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On this week's episode: Craig Robinson dishes on how his life mimicks his new NBC show, Mr. Robinson, Bridget Kelly gives us the details on her new EP, Shanice Williams, the newcomer set to play Dorothy on NBC's The Wiz Live! tells us 5 things we nee
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00:00Today on Essence Live, funny man Craig Robinson stops by to chat his new show on NBC, Mr. Robinson.
00:09Plus, we unfortunately had to say goodbye to the game, but sexy actor Jay Ellis stops by our steam room.
00:17Much, much more Sierra, Russell Wilson, future on Slade or Shade, and my new favorite it girl,
00:23Shanice Williams, a.k.a. the new Dorothy for NBC's The Wiz Live, stops by.
00:28When I think of home, I think of a place where there's love overflowing.
00:36And at Essence Live, I feel like I'm at home.
00:39Essence Live starts right now.
00:51Hello, hello, hello, Essence.
00:54I'm Dana Blair, your host for Essence Live, and welcome.
00:56It's your weekly go-to destination for everything that's happening with our stars, our styles, and, of course, our lives.
01:02I want to hear from you.
01:04So please use hashtag Essence Live.
01:06Let us know your thoughts, your opinions, your comments on things that we're chatting today,
01:10and, of course, what you would like to see in future shows.
01:12But keep it clean.
01:13Let's keep it cute and let's keep it clean.
01:15As I mentioned, we had to say goodbye to the game last night,
01:18but that sexy hunk of an actor Jay Ellis stops by our steam room.
01:22Plus, there are more announcements in NBC's The Wiz Live casting.
01:27Uzo Aduba, you may know her from Orange is the New Black,
01:30has been casted as Glenda the Goodwish of the South.
01:32Plus, our girl Amber Riley, you may know her from Glee or Dancing with the Stars,
01:36has been casted as Adapurl, the Goodwish of the North.
01:40And Dorothy, which was probably the biggest announcement,
01:43Shanice Williams stopped by.
01:45She's brand new to the industry,
01:46and these are five things she wants you to know about her.
01:53Hello, Essence Live.
01:55I'm Shanice Williams, and I'll be playing Dorothy
01:57in NBC's production of The Wiz Live,
02:00which airs December 3rd.
02:03And here's five things you need to know about me.
02:06I was born in Jersey City.
02:08I went to high school in Raleway, New Jersey.
02:11My favorite ice cream is pistachio gelato.
02:15My biggest inspiration is Audra McDonald.
02:20And I have the most supporting family in the world.
02:24And that's five things you need to know about me.
02:27Thanks, Essence.
02:31Beautiful, talented, and super kind.
02:34Thank you so much, Shanice, for stopping by.
02:36Up next, comedian and actor Craig Robinson
02:38stopped by our studio a little bit earlier
02:40to tell us about his brand new comedy
02:42that debuted last night on NBC.
02:44But first, get your pens out
02:46because Essence is coming to a college campus near you.
02:49We're looking for three game changers
02:51from various campuses
02:52to be an extension of the Essence brand.
02:55Do you have what it takes?
02:56If you have strong writing skills
02:57and perform well on camera,
02:59we want to hear from you.
03:00Applications are due August 18th,
03:02so head over to Essence.com
03:04slash campus dash ambassador dash
03:08search to apply.
03:09Now let's check out my interview
03:10with Craig Robinson.
03:11Thank you for joining us.
03:16Thank you for having me.
03:17And congratulations on your new show,
03:18which launched last night on NBC.
03:20Thank you very much.
03:21Mr. Robinson, tell us a little bit about the show
03:23because you play a music teacher,
03:25which is just like your real life.
03:26Some of you out there may not know
03:27you were a music teacher in Chicago.
03:29That's correct.
03:30And it's based in Chicago.
03:31And I have my band on there.
03:33So, you know, the Nasty Delicious.
03:35And is that the name of your real band?
03:37That's my real band.
03:38My real band members are on the show with me.
03:40Oh, really?
03:40Yeah.
03:41Okay.
03:41Exactly.
03:42So we've got that part of it.
03:43Megan Good plays my love interest.
03:45Got a crush on Megan Good,
03:46like most of the world.
03:48Yeah, so, you know,
03:49those are the variables
03:52that make it close to my life.
03:55How much of the show is fact versus fiction?
03:57Like, did you actually have a love interest
03:59in some of the schools you were in or some of the...
