Where Are They Now? These Celebs Held Down The Culture In The '90's
Being in the public eye has its pros and cons, of course, but not to the degree that it has today. In modern society, you can be famous for being famous, and not even contributing much to the world. Dating a celebrity makes you a celebrity, and knowing any celebrity comes with a weird level of notoriety. But there was a time when this wasn't the case. A time where clout wasn't a thing, and rocking whatever God gave you was the norm (no shade to our Queens who've done a lil' enhancement, we love us all).
This rang true particularly in the '90's, when times were...different, or a true time to be alive. More importantly, this was a time when some of our faves graced our televisions, and truly represented for the Black and Brown community. We decided to follow up on a few who championed the culture during a time when society wasn't as progressive as it is today. Keep reading for celebs who held down the '90's. Where are they now?
Ananda Lewis
Ananda Lewis, who is now 47 (what?!!), is an American television host, carpenter, former model, and social activist. She was an MTV veejay from the late 1990s until 2001, when she left the network to host her own broadcast syndicated television talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show. She was a correspondent for The Insider from 2004 to 2005, but since, we haven't heard much from her professionally. She took a break to be a mom to her 9-year-old son, and enjoy the fruits of her labor.
But October 2020, Ananda announced to the world that she had stage 3 breast cancer. In an emotional video, she revealed she had been struggling with the disease for years:
"I am sharing this with you today because it is the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month and I have been fighting to get cancer out of my body for almost two years. I need you to get your mammograms. Early detection, especially for breast cancer, changes your outcome. It can save your life."
Thankfully, Lewis said she's been able to stop the cancer from spreading throughout her body with natural and homeopathic remedies.
"That's good news, but it's not gone and I still have a lot of work to do."
Today, you can find Ananda on IG passing out healing advice and trying to keep us all fit and healthy.
Kellie Shanygne Williams
Kellie Shanygne Williams is best known for her role as Laura Winslow, the middle-born child of Carl and Harriette Winslow on the television series Family Matters which ran from 1989-1998. After Family Matters, she began acting in the ABC television show What About Joan, and had a few recurring roles on both, Moesha, The Parkers, and Eve. She was also on the Style Network program Clean House for six episodes in 2009, as a substitute host for Niecy Nash.
One of her most recent projects is holiday movie Christmas in Carolina, which her reunited her with fellow Family Matters co-star, Darius McCrary.
Today, Kellie lives a more lowkey lifestyle, as a mom of two, and wife to the CEO of of the IT firm Y-Tech.
Bumper Robinson
Bumper Robinson, 47, worked regularly in the 90's appearing in sitcoms such as A Different World, Living Single, Family Matters, and Sister, Sister. He starred in movies such as The Jacksons: An American Dream, which he says he still receives checks for today. Other than minor voice-overs, Robinson has left the front of the cameras to work behind the scenes, until re-emerging as a standout recurring character on The Game.
Today he dedicates his social media to social issues, and has recently played the role of Broadway on the Kenya Barris-created Netflix show, BlackAF.
On an episode of the hilariously epic Strong Black Legends Podcast, when asked what excites him most about passing the torch to the new era of Black television, he says:
"We own the perspective. There's a difference between being hired to be Black, and being able to be yourself. Black isn't a character. If you put Black people in front of a camera, we're Black, you know. That's obvious. But that doesn't give you the layers. And what I think we're experiencing now is being able to watch us share our layers. And that's invaluable."
Zelda Harris
Troy the boy! Zelda Harris, 36, is best known as Troy in Spike Lee's 1994 film, Crooklyn. The young actress' career also includes a memorable role in another Spike Lee movie, He Got Game. Harris took a self-imposed hiatus from showbiz and eventually went to Princeton University, graduating in 2007. She later revealed that she left the movie business because there were not many positive roles available for African-American women.
Today, Harris is known for being interactive with her fans on her social media, as she has transitioned from actress to singer. Additionally, in one of her posts, she got candid about her health struggles, revealing that she was frequently in pain following her battle with fibroids.
