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.
With a multi-layered approach to her artistry, just as she did on that winter day in December 2013 with the infamous digital drop of her self-titled album, she changed the game again on February 1, 2023, when she announced her world tour in support of Renaissance, her seventh studio album. Her cultural impact set the internet ablaze, with everyone trying to gather their coins, barter for presale codes, and figure out which cities to attend. The group chats were lit, and the Beyhive was stressed trying to get their hands on tickets.
Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in L.A.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
Unfortunately, I was in that number. As the concert dates passed by and the one in my city drawing near all roads led to disappointment. With time ticking on the day of the Miami show and less than two hours to spare, my wallet bit the bullet, and I purchased three last-minute tickets, costing roughly $700.00 a piece (including fees) for me, my 9-year-old and 16-year-old nieces in Section 121 at the Hard Rock Stadium. With 10 minutes before showtime, we eagerly awaited the Queen to take the stage. A sea of metallic fringes, cowboy hats, disco fans, and western boots were in full effect and filled the entire stadium.
Dontaira with her nieces at Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in Miami.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
As the lights dimmed, a flood of emotions instantly overtook my body. It continued with each note she belted, along with nearly 50,000 roaring fans. The reverberating sound of the music through the stadium transported me from one era of my life to the next. As a teen girl in her bedroom daydreaming about her first love to blossoming into an unapologetic Black woman who is still on a road of self-discovery while learning to lean into the power anthem of "You won't break my soul." For over two hours, and with each set, I felt joy, love, peace, and a commanderie with fellow concertgoers. It was therapeutic as I danced like no one was watching and sang as if I were alone in my bathroom mirror.
There were no bars held, and I realized at that moment, "Nobody can judge me but me." The "Renaissance World Tour" proved to be so vast, and my Black girl joy was re-invigorated. It was magnetic and liberating, and I had to attend again, but this time, I needed to be up close and personal; I needed to be on the floor. In the days that passed, I watched more social media clips in different cities and asked myself if I would really splurge again to attend another Renaissance show.
Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in Miami.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
After all, this would be my thirteenth time (maybe more because I lost count) seeing Beyoncé live, whether she was on tour with Destiny's Child, as a solo artist, or doing a live appearance. I contemplated for a while, but it worked itself out on its own. I was gifted two tickets and the next thing I knew, I was off to LA to attend another Renaissance show with floor seats at SoFi Stadium during Beyonce's 42nd birthday weekend! This time, things were different: no kids were allowed. It was adults only this go round.
Although the energy at the Miami and Los Angeles shows was empowering, infectious, and a celebration of life, happiness, and identity, they each provided their own unique experience. However, both concerts were what I needed for my well-being, leaving me with sore feet from dancing the night away, on vocal rest for the next few days from screaming at the top of my lungs, and on an indefinite high on life.
My introduction and love for Beyoncé began in 1996, while my older sister lived in Houston, TX, right before Bey hit the scene in 1998 with "No, No, No" as a budding R&B member. Her evolution twenty-seven years later as an international superstar and into womanhood has been an incredible journey to witness. As Mrs. Carter reminds each of us in the audience every night before the curtain closes, "I want you to remember this moment, where you're standing, who you came with, and take it with you. I hope you feel inspired."
I truly felt inspired, so thank you, Queen Bey. You awakened my inner child, and I will definitely remember these moments and take them with me.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