04:01There was some things going on back in school,
04:05but we'll leave it at that.
04:06But other than that,
04:09that's about where it ends,
04:10those aspects of it.
04:13And then the writers go
04:15and they create a world that you saw before you.
04:19And how involved are you
04:19in some of the music that's in the show?
04:22I, you know, the writers put the lyrics down
04:25and then I come in and do the melody
04:27and then, you know, figure out
04:29what's the core structure and all that is.
04:31And then the band makes it
04:33We Nasty Deliciousizes.
04:35And where the hell did the name
04:36Nasty Delicious come from?
04:38Well, it came from me.
04:40And it's just that, you know,
04:41it's very simple.
04:42It's like, you know,
04:43some can be just funky
04:44and it's just, it's good.
04:46It's a delicious thing,
04:47but it's still nasty.
04:49You know, so it's that,
04:51that's exactly what it is.
04:52You think you guys might put an album out soon?
04:54Yes, absolutely, without a doubt.
04:58Okay, and how many instruments do you play?
04:59I'm curious about this.
05:00Let me see.
05:02I play a mean harmonica.
05:04Really? Come on down.
05:05Not really. A kazoo.
05:07Have you...
05:07I learned in Ms. Baker's kindergarten class
05:10how to play the kazoo.
05:10We are looking for a kazoo player.
05:12I'm a mean kazoo player.
05:14That's not, don't play me.
05:15Don't play me.
05:16No, no, no.
05:16Don't play, don't do me.
05:18No, I'm there.
05:19Well, all right, then come on down.
05:22I'm the newest member of Nasty Delicious.
05:23Boom. What's up?
05:26All right, we want to play
05:26a little bit of a game with you.
05:28I hope you're ready.
05:29Okay, let's see.
05:30Okay, so let me prep you here.
05:31I'm not, but okay.
05:31So we have three trending topics,
05:33three hashtags that have been trending,
05:34and we want you to finish the hashtag,
05:38if you will, with a jingle.
05:40Give me a couple bars, all right?
05:41A couple bars.
05:42So I'm going to throw out a hashtag,
05:43and I want you to kind of just flow with it.
05:45Are you ready?
05:45Yeah.
05:45Okay, all right.
05:46First one is hashtag growing up black.
05:50Can you give me a jingle on that one?
05:54Oh, going up black.
05:57Do-do-do.
05:59That's it?
06:00That was, yeah.
06:01That was it?
06:02That was a jingle.
06:02Like, what about, like,
06:03is there, like, something about growing up?
06:05Oh, no, no.
06:06Oh, you mean a whole...
06:06Like, give me a story.
06:07I thought you were saying...
06:07Give me some bars.
06:08I want a moment.
06:09Okay, okay, okay.
06:11I'm a woman.
06:11I'm to be a team.
06:12Growing up black.
06:13It involves a lot of things.
06:16Different things.
06:17Growing up black.
06:19Black skin, yeah.
06:21Dude.
06:23Right?
06:24Who's the writer in Nasty Delicious?
06:25I know.
06:28Because, um...
06:29Oh, you got me nervous.
06:31Not that I'm judging you.
06:31You're in a safe space.
06:33I'm just saying.
06:34I feel safe.
06:35I feel safe.
06:35Okay, you feel safe?
06:35Okay, are you ready for your name?
06:36Actually, I feel threatened right now.
06:38Okay, go ahead.
06:38So, here's another hashtag.
06:40Hashtag, today's kids will never know...
06:43Today's kids will never know
06:45what it's like to have Atari systems
06:49in your basement
06:50and have to take the cartridge out
06:54and blow it.
06:56See that?
06:57That's true.
06:57That was good.
06:58That was good.
06:59That was good.
06:59You redeemed yourself.
07:01Well, you know,
07:03I can't lie, I've been working on that one.
07:04You're working on that one?
07:06In the studio?
07:06Got it.
07:07Okay.
07:07In the studio.
07:08Here's your last one.
07:09If anything school taught me.
07:11Mm.
07:12Okay, well.
07:15If anything school taught me,
07:18it has got to be this.
07:21One plus one is two.
07:23And go to the janitor's closet for a kiss.
07:28That was magic.
07:31So, wait, wait.
07:32I'm getting, I'm like warming up into it.
07:33That was good.
07:33That was good.
07:33Yeah, yeah.