"This year has been incredible. But through it all, I was fighting pain and discomfort within my own body. After months of trying to use alternative medicine practices to heal, I made the decision to turn to traditional western medicine to get help with my fibroids. That was a HARD decision - and it left me feeling like less of a woman. I had to go through a lot of pain at that stage."
She continued:
"I learned some things this year. Believe your body when she tells you something's off. Believe others when they mention they feel off. Seek guidance and information from all helpful realms. Try not to carry shame about your body's ailments. Work not to carry shame for your body's ailments. And breathe. Breathe through the pain. Breathe through the fear."
Erika Alexander
OK, I'm going to go on record and say that Maxine Shaw is probably one of the greatest sitcoms characters in television history. But listen, Erika needs her flowers too because she is a whole legend out here. Erika Alexander, 51, became well known back in the day as the star of the hit show Living Single. She played the hell out of this role and won several awards for it, including two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. Besides starring in that series, in the 1980s, she was cast as Pam Tucker on The Cosby Show.
Needless to say, sis knows a few things about starring in classic television.
Currently, the star creates shows, directs films, and produces television content, and even has a few roles in major films such as most recently, Get Out and Starz's Run the World. She's also living her best single life, as she divorced in 2017 from her husband of 20 years, screenwriter, Tony Puryear.
We expect the see great things from her in the future, whether working with Charlemagne tha God on projects, or making headlines for getting a few "friends" ponytails together.
Reagan Gomez
Many of us recall Reagan Gomez as teenage Zaria on Robert Townsend's '90s sitcom, The Parent 'Hood. But Gomez is a teenager no more, as she has evolved into a beautiful wife and mother and kids who has completely revamped her career. In fact, these days she's actually more at home behind the camera. She did so because, like Zelda, she was noticing a ridiculous trend in available roles for Black women. She told ESSENCE:
"Writing is really important to me. I've been an actress for so long, so I'm used to reading those scripts. I'm used to having to audition for the Black girl who, you know, is dying in five minutes, or the sassy friend. I started writing to create content for roles that I could not audition for, and stories that I could not audition for. So this part of the process, the other side of the camera, is really just a godsend to me. And I think with everything that's happening in our country and in the world, we need stories like this to uplift our people, and especially Black women and marginalized women."
Recently, Reagan publicly paid tribute to her co-star and show mother, Suzzanne Douglas, who passed away at the top of the month. "This is a #SuzzanneDouglas stan account," she wrote on Twitter. Now, Gomez writes and directs Surviving and is creator of the Reaganomics Podcast.
Essence Atkins
Queen Essence Atkins, in addition to her role in Smart Guy, is known for starring in shows such as Marlon, and Half & Half. She is royalty to the culture as she so graciously is front row in any attempt to speak life into other Black women, which she so infamously did at Sherri Shepard's birthday brunch this year. Over time, we have seen Essence in a variety of shows and movies, most notably Deliver Us From Eva and Are We There Yet?
And now, she has been tapped to start in Viola Davis-produced show, Black Don't Crack, where she reunites with Smart Guy star, Tahj Mowry. Of the show, she wrote on Instagram:
"First day of shooting #blackdontcrack and my very first REEL! I'm having the best time this good Good Friday with @sherrieshepherd & @tishacampbellmartin. Thank you @abcnetwork for this amazing opportunity and @reginayhicks for your vision. So excited @juveeproductions @violadavis #juliustennon @larrywilmore @andrewtwang"
Today, Essence is a mom to her son that she gave birth to in 2011, with ex-husband, Jaime Mendez, whom she famously met on Match.com. So excited for her next chapter!
Karen Malina White
Karen Malina White, 56, is the fast-talking mouth piece, best known for her roles as Kaneesha Carter, in the film Lean on Me, Charmaine Brown on The Cosby Show (1990–1992), Nicolette Vandross on Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), and the voice of Dijonay Jones on the Disney Channel's animated comedy The Proud Family.
Her voice and quick wit has gotten her far, affording her numerous opportunities which she can credit her career too. She was dating co-star Malcolm Jamaal Warner for seven years, before ending things in 2007. She currently is not married and has no children. Instead, she has opted to live her best life on her terms.
