New York Fashion Week has finally returned to its in-person fashion shows. The magic, glamour and thriving energy is back after quarantine changed everything last year. While most people were sequestered at home fighting boredom, music superstar, Saweetie used the lockdown to cement her dreams. Through content creation, catchy new music and building her brand, Saweetie explored various business endeavors and began to execute her philanthropic goals.
Leaning on the expertise of her grandmother, Roxane Harper, who is an entrepreneur, author and investor, Saweetie and her "Glam-ma" created a foundation that equips Black and Brown communities to learn about financial literacy. They are set to launch the Icy Baby Foundation this fall.
Managing her time wisely during quarantine gave bloom to the elevation of her brand and star power.
Courtesy of the artist
In one year, Saweetie has become more than just an entertainer, she is now a desirable powerful influencer for top brands. She has been invited to attend several shows during NYFW, including Tom Ford, Kim Shui, Christian Cowan and more. To adding icing on the cake, the "It" girl and queen of content is starting her first day at Fashion Week with a major announcement.
Today, MAC Cosmetics introduced Saweetie as its newest Global Brand Ambassador. MAC snatched up the popular rapper and appointed her as their latest M∙A∙C Girl. Saweetie will join the brand in a long-term global capacity.
"I am so excited about my new partnership with MAC. When I was young, I remember admiring the way my mom would organize her MAC products in the silver MAC travel bag. I would always sneak and play with her lipsticks and products. I loved the creativity of makeup even back then. Now I can't believe I have my own collection. This is definitely a full circle moment," said Saweetie.
"Saweetie is one of those people that truly does it all – musician, CEO, actress, TV show host, gamer, viral sensation, the list goes on – she is an extreme talent and is relatable…she is all of our 'best friends,'" said Drew Elliott, SVP, Global Creative Director, MAC Cosmetics.
"Saweetie's message of self-confidence and female empowerment is the perfect match for a brand like M∙A∙C that has always embraced unapologetic self-expression with open arms! Saweetie IS a MAC girl, because she is a boss, a winner, an artist, and she knows exactly what she wants…and goes for it. I'm obsessed."
As MAC's Global Brand Spokesperson, Saweetie will contribute her wit and beauty as the face of MAC's upcoming renowned collections and key campaigns. In addition, Saweetie will work with MAC Makeup Artists to showcase her signature looks, share beauty secrets and her lifestyle with MAC fans.
"All of the things that happening are like a dream come true. I'm excited about all the shows during NYFW and thankful to be invited. I also hope that designers, stylists and creatives of color can also be given more opportunities to showcase their talents on these type of large platforms."
Fans can see Saweetie's first piece of content for the brand on her Instagram @saweetie and follow @maccosmetics on IG for more updates.
Featured image courtesy of the artist
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
