All Summer 2021: Here's Who Totally Deserves An Award For Killing The Game This Summer
Summer 2021 has come, and (almost) gone, ladies and ladies--and lawd, we just cannot believe it! As we sit back and think about all of the ways in which we enjoyed these three months of *insert applicable Drake lyric here*, we can't help but to feel content with the fact that even though we're medium-ly outside, we did the best we could with what we had. I mean, if you really think about it, Summer 2021 was a tiiiiime, honey. We've managed to narrowly escape potential (and adamant) dictatorship, survived virus(es), while somehow still having a few pennies in our coin purse. We discovered new hobbies and threw the middle finger up at anything less than we deserve. And, the icing, is that we balanced it all with a brunch or two. It took a lot of liquor, it took a lot of weed. But we made it, sis! Even with all the chaos that we may have had to endure, we made it. Clap for yourselves!
And listen, in addition to us living our best-ish lives, one of my favorite things about this summer, was seeing celebrities be just as confused, thankful, humbled, adaptable, relatable, and frickin overwhelmed as we were. They too made the best of a summer-coming-off-of-a-pandemic-but-not-really-because-it's-still-happening, just as we did. And they did it all while entertaining the rest of us (because it's still a little gross outside and we don't wanna go out there like that just yet, fren).
So, in an effort to celebrate the culture, here's a few of our faves who killed this summer, award style!
Biggest Summer Bag: King Bey
And by "bag" we don't mean purse! Queen Bey showed up in the 9th hour, rocking a 128.54 carat, 82 facet cushion cut yellow stone diamond, only worn by four people ever—Lady Gaga, Audrey Hepburn, and Mrs. E Sheldon Whitehouse—in its lifetime (her being the only Black woman), and posed alongside her billionaire husband in front of a never-before-seen Basquiat painting, all for an ad she was paid likely millions for.
Jesus. Christ.
Best Summer Style: LeToya Luckett
OK, so LeToya Luckett has never not shown up as best dressed, but this summer…listennnnn. Sis had that baby, followed through on what she needed in love, and has been showing out for 90 whole, 24-hour days. And the cherry on top was the blonde finger-wave pixie that literally no one can rock like she can. Get it LeToya!
Summer Of Living Their Best Life: Chloe Bailey
Now, you ladies know more than I do that Chloe Bailey is special. Don't get me wrong, both her and sister Halle, will take over for young, Black, starlets everywhere, but Chloe is different. She shut down challenge after challenge, created her own challenges, gave the people immaculate content, stayed consistent, and earned all her praises. She has a long way to go before she gets to the top of her career, but she definitely, without any ounce of any doubt, will arrive.
And baby, when she gets there, y'all better buckle up for the ride.
Best Glow Up: Tiffany Haddish
Listen, our good sis Tiffany has found her lookkkkk, mkay?! Sis has never looked better, which beams from inside to out due to the fact that she shed some weight, chopped off her hair, dropped a few bad habits, and found a peen that she loves and wants to hang on to. Love to see it!
Most Likely To Drop An Anticipated Project Soon: Rihanna Tha GOAT
She will surprise us with an album this year, she will surprise us with an album this year, she will surprise us with an album this year. *Speaking it into existence*
Celeb Kid Of The Summer: Kaavia Wade
Lawd, she's a spitting image of her daddy, she often hangs and learns from her mom, and in a year or two, she will be the undeniable star. Kaavia Wade is precious. She represents so much freedom we all wish we had in our lives as young, Black, thriving, young girls. She doesn't take crap and is coined as the resident "shady baby," even with a book to match. Gabrielle Union described her openness so perfectly by telling PEOPLE:
"She's free to be this amazing, dynamic, shady at times, loving at times, funny at times, Black little girl when the world has been not so kind to Black girls and women. So for so many people, she's just straight up freedom and what it can be like."
Summer MVP: Missy Elliott
Missy 'Damn' Elliott has been living hunni, and we are 100 percent here for it. She (somehow) turned 50 years old, has received, and accepted, her overdue flowers, she is humble, gracious, and she minds her business. The fact that she gets to sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labor, as well as teach the newer generation what she has learned in the process so openly, this queen is without a doubt the MVP of the summer. It's the fact that she is soooo celebrated for me. Thank you, Missy!
She’s Up Next: China McClain
Um, so I don't know if you know, but China McClain has a huge following in the digital world, mainly TikTok. Her content is widely shared and loved and sis has curated her own lane. Although she has been in the game for a while as a child star, she has found solid footing as the woman she is today. Keep an eye on her. She will shock us all, just wait on it.
Most Likely To Help Us Keep These Summer Bods In Shape: Tracee Ellis Ross
As if coming from Diana Ross isn't flex enough, Tracee Ellis Ross has given the culture everything we need from it in a way that only she can. She's so open and effortlessly who she is, that it literally exudes, making us all come back for more. She doesn't take life too seriously, she only moves the way Tracee would move, and she keeps us on our toes when she pops out for vacay. If anyone can keep us in check about this pandemic weight gain, it is she. She is her.
Social Media Feed Of The Summer: The Smiths
Between Will's videos and nostalgia, Jada's tough conversations and advice, Willow crossing over into a world that has all of our support, Jaden being a rapper and humanitarian, and Trey with the lowkey vibes, the Smiths are everything we need on Al Gore's internet. They don't promote the mess, they stick together, they are unapologetically melanatedddd. Like, fan me.