She has a few projects in the pipeline, as she is gearing up for the reboot of the The Proud Family, as well as a secret project that she hinted at on Instagram in a photo where she's rocking a short pixie cut. The photo was captioned:
"Natural Woman I said yes you can cut my hair for this role."
We can't wait to support!
Kim Wayans
The whole Wayans family (well, not all of them, but most), got in on the action of In Living Color back in the 90's, one of the sisters of the large family included. Kim Wayans, 58, was a skilled in impressions as well as original characters. She is best known for her four-year stint on the show, and Tonia Harris on In the House (1995–98). Wayans also was in many of the Wayans' productions, and a story editor on her brother Damon Wayans' sitcom My Wife and Kids.
Most recently, while promoting Lena Waithe's Boomerang, when asked what she would tell her younger self, she opened up about her career's journey:
" In my 20s, I was 16. So I was a late bloomer. I was still very much a child when I was in my 20s. I was very much a teenager in so many different ways. Trying to figure out my place in the industry was hard because things are changing now and doors are opening up now. But when I was coming up and looking for opportunities, they would put you in a box, and there are certain things that are asked of you to do as a Black actress, and it really wasn't all that thrilling, all that exciting. Trust your own voice."
Last year, she gave us alllll the nostalgia when she reprised her role as her popular character, Benita Butrell prior to the election. Love to see it!
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
- Halle Berry Short Hair Pixie Hairstyles - xoNecole: Women's Interest ... ›
- Copy & Paste: These Celebs Have Us Seeing Double By Giving ... ›
- Celeb-Inspired Ways To Style Baby Hairs - xoNecole: Women's ... ›
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Although I’m not exactly sure that writing about sex as much as I do was on my life’s work bingo card back in the day, I must admit that it has always been a topic that has fascinated me. I think it’s because, even though society likes to gaslight us by acting like the act is “no biggie,” there is way too much data out here that says otherwise. Hmph. Not like I needed the data in the first place because, in my opinion, any act that is responsible for creating life, that is something that is a pretty BIG deal.
So, today? Today, we’re going to tackle how sex impacts us when it comes to our energy fields. What (mostly) inspired this is once reading a science-based article about how it is a fact and not a myth that just like plants can absorb energy from other plants, humans can do the same thing by being in the space of other human beings. And when you stop to really think about it, doesn’t that make all of the sense in the world?
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be terms out here like “peer pressure” and big grown folks wouldn’t be out here trying to look and act just like some of their favorite celebrities or IG influencers (and yet, on that point, I digress).
So, since energy impacts us in some pretty significant ways, let’s take a few moments to see how it goes down when it comes to copulation — just so that you’re (even more) aware of what you’re getting yourself into when you “do the do,” as far as your personal energy space is concerned.
Energy. Revisited.
GiphyOkay, so before we get all up in how energy is exchanged during sexual activity, what is energy as it relates to human beings, in general? Well, in some ways, it all depends on who you ask. For instance, the famed Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that energy is about having the capacity to do something. Some medical experts say that energy is all about how something impacts you on a mental or physical level.
For instance, negative energy tends to be very heavy and draining while positive energy can increase feel-good chemicals throughout your system which makes it easier for you to do things like be creative and problem-solve. Something else that I think is important to keep in mind as far as human energy goes is it’s impacted by a myriad of things including a person’s stress levels, how healthy a person is, what their life choices are (as far as how their decisions influence them) and even what their sleep patterns are like.
And if all of this is true, then something else that Aristotle once said about energy would be beyond accurate: “The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”
Energy is life. Whew, so if this is indeed the case, does this mean that when you choose to have sex with someone, you are sharing your life force — whatever state that may be — with someone as they are doing the same to/for/with you? YES.
What Does It Mean to Exchange Sexual Energy?
GiphySince I grew up in an entertainment industry household, I think that’s probably why I’ve ended up with some close friends who are in the industry as well. That said, I will never forget when I was talking to one of them one day about a particular artist. When I expressed how much sex appeal that she had, my (male) friend simply said, “Yeah, I’ve been in her presence a few times before. She has some really dark energy. I didn’t even hug her.”
