

It’s A Different World: 4 Reasons Why You Should Watch ‘Grown-ish’
If you've been paying attention, then you know that Yara Shahidi is starring in the new Black-ish spinoff titled Grown-ish. Grown-ish follows Shahidi's character, Zoey, on her journey through college. When I first caught wind of this series, I almost cried. Partly because I am so attached to Dre and Zoey's relationship, but mostly because I was so taken aback by seeing a girl who looked like me going through the same experiences and struggles I went through in college.
The boys, the booze, the opportunities, the setbacks – all coming together to make way for life-changing experiences. For so long, it felt like the only people I could relate those experiences to were lacking in diversity or the late-night reruns of A Different Worldthat lent itself to our culture. But now, with Grown-ish on the map, there is room for a new, more full depiction of what it's like to be in college as a woman of color.
Here's why I am counting down the hours until Grown-ish makes its season premiere tonight on Freeform.
1.Grown-ish Is Revolutionary for Women Of Color
When I was looking at colleges, I remember walking around campus feeling isolated by the lack of students of color on what seemed like every campus. When I finally got to college, I felt even more isolated, wondering what it would take for my roommate to understand why I could NOT go to sleep without my hair scarf on after a long night out.
Though it seems simple, Grown-ish has given young women the opportunity to see themselves on the screen. In doing so, it will inevitably liberate college women into sharing and talking about their experiences, without having to hide the parts of themselves that might seem different. Between the special appearances from Dre and the rest of the Black-ish cast, plus the oddly realistic depiction of college life (did they read my university diary?), it seems like Grown-ish really hit the nail on the head with what it's like to be in college as a woman of color.
2.The Previews Are On Point
Between the colorful trailers and the social media buzz, I've never been more hyped for a show. The previews themselves have so much black girl magic in them I feel like I'm a star by the end of it. Aside from the fun, the teasers and clips make it clear the Grown-ish will be a show that addresses the issues society is facing today, whether it be the president, prejudice on campuses, or general hook-up culture, Grown-ish is bringing it. I'm so ready to relive my younger years and sip the Grown-ish tea. It's definitely the A Different World of our generation. Watch some clips below and you'll be sucked in too.
3.Not Gonna Lie, I’m Also Here For The Hairspiration
The hair and style inspiration on this show is about to be lit! Between Shahidi herself, and the kickass Chloe x Halle, there is no reason your curls or your locs shouldn't be on fleek after taking some notes on their stylish tresses. Shahidi's character Zoey's hair changes as much as her mood, and I am so here for the diversified styling of her natural hair. And by the way – look at all that black hair rockin' primetime television! Revolutionary AF. Try to tell me it's not.
4.And OK Yeah, Here For The Eye Candy Too
Cool, cool, I'll keep this one short - I can speak for us all when I say that Trevor Jackson is Bae. I mean… just look at him. I'm watching it over and over until tonight's premiere. And Luka Sabbat, we see your fine ass too.
Be sure to tune into tonight's premiere on January 3 at 8/7c on Freeform.
Featured image by Giphy
At her core, Natalie considers herself to be a storyteller. When she's not writing or singing in the shower, she can be found eating endless amounts of pizza or reclaiming her time with a good book and a scented candle. Keep up with Natalie's shenanigans on her IG @Natatat122 and blog here.
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
SZA's Revelation On The Impact Of Misguided Self-Help & Choosing The Wrong Guides
Superstar songstress SZA is known for baring her soul on chart-topping pop/R&B records, but on one rare occasion, she mistakenly opened up to the wrong counsel.
During an interview with WSJ, the “Snooze” artist shared a peculiar experience when she unknowingly hired a life coach, thinking they were a therapist.
Taking a listen to the 33-year-old R&B star’s lyrics over the years, it’s clear she knows how to go below the surface of her personal relationship perils and attempts at love. And, in an effort to pull back those layers even further, SZA shares that she’s sought various forms of therapy, including hypnotherapy, talk therapy, and sessions with a psychiatrist and acupuncturist to uncover the deepest layers of herself.
After trying these techniques with little improvements, the “Kiss Me More” performer reached out to a practitioner, assuming they offered a specific therapeutic approach, only to discover that the individual was a life coach, not a licensed therapist.
“After I had box-breathed myself for three months and didn’t get better, I called her in a f—ing frenzy like, ‘I’m about to commit myself to an institution today, I need help!’ I said, ‘What form of therapy do you do? DBT?’” she told the publication, referring to dialectical behavior therapy.
“She was like, ‘I don’t have a clinical form of therapy because I’m not a licensed therapist, honey. I thought you knew that.’ It turns out she was not a board-certified therapist. She was a f—ing life coach,” the Grammy winner continued.
While it may be easy to confuse the two professions, the purposes of a life coach and a therapist are distinctly different.
Therapists typically have formal education in psychology or counseling, often holding advanced degrees, and are licensed by state boards. They are trained to diagnose and treat mental disorders, with a primary focus on mental health and emotional well-being.
On the other hand, life coaches tend to focus on helping clients get “unstuck” and find directions through their own abilities. While some have specific training, it is not as regulated or standardized as therapy.
Life coaches focus on assisting individuals in setting and achieving personal or professional goals, addressing areas like career, relationships, and personal development.
SZA went on to tell the publication that songwriting serves as a means to both resolve and document problems. Although she still has anxious moments to navigate through, she finds solace in the process of songwriting, noting that creating music allows her to achieve a state of mental clarity.
"When I leave the studio, I feel better and empty," she reflects. "There’s no better sleep than empty-brain sleep, and that can only come after I’ve been in the studio for 10 hours and done something good in there."
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Featured image by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Webby Awards