Listen, we live in a world where we have to control our own narrative. So many "influencers" and celebrities absolutely do not. They are just here to collect a check, play the game, and run the race.
The Smith family is not that. They keep us fed, and they are willing to show up in a way that we can all learn from. And they do so as a family. Love, love, love.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for WWE SummerSlam After Party
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.
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Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Feature image by Leon Bennett/WireImage
10 Moms You Should Be Following Who Are Living, Loving & Mothering On Their Own Terms
Motherhood is looking different these days, and we must say, we love to see it. From digital creators to wellness entrepreneurs, today's moms are showing up online not just as caretakers, but as the multi-faceted, multi-layered women they are.
These moms are building businesses, creating art, prioritizing their rest, healing generational trauma, and redefining what it means to raise a child while staying rooted and true to their own identities.
Most importantly, these women aren't just sharing cute baby pics (although we live for those, too!), they're giving us the real about being mothers while also being themselves, creative expression, and the blueprint for what it means to embody themselves fully.
Whether they are documenting the beauty in the chaos of parenting or making space for their own passions, the following mamas serve as reminders that motherhood is not a monolith. Keep reading for some Black moms who deserve a spot on your TL if they aren't there already.
@brookedevard
Brooke DeVard is a beauty podcaster, content creator, and style muse who’s redefining what it means to do it all, with intention and grace. Whether she’s behind the mic as the host on Naked Beautyor holding both her babies in a quiet moment of joy, Brooke shows that you don’t have to choose between your passions and your presence. Sis is living proof that you can lead, nurture, and glow, all at once.
@yvettecorinne
Yvette Corinne is a digital creator and co-founder of Hair for the Girls, who’s showing us what it means to embrace the ups and downs of postpartum with honesty, humor, and heart. Through candid reflections and style-forward moments, she reminds fellow mamas that beauty, chaos, and grace can all coexist on one’s postpartum journey. And that joy can be found in the smallest wins.
@eliserpeterson
Elise R. Peterson is a visual artist, children’s book illustrator, and host of the Cool Moms podcast who uses storytelling as a form of liberation, for herself and for other creatives. Whether she’s nurturing her son, Sargent, or curating space for honest conversations on identity and artistry, Elise is a reminder that motherhood can be a portal for deeper self-expression as opposed to a limitation of it.
@loveoffering
Josefina is a mindful artist and writer whose work feels like a warm exhale in a world that often moves too fast. Through poetic captions on healing, tender family moments, and her Substack newsletter cuídate, she offers gentle reminders that in motherhood and in life, presence, grace, and emotional connection matter far more than perfection.
@jalisaevaughn
JaLisa E. Jefferson is a Dallas-based digital creator, wife, and mom of three whose motherhood journey is equal parts joy, faith, and full-blown toddler chaos. Through honest reflections and heartfelt storytelling, she reminds us that the little things, like bedtime bribes, belly laughs, and beautifully messy routines, are often life’s biggest blessings. Her love for her life runs deep, and her gratitude shows up in every frame she posts.
@theprettygirlsguide
DeAnna Bobbi is a DMV-based mom blogger whose content brings the laughs, the looks, and the real talk about motherhood, pregnancy, and everything in between. Whether she’s giving mom hacks or documenting her 25-week Brazilian wax with zero shame and all the humor, DeAnna reminds us that honesty (with a side of style) is a superpower in this season of life.
@elainewelteroth
Elaine Welteroth is a bestselling author, former Teen Vogue EIC, and founder of BirthFUND, using her platform to fight for maternal health equity while navigating the beauty and complexity of new motherhood. In her own words, every stage of parenting feels "slow," brutal, and beautiful all at once, which is why she chooses to romanticize the little moments, even as she pre-grieves how fleeting they’ll one day feel. Her motherhood journey is both a personal evolution and a public call to reimagine care, softness, and support for women everywhere.
@designaddictmom
Stacey-Ann Blake is a home decor creator whose vibrant aesthetic is matched only by the warmth she brings to motherhood. From backyard tents in the fall to colorful corners curated with love, she reminds us that home isn’t just a space you live in, it’s an atmosphere where creativity blooms, joy is intentional, and childhood gets to feel magical. Her content inspires mamas to embrace boldness, beauty, and play in their everyday lives.
@hautemommie
Leslie Antonoff, Hautemommie and all-around powerhouse, is on a mission to inspire women, especially Black women, to live magnificently. With honesty and elegance, she shares what it means to mother with vision: to lead with softness, to nurture with strength, and to reject every outdated expectation of what motherhood is "supposed" to look like. For Leslie, motherhood is legacy work, and she wears that responsibility with grace and pride.
@latonyayvette
LaTonya Yvette is an author, editor, and creative consultant whose storytelling around motherhood is lyrical, layered, and deeply lived-in. With over 14 years of parenting behind her, she captures the tenderness of raising a child in a rapidly shifting world, reminding us that motherhood isn’t just a personal journey, but a sacred thread in a much larger, collective story. Her words are a mirror, a balm, and a reminder that presence is its own kind of legacy. If you've never come across her account on IG, we think you should start here.
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Featured image by Elise R. Peterson/Instagram