Jade Kendle Is A New Mom & Veteran Hustler Who Puts Self-Care First
In xoNecole's series Mother/Hustler, we sit down with influential mom bosses who open up about the ups and downs of motherhood, as well as how they kill it in their respective industries, all while keeping their sanity and being intentional about self-care.
Between creating content for her audience of more than 290K followers, planning a wedding, traveling the world, and breastfeeding a five-month-old baby at the same damn time, there is no doubt that Jade Kendle is a whole superhero in these streets. For this new mom and veteran hustler, her only kryptonite is self-neglect, a nemesis that she's battled with since giving birth to her daughter Sarai in July.
In an exclusive interview with xoNecole, Jade shared, "I know it's especially tough to take care of ourselves as moms but I truly believe that my daughter requires the best me. I'm not my best [if I'm] super tired or without having 10 minutes in the morning and night to tend to my skin or brush my hair." She explained, "Believe me, those newborn days had me skipping my wellness routines and it was not cute."
Despite the whirlwind chaos of being a full-time mother/hustler, Jade has one helluva support system that helps her keep her eye on the bag, even in her worst moments. The content creator shared that having an accountability partner, her twin, fellow mogul mommy and business partner, Simone Kendle has been key in helping her find and keep her balance as a mompreneur.
She told xoNecole, "I called her mid-breakdown the other day, [and] she said, 'This the shit they talk about, Jade. Being a working mom is hard! It's easy to be proud of yourself when everything is going right. It's these moments where things are out of whack that really shows how hard this mompreneur life is. But guess what? You can do this and It's going to be OK.'"
Along with prioritizing her self-care and saying 'no' to things that don't bring her joy, this is how Jade Kendle manages running a business while figuring out motherhood at the same damn time:
How do you handle moments when you feel overwhelmed?
I have to walk away and find a quiet spot to breathe! Sometimes feeling overwhelmed is just in our heads and, for me, changing my environment, even if it's a bathroom (laughs), makes a world of difference!
What’s the hardest part of your day?
The moments where I have to hop on a call or film and Sarai just won't comply. Whether that's her being super fussy because she's tired or wanting to take for-ev-er to nurse. Those moments I feel my anxiety build and are the moments where being a working new mom is a challenge. But short-lived, thankfully!
When do you feel most productive?
First thing in the morning, Sarai and I will wake up, play, and nurse. Once she's down for her first nap, my workday begins! I take full advantage of her nap times to do all work-related things so when she is awake, I can give her my attention. She's actually napping right now [as we speak]!
"First thing in the morning, Sarai and I will wake up, play, and nurse. Once she's down for her first nap, my workday begins! I take full advantage of her nap times to do all work-related things so when she is awake, I can give her my attention."
What is your favorite way to spend “me time”?
I love going to the spa! Getting a facial or massage is my jam. I force myself to go at least once a month since even getting to the nail salon regularly is a stretch. For me, that massage or moment in the steam room gives me that hard reset my body and mind need.
What is your advice for dealing with mom guilt?
Whew, that's a tough one. Honestly, I don't have that figured out. My best bet is that I'll always have it in some capacity because I'm a working woman. I just know that I do it all for her. I want my daughter to see me living a life I love and one where I can be passionate about my work and be there for her, too.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
You NEED a team!
What is the most important lesson you want your kid(s) to learn from you?
You decide. You decide who you are, you decide what you do. You decide when to go right or left. Life is about choices–don't let ANYONE or anything convince you that your instinct or innate desire/passion is wrong.
Why was it important to you to be an entrepreneur even though some people may think that a 9-5 offers more stability?
I had to recognize that what I want my life to look like didn't match what many 9-5ers lives look like. I felt so many conflicts–even in school–with strict routines and expectations. I knew I would either struggle to get up every day, which at times, I did. Or, I would have to walk a very different path. I'm so glad I chose a different path!
"I had to recognize that what I want my life to look like didn't match what many 9-5ers lives look like. I felt so many conflicts–even in school–with strict routines and expectations. I knew I would either struggle to get up every day, which at times, I did. Or, I would have to walk a very different path."
How has being a mother helped you become a better entrepreneur (or vice versa)?
Motherhood has taught me such a great lesson in prioritizing. From work to personal. Who do I really want to surround myself with? What projects do I really want to do? My life revolves around my family now, not work. That was a huge shift for me!
What advice do you have for moms who are looking to start their business but haven’t taken a step out on faith yet?
If you don't do it for you, do it for your baby. Do you want them to grow up seeing you work a job you hate or what dedication to your passion looks like?
Do you think it’s important to keep your personal and professional life separate? Why or why not?
For me, the personal and professional life is so intertwined! It works for me and what I do. I think everyone has to make that decision for themselves.
What advice do you have when it comes to time management as a mogul mommy?
Take advantage of a sleep schedule (laughs). That's all I got, so far!
What tips do you have for financial planning, both professionally and for your family?
Whew, that's a whole convo in itself! I would say in very general terms, PLAN PLAN PLAN!
To learn more about Jade, follow her on Instagram @lipstickncurls!
Featured image by Instagram/@lipstickncurls.
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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It’s officially Miss Keri, Baby season again—and if you ask us, it’s been a long time coming. After 15 years away from the music scene, Keri Hilson has returned not only with a brand-new album, but also a captivating new role in Lifetime’s Fame—the latest installment in The Temptations film franchise.
Between the album We Need to Talk: Love and her leading role in Fame, this isn’t just a comeback—it’s a rebirth. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter turned actress is letting us into her world like never before, unpacking themes of vulnerability, healing, and inner strength with grace, grit, and raw artistry.
Now streaming on Lifetime, Fame follows two superstar sisters—played by Keri and singer/actress Keshia Chanté—as they navigate the cost of stardom, sibling rivalry, and the dark side of desire. The film also stars Romeo Miller, Ecstasia Sanders, Nathan Witte, and Sophie Carriere, and is executive produced by Derrick Williams and Adriane Hopper Williams of the Seven Deadly Sins franchise.
As for the music? We Need to Talk: Love is a three-part album (Love, Drama, Redemption) that tells the story of a woman who’s been through it—and has risen from the ashes. “It was time to speak for myself,” Keri says.
We sat down with Keri to talk about her return to music, her passion for acting, the emotional depth of Fame, and how she’s learning to care for herself amidst the chaos.
From R&B Queen to Drama Star: Keri Gets Into Character
“Even though she’s famous—as am I—it was really her humanity that I wanted to portray.”
Keri plays Cherish, one half of a superstar sibling duo who must confront their fractured relationship in the wake of a traumatic robbery. For Keri, the role was more than a character—it was a psychological study.
“I enjoy departures from reality. That’s why I love acting,” she shares. “Psychology is one of my favorite things in life. I became a writer because I’m an observer of human nature, emotion, and behavior. I think I did a good job showing her humanity.”
The Fame Isn’t Always Worth the Price
“Keep the main thing the main thing.”
Keri doesn’t sugarcoat the industry. When asked about what Fame reveals about the dark side of celebrity culture, her answer is clear:
“It’s a cautionary tale. It reminds you to keep your family close and not allow anything to come between them—especially in pursuit of success. Keep the main thing the main thing. For me, that’s family, love, spirituality, and values.”
Three Chapters, One Story: Love. Drama. Redemption.
“I’ve shed the fear. It was time to tell my own story.”
Released April 18th, We Need to Talk: Love is Keri’s first album in 15 years—and a deeply personal one at that. The three-part project (Love, Drama, Redemption) represents a timeline of healing and growth.
“I’m finally in a place where I’m able and willing to open up more,” she says. “For a while, I became really guarded—shell-shocked, even—after making mistakes in the public eye. Whether it’s all your fault or not, the scrutiny takes its toll. But now, I’ve shed that fear. It’s time to tell my story.”
Cooking, Walks, and Recalibrating in the Chaos
“I’m not doing the best job—but I’m doing what I can.”
Between eight-hour rehearsals, press runs, and music releases, Hilson admits she hasn’t quite figured out the balance yet—but she’s trying. For her, the key is carving out small rituals of normalcy.
“I enjoy cooking. That’s my sanctity,” she says. “I’ll go home, take my makeup off, put on my rehearsal clothes, and cook a meal. I take walks. I run. These little things help me feel like myself again.”
Art Imitates Life (and Album Tracklists)
“Cherish goes from Love… to Drama… to Redemption.”
Asked which album chapter her Fame character would fall into, Keri doesn’t hesitate. “She fits into all three,” she says. “You see her go from love, to drama, to redemption. That arc mirrors the journey of so many women who’ve had to navigate pain and find their way back to themselves.”
No Pressure, Just Art: Keri Wants You to Feel Something
“Just enjoy the art. That’s it.”
After all the time, patience, and healing, Keri isn’t asking for much. She just wants fans to press play—and feel something.
“I just want people to enjoy what they’re seeing and hearing. Enjoy me on screen. Enjoy me through their ears. People have waited, and I feel blessed by that. That helps me keep it all pure and simple.”
As Keri Hilson steps boldly back into the spotlight, it’s clear this era is all about alignment, artistry, and authenticity. With Fame airing on Lifetime and the first chapter of We Need to Talk: Love setting the tone, we’re more than excited to see what’s next.
As she continues to unfold the album’s next two chapters—Drama and Redemption—one thing’s for sure: this isn’t just a comeback. It’s a reintroduction. And we’ll be watching, listening, and cheering her on every step of the way.
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