

There is a little-known truth about come ups, and the truth is that they are usually ushered into our lives after we fall down.
When we fall, we don't realize how necessary it is to hit rock bottom, to feel like we've reached the darkness of a tunnel, to feel like we've failed. In those moments, it's important to understand that we've been broken down to get there. And that there, we are given the restorative power of building ourselves back together again.
Our life resets, our journey begins anew, and we are able to create the lives we were destined to live and walk into the women we were intended to be.
No one knows that better than Keri Hilson.
Recently, Keri made an appearance on the Steve Harvey Show and sat down to speak with the psychic medium Reginald Lewis who acted as a vessel between her and her deceased grandmother. The theme of the emotional reading was change and releasement, and we learned that it was an end of seasons for Keri who recently had to let go of some people, thoughts and ideas that were holding her back from walking in her purpose.
During the reading, she revealed that she was ready to return back to her true self and her passions, but that meant removing pieces in her life that no longer served her. For example, last year Keri had entered a new relationship, however that relationship ended very abruptly this past December.
Keri let it be known that she made peace with that particular ending, telling Lewis:
"That's one of the things that I'm walking away from."
Lewis responded that her grandmother felt she was doing the right thing. "People were taking advantage of you. It's time to let go. And it's okay. You are doing the right thing. Be at peace with where you are. You are making the right decision. There is definitely someone that will be coming in for you next year."
He also revealed that her hard work with releasement and rebuilding would be rewarded. For Keri, the new year will mean new love, new beginnings, and a comeback that will allow her to share her gifts with the world again.
From the outside looking in, she seemed to be living the dream. The singer was well on her way to the top when she released her chart-topping album In A Perfect World…, which was shortly followed by No Boys Allowed. However, the "Pretty Girl Rock" artist has been noticeably MIA in the music scene since the 2010 release. Fans have long since wondered when new music from Keri would happen, and a brief hiatus from the music scene turned into nearly a decade.
"I hit rock bottom a few times and I'm crawling back to walking in my purpose…in my power, and using my gifts. I think I had to give up music for a while. I stepped away. I thought it would just be a year. It's been six, maybe. I realize now that I'm grateful for all of those years. I have built myself back up."
That is how you find your purpose. That is how you find your power.
2018 is sure to be the year of the Keri Hilson comeback. And we are so here for it!
Watch the video of her psychic reading below.
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
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