owned up to all of it. I've said, 'Hey, this is who I am; take me or leave me.'"
In a different interview, the icon kept that same energy, saying:
"I have to live for me. I have to do what I need to do for me, and I have stopped concerning myself with what people say."
2.“We have to own our worth and know our worth."
These boots are made for walking, and Halle says you better Mary J. Blige-step your way out of any situation that doesn't serve you.
"I think when you believe you're worth it, that's when you'll fight for it…When you know that the work you're providing is worth more than they're willing to pay you, then you'll ask for it. That's when you'll be willing to walk away from it if they say no. But you have to be willing to walk away…We have to own our worth and know our worth."
3.“Refuse to settle.”
Over the years, Halle has been part of a number of very public breakups that at one time left her heart in shambles. Ultimately, she decided that it was up to her to set the standard for the level of love she deserves:
"I'm not done with love, but I refuse to settle. I am a hopeless romantic. And I won't stop till I get it right."
4.“Beauty is not just physical."
As someone who has been heralded as one of the world's most beautiful people time and time again, the Oscar-winner doesn't sweat looking like a snack at 53. However, she knows that she is a whole garden, one that must be properly watered and fed in order to truly exude beauty.
"Beauty is not just physical. It's about what you stand for, how you live your life."
"As beautiful as Halle is on the outside, she's 10 times more beautiful on the inside
5."Find the lesson within the experience."
No matter how much your friends and family support you, you can't elevate to your highest potential without weathering through some storms. Despite her global successes, Halle is no different.
"I meditate and pray all the time. The faith and respect that I have in the power of God in my life is what I've used to keep myself grounded, and it has allowed me to move away from the storms that were in my life."
"I no longer scramble blindly through hardship. I no longer emerge from a bad time feeling relieved just to have survived. Instead of despairing, I try to find the lesson within the experience."
6."A small shift can guide you."
If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again with new intentions. According to Halle, the true key to success is being willing to modify your goals and align your purpose accordingly.
"If you set out to do something and you give it your all and it doesn't work out, be willing to modify your goal slightly. Have the ability to look in another direction. A small shift could guide you to the real purposes of your life."
Featured image by Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
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
Ashley Versher is known for her work in the Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black series and more recently, she starred alongside Taraji P. Henson in the Netflix film Straw. But she is more than just her acting credits and stunning looks (her hair alone is everything). In an xoNecole exclusive, Ashley dishes on her first celebrity crush, how she spends her downtime, and her go-to haircare products because we need the deets.
Get to know Ashley below.
xoNecole: Where are you from?
Ashley Versher: San Francisco - BAY AREAAAAAA!!!!
xoN: What was your first major acting role?
AV: A 49ers Super Bowl commercial - I think I was 3.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: Have you ever had an embarrassing or funny audition story? If so, what happened?
AV: Yes! I was doing a self-tape once and I forgot to take off my bonnet. But the tape was so good I sent it in anyway.
xoN: Your hair is gorgeous. What has it been like navigating Hollywood with natural hair?
AV: Thank you so much! Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself. Once I fully embraced my natural hair and committed to the journey, everything else began to align. It’s been nothing short of empowering.
Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself.
xoN: What are your favorite go-to hair products?
AV: Ooooooo, right now I’m loving Camille Rose’s Jai Twisting Butter—it’s super moisturizing and gives me a fun, bouncy twist-out! I’ve also recently gotten into oils, and I’m especially loving sweet almond oil.
xoN: We know you as an actress, but what is another special talent you have that most people don't know about?
AV: I trained as a classical violinist for 13/14years.
xoN: Who is your hero?
AV: My mom. She’s incredible - full stop.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: How do you like to spend your down time?
AV: Ha! What’s that!? Jk jk, I love to travel, that’s honestly my favorite thing.
xoN: Who was your first celebrity crush?
AV: Prince.
xoN: What is your dream role?
AV: One day I will play a witch with Harry Potter-like powers!
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Feature image by Johnny Marlow