K. Michelle Spent Over $300K & Has Had 13 Surgeries To Reverse Her Butt Implants
True beauty can't be bought and buying into this ideology can force you to pay a hefty price, both literally and emotionally, and has even cost a number of women their lives and K. Michelle's new show on Lifetime is a potent reminder of this fact. In 2012, the now-33-year-old R&B singer paid $7,000 for black market butt injections, and after 8 years of migraines, surgeries, and complications, K. Michelle says that she has spent nearly $300,000 to get the procedure reversed. On a recent episode of the Wendy Williams Show, K. Michelle opened up about her tragic experience and her mission to ensure that no woman has to ever go through what she went through, again. She explained:
"One morning I woke up, I was fine. And just one morning I woke up, y'all and my legs gave out and I couldn't walk and no one knew. They told me I had lupus. They didn't know what it was."
After learning that the silicone had spread throughout her body, causing potentially fatal damage, K. Michelle was forced to undergo a series of back-to-back surgeries to get it removed and they were not cheap.
"That surgery alone was $300,000 and I did it and no insurance doesn't cover it, so that's why I have the TV show because I'm helping women get it out of their bodies."
Although K. Michelle still has at least two surgeries before she's fully on the road to recovering, she's adamant about using her platform and her upcoming show to save the lives of women who don't have $300K to spend on a lifesaving procedure.
"Every day I get about 20 to 30 emails begging for their lives to be saved because they can't afford to get it out."
For more of the news that's poppin' this week, scroll below!
Kobe & GiGi Bryant's Memorial Service Was Today & There Wasn't Dry Eye In The Room
After watching Kobe and Gianna Bryant's memorial service, I have felt all of the feels and my heart literally can't take it. Along with Beyonce's performance of Kobe's favorite song, "XO", one of the most emotional moments of the service was when Vanessa Bryant gave an emotional tribute to her daughter GiGi, who she says would have made a great mother and ultimately become one of the greatest players in the NBA:
"God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other. He had to bring them home to heaven together."
In her address, Vanessa also had a message about her late-husband, who she calls her "protector":
"I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his wife, his best friend, his confidante and his protector. He was the early bird and I was the night owl. He was fire and I was ice, and vice versa sometimes."
"I"m so thankful Kobe heard KoKo say dada. He taught us all valuable lessons... and we're so thankful he left those lessons and stories behind for us... We're still the best team."
B. Smith Loses Her Battle With Alzheimer's Disease
According to reports, 70-year-old lifestyle icon, cookbook author, and restauranteur B. Smith lost her seven-year battle with Alzheimer's and died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday and the creative industry lost one of the biggest bosses to ever do it.
Known for becoming one of the first Black mainstream fashion models, Barbra was a multi hyphenate businesswoman with many eggs and many baskets and she won't be soon forgotten. In a 1997 interview with New York Magazine, she said:
"Martha Stewart has presented herself doing the things domestics and African Americans have done for years. We were always expected to redo the chairs and use everything in the garden. This is the legacy that I was left. Martha just got there first."
The NAACP Image Awards Show Was Black Elegance Personified
I'm going to need to send Lizzo, Rihanna, Tracee Ellis Ross, and all of the other Black girl magicians who pulled up at the NAACP Image Awards an invoice. Because my wig is snatched and I would like reimbursement.
Among the stars who were honored was our favorite bad gal, Queen Rih, who received this year's President's Award and we can always count on our good sis to come through with a word. In her moving speech, she asked the audience:
"How many of us in this room have colleagues and partners and friends from other races, sexes, religions? Well then, you know, they want to break bread with you, right? They like you? Well then, this is their problem too. So when we're marching and protesting and posting about the Michael Brown Jr.s and the Atatiana Jeffersons of the world, tell your friends to pull up."
Erykah Badu’s Vagina-Inspired Incense Sold Out In Minutes
Erykah Badu might possibly be one of the most iconic businesswomen of our time. Sis committed to the commando lifestyle, burned all of her old panties, made them into incense and sold them on the internet.
Earlier this month, the singer revealed that the unique product, which featured 20 sticks per box and is priced at $50, would be featured on her Badu World Market exclusively, and according to Erykah, it sold out in 10 minutes. So if there's anyone out there who doesn't believe that you can do anything you put your mind to (even if that means burning your underwear and selling them), just know that you're the only person holding yourself back.
Sabrina & Idris Elba Have A New Podcast, Here’s What We Know
Last year, Sabrina and Idris Elba tied the knot and recently, the couple announced that they would be giving viewers an inside look at how they make their relationship work with their joint lifestyle brand, Sable Labs.
The newlyweds say that with the launch of their podcast, they plan to help couples find a way to achieve their dreams together:
"We've started something called Sable Labs. We believe if we can create a Coupledom community, we can share our experiences and help each other communicate better and achieve more. We'd love to explore couples and relationships of all kinds under the topic of Coupledom, which is two people coming together to make a shared dream a reality. My hope is that by listening to other partnerships, people will recognize themselves and their own relationships, finding common ground that they can apply to their own lives. We hope that Coupledom becomes an inspiring space to help one another grow."
Featured image via Giphy
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.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images