Now from a scientific standpoint, dark energy is simply what causes the universe to accelerate in growth over a certain period of time; however, when a person is described to have dark energy, that usually means that they have an evil and/or negative and/or heavy and/or draining aura about them. And y’all, here’s what’s semi-wild about what he said: did you know that science backs that hugs do indeed transfer energy?
Yep, research reveals that a hug from someone can literally alter your brain and body chemistry — so you definitely need to be discerning about who you let up into your affection space. Straight up. And so, since a hug has the capacity to do that, how much more can SEX?
To further emphasize this, let’s begin with an article that I read on Healthline’s website entitled, “Do We Really Exchange Energy During Sex?” After checking it out, one of the main things that I appreciated was when a doctor who was interviewed for the piece said:
“Every sex act is an exchange of energy [because] every sexual act raises or lowers your energy level…Therefore, a sexual relationship isn’t a purely psychological or physiological, mechanical act…Rather, it’s an energetic action. When we have an intimate relationship with someone, the two energies merge.”
Okay, so according to science, when two people have sex, energies merge. Well, according to Scripture, when two people have sex, oneness transpires (Genesis 2:24-25). Let’s keep going.
There was once a Physician-scientist by the name of Wilhelm Reich (who actually died in prison, in part, because of his radical beliefs on sex and orgasms during his time), who once said that having a healthy sex life (which, to him, including orgasms and is what he referred to as “orgastic potency”) is what played a huge role in one’s emotional health and well-being. That’s because, to him, without the release of sexual energy, neurological disorders would be come to be.
My takeaway from this is when you think about the fact that things like serotonin, dopamine, and the “the bonding chemical” oxytocin are all released during sex (and most certainly during orgasms), and also since sex (and orgasms) reduce stress — you need to tend to your sexual energy for the sake of your holistic health. Let’s continue on.
After reading an article on sexual energy on Cosmo’s website in which one of the sex therapists said that “our sexuality is our power" and then reading an article on the same topic on Well + Good’s platform where another expert stated that, “Many belief systems believe sexual energy is an expression of the soul's connection to the cosmos and the rest of the universe”, I thought about the word “power” and then “soul connection.”
At the end of the day, power isn’t just ability but the capability to influence and even take authority over something or someone. And a soul connection? Several years ago, when I penned a piece for the platform entitled, “I’ve Got Some Ways For You To Start Pampering Your Soul,” one of the things that I made sure to emphasize is your soul IS also your life. This means that soul connections are life connections.
And so, it would appear that sharing sexual energy also means that you are making a life connection with someone. And that type of connection has the power to influence you in ways that you couldn’t even begin to imagine. That is how deep exchanging sexual energy is.
What You Should Always Keep in Mind Before Sharing Sexual Energy with Someone Else
GiphyNow are there degrees to this whole sexual energy thing? Of course. The type of connection that a husband and wife of 20 years can make via sex is very different than a one-night stand. However, it would appear that science believes that it doesn’t really matter what you tell yourself about sex with someone (or even how many condoms you may use during sex) — potent energy is exchanged regardless.
That’s a huge part of the reason why I will forever roll my eyes about how ridiculous “casual sex” sounds to me, because, although I do believe that it is very possible to engage in coitus that has no real purpose (casual is purposeless, by definition), what isn’t possible is for there not to be a significant connection made from a scientific standpoint. Because again, if a mere hug can alter you (shoot, a handshake too), do you really think that allowing a man’s penis into the sacred space known as your vagina will not? After reading all of this…do you really?
When it comes to energy, author T. Harv Eker once said, “Energy is contagious: either you affect people or you infect people.” With all that was just shared about sexual energy, each and every person you choose to “engage” with, they are either going to affect you or infect you — just with their energy alone.
Knowing this, if there was ever a time to choose wisely, this would be it.
Your energy is your power. Who you exchange power with? CHOOSE WISELY.
EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON.
And because energy can shift…be cognizant of what you’re doing…EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Giphy