

The past 72 hours have been a whirlwind of #RoyalWedding coverage, and for good reason. Saturday's ceremony was seriously one of the most gorgeous spectacles I've had the pleasure of witnessing. Many have been left wondering, how did Meghan Markle, an older, divorced, half-black, American, actress, with no royal pedigree, gain the affections of one of the richest and most eligible bachelors in the world?
Well first, despite all of those descriptors that would seemingly deem her ineligible for such a catch, you can clearly see in Harry's eyes that it was Meghan who was the prize. He made this clear, in fact, in an interview after their engagement, when he said that he knew he "had to up his game" when he first laid eyes on her.
To give some backstory, they were set up by a friend on a blind date, so Meghan must have been exhibiting all the appropriate princess-like behavior even prior to their meeting. After all, even the best wing-woman on Earth wouldn't risk an important contact like Prince Harry by setting him up with a woman who was trashy, inappropriate, or uncouth. The fact that Meghan traveled in the right social circles and spent a lot of time doing charity work both here and abroad furthered her cause, she already acted like a royal before they met.
So what was Meghan's secret to having Harry so smitten from the start?
In my opinion, it's all about how she has harnessed the power and magic of feminine energy. Think about her body language during the ceremony: it was like she was beaming positive energy out of every pore. She was all smiling eyes, soft giggles, affectionate hand-holding, bashfulness (mixed with a healthy dose of confidence) and warm adoration for her man. And the whole world was spellbound.
Femininity is a helluva drug.
This magical energy coursed through their entire courtship, and Meghan took the more feminine route at every turn. She shut down her lifestyle blog and deleted her social media accounts once their relationship was leaked to the media, putting a premium on their privacy rather than her personal brand. She gave up her acting career in order to focus on royal duties, after realizing she could do more for her personal causes as a princess than an actress. She stayed silent as vile things were said about her in the press and family members trashed her on every available platform. These sacrifices gave Prince Harry the space to be her protector, standing up for her via an unprecedented official statement from Kensington Palace both confirming their relationship and calling for restraint in media coverage of her.
Despite what she gave up, in return she gained an alpha male partner who adores her, protects her and provides for her (that and a role in the royal monarchy). Had she held onto "independent woman syndrome" or listened to "friends" who expected her to maintain her career, she would now be yet another in the long list of Harry's ex-girlfriends.
Each of us can manifest our inner feminine in that same way. The key is vibrating on that level energetically.
You can have curves to die for, hair laid, nails done, eyelashes poppin' and designer heels to match every bag in your closet but if your energy is competitive, aggressive and alpha, none of the other qualities matter when it comes to attracting a high-quality man. So many successful women have everything going for them, but because we're so used to doing everything ourselves, we don't allow ourselves to let our guard down and be soft and vulnerable when a man is around. We don't ask for help, we make all the decisions, and we talk more than we listen. It also doesn't help when people are constantly asking what you bring to the table, because you start to think your worth is connected to your work, your grind and your hustle, which is a totally masculine mindset.
Your worth is not measured by what you do, but who you are, a woman worthy of the dreamiest of love stories.
Want to access your feminine power?
- Start with some self-care. Get your nails done, take a bath, or book a regular massage. It's much easier to be positive and playful when you're feeling relaxed and beautiful. Your smile and your happiness is your secret weapon.
- Refine your speech by lightening your voice and speaking more softly. Whether you're on a date or ordering a pizza, you will receive more when you turn your feminine charm on high. Cutting down on cursing is also a good idea.
- Let men do things for you, even if you can do it yourself. Everything from opening a jar of tomato sauce to pumping gas in your car. Treat door handles as if you've never contemplated such a contraption in your life. When you act as if you don't need any help, you won't get any.
Going forward, let's manifest a little more Meghan and tap into our feminine power. Let's leave aggression at the office. Let's heal those hurts that cause us to lash out. Being gentle, vulnerable, and soft are our strengths. They will allow you to attract the alpha male that's going to want to protect you, rather than have you forcing a relationship with a dusty you have to take care of. Even if you are married or partnered, matching your man's masculine energy will throw your entire relationship out of balance and leave you wondering where it all went wrong.
Meghan is no different from any of us. We can all reclaim our fairy tale.
Women, and black women especially, absolutely epitomize the divine feminine. We were born with the knowing, we just have to remember how to harness it again. Let the royal wedding be yet another reminder that we ARE wanted, adored, and coveted by the best of the best.
And when we walk in that truth as a healed, happy, confident, feminine women, we can have anything and everything we've ever wanted.
Featured image by Giphy
- What Is Feminine Energy? - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Meghan Markle Mental Health Interview - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Meghan Markle Facts - 30 Things You Didn't Know About Meghan ... ›
- Meghan Markle On Her Biracial Identity - Actress Meghan Markle ... ›
- Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's bride: A 'confident mixed-race ... ›
- Meghan Markle | PEOPLE.com ›
- Meghan Markle's Family - Pictures of Meghan Markle's Parents ... ›
- Prince Harry's bride-to-be - the lowdown on Meghan Markle - CNN ›
Lauren Craig @inawordfab is a former attorney who escaped the corporate grind to pursue her own personal brand of happiness. She is now a full-time writer, TV/radio personality, marketing professional, serial entrepreneur, yogi, Glambassador, and THE TABLE. Join the movement by visiting iamthetable.com.
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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After Decades-Long Career, Terri J. Vaughn Is Finally The Main Character: Exclusive
Terri J. Vaughn first captured our attention in the late ‘90s as Lovita Alizay Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show. Decades later, she is starring in her very own series, She The People, which is now available to stream on Netflix.
The political sitcom, which she co-created with Niya Palmer and later teamed up with Tyler Perry Studios, is about a Black woman named Antoinette Dunkerson who runs for lieutenant governor of Mississippi. She wins and becomes the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. Now, she’s forced to balance working with a racist and sexist governor while also trying to keep her family from running amok.
According to the beloved actress, this project was a long time coming. “I’ve been trying to get my own television series for like 20 years, pounding the pavement, meeting with people, getting clothes, being lied to, just a whole bunch of stuff,” she says in an exclusive interview with xoNecole.
“But just keep going, because this is what I do. This is what I love, and I know how important it is for us to continue to show up and make sure that we are seen, make sure that our voices are heard. For several reasons. I just never give up. So here I am, 20 years later, finally sold my show.”
She The People is inspired by the true story of London Breed, who became the first Black female mayor of San Francisco, Terri’s hometown. And to help make the show more authentic, the Cherish the Day actress tapped former Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms to come on as a producer.'“I’ve been trying to get my own television series for like 20 years, pounding the pavement, meeting with people, getting clothes, being lied to, just a whole bunch of stuff."
After bringing the former mayor aboard, it was time to pitch again. And this time, the companies were pitching them. Ultimately, Terri decided to work with Tyler Perry on the series.
“We decided to do it with Tyler for several reasons. I love that. Well, most of the companies we met with were Black-owned companies, but he was the only studio,” she explains. “Tyler is like Walt Disney. That's literally what he is. He has the studio, he has the content. He operates just like Walt Disney.”
And thanks to the cast, the show is nothing short of laughs. The series also stars social media creator Jade Novah as Antoinette’s crazy cousin/ assistant, Shamika, Family Mattersstar Jo Marie Payton as Anotinette’s mom, Cleo, and Terri’s husband, Karon Riley, who plays Michael, her driver and love interest.
While we’ve watched Terri’s career blossom in various ways. From directing to producing, and playing diverse characters, the mom of two says her The Steve Harvey Show character will always be her favorite.
“Well, Lovita was definitely my favorite, especially for my time, the age and everything that I was. Now as a grown ass woman over 50, Antoinette Dunkerson is everything that I've wanted to play. She's everything. She's a mother of two teenagers. She's divorced, so she's co-parenting with her ex-husband. She has to wrangle in a very eclectic family,” she says.
“So I like playing characters that are really flawed and trying to figure it out and doing their best to try to figure it. And she's very flawed and she is trying to figure it out, and she fucks up sometimes. But her heart and what she's trying to do and what her vision is and purpose, it's all for the people. I mean, she the people. She’s for the people, she is the people.”
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Feature image by Jamie Lamor Thompson/ Shutterstock