
Badass Boss Karleen Roy On How She Balances SoulCycle With Planning Parties For Cardi B & Migos

In xoNecole's Finding Balance, we profile boss women making boss moves in the world and in their respective industries. We talk to them about their business, their life, and most of all, what they do to find balance in their busy lives.
When I think of Karleen Roy, the first thing that comes to mind: Dope AF.
That's because the Howard alum has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry in more ways than one, all while showing what true hustle and grind looks like (while doing it fabulously, of course). And while we live in a time where places like Instagram make the journey look cute, Roy is no stranger to hard work and sacrifice (and she'll tell you in a heartbeat).
Not only has she worked for some of the greatest names in media (hello, she was Diddy's executive assistant for YEARS), but she's also the founder of The Vanity Group, a boutique luxury lifestyle management company specializing in event production, luxury concierge services and talent relations for some of the biggest names you can think of.
Luxury cars and exclusive vendors? That's all Karleen. A tight deadline while accommodating some of the wildest requests from celebrities? Yep, that's also Karleen. Oh, and the Memphis-bred fashionista who still has time to slay on the gram? Yep, you guessed it.
We wanted to know how Roy juggles it all from friendships, to her high-demand job, to finding peace in the down moments, so we chatted with her for this month's installment of Finding Balance.
What is an average day or week like for you?
There is not an average day for me. One day can be a chill day where I'm just catching up on emails, and the next day, I could be flying to Miami without prior notice to plan a party for Migos.
What do you find to be the most hectic part of your week/your work?
It's a challenge for me to find balance between my work and personal. Honestly, if I had a better handle on managing my clients, I could probably be more efficient in my day! I try to "design" my day with my day planner (I use the notebook DAY DESIGNER) — it's really helpful because when you fall off track, you can go back and read what you need to accomplish for the day, week or month. That's exactly what I need.
Do you practice any types of self care?
I have a routine in the morning and at night. My morning routine usually consists of: wake up, watch/listen to short motivational videos, check the Bible verse of the day, and then I'm off to workout by 7:30am. I try to start my work day by 10am. And in the evenings, I read a book to wind down.
How do you find balance with:
Friends?
I believe you should show up to the moments and life milestones that count. Text, GroupMe, and Marco Polo groups. My friends are my village.
Love/Relationships? Dating?
I have a boyfriend. Most days, he's amazing…other days, I want to strangle him. He's great at understanding my crazy and being very supportive.
Exercise?
I workout faithfully. Health is wealth. I want to be strong, lean, yet juicy, and live a long fruitful life. How we treat ourselves now will determine our bodies later in life. I workout maybe five times a week, usually at SoulCycle. In the summer, I run in Central Park.
What about health? Do you cook or find yourself eating out?
I eat out mostly, besides breakfast. I try to make breakfast every weekday morning. My evenings are usually up and down, so I'll cook, depending on where the day takes me! But cooking takes too much time and preparation, I'd rather order out if I had to choose.
Do you ever detox?
Yes! BluePrint cleanse usually after the holidays or an exhausting work project.
When you are going through a bout of uncertainty, or feeling stuck, how do you handle it?
I remind myself that I'm the shit!! (*Kanye West vibes*) I made it this far…God don't bring you to leave you!
And honestly, what does success mean to you?
Success is achieving the goals you set to achieve in all areas of your life. Not someone else's life or goals, but what you designed for your own life.
For more Karleen, be sure to follow the inspiring experience curator on Instagram and check out her luxury lifestyle management agency The Vanity Group.
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Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
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 YouTube/xoNecole
Tisha Campbell Shares Why She Got A Mommy Makeover & And We’re Here For The Transparency
Tisha Campbell is still here. Here. Here. Here. (If you know, you know.) The 56-year-old actress and singer is living her life loudly and without apology, all while keeping it real about the work she's had done.
While gracing the 2025 BET Awards red carpet last week, the My Wife & Kids alum let it be known that she has nothing to hide as she revealed to Entertainment Tonight that she recently had a mommy makeover. "I had extra skin from the baby and a little bit of droppage here and a little bit of droppage there," she shared with the outlet as an exclusive. "They tighten me together."
The mother of two shared that changing her body wasn't about anyone else; it was first and foremost about pleasing herself. "I'm a single mom, not ready for dating," she added. "But I just wanted to feel good for me."
Why Tisha Campbell Chose to Share About Her Plastic Surgery
Tisha isn't new to keeping it a buck and has always been transparent about subjects that others might shy away from, whether it's about her decision to walk away from the show that put her on the map as an actor or her decision to walk away from a 22-year marriage to ex-husband Duane Martin. Cosmetic surgery is simply another topic for the Tisha to be open about.
Even in a post-BBL era, cosmetic procedures are something that is still taboo to talk about, especially among women in Hollywood who have spent decades in the public eye, like Tisha. The self-proclaimed "open book" shared her why behind disclosing her surgery:
"I just think it's more important for people to know why one does it. If you wanna feel good about you. And I just wanted to be honest about it," she told ET. "I think it's more important, to be honest, to know that you know I didn't all this by myself. It's nice to be a little bit more snatched around that area."
Tisha Campbell is serving confidence and honesty about her mommy makeover 👶✨ #BETAwards #tishacampbell #kyliejenner #mommymakeover
So, What Is a Mommy Makeover?
For those who are unfamiliar, a "mommy makeover" refers to a combination of cosmetic procedures and can differ for every woman depending on her personal goals. While the overarching intention of a mommy makeover is often to "restore" their bodies to their "pre-baby" status, the procedures are customizable and ultimately based on what feels good to her personally.
This might look like a tummy tuck or liposuction, a breast lift, reduction, or augmentation, a labiaplasty, or any other nips and tucks that support how they feel in their bodies after giving birth.
What stood out in Tisha's clip wasn't just her transparency in action, but also the intention behind her decision to have surgery. She waited until her sons Xen, 23, and Ezekiel,15, were older to have her procedure and made it clear that she centered herself in her choice. In her new season life, this is how she is honoring herself.
"For me. It's not for everybody, it's for me."
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Featured image by Rob Latour/Shutterstock