

Before Getting Divorced, Consider Separating First.
If you've read, oh, I'd say seven or so articles that I've written on this site about marriage, I'm pretty sure you know that I am a marriage life coach. You might've also caught that my specialty is reconciling divorces. There are many reasons why. From a biblical standard, divorce isn't really something that God rallies behind (Malachi 2:16, Matthew 19:1-12, I Corinthians 7:10-11). Another reason why is, while I've never been married before (which also means that I've never been divorced either), I am a child of divorce, twice, and believe you me, children feel the effects of a broken home—no matter how much parents may want to tell themselves otherwise. Then there's the fact that marriage isn't some upgraded boyfriend/girlfriend relationship that so many people seem to act like it is. Vows were taken. Promises were made. And, if we're gonna be real about it, contracts were signed.
When you choose to get a marriage license, you've decided to make your relationship a legally binding union. In short, marriage is sacred. It's super serious too.
For those of you who are reading this who may already be divorced, this isn't to make you feel bad because, Lord, if there's something else that marriage tends to be, it's complicated. However, since I know that a lot of people are quick to jump the gun and call things "quits", only to later on regret their decision (check out "What Some People Regret About Their Divorce"), if you're someone who is really struggling in your marriage right now and the d-word has come up, more than a couple of times, I thought it would be a good idea to put on record that there is some space between being married and getting a divorce. It's called getting separated. And you know what? If you approach it from a proactive space, believe it or not, it could actually help your relationship in the long run. Here's how.
See Separating As a Way to Help Your Marriage. Not As a Vacation from It.
It's interesting because, whenever I write articles like "What Should You Do If You Feel Like You Married The Wrong Person?" and "So, What If You're Not Attracted To Your Husband Anymore?", there are a ton of people who read those. Off top, that lets me know that many people are really being tested in their marriage, even as we speak. That said, some of y'all might've seen the Black indie movieSecrets before. The married couple in the film got married young, the husband cheated, the wife was stressful and they ended up separating—for them, that season included seeing other people.
Yeah, that's not healthy. For one thing, separated or not, you are still married. Secondly, if anything looks like a rebound relationship, it's a married person who is seeing someone else while their marriage is in trouble. And third, separation should never translate into, "Goodie. Now I get to be out here, doing whatever I want." No, separating should be about giving you and your partner time and space to ponder what's going on in your relationship, how things went off of the rails and what you need in order to bring things back together. Sometimes it's hard to do that when you're constantly sharing the same space and getting on each other's last nerve. Yet when you separate with the mutual understanding that you're taking the time apart to see how to make your marriage better, that could actually be a good thing. Which brings me to the next point.
Be Open to Therapy (Separately and Together)
If you're single, reading this and you already know that you are a prideful person who is never willing to admit that you are just as human as anyone else which means that you've got flaws and can stand to grow, you DO NOT need to get married. After working well over a decade with couples, if there's one thing that I think a lot of them didn't go into their marriage prepared for, it was their spouse being able to hold up a huge symbolic mirror—one that reveals just how much they could stand to evolve and mature as an individual. In fact, let me tell it, that's why a lot of people end their marriage; when it gets too hard for them to have to see themselves, they move on in hopes of finding another person who will not challenge them to become a better person, quite like their former spouse did (layers, chile).
Here's the thing about that, though. Ever heard the saying, "Everywhere you go, there you are"? I believe that's why, the more times that people get married, the higher their chance for getting a divorce is (it's 60 percent for second marriages and a whopping 73 percent for third ones). And that's why I think it's oh so very important to use a time of separation to really focus on yourself. What could you have done better or differently? What was your understanding of marriage vs. what you are currently living out? What could you do to improve things?
In order to really get honest with yourself about stuff like this, more times than not, it's best to go to therapy (or a counselor or relationship life coach) alone at first—just so that you can really "get back to you". Then, after a couple of months, consider going to couple's therapy as well. I'm telling y'all, it really is tragic, just how many marriages could've been saved if this step had not been overlooked. Listen, I'm not guaranteeing that therapy will prevent a divorce; what I am saying is that it absolutely cannot hurt it. Or you. Ever.
Get Back to Your Friendship
All of the couples that I work with know that one of my most popular mottos is, "If you're still 'in like' with one another, I am confident that you can get back to being 'in love' again." The reason why I say this is because every marriage has seasons (both in and outside of the bedroom)—you know, times when a husband and wife can't get enough of each other and then other times when they close to can't stand each other. The ones who survive those moments tend to have two things in common—a relationship with God and a strong friendship.
I say it often because it's the truth. It really is crazy how much people are willing to endure in a friendship that they would've never consider in a marriage. Yet it's hard to remain committed to someone who you don't see as a true friend, isn't it? In the articles, "10 Things You Should Absolutely Expect From Your Friendships" and "Self BFF: 7 Signs You're Your Own Best Friend", I outline some signs of what it means to have a healthy friendship. See how those traits line up with the relationship you have with your spouse. Sometimes, focusing on finances, kids and daily stressors causes us to forget foundational truths; ones like, if you are friends with your partner, you really can get through, just about anything. Matter of fact, if there's one thing that a lot of divorced people have told me was the last straw in their marriage, it was that they didn't feel like they were friends with their spouse anymore. Being friends with your spouse is a superpower that doesn't get nearly enough credit.
Understand That Divorce Isn’t Necessarily a “Solution” to Anything
I've had my fair share of boyfriends in my day. I have vowed to myself to never have one again, though (check out "Why I'll Never Call Someone A 'Boyfriend' Again"). A big part of the reason why is because, it has been both my experience as well as my personal observation that, getting into these kinds of relationships where you act like you're married when you absolutely aren't does nothing more than prepare you for divorce. Think about it. If you've profoundly loved five men before, you put your entire mind, body and soul into all five and then broke up—what's to make you not see divorce as being that big of a deal if you are the same way with your husband? That point is for the single people.
For married folks, breaking a contract rarely makes life any better, no matter what the contract may be. Oftentimes, it simply makes life way more complicated and difficult. While I get that in some extreme cases, there may seem like there's no other option, really think long and hard about ending your marriage simply because "I don't feel the same anymore". Divorce affects credit. Divorce affects how your children see relationships (present and future) and, in some ways, the world, in general. Divorce affects things like mental health too.
Bottom line, seeing divorce as a solution to your marital problems can be quite the gamble. Don't approach it like you did your break-ups. Divorce is far more consequential than that.
Know What You REQUIRE for Reconciliation
Depending on the state that you live in, before getting a divorce, you may have to separate regardless. Y'all that "rule" doesn't exist just so that you can kick it in these streets. The intent is that the time apart will give you both some space to process, heal and hopefully reconcile. That said, while I try and do all that I can to prevent couples from divorcing, one thing that I do tend to be a semi-fan of is separation—meaning, I'm in support of it when things seem so stressful or counterproductive that trying to work together to save the relationship isn't really benefitting anyone.
Still, separating doesn't make you single. AGAIN, YOU ARE STILL MARRIED. The time apart shouldn't be about "doing your own thing" or finding someone new. It really needs to be about figuring out what went wrong, how to set things right, and what you would require in order for that to happen.
You know, I once read that 50 percent of couples that separate end up getting back together. It doesn't just up and happen, though. Real self-work is required. In other words, while separating may be about getting some space in your marriage, it's not to be treated like some sort of single's vacation. It really needs to be about making sure you both have done all that you can to make your relationship work. It needs to be about figuring out what you're willing to do and also what you would require in order to reconcile. Reconcile is a pretty dope word too. It means "to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent".
Be Realistic
I really do hate what Disney and rom-coms have done to people. So many folks are out here thinking that if marriage doesn't look like some filtered fairy tale then it must be an absolute nightmare. Marriage is about having someone in your life who will hold you down, no matter what. Marriage is about figuring out what you and your partner's strengths and weaknesses are, so that you can come together as a unit and make each other better. Marriage is a covenant relationship too and covenants are about agreeing to come together, mind, body, and soul, to build a life together—until death parts you. Making this kind of decision is definitely not easy (not by a long shot). But if you're willing to stick it out, it really can be super rewarding.
It's all about approaching marriage from a realistic point of view. It's about accepting that you've got baggage and your spouse has baggage. You've got issues and your spouse has issues. You're not perfect and your spouse isn't either. And sometimes, the weight of all of that requires taking some time apart, just to catch your breath. Yet if during that time, you're being real and honest about what you need, you're willing to forgive your spouse (as well as yourself) for things that cannot be changed, you are open to getting back to the foundation of the relationship (friendship) and doing things that made you fall for one another in the first place (like casual dates)—you could come back together in a more realistic space and being realistic about life—including marriage—is always beneficial.
We live in a world where folks are quick to quit—this includes quit on each other. Please try and see separation as an option before divorce, OK? I've worked with many couples where, approaching it from the space that I just shared, it actually saved their marriage. Took it to another level too. And I want the same for you. Divorce is a lot. Try separating first. Chances are, you absolutely won't regret it. I mean that.
Join our xoTribe, an exclusive community dedicated to YOU and your stories and all things xoNecole. Be a part of a growing community of women from all over the world who come together to uplift, inspire, and inform each other on all things related to the glow up.
Featured image by Shutterstock
- 8 Valid Reasons To Break Off An Engagement - xoNecole: Women's ... ›
- Have “Seasons of Separation” Never Worked Out for the Better ... ›
- How To Deal With A Partner Who's NEVER Wrong ›
- Signs It's Time To Let A Friend Go - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
After being a regular contributor for about four years and being (eh hem) MIA in 2022, Shellie is back penning for the platform (did you miss her? LOL).
In some ways, nothing has changed and in others, everything has. For now, she'll just say that she's working on the 20th anniversary edition of her first book, she's in school to take life coaching to another level and she's putting together a platform that supports and encourages Black men because she loves them from head to toe.
Other than that, she still works with couples, she's still a doula, she's still not on social media and her email contact (missnosipho@gmail.com) still hasn't changed (neither has her request to contact her ONLY for personal reasons; pitch to the platform if you have story ideas).
Life is a funny thing but if you stay calm, moments can come full circle and this is one of them. No doubt about it.
Amber Riley has the type of laugh that sticks with you long after the raspy, rhythmic sounds have ceased. It punctuates her sentences sometimes, whether she’s giving a chuckle to denote the serious nature of something she just said or throwing her head back in rip-roarious laughter after a joke. She laughs as if she understands the fragility of each minute. She chooses laughter often with the understanding that future joy is not guaranteed.
Credit: Ally Green
The sound of her laughter is rivaled only by her singing voice, an emblem of the past and the future resilience of Black women stretched over a few octaves. On Fox’s Glee, her character Mercedes Jones was portrayed, perhaps unfairly, as the vocal duel to Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), offering rough, full-throated belts behind her co-star’s smooth, pristine vocals. Riley’s always been more than the singer who could deliver a finishing note, though.
Portraying Effie White, she displayed the dynamic emotions of a song such as “And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going” in Dreamgirls on London’s West End without buckling under the historic weight of her predecessors. With her instrument, John Mayer’s “Gravity” became a religious experience, a belted hymnal full of growls and churchy riffs. In her voice, Nicole Scherzinger once said she heard “the power of God.”
Credit: Ally Green
Riley’s voice has been a staple throughout pop culture for nearly 15 years now. Her tone has become so distinguishable that most viewers of Fox’s The Masked Singer recognized the multihyphenate even before it was revealed that she was Harp, the competition-winning, gold-masked figure with an actual harp strapped to her back.
Still, it wasn’t until recently that Riley began to feel like she’d found her voice. This sounds unbelievable. But she’s not referring to the one she uses on stage. She’s referencing the voice that speaks to who she is at her core. “Therapy kind of gave me the training to speak my mind,” the 37-year-old says. “It’s not something we’re taught, especially as Black women. I got so comfortable in [doing so], and I really want other people, especially Black women, to get more comfortable in that space.”
“Therapy kind of gave me the training to speak my mind. It’s not something we’re taught, especially as Black women."
If you ask Riley’s manager, Myisha Brooks, she’ll tell you the foundation of who the multihyphenate is hasn’t changed much since she was a kid growing up in Compton. “She is who she is from when I met her back when she was singing in the front of the church to back when she landed major roles in film and TV,” Brooks says. Time has allowed Riley to grow more comfortable, giving fans a more intimate glimpse into her life, including her mental health journey and the ins and outs of show business.
The actress/singer has been in therapy since 2019, although she suffered from depression and anxiety way before that. In a recent interview with Jason Lee, she recalls having suicidal ideation as a kid. By the time she started seeing a psychologist and taking antidepressants in her thirties, her body had become jittery, a physical reminder of the trauma stacked high inside her. “I was shaking in [my therapist’s] office,” she tells xoNecole. “My fight or flight was on such a high level. I was constantly in survival mode. My heart was beating fast all the time. All I did was sweat.”
There wasn’t just childhood trauma to account for. After auditioning for American Idol and being turned away by producers, Riley began working for Ikea and nearly missed her Glee audition because her car broke down on the highway while en route. Thankfully, Riley had been cast to play Mercedes Jones. American Idol had temporarily convinced her she wasn’t cut out for the entertainment industry, but this was validation that she was right where she belonged. Glee launched in 2009 with the promise of becoming Riley’s big break.
In some ways, it was. The show introduced Riley to millions of fans and catapulted her into major Hollywood circles. But in other ways, it became a reminder of the types of roles Black women, especially those who are plus-sized, are relegated to. Behind the scenes, Riley says she fought for her character "to have a voice" but eventually realized her efforts were useless. "It finally got to a point where I was like, this is not my moment. I'm not who they're choosing, and this is just going to have to be a job for me for now," she says. "And, that's okay because it pays my bills, I still get to be on television, I'm doing more than any other Black plus-sized women that I'm seeing right now on screen."
The actress can recognize now that she was navigating issues associated with trauma and low self-esteem at the time. She now knows that she's long had anxiety and depression and can recognize the ways in which she was triggered by how the cult-like following of the show conflicted with her individual, isolated experiences behind the scenes. But she was in her early '20s back then. She didn't yet have the language or the tools to process how she was feeling.
Riley says she eventually sought out medical intervention. "When you're in Hollywood, and you go to a doctor, they give you pills," she says, sharing a part of her story that she'd never revealed publicly before now. "[I was] on medication and developing a habit of medicating to numb, not understanding I was developing an addiction to something that's not fixing my problem. If anything, it's making it worse."
“[I was] on medication and developing a habit of medicating to numb, not understanding I was developing an addiction to something that’s not fixing my problem. If anything it’s making it worse.”
Credit: Ally Green
At one point, while in her dressing room on set, she rested her arm on a curling iron without realizing it. It wasn't until her makeup artist alerted her that she even realized her skin was burning. Once she noticed, she says she was "so zonked out on pills" that she barely reacted. Speaking today, she holds up her arm and motions towards a scar that remains from the incident. She sought help for her reliance on the pills, but it would still be years before she finally attended therapy.
This stress was only compounded by the trauma of growing up in poverty and the realities of being a "contract worker." "Imagine going from literally one week having to borrow a car to get to set to the next week being on a private jet to New York City," she says. After Glee ended, so did the rides on private planes. The fury of opportunities she expected to follow her appearance on the show failed to materialize. She wasn't even 30 yet, and she was already forced to consider if she'd hit her career peak.
. . .
We’re only four minutes into our Zoom call before Riley delivers her new adage to me. “My new mantra is ‘humility does not serve me.’ Humility does not serve Black women. The world works so hard to humble us anyway,” she says.
On this Thursday afternoon in April, the LA-based entertainer is seated inside her closet/dressing room wearing a cerulean blue tank top with matching shorts and eating hot wings. This current phase of healing hinges on balance. It’s about having discipline and consistency, but not at the risk of inflexibility. She was planning to head to the gym, for instance, but she’s still tired from the “exhausting” day before. Instead, she’s spent her day receiving a massage, eating some chicken wings, and planning to spend quality time with friends. “I’m not going to beat myself up for it. I’m not going to talk down to myself. I’m going to eat my chicken wings, and then tomorrow I’m [back] in the gym,” she says.
“My new mantra is ‘humility does not serve me.’ Humility does not serve Black women. The world works so hard to humble us anyway."
This is the balance with which she's been approaching much of her life these days. It's why she's worried less about whether or not people see her as someone who is humble. She'd rather be respected. "I think you should be a person that's easy to work with, but in the moments where I have to ruffle feathers and make waves, I'm not shying away from that anymore. You can do it in love, you don't have to be nasty about it, but I had to finally be comfortable with the fact that setting boundaries around my life – in whatever aspect, whether that's personal or business – people are not going to like it. Some people are not going to have nice things to say about you, and you gotta be okay with it," she says.
When Amber talks about the constant humbling of Black women in Hollywood, I think of the entertainers before her who have suffered from this. The brilliant, consistent, overqualified Black women who have spoken of having to fight for opportunities and fair pay. Aretha Franklin. Viola Davis. Tracee Ellis Ross. There's a long list of stars whose success hasn't mirrored their experiences behind the scenes.
Credit: Ally Green
If Black women outside of Hollywood are struggling to decrease the pay gap, so, too, are their wealthier, more famous peers.
Riley says there’s been progress in recent years, but only in small ways and for a limited group of people. “This business is exhausting. The goalpost is constantly moving, and sometimes it’s unfair,” she says. But, I have to say it’s the love that keeps you going.”
“There’s no way you can continue to be in this business and not love it, especially being a plus-sized Black woman,” she continues. “We’re still niche. We’re still not main characters.”
"There’s no way you can continue to be in this business and not love it, especially being a plus-sized Black woman. We’re still niche. We’re still not main characters.”
Last year, Riley starred alongside Raven Goodwin in the Lifetime thriller Single Black Female (a modern, diversified take on 1992’s Single White Female). It was more than a leading role for the actress, it also served as proof that someone who looks like her can front a successful project without it hinging on her identity. It showcased that the characters she portrays don’t “have to be about being a big girl. It can just be a regular story.”
Riley sees her work in music as an extension of her efforts to push past the rigid stereotypes in entertainment. Take her appearance on The Masked Singer, for instance. Riley said she decided to perform Mayer’s “Gravity” after being told she couldn’t sing it years earlier. “I wanted to do ‘Gravity’ on Glee. [I] was told no, because that’s not a song that Mercedes would do,” she says. “That was a full circle moment for me, doing that on that show and to hear what it is they had to say.”
As Scherzinger praised the “anointed” performance, a masked Riley began to cry, her chest heaving as she stood on stage, her eyes shielded from view. “You have to understand, I have really big names – casting directors, producers, show creators – that constantly tell me ‘I’m such a big fan. Your talent is unmatched.’ Hire me, then,” she says, reflecting on the moment.
Recently, she’s been in the studio working on original music, the follow-up to her independently-released debut EP, 2020’s Riley. The sequel to songs such as the anthemic “Big Girl Energy” and the reflective ballad “A Moment” on Riley, this new project hones in on the singer’s R&B roots with sensual grooves such as the tentatively titled “All Night.” “You said I wasn’t shit, turns out that I’m the shit. Then you called me a bitch, turns out that I’m that bitch. You said no one would want me, well you should call your homies,” she sings on the tentatively titled “Lately,” a cut about reflecting on a past relationship. From the forthcoming project, xoNecole received five potential tracks. Fans likely already know the strengths and contours of Riley’s vocals, but these new songs are her strongest, most confident offerings as an artist.
“I am so much more comfortable as a writer, and I know who I am as an artist now. I’m evolving as a human being, in general, so I’m way more vulnerable in my music. I’m way more willing to talk about whatever is on my mind. I don’t stop myself from saying what it is I want to say,” she says.
Credit: Ally Green
“Every era and alliteration of Amber, the baseline is ‘Big Girl Energy.’ That’s the name of her company,” her manager Brooks says, referencing the imprint through which Riley releases her music after getting out of a label deal several years ago. “It’s just what she stands for. She’s not just talking about size, it’s in all things. Whether it’s putting your big girl pants on and having to face a boardroom full of executives or sell yourself in front of a casting agent. It’s her trying to achieve the things she wants to do in life.”
Riley says she has big dreams beyond releasing this new music, too. She’d love to star in a rom-com with Winston Duke. She hasn't starred in a biopic yet, but she’d revel in the opportunity to portray Rosetta Tharpe on screen. She’s determined that her previous setbacks won’t stop her from dreaming big.
“I think one of my superpowers is resilience because, at the end of the day, I’m going to kick, scream, cry, cuss, be mad and disappointed, but I’m going to get up and risk having to deal with it all again. It’s worth it for the happy moments,” she says.
If Riley seems more comfortable and confident professionally, it’s because of the work she’s been doing in her personal life.
She’d previously spoken to xoNecole about becoming engaged to a man she discovered in a post on the site, but she called things off last year. For Valentine’s Day, she revealed her new boyfriend publicly. “I decided to post him on Valentine’s Day, partially because I was in the dog house. I got in trouble with him,” she says, half-joking before turning serious. “The breakup was never going to stop me from finding love. Or at least trying. I don’t owe anybody a happily ever after. People break up. It happens. When it was good, it was good. When it was bad, it was terrible, hunny. I had to get the fuck up out of there. You find happiness, and you enjoy it and work through it.”
Credit: Ally Green
"I don’t owe anybody a happily ever after. People break up. It happens. When it was good, it was good. When it was bad, it was terrible, hunny. I had to get the fuck up out of there. You find happiness and you enjoy it and work through it.”
With her ex, Riley was pretty outspoken about her relationship, even appearing in content for Netflix with him. This time around is different. She’s not hiding her boyfriend of eight months, but she’s more protective of him, especially because he’s a father and isn’t interested in becoming a public figure.
She’s traveling more, too. It’s a deliberate effort on her part to enjoy her money and reject the trauma she’s developed after experiencing poverty in her childhood. “I live in constant fear of being broke. I don’t think you ever don’t remember that trauma or move past that. Now I travel and I’m like, listen, if it goes, it goes. I’m not saying [to] be reckless, but I deserve to enjoy my hard work.”
After everything she’s been through, she certainly deserves to finally let loose a bit. “I have to have a life to live,” she says. “I’ve got to have a life worth fighting for.”
Credits
Director of Content: Jasmine Grant
Campaign Manager: Chantal Gainous
Managing Editor: Sheriden Garrett
Creative Director/Executive Producer: Tracey Woods
Cover Designer: Tierra Taylor
Photographer: Ally Green
Photo Assistant: Avery Mulally
Digital Tech: Kim Tran
Video by Third and Sunset
DP & Editor: Sam Akinyele
2nd Camera: Skylar Smith
Camera Assistant: Charles Belcher
Stylist: Casey Billingsley
Hairstylist: DaVonte Blanton
Makeup Artist: Drini Marie
Production Assistants: Gade De Santana, Apu Gomes
Powered by: European Wax Center
The 7 Best Tina Turner Quotes About Love, Life, And Legacy
The world has become a little less brighter following the loss of the indomitable force known as Tina Turner.
The legendary singer --who was crowned the Queen of Rock 'N' Roll after captivating many hearts for six decades with her electrifying raspy voice, explosive dance moves, empowering life story, and much more-- died on May 24 at the age of 83 after battling a long illness. Turner's passing was confirmed in a statement released by the star's publicist Bernard Doherty.
In a statement to People magazine, Doherty revealed that Turner had "died peacefully" in her home in Switzerland, which she shared with her husband, music producer Erwin Bach. Doherty also announced that a private funeral service would be held at an undisclosed date for Turner's close family and friends.
"Tina Turner, the 'Queen of Rock'n' Roll,' has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model. There will be a private funeral ceremony attended by close friends and family. Please respect the privacy of her family at this difficult time," the statement read.
Tina Turner
Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images
In addition to the public statement, Turner's passing was also confirmed on her social media accounts. Although, at the time, details surrounding Turner's cause of death were limited, it was ultimately revealed that the "River Deep Mountain High" songstress passed away from natural causes. This comes years after Turner underwent a kidney transplant, which her husband donated, and suffering from various health issues. The list included high blood pressure, stroke, and intestinal cancer.
As the news circulated online, many of Turner's close friends and fans paid homage to the icon by expressing how much she meant to them. The list included Angela Bassett --who played Turner in the 1993 film What's Love Got To Do With It-- Beyoncé, Dionne Warwick, Mariah Carey, Ciara, and longtime friend Oprah Winfrey.
In an Instagram post, Winfrey recounted how her friendship with Turner started. The 69-year-old explained that she was a massive fan of the "Proud Mary" vocalist, and upon meeting, the pair's bond would blossom into a decades-long sisterhood.
During that time, Winfrey shared that she was in awe of Turner's resilience from her past childhood traumas and being abandoned by both her parents to how she overcame her violent relationship with ex-husband Ike Turner. The former television host added that Turner's ability to preserve through life's hardships inspired an entire nation.
"I started out as a fan of Tina Turner, then a full-on groupie, following her from show to show around the country, and then, eventually, we became real friends. She is our forever goddess of rock 'n' roll who contained a magnitude of inner strength that grew throughout her life. She was a role model not only for me but for the world. She encouraged a part of me I didn't know existed," Winfrey wrote while honoring her longtime friend.
Tina Turner
Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns
"Once she claimed her freedom from years of domestic abuse, her life became a clarion call for triumph. I'm grateful for her courage, for showing us what victory looks like wearing Manolo's and a leather miniskirt."
Winfrey wrapped up her words by recalling her conversation with Turner regarding death. The Oprah Winfrey Show host revealed that Turner embraced it because "she had learned how to live surrounded by her beloved husband, Erwin, and friends."
"She once shared with me that when her time came to leave this earth, she would not be afraid, but excited and curious. Because she had learned how to LIVE surrounded by her beloved husband, Erwin, and friends. I am a better woman, a better human, because her life touched mine. She was indeed simply the best," Winfrey stated.
With Turner's untimely death, the "What's Love Got To Do With It" singer leaves behind an immaculate career spanning over 60 years. Alongside her countless hit songs, Turner's past accolades consist of eight Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Grammy Hall of Fame for three of her songs.
"The Best" songstress' other achievements included Turner earning her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming a double inductee in the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame once in 1991 with Ike Turner, and again in 2021 as a solo artist, etc.
Turner is survived by her husband, Erwin Bach, many friends, and fans. Turner had four sons, two of whom she adopted while married to Ike. Her biological sons, Craig and Ronnie, both sadly passed away in recent years. To date, it is unclear if Turner has mended her relationship with her two adopted sons, who belonged to her ex-husband Ike Turner.
Turner’s music has impacted many people thanks to the beautiful storytelling and powerful words. In honor of Turner's legacy, xoNecole is looking back at her most memorable quotes on life, love, aging, and beauty over the years.
Tina Turner
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Tina On Life
"If you are unhappy with anything…Whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self, comes out."
-via 1986 interview with Ebony magazine.
Tina On Love
"He [Erwin] shows me that true love doesn't require the dimming of my light so that he can shine. On the contrary, we are the light of each other's lives, and we want to shine as bright as we can, together."
via Turner's book, Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good.
Tina On Her Greatest Beauty Secret
"My greatest beauty secret is being happy with myself. It's a mistake to think you are what you put on yourself. I believe that a lot of how you look has to do with how you feel about yourself and your life."
-via 2016 interview with Woman & Homemagazine.
Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It (Official Music Video)
Tina On Aging
"Fifty is the new 30. Seventy is the new 50. There are no rules that say you have to dress a certain way, or be a certain way. We are living in exciting times for women. Keep up with fashion, keep up with your figure and the clothes you wear. If you look good and you can still do it, then go and do it. I have never worried about age."
-via 2009 interview with the Daily Express.
Tina On Death
"Even when it's time to go and leave to another planet, I'm excited about that because I'm curious to know what it is about. Nobody can tell you because nobody has come back. I'm not excited to die, but I don't regret it when it's time for me. I've done what I came here to do. Now is [time for] pleasure. I've got great friends. I have a great man in my life now. I have a great husband, and I'm happy."
-via 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Tina On The Legacy She's Leaving Behind
"My legacy is that I stayed on course from the beginning to the end because I believed in something inside of me that told me that it can get better…So my legacy is a person that strived for wanting it better and got it."
-via 2013 Oprah interview.
Tina On How She Would Want To Be Remembered
"As the Queen of Rock 'N' Roll. As a woman who showed other women that it is OK to strive for success on their own terms."
via April 2023 interview with The Guardian.
Although xoNecole and the world are mourning the loss of the incredible Tina Turner, it is humbling to know that she accomplished so many things, personally and professionally, during her time here and continues to show why she was, in fact, "simply the best," even after death.
We will miss you, Queen. Rest in Power!
Tina Turner - The Best (Official Music Video)
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 Paul Natkin/Getty Images