Oprah Lets Us Know She Is Not Lucky, She's Blessed In 'Elle India' Feature
Elle India was so sure that readers would be able to recognize our queen Oprah in one instant that they decided to choose one of their two magazine covers with mogul facing her back to the camera.
She is on the cover of this month's 22nd-anniversary issue to the surprise of many of us, decked out in beautiful Indian garments that she wears like a second skin.
With the million reasons why to look up to Oprah, the top on my list is how she owns the camera and knows it, so much that she covers her personal magazine every month (I strive to meet the level of self-deserved extraness!).
With all that she's accomplished in a short time here on Earth, it's easy to understand that she's a straight-up boss. However, for those of us trying to get our "Oprah" on during this lifetime, we wonder where this star got the guts to live her truth and walk within her authenticity straight to the top.
Oprah reveals that this realness comes from an understanding of her journey in the not-so-pretty places of the world and life. Here are three takeaways that could help any of us elevate to a higher sense of self and to manifest the life we desire walking into the new year.
Sit Down, Be Humble.
Oprah has every reason to brag, coming from where she came from and going through what she went through. However, the major key is being able to navigate through her charmed life with a lens of gratitude. Oprah reminds us that each piece of your puzzle plays a big part in a beautiful masterpiece. She told Elle:
"If you look at where I was born, where I was raised in rural Mississippi at a time when it was an apartheid state – the chances of me being who I am, where I am…nobody would have believed it was possible. So yes, the lesson is amazing grace does exist."
Growth Is Uncomfortable.
For those of us finding ourselves in defining moments in our lives, whether it be pertaining to our career, love lives, or self-development, Oprah suggests that we lean into the feeling of fear instead of running away from it. We have a tendency to run at the sit of any negative feeling and emotion that arises in us, however, they are vital to observe and work through. She explains:
"Fear is there for a reason, and I don't believe that if you're afraid it means you should do it. Fear means think about it. It means caution, it means to pay attention to what you're feeling until you have the clarity to move forward."
Be Present And Express Yourself.
For some of us feeling stuck in between "I'm doing great" and "I need to go harder," Oprah says to embrace where you are at this moment, but to also find your voice in order to share yourself to the world in the best way you know how. We forget that as Black women we share similarities, but we all have our own uniqueness to share with the world through our passions:
"I feel like we are exactly where we are supposed to be in this moment in time, and all of us who can raise our voices should use them in such a way that we can make part of progress; you will do that in your lifetime, and then the next generation will do that in their lifetime."
The Future Is Female.
The 64-year-old decided to drop some gems on us youngins as per usual, and as for the future, she wants us to continue to boss up, and worry about the boys later! So when you wonder if you are too strong, too ambitious, or too strong-willed remember you are here to take over the world. Who is Oprah without Stedman? Oprah! She shares with Elle:
"The new generation of boys should be raised to believe that girls are their equals, and sometimes, their superiors."
Wherever you are on your journey trust you are on the right course. You are exactly where you ought to be at this moment in time. Strive to be a bigger and better version of yourself and you'll never know. Perhaps people will not need your name, or your face to recognize you on a magazine cover. They'll know you by your voice and your passion.
Make sure to check out Elle India's site and Instagram for more beautiful pictures and the full interview soon! In true Oprah fashion: "You get your life, You get your life, and You get your life!"
Featured image by Bennett Raglin/WireImage
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
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.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
ItGirl In Motion: Paige Shari Addison Shows Us Why She's The Hostess With The Mostess
Paige Shari Addison is the epitome of an ItGirl, which is why she is one of 100 ladies on xoNecole's inaugural ItGirl 100 list in partnership with Hyundai. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Paige started her journey as a host in high school by hosting parties. Since then, she has made a career in hosting, from parties to big-name events, and she launched Strictly RNB, a platform for new artists and R&B lovers. Paige reflects on her creative path in the limited video series "ItGirl in Motion."
“My first curated event at Criminal Records was incredible. It was all for up-and-coming artists,” she says. “I needed a platform for us as a collective to be able to give ourselves the platform instead of asking for it, instead of looking for it. I was like, I want to make sure I let people get this experience that I would give as a performer but enjoy the experience with them. It was a dream come true.”
The Atlanta native also has her own line of acai bowls called Soulfull Bowls. She started it during the pandemic after events and parties shut down. But it was her love for eating acai bowls and the reactions others had to them that made her want to make it her next business move. Being open to creating new ventures in the midst of uncertainty is a bold move and one of the reasons why Paige has the “it” factor.
“Being an ItGirl means you’re just authentic. There’s an air to us. We have confidence that exudes from the way we speak, the way we put our lip gloss on, the way we walk, the way we talk. I show up as myself everytime I walk into a room. I’m hospitable, I make sure everybody’s good,” she says.
Get to know more about the hostess with the mostess in the video above.
See our ItGirl 100 list in full here. Click through the gallery below for some BTS moments of Paige and our partnership with Hyundai.
Director: Mikkoh @mikkoh
Production company: @polly___studio
Producer/AD: Samuel Cho @choboi90
Producer/Tech: Paul Nguyen @paul__winn
DP: Cristian Bernal @cristianbernal
Editor: @30inthemorning
2nd Cam: Paul Nguyen
1st AC: AJ Paug @ajpaug Gaffer: Dennis Albert @dennisalbert_
Audio Mixer: Victor Chavez @vic_the__
PA: Rick Carreno @ispeakrick
PA: Tiffany Do @tivani.doee
BTS Photo: Prime @theartofprime
Car Detail: @sud_studs @slugglobal
Creative Director @hellobosco
Team Lead @kevgumbo3000
Project Manager @zakk_jullot
Creative Producer @iamkingsheyla
Designers @miacolemxn @noelspiva
@xoNecole
Director, Integrated Marketing @_vang
Campaign Manager @kingchachiii
Talent Lead @kaylawalker
Feature image by Prime/ @theartof prime