Naturi Naughton Says Tasha Will Discover Her Own 'Power' In The Hit Show's New Season
Spoiler Alert: 50 Cent and his team of writers had the internet in shambles after killing off the daughter of the infamous lead character Ghost on the last season of Power. A teaser was released in January that revealed that we would witness Raina's funeral on the upcoming season, which will likely serve to be as emotional for the audience as it was for the show's cast members.
Naturi Naughton, who plays Tasha, the estranged wife of Ghost, told Bossip that her recent pregnancy and newfound motherhood played a huge role in channeling her emotions toward the death of her fictional daughter on screen. She said:
"Not only just for me being a new mother, but I was thinking about – while shooting the scene with Raina's death – I was actually pregnant at that time, five months pregnant. It was deep for me because I was pulling from the fact that I was growing life inside of me, while on a television show, although make believe, having to deal with the emotions of losing a daughter, so that was hard."
Naturi's costar, La La Anthony, who is also a mother, told PageSix that the fictional 11-year-old character's death also took a toll on her emotionally.
"You are in there, and your emotions are running high — as a mom, you are feeling a way. I am looking at the eulogy of a young child, and that is not something you see often for children, thank God. Even on set, the vibe was just different."
Naturi told Bossip that the experience was that much more devastating knowing that what was just a "scene" to them is a reality for many families in America today.
"Some people in the real world are dealing with death, gun violence, children dying and funerals. Innocent young people are dying every day. This show touches on things that are happening in the world."
The 34-year-old actress stressed the importance of being a part of projects that present a real depiction of what life is like for a large percentage of our community, and hopes that by spreading awareness via mainstream media, we can begin to change this reality for everyone.
"It's frustrating and it made me get in tune with what's happening across the country. Innocent children are dying every day. So that is another aspect that I'm glad we incorporated into our show and talk about, because it's really affecting our community, and I think it's something we definitely have to address, even through art. It was hard for me, but I pulled from those, watching others lose their children throughout the whole year, but also being a new mother, and imagining what kind of pain that could be like – it was something unfathomable."
This year, Naturi is taking a stand for her beliefs both on and off screen. She shared in the interview that we would see a brand new Tasha this season, and she ain't nothing to play with. After the death of their fictional daughter, Tasha will struggle to forge her own path and discover her own power while Ghost seemingly flies off the rails.
"This is the first time that she is independent of Ghost. He's dealing with having to keep the family together, having to figure out how to mourn her daughter's death. She can't even rely on Ghost to mourn. If you watch the first couple of episodes he's kind of shutting down and mourning differently, I am in the pain of that and I can't even lean on him…It's also hard because her son Tariq is rebelling against the entire family. And he's just acting a hot mess – I can't control him! But it's frustrating. I think Tasha's the one who…never gets enough credit."
I, for one, am excited to see Tasha take control of the driver's seat, because like they say, nothing kicks off a drug war like a woman with a grudge. Tune into this season of Power to see how it all unfolds July 1st on Starz.
Featured image via Power/Starz
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy