

Tabitha Brown Explains Why She's Still Approachable After All The Success She Has Achieved
Social media personality, entrepreneur, and Emmy-nominated host Tabitha Brown have won the hearts of many with her kind demeanor and positive outlook on life, as evidenced by the uplifting videos she shares on her social media page.
The mother of two --who has been a part of the entertainment industry as an actress for over a decade with minor roles in films, television shows, and videos--became a household name in 2020 after her TikTok content of vegan food and inspirational posts went viral. In addition to the virality, Brown gained millions of followers solely based on her loving personality and was ultimately nicknamed America's Mom by her fans.
Since then, Brown has used her popularity to obtain various job opportunities. The list includes the 44-year-old's children's television show Tab Time, a haircare brand Donna's Recipe, a collection with Target, and a McCormick partnership for her Sunshine All Purpose Seasoning, among other things.
In a recent interview on Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay podcast, Brown opened up about how she remains positive regardless of life's circumstances and why she continues to be an approachable figure despite all the success she has achieved.
Tabitha On Why She's A Positive Person
During the discussion, Brown revealed that her positivity comes from her late mother, Patricia, and how she dealt with her 2005 diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS.)
According to John Hopkins Medicine, the terminal disease "affects the functions of one's nerves and muscles." The site also states that ALS can affect "any racial or ethnic group" around 40 to 70 years old. To date, there is no particular cause or cure for ALS.
During her mother's journey with ALS, Brown shared that her mom never complained or wished away the disease but dealt with it gracefully because she believed it was part of God's will. Sadly two years following her diagnosis, Patricia passed away in 2007 at 51.
Following the loss of her mother, Brown disclosed that she uses the lessons she learned from her mom in her "everyday life" because she knows that no matter what happens, it will not compare to what her mother endured.
"Listen, it plays a large role in my everyday life, in my everyday life. Even like right now, things I'm going through, I be like, 'I'd hate that I'm going through this, but there's nothing compared to that,'" she said.
Tabitha On Why She's An Approachable Person
As the topic shifted to how friendly and approachable Brown has been toward her fans over the years, the star explained that her kind demeanor has always been a part of her personality and will continue to be regardless of her celebrity status.
When asked why she usually makes time for her fans, Brown told Sharpe that it's because she understands that her supporters are one of the reasons she is successful.
"I'm going in. I'm going in for the hugs. I'm like, 'Hey, how y'all [doing]? I love that, but also like how dare I not have time for the people who helped me climb. You know, I am in this position because God said I could have it right, but because people support me," she stated while describing her past encounters with her fans.
Brown would add that her appreciation for her fans runs so deep that she is willing to take time out of her schedule to meet and talk to everyone when she has events.
"I have events, and if there's a meet and greet, you better not put a time limit for me because I'm going to see every person literally," she said. "It will go from an hour to 10 hours."
Brown wrapped up the statement by saying her meet and greets could take about 10 hours because she gets to know everyone in line.
With Brown's recent revelation about positivity and being approachable, it appears that she's found the formula of what it means to be a well-rounded person.
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.
Feature image by Andrew J Cunningham/Getty Images
Black women are not a monolith. We all are deserving of healing and wholeness despite what we've been through, how much money we have in the bank, or what we look like. Most importantly, we are enough—even when we are not working, earning, or serving.
Welcome to Black Girl Whole, your space to find the wellness routine that aligns with you! This brand-new marketplace by xoNecole is a safe space for Black women to activate their healing, find the inspiration to rest, and receive reassurance that we are one small act away from finding our happiness.
Want to discover where you are on your wellness journey? You don't have to look far. In partnership with European Wax Center, we're bringing you a customized wellness quiz to help you up your wellness game. Answer our short series of questions to figure out which type of wellness lover you are, what you need to bring more balance into your life, and then go deeper by shopping products geared towards clearing your mind, healing your body, and soothing your spirit.
Ready to get whole? Take our quiz now!
When you think about a pesky breakout, a blemish on your face, neck, or cheek may be the first thought that comes to mind. However, troublesome acne and the scars they leave behind take a whole new form of discomfort when they land themselves on your back, of all places.
There’s nothing more unpleasant than feeling soreness from a pimple that’s in a hard-to-reach location like your back. It’s hard to ignore the fact that landing a blemish there can be particularly difficult and stubborn to soothe, but fortunately for us, there are ways to manage, treat, and reduce back acne efficiently.
What Is Back Acne?
According to Cleveland Clinic, back acne, commonly known as "bacne," occurs when sweat, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria become trapped within the pores of your back's skin. Friction caused by backpacks and purses and excessive sweat can exacerbate this condition, where acne can then form.
With this combination of factors at play, cystic acne bumps, blackheads, or whiteheads can develop and be tender to the touch.
What Causes Back Acne?
Since the back contains numerous sebaceous glands responsible for secreting sebum, an oily substance, bacne can form similarly to that of facial acne. Because the back area has this high concentration of sweat and oil glands, it is more prone to breakouts, with rubbing of clothing and constant coverage of the back playing a factor in the exacerbation of acne forming.
If our skin cells don’t shed properly, they can mix with sebum (oils) and block our pores. That, paired with the presence of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) on the skin, can contribute to the development of acne — which thrives in clogged pores. Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or when taking certain medications, can also increase sebum production and make you more prone to bacne.
How To Treat and Get Rid of Back Acne:
Managing bacne can be challenging, but certainly doable. With a diligent skincare routine, mindful lifestyle modifications, and, when deemed necessary, recommendations from your dermatologist, preventing or completely eliminating bacne can be achieved. Here’s how:
Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids can help unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Consider the application of these topical creams, gels, and cleansers in your skincare routine.
Hormonal Therapy: If hormonal fluctuations are a contributing factor, hormonal therapy like birth control pills or anti-androgen medications may be recommended. Birth control pills, specifically combined hormonal contraceptives containing both estrogen and progestin, can be a valuable option to resolve bacne.
These pills can often assist in reducing sebum production and alleviating acne by counteracting androgens and stabilizing hormonal fluctuations that could be contributing to your back acne. It’s advised to consult your dermatologist before initiating any particular birth control regimen.
Exfoliate, Exfoliate: Regular exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells, prevent clogged pores, and maintain pore clarity for healthy skin. Maintain a gentle circulation during exfoliation, as excessive scrubbing can lead to an over-removal of natural skin oils, potentially triggering another possible breakout.
Maintain Proper Hygiene: Keep the affected area clean by washing gently with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. After sweating, it’s important to remove your clothing to ensure that sweat is not trapped in your skin and thus promotes clogged pores and breakouts.
Avoid Pimple Popping: As satisfying as it may be, resist the urge to pop your breakouts. Squeezing or picking at back acne can increase inflammation and the likelihood of infection. When we break the skin around pimples, the healing process can be prolonged and potentially result in skin discoloration and scarring.
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.
Featured image by Jordi Salas/Getty Images