Tiffany Haddish has been making moves in a very non-subtle way and that's exactly why we love her and her outlandish spirit.
Last night at the New York Film Critics Circle dinner, Tiffany received an award for best supporting actress, and her speech was a beautifully crafted cocktail of the truths that we all needed to drink.
For those that don't know, Haddish has been doing stand up comedy since she was fifteen years old. Now at a youthful 38 - what are wrinkles? - Tiffany is finally beginning to gain her recognition. Her breakout role was in this past summer's blockbuster hit Girls Trip alongside Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett-Smith. The success didn't come easy and it didn't come overnight.
Her near 20-minute speech touched on her process as a young Black woman in comedy and the amount of trials and tribulations she had to go through to get where she is today. Despite all of the hardships she had to go through Tiffany made it clear that she maintained her authenticity. In her monologue over a magical cocktail, the Girls Trip actress expressed her gratitude for the critics, good and bad, who had offered their feedback.
"I know some people in here gonna talk shit about me and it's OK. You know why it's OK? Because you care enough to say something. If you didn't say nothing, then you don't care. So, because you said something, thank you. I don't care if it's positive or negative, I appreciate you.I'm glad you see me because there's been so many years that nobody saw me. You know, when you're a little kid in the [foster care] system going through all the... you wonder, 'Does anyone see that I'm alive?' And to be able to be this example for so many youths, so many people like me that you guys have no idea about... but they're coming, because I kicked the f**king door open."
The way to kick the fucking door open, as we've seen with other women such as Cardi B and Amara La Negra, is to be your complete self, unapologetically.
There is no specific recipe for success but we know that a key ingredient in any variation is authenticity. Tiffany's appeal is rooted in her ability to be relatable, to be the friend that we all love because of their upbeat energy. The friend who keeps it real 1000% of the time. When we watched Girls Trip, we were not watching a role played by Tiffany Haddish but rather the woman that Tiffany Haddish is through and through.
"Stop holding back your truth. Be yourself. It's the healthiest way to be. Be who you are. If don't nobody like you, f**k it, there's ten other people that do. Somebody will like you, because there's somebody who is like you and they need to hear you."
When watching Tiffany in her element there is no telling that she has been through a life of struggle; she doesn't allow her pain to define her. Tiffany bloom on stage whilst giving an acceptance speech for her award is attestation for victory over your circumstances. Even two years shy of 40 and the actress carries no chip on her shoulder.
Let her moment of glory be a reminder that age does not define your path to success. It doesn't determine when your path begins or ends. As long as we are staying true to ourselves and maintaining our own authenticity, the path will come into alignment with everything we've ever asked for.
Watch the full speech below:
With a multi-layered approach to her artistry, just as she did on that winter day in December 2013 with the infamous digital drop of her self-titled album, she changed the game again on February 1, 2023, when she announced her world tour in support of Renaissance, her seventh studio album. Her cultural impact set the internet ablaze, with everyone trying to gather their coins, barter for presale codes, and figure out which cities to attend. The group chats were lit, and the Beyhive was stressed trying to get their hands on tickets.
Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in L.A.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
Unfortunately, I was in that number. As the concert dates passed by and the one in my city drawing near all roads led to disappointment. With time ticking on the day of the Miami show and less than two hours to spare, my wallet bit the bullet, and I purchased three last-minute tickets, costing roughly $700.00 a piece (including fees) for me, my 9-year-old and 16-year-old nieces in Section 121 at the Hard Rock Stadium. With 10 minutes before showtime, we eagerly awaited the Queen to take the stage. A sea of metallic fringes, cowboy hats, disco fans, and western boots were in full effect and filled the entire stadium.
Dontaira with her nieces at Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in Miami.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
As the lights dimmed, a flood of emotions instantly overtook my body. It continued with each note she belted, along with nearly 50,000 roaring fans. The reverberating sound of the music through the stadium transported me from one era of my life to the next. As a teen girl in her bedroom daydreaming about her first love to blossoming into an unapologetic Black woman who is still on a road of self-discovery while learning to lean into the power anthem of "You won't break my soul." For over two hours, and with each set, I felt joy, love, peace, and a commanderie with fellow concertgoers. It was therapeutic as I danced like no one was watching and sang as if I were alone in my bathroom mirror.
There were no bars held, and I realized at that moment, "Nobody can judge me but me." The "Renaissance World Tour" proved to be so vast, and my Black girl joy was re-invigorated. It was magnetic and liberating, and I had to attend again, but this time, I needed to be up close and personal; I needed to be on the floor. In the days that passed, I watched more social media clips in different cities and asked myself if I would really splurge again to attend another Renaissance show.
Beyoncé's Renaissance tour stop in Miami.
Photo courtesy of Dontaira Terrell
After all, this would be my thirteenth time (maybe more because I lost count) seeing Beyoncé live, whether she was on tour with Destiny's Child, as a solo artist, or doing a live appearance. I contemplated for a while, but it worked itself out on its own. I was gifted two tickets and the next thing I knew, I was off to LA to attend another Renaissance show with floor seats at SoFi Stadium during Beyonce's 42nd birthday weekend! This time, things were different: no kids were allowed. It was adults only this go round.
Although the energy at the Miami and Los Angeles shows was empowering, infectious, and a celebration of life, happiness, and identity, they each provided their own unique experience. However, both concerts were what I needed for my well-being, leaving me with sore feet from dancing the night away, on vocal rest for the next few days from screaming at the top of my lungs, and on an indefinite high on life.
My introduction and love for Beyoncé began in 1996, while my older sister lived in Houston, TX, right before Bey hit the scene in 1998 with "No, No, No" as a budding R&B member. Her evolution twenty-seven years later as an international superstar and into womanhood has been an incredible journey to witness. As Mrs. Carter reminds each of us in the audience every night before the curtain closes, "I want you to remember this moment, where you're standing, who you came with, and take it with you. I hope you feel inspired."
I truly felt inspired, so thank you, Queen Bey. You awakened my inner child, and I will definitely remember these moments and take them with me.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
