Melanie Fiona's pivot from Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter, to mental wellness and self-care mom, has been everything cultivated into what we love to see. She has evolved into the big sister in all of our heads, showing off her adorably-hilarious family, which consists of her fiance, Jared Cotter, and son, Cam.
At the top of the year, Jared and Melanie were scheduled to be married, which due to the pandemic, was rescheduled multiple times. But listen, true love...true love cannot be stopped, m'kay? The couple instead, decided to tie the knot anyway and they commemorated the occasion with the wedding announcement video that made our little, overjoyed hearts flicker for their lives.
Of the video, Fiona said:
"Anything is Possible...✨ If you're willing to adjust your perspective. We had to postpone our wedding three times this year. We had to accept that a full ceremony with our loved ones could not be possible until 2021. But we also knew we wanted to be married this year. So, we made it happen!!! We took what was in our control and saw it through. On 12-12-2020, I married my best friend, in the most perfectly possible way."
Melanie's caption continued:
"Remember, things might not look the way you envisioned, but if you're willing to surrender... to detach from your ideals and expectations, you can joyfully find your way back to the intention. The reason you started in the first place. What you feel, what you see, here, is a reflection of that intention."
Set to the tune of John Legend's "Who Do We Think We Are", the video opens with Cam busting his best celebratory moves and linking up with mom and dad for a stylish family photo shoot.
Melanie Fiona
The couple then enjoy a toast, and fixes the other up to get ready for their big day. As they get into the car, Jared puts into the GPS directions to LA Wedding Chapel, Same Day Marriage.
Melanie Fiona
They vibe and have a blast on the way, which they arrive to, fully masked. After a few shots and signing a little paperwork, the couple get married (and by this time, I'm screaming with tissues!)
Melanie Fiona
But wait, ya'll, it gets better! The newlyweds then head off to the first place in line (you know, because, priorities!)...to get a drank!
Melanie Fiona
"We will for sure have our full celebration/ceremony when we can, but like I said in yesterday's post, the right time to take the right action, is RIGHT NOW. Thank you for all your love and support. We are OVERJOYED."
Melanie Fiona
Join my obsession with alllllllll of this and watch the full video here. Congratulations to the Cotters!
Feature image courtesy of Instagram/Melanie Fiona
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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.
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.
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.
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
