Inside The ATL Premiere Of 'Ambitions'
This summer, OWN and Will Packer are teaming up to bring a new scandal to television with their series Ambitions. Sexy, scandalous, and over the top dramatic, Ambitions, has a storyline to quench every TV lover's thirst. With an ensemble cast including Robin Givens, Brian J. White, Essence Atkins, Brely Evans, Kendrick Cross, and Erica Page, you'll love to hate them and hate to love them. "Delicious is the only way to describe it," says Robin Givens.
On Monday night (June 17), Atlanta's socialites amassed at the Gathering Spot in Downtown Atlanta to celebrate the premiere of this summer's sexiest show. Will Packer, Robin Givens, Essence Atkins, Brian White, Kendrick Cross, Brely Evans, Mara Hall, and Erica Page graced the carpet excited for the audience to witness what felt like television's best kept secret. Joining them in attendance were Marlo Hampton, Tameka (Tiny) Harris, Cynthia Bailey, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Green Leaf's Merle Dandridge, Real Housewives of Atlanta castmate Tanya Sam, actress Terri J. Vaughn, and If Loving You is Wrong actor Joel Rush.
Created by Jamey Giddens and produced by Will Packer, Ambitions follows the lives of sorority sisters turned frenemies Stephanie Carlisle (Robin Givens) and Amara Huges (Essence Atkins). As the old saying goes, one woman's ex is another woman's husband, and Stephanie can't abide by that code. Raised by wolves and fueled by ambition, Stephanie is on a mission to reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to her. Even if that means stepping over those closest to her. "This is a soap about politics but it's a fun, juicy; oh my God I can live vicariously through these rich people behaving badly,'' says Jamey.
Ambitions takes behaving badly to another level. Aside from politics and scandals, the sex scenes will have your eyes glued to the screen and jaw on the floor. Let Brely Evans tell it, "Everybody on Ambitions is getting some."
This is the type of show you can't stand to look away from. One turn of the neck and you could miss one of the steamiest, seductive sex scenes in soap opera history. "If you've read any of the reviews about Ambitions, there's a whole lot of sex going on in this show. So, just society today responds to that. So, there are a lot of good looking people having sex with one another. So, I'm going to tune in, I know that," says Joel Rush.
Unfortunately, we can't give all the juicy details away, but you might notice a very familiar face in the first episode. xoNecole's editor-in-chief Necole Kane makes her acting debut in her first-ever role. We see you boss lady!
For more behind the scenes footage from the Ambitions premiere, watch the video below. Be sure to catch Ambitions on OWN every Tuesday at 10pm.
INSIDE THE ATLANTA PREMIERE OF AMBITIONSwww.youtube.com
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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It was early spring 2023 when Joey Bada$$ pulled up for a chat with us on love and relationships courtesy of our Dana Blair-hosted "xoMan Live." There, he clarified that though we felt the sizzling chemistry between him and singer/actress Serayah radiating off our screens in the music video for his single, "Show Me" and rumors were swirling of a possible romance, that they were just friends.
"We got a pretty cool friendship, and I think she’s gorgeous. I think she’s talented," Joey shared with xoNecole at the time. He would later dead the rumors even further by announcing his relationship status, "I'm single." But he'd leave the door open for the possibility of a thing, adding, "Things could happen."
Joey Badass Clarifies His Relationship With SerayahYouTube
Since then, things have indeed been happening between Joey and Serayah, who was previously romantically linked to Jacob Latimore, as their "just friends" status has seemingly blossomed into something more. The love they imitated in the name of art proves to be much more beautiful in real life. "I’m staying ready, so I don’t gotta get ready if that makes sense, you know what I mean," he shared in our interview about feeling "ready" for a relationship. "I don’t want to say that it’s anything I’m looking for, like I understand the way the law of attraction works."
These days, the look of love is undeniable and we are here for this couple showcasing their deep affinity for one another out loud whenever possible. Keep reading for a brief timeline of the love between Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$.
June 2023: Joey Bada$$ Flies Serayah Out for an Epic Birthday Trip
In what is regarded as their first hard launch as a couple, Joey took to Instagram to share a compilation of short videos they took while boo'd up on a birthday trip for Serayah's 28th in a tropical paradise. After previous denials of a romance, the Raising Kanan actor confirmed their relationship by captioning the post, "happy birthday my love."
A little over a week later, Serayah dropped her own version of a hard launch in a series of photos on IG showcasing some BTS moments of her and Joey.
August 2023: Joey Bada$$ Shouts Out Serayah For National GF Day
We stan! Joey took National Girlfriend Day as an opportunity to show love for Serayah, sharing on Instagram Story a series of never-before-seen photos and videos of some of the couple doing and enjoying life together.
January 2024: Serayah and Joey Celebrate His Birthday In St. Lucia
Birthday trips seem to be a welcomed tradition for this couple as they spent Joey's 29th birthday in paradise where they effectively brought the sand to the beach. "Celebrating you is something I'll always love to do," Serayah captioned her Instagram post to Joey and their tropical escape. Joey left in a comment of appreciation, "Aquemini," it read in a nod to the Outkast album, as well as the couple's sun signs.
September 2023: Joey and Serayah Pop Out at New York Fashion Week
Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
From New York Fashion Week to international trips to Tokyo for Joey's shows, September 2023 proved to be a booked and busy month for the Flutter vocalist and the "Passports & Suitcases" artist. Joey shared a carousel of highlights of street-style moments in their matching outfits for the fashion event with the caption, "NYFW FESTIVITIES."
Serayah posted some Tokyo memories to her IG that didn't skimp on the Black love, writing, "tokyo was a dream."
February 2024: Serayah and Joey Take Fashion Week
This year, Serayah gave a BTS look at her time during February's New York Fashion Week, and of course, boyfriend Joey Bada$$ was there to show love and support.
February 2024: Serayah Teases The Arrival of New Heat with Throwbacks Of Her and Joey
What better way to announce the debut of your latest EP of R&B-meets-rap influences than to drop archives of your own relationship mirroring those same influences? ARCHIVES is out now.
March 2024: Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$$ Attend ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Serayah was a vision in gold as she graced the red carpet of the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony arm in arm with rapper beau Joey Bada$$. In February, Joey professed his forever love for Black women in "A Love Letter To Black Women," in partnership with Bumble. The "Fallin'" rapper began in the video, "I don’t think I tell you this enough, but you are so sacred to me."
"Just know you got my heart. The only one I’m coming home to. See, I been in my heart and mind, trying to find the right woman and they say that love is blind, but you looking right to me," later adding, "Please never forget how truly blessed you are. I’ll cater to your visions and be there while I’m growing your purpose. Real love is our language. And a Black woman is a blessing in my life."
March 2024: Joey Bada$$ Responds to Viral Video of Him and Serayah Arguing
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
In March, a viral video of the couple arguing and Serayah crying made rounds all over the internet and sparked speculation that Joey and Serayah had broken up. To squash the rumors, Joey assured inquiring minds that everything is good over here by posting a series of photos of the two of them loved up and enjoying a night out on the town, captioning it, "People all in our business they don’t even know the facts, they don’t see the shit we witness only what the cameras catch."
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Featured image by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE