MOVING ON: Monique DISCUSSES Her 82-Pound WEIGHT LOSS & Her OPEN MARRIAGE + TJ Holmes On LIFE After BET
Both Monique and TJ Holmes, who’ve had their BET projects cancelled, sat down to talk about their careers how they feel about the network since they left. Find out more inside….
Oscar-winning comedienne Monique stopped by Hot 97 this mroning to promote her upcoming stand-up set in NYC and to discuss her dramatic weight loss. During the chat, she also discussed that "open marriage" comment she once made. And she revealed that she harbors no ill will toward BET about cancelling her talk show.
Here are the highlights:
On weight loss
"I tweet my work outs every morning because I want women to see, you dont have to let them cut you open. You don’t have to let them suck it out. You don’t have to let them put a band around your organs. All you have to do is put the work in and the weight comes off."
Right now, she says she weighs 218 and her goal is to get down to 190. She thinks her highest weight was 300.
On open marriage
Monique explained that the ‘open relationship’ idea was actually her idea because she travelled on the road so much. She says the idea backfired on her because she soon realized how special her relationship was. Now she still describes her marriage as "open" but for different reasons.
"We are open but we’re open because we’re honest. When I said open relationship people automatically though sex…but we have no secrets. They’re nothing my husband doesn’t know about me and there’s nothing I don’t know about him. We treat each other good in life….My husband’s teaching me how to be his woman…how to be his wife."
On Charles Ramsey
"I admire that brother and I appreciate what he did. No he don’t have no teeth…but Charles when we come to Cleveland…you have tickets to the show! That took a lot of courage. Normally we mind our business….we don’t get involved…that brother said "Today…I have to get involved." What that brother did….was save lives."
On Iyanla Vanzant
"I can’t fix nobody’s life but my own. All I can share is my experiences…"
On leaving BET and what happened
"It was one of the greatest experience’s of my life. We said we wanted people to feel good before they went to bed. I get asked the question "Monique what happened?" and I wish I could give you the answer. Honestly, I don’t know. You’re asking the wrong person. You should ask Deborah Lee, the President of BET. What I will say is to the people….I thank you. The "Monique" show was for our community."
Watch the interview here:
In other BET departures…..
Recently, BET confirmed the cancellation of its news program "Don’t Sleep. We all knew it was coming…we all know BET isn’t the place for actual thinking. And now, veteran newsman TJ Holmes is speaking to HuffPost about his life and career post-BET. Check out the highlights:
What happened to your relationship with BET?
The network, they made a decision that they didn’t want the show to come back. That being the case, I don’t have anything else to do at that network. I was only there to do that show for the most part. So if they decide they don’t want the show on the air anymore, then there is no reason for that relationship to continue. So that relationship is over.
Were you shocked by the show’s cancellation?
I have known for a while that the show was not going to return. I just wasn’t able to say that myself and make it official, because the show is still the network’s property. So they’re the ones who are in charge in that regard of public message…And I think a lot of people have known for quite some time. It just took a while to make it publicly official.
Do you have a specific time frame on when you would like to land your next position?
No, because I don’t want to make a mistake. My wife and I are blessed enough that we don’t have to run out and find a job just for the sake of finding a job. But I’m really, really determined to get this next move right. I’m looking for a home. A place that I can see myself being for years and years down the road. So we are being very deliberate. And it’s been nice to have this option and it’s nice to be wanted to some degree.
Read more from TJ Holmes’ sit-down here.
Monique Photo: AlwaysAList
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Original Post Source – http://www.theybf.com/
KOKO’s music is a testament to her international background. Hailing from Finland and spending part of her life in Brussels, Belgium, she brings a blend of Northern European sophistication and Middle European jazz and funk to her music. It’s this eclectic mix that sets her apart, making her sound a breath of fresh air in the New York scene.
KOKO mentions her fondness for the jazz and funk she experienced in Brussels, stating, “I definitely have like funk elements in my music, especially from the time when we lived in Brussels, because we went to see like a lot of jazz, for example, at all times.” This richness in artistry isn’t just serendipitous; it’s intentional and a core part of who she is as an artist.
The New York City Metamorphosis
Moving to the epicenter of varied artistic expression, New York City, KOKO continued to evolve her craft. It’s here that she found the latitude to further her studies in sound engineering and delve deeper into the music world. Attending SAE Institute of Technology was a decision that would shape her future, immersing her in a community that lives and breathes sound.
Yet, it isn’t just about the music for KOKO. It’s about being “in motion,” as she refers to her debut LP, aptly titled “Coco Motion.” This project encapsulates her experiences and growth during her time in the States. Each song represents a timestamp, chronicling her evolution from an international student to a New York artist. “It’s like a timeline, almost like how my journey has been here,” she reflects.
The Beacon of Self-love and Empowerment
Amid the beats and melodies, there’s an underlying narrative in KOKO’s music: the importance of self-love and empowerment. These are not just themes but the lifeblood of her creative expression. KOKO is on a mission to inspire, guide, and remind listeners of their inherent worth and capacity for love.
She doesn’t shy away from her advocacy for mental health, recognizing its significance in today’s society. For KOKO, music is a medium for healing and spiritual growth. “My sound is conscious pop,” she says, signaling the reflective quality of her songs and their purpose to resonate on a deeper level with her audience.
As we recap the indelible impression KOKO has made in her interview with Shah Cypha, it’s clear that her trajectory is not simply one of personal ambition but also of universal resonance. Her music, imbued with both her Finnish and Brussels-influenced roots, has found a nurturing home in New York City, blossoming into a soundtrack of self-development and positive vibrations. With a firm stance on female empowerment and mental health, KOKO’s presence in the industry goes beyond entertainment; it’s a catalyst for transformation and healing. Her upcoming LP, “KOKOmotion,” is set to ripple through the collective consciousness, reminding us all to stay in perpetual movement toward our highest selves.
Cincinnati native Big Lotion drops his new single titled “Green A Go.” Listen below via Spotify or on any music platform. You can also follow him on IG.
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