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This Emmy-Nominated Producer Says Self-Care Teaches Others How To Value You
In xoNecole's Finding Balance, we profile boss women making boss moves in the world and in their respective industries. We talk to them about their business, their life, and most of all, what they do to find balance in their busy lives.
Since the launch of her first company back in 2011, Revitalized Media Group, Tamra Simmons has created a brand for herself as one of the top influential women in the entertainment industry as a talent agent, casting director and TV producer with an extensive portfolio of work such as producer credits on VH1's Growing Up Hip Hop and Mary Mary. The inspirational single momprenuer has gone on to launch her international firm, The Tamra Simmons Brand Agency, and been deemed as a powerhouse amongst names such as Ava DuVernay, John Legend, and Chelsea Peretti.
While she currently is in the midst of earning her MS and JD, Tamra is also balancing the hats of entrepreneur, filmmaker, CEO, and mother. This internationally acclaimed CEO of LA Productions, LLC is most recently notable for her role as a creator and executive producer of Lifetime's groundbreaking docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, which has 26.8 million viewers to date and over 20 million live streams since its debut on January 3, 2019 with part two airing in January 2020.
For this installment of "Finding Balance", xoNecole had the chance to discuss with award-winning producer Tamra Simmons about her understanding relationship with her closest friends, managing her multiple hats in the entertainment industry and the importance of self-care.
xoNecole: At what point in your life did you understand the importance of pressing pause and finding balance in both your personal and professional life?
Tamra Simmons: I knew that I needed to find balance in my personal and professional life when I realized the importance of ensuring your family is never last while reaching your goals. Being a mompreneur is challenging and makes you have to create a structure that one may typically not need to create. Even as an entrepreneur, it is vital that you find a balance never to lose value in the things and people that mean the most and also to keep you centered in all that you do.
"Being a mompreneur is challenging and makes you have to create a structure that one may typically not need to create. Even as an entrepreneur, it is vital that you find a balance never to lose value in the things and people that mean the most and also to keep you centered in all that you do."
What is a typical day in your life? If no day is quite the same, give me a rundown of a typical work week and what that might consist of.
Ha! No day is typical. Every day is different, and it all depends if I am currently in production filming or developing. I find myself now having to rearrange my schedule due to COVID-19, and now the kids are attending school virtually. I am currently a homeschool teacher, CEO, filmmaker, television developer, and, most importantly, mom. My day usually consists of conference calls, development strategy meetings, reviewing scripts, studying from Southern New Hampshire University, and entering into [Georgia State University] Law, catching up on politics while teaching my son in between his Zooms. When I am in production, it consists of 10-14 hour days on set, in the office, or on network calls to prepare for production.
What are your mornings like?
I wake up praying, cooking breakfast, and preparing for the day, which can mean checking emails, posting on social media for the morning with inspiration, and writing down my calendar for the day. I then decide if I can squeeze in the gym in the morning or the afternoon.
How do you wind down at night?
Sometimes I catch up on phone calls I wasn't able to make during the day. I like to schedule dinner between 6-8 and spend time with my son before he goes to bed. I then try to grab a book after my son goes to bed and relax and unwind.
Do you practice any types of self-care? What does that look like for you?
Yes. I started this thing where I go to the spa at least once a week, if time permits. I found that when I take that hour out to myself to get a massage, it relaxes me for the rest of the week. I try and get a 60-minute massage every Wednesday or at least every other Wednesday. I also started going to the gym more. I found that working out is not to look good, but I internally feel good, and it keeps my spirits up. I have been on the treadmill, sending emails, making business plans, etc. It allows my creative juices to flow. I used to do so much for everyone else that I finally realized I have to take time for myself and that I am important, too.
"I used to do so much for everyone else that I finally realized I have to take time for myself and that I am important, too."
What advice do you have for busy women who feel like they don’t have time for self-care?
My one [piece of] advice to women who feel like they don't have time, YOU MUST CREATE TIME. If you do not create time for yourself, guess what? No one else is going to care or value you. When you take care of yourself, you not only are teaching yourself how to value you, but you're also teaching others how to value you. It took me a while to learn this, but I swore I was never going back to non-self-care once I did.
How do you find balance with:
Friends?
My friends that I have know that I am swamped and that I am balancing a lot at one time. I usually will make sure I attend their holiday, birthday celebrations, and keep in touch with them as much as possible. Many of us will have dinner like one-on-one every few weeks to stay in touch. I'm usually the party planner for their birthdays and joyous celebrations, so the fact we do not talk every day does not bother them because they know that I am going to come through on the most important days of their lives. They understand that we may not talk every day, but I love them no less. Real friendships do not have to be in each others' faces daily to say they are friends. The ones who continue to love you and be there for you without seeing them all the time are the real friends you need in your corner.
"Real friendships do not have to be in each others' faces daily to say they are friends. The ones who continue to love you and be there for you without seeing them all the time are the real friends you need in your corner."
Exercise?
I work out four days a week twice a day if my schedule allows it. I try to have some cardio in the morning and work on certain parts of my body in the evening, such as leg day, back day, etc.
What about health? Do you cook or find yourself eating out?
I do meal prep often and intake only so many calories at the time. If I eat out because I am on the go, I usually try and make sure I am eating healthy on the go.
Do you ever detox?
Yes, I detox at least once a week. I love how it makes my body feel clean from toxins that it may be filled with, and it helps me stay extra hydrated.
When you are going through a bout of uncertainty, or feeling stuck, how do you handle it?
I pray often and meditate. Prayer is the key to keeping my sanity, especially working in this industry. If I am stuck in life, I ask God to guide me and wait for Him to lead me to the next step.
"Prayer is the key to keeping my sanity, especially working in this industry. If I am stuck in life, I ask God to guide me and wait for Him to lead me to the next step."
What do you do when you have a creative block on a project or feel like you have to clear your head before going into a project?
When I feel stuck creatively, I will put on some feel-good music and allow my mind to escape and then come back to that subject.
Honestly, what does success and happiness mean to you?
Success means to be reaching a particular goal, whether it turns out the way you wanted to or not. The only way you fail is if you never try. I believe all those who try are successful. They are successful at striving no matter the result. In the industry, people equate your level of success to accolades, awards, and money. That does not equal success to me. To me, you are successful when you have a vision, passion, and desire and continue to keep your eye moving forward and not looking at where everyone else is.
You determine your success. Now there are levels of success; however, you dictate those as well. Happiness, to me, looks like when you can take care of yourself. You may not have everything you want, but you have everything you need, and you can continuously provide for your family.
For more Tamra, follow her on Instagram!
Featured image by Marjoni Janee.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."