
The first time I say "no" it's like I never said "yes" - Beyoncé
When it comes to being in a relationship today, there's an insane amount of pressure on women to do everything perfectly while looking perfect. Ideally, a woman is expected to have a slim waist with a big behind that she takes to the kitchen to slave away preparing home-cooked meals for her man better than his mama. She's also expected to take care of the kids, keep the house tidy, run his bathwater, be a boss and sexually please him every which way.
Exhausting, right?
So when it's time for some loving and a woman is too tired to perform in the bedroom, does that mean her boo is well within his rights to go get it elsewhere? Sevyn Streeter may think so.
The 28-year-old singer really believes in not killing the fun, as we learned from her Breakfast Club interview recently. Sharing her logic with the trio, Sevyn said a woman should never tell her man "no" when he's ready for some fun because she took him off the market, thereby cutting him off from other women willing to give up the goodies.
She explained:
I think when you're with somebody you love or trust or whatever, I think that it's important you don't kill the fun.Me and my friends have this conversation all the time. I think that when you commit to somebody and take them off the market, I think that it is your job, as a woman or a man, to--I don't think you should ever say, 'no.' Anal sex I'm not into, but I mean if you're tired--'Oh I'm tired, I don't feel like it.' No, because at the end of the day, you took that person off the market. They can't go and be with somebody else because they're with you. So, don't you ever say no.
We know for sure she's keeping her man and his eggplant happy.
Sevyn, who's currently dating B.o.B, also talked about her relationship with the rapper while throwing shade at her insecure ex-boyfriend who wanted her to "dim her light."
On B.o.BI take my life a day at a time. I think that's all that you can do. With me and B.o.B, we started out as friends. We were friends for a very long time. And I say this all the time and I mean it from the bottom of my heart -- if it ended tomorrow, he's still my friend. I never had anything start out that way before. In the past, I've had relationships with BANs [B*tch A** N*ggas]. My ex-boyfriend in my last situation, I feel like I had to dim my light. I feel like he didn't want me to shine. So it feels really good to be dating somebody who has his own light. He is comfortable in his own skin and supports me like, 'Alright, boo. Go shine.' And I think that's dope and important to me.
Catch the interview below!
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Ashley Versher is known for her work in the Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black series and more recently, she starred alongside Taraji P. Henson in the Netflix film Straw. But she is more than just her acting credits and stunning looks (her hair alone is everything). In an xoNecole exclusive, Ashley dishes on her first celebrity crush, how she spends her downtime, and her go-to haircare products because we need the deets.
Get to know Ashley below.
xoNecole: Where are you from?
Ashley Versher: San Francisco - BAY AREAAAAAA!!!!
xoN: What was your first major acting role?
AV: A 49ers Super Bowl commercial - I think I was 3.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: Have you ever had an embarrassing or funny audition story? If so, what happened?
AV: Yes! I was doing a self-tape once and I forgot to take off my bonnet. But the tape was so good I sent it in anyway.
xoN: Your hair is gorgeous. What has it been like navigating Hollywood with natural hair?
AV: Thank you so much! Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself. Once I fully embraced my natural hair and committed to the journey, everything else began to align. It’s been nothing short of empowering.
Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself.
xoN: What are your favorite go-to hair products?
AV: Ooooooo, right now I’m loving Camille Rose’s Jai Twisting Butter—it’s super moisturizing and gives me a fun, bouncy twist-out! I’ve also recently gotten into oils, and I’m especially loving sweet almond oil.
xoN: We know you as an actress, but what is another special talent you have that most people don't know about?
AV: I trained as a classical violinist for 13/14years.
xoN: Who is your hero?
AV: My mom. She’s incredible - full stop.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: How do you like to spend your down time?
AV: Ha! What’s that!? Jk jk, I love to travel, that’s honestly my favorite thing.
xoN: Who was your first celebrity crush?
AV: Prince.
xoN: What is your dream role?
AV: One day I will play a witch with Harry Potter-like powers!
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Feature image by Johnny Marlow