07:34But we don't have any more,
07:35but did you used to go to the janitor's closet for a kiss?
07:38Not with the janitor,
07:39but like you would, you know...
07:40Like, here's what would happen.
07:42Okay, so you walk in in line
07:45and you would get at the back of the line.
07:47There's a line?
07:48Like, you know, with a kiss line.
07:50And we're done.
07:50No, no.
07:51The teacher's walking us out of school
07:53at the end of the day
07:53and then you're at the back of the line
07:55and your girlfriend's at the back of the line
07:56and then when they turn the corner
07:59and go down the stairs,
08:00you dip in and you kiss for five seconds
08:03and then you go out, so...
08:05Well, I was an angel in school,
08:06so I wouldn't know anything about that.
08:07Well, I mean, I'm heard about this.
08:09That's why I was told it was a structure.
08:15Thank you so much, Craig, for stopping by.
08:17Please remember to tune in Wednesday nights on NBC,
08:209 p.m., 8 p.m. Central for Mr. Robinson.
08:23Next up, that hunk.
08:25I know you've been waiting for it.
08:26Jay Ellis stops by our steam room.
08:32Hey, this is Jay Ellis
08:33and I am in the Essence Steam Room.
08:35Is it hot here?
08:36Is that me?
08:37That's me.
08:38Hello, Jay.
08:39Welcome to the steam room.
08:42What's the sexiest place to make love?
08:46This is a steam room, right?
08:48It's sensual.
08:49It's warm.
08:50Somebody might walk in,
08:53so there's a little bit of fun.
08:54There's that element to it.
08:57Yeah.
08:57I like that.
09:00What do you wear to bed?
09:03If I'm sleeping alone,
09:06I wear boxes to bed.
09:08If I'm sleeping with my girl,
09:09I don't wear nothing.
09:11What's your favorite type of foreplay?
09:16Ooh.
09:19I'm kind of no limits
09:20when it comes to foreplay.
09:22I feel like
09:23it's a time for us to have fun,
09:27experiment a little bit,
09:29try some stuff you wouldn't normally do,
09:31maybe get rough,
09:33maybe bite a little,
09:35kiss a little.
09:35You know,
09:39I probably really can't say all of that.
09:40And my mama might see this too,
09:42but you know what I'm talking about.
09:44Have you ever skinny dipped?
09:50I have skinny dipped
09:52a couple times,
09:55maybe a few weeks ago,
09:56and like two weeks before that.
09:59And I would go right now
10:00if there was a pool in here, actually.
10:02Sexy music,
10:09sexy movies,
10:10or sexy talk?
10:13I like movies.
10:15Yeah, I'm a very visual person,
10:17so if I can see it,
10:19it's game on.
10:21No pun intended.
10:23And then sexy talk, you know.
10:24I like knowing what you like
10:25and knowing what she wants.
10:27And then exceeding expectations.
10:34What's your favorite way
10:36to make a woman blush?
10:40So I love being in like a public place
10:42and kind of like pulling my girl tight
10:44and getting like right next to her ear,
10:47right when your lips are kind of like,
10:50you know what I'm saying?
10:50And just saying something like,
10:52yo, tonight,
10:54I'm about to do it.
10:54So please, we ready.
10:58And then you see her go blush,
11:00and she's just like,
11:01oh my God.
11:03But she know what time it is.
11:06I gotta get out of here.
11:08It's way too hot.
11:09Way, way, way too steamy.
11:12And I might be a little too turned on
11:15to be in here doing this.
11:16So I'm gonna get out of here.
11:22Oh.
11:24So this is what it's come to.
11:36Human sardines packing into tiny frames.
11:40Carrying around sticks like cave people.
11:44Trying anything to fit in everything.
11:47You can keep struggling
11:48to get everyone in your shot.
11:50Or you can change the way you take selfies.
11:53The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge
11:56with a wider and higher-res selfie camera.
11:58Get a 64 gigabyte GS6 or GS6 Edge
12:01for the price of a 32 gigabyte.
12:02Welcome back to Essence Live.
12:17I'm here with Grammy Award winning
12:19sultry songstress and, of course,
12:22new album dropper, Bridget Kelly.
12:23How are you?
12:24That was such a tongue twister.
12:25That was good.
12:25Sultry songstress.
12:27I would have messed that up.
12:27No, but it's your third time here.
12:29So I was like, you know,
12:30I gotta bring you in right.
12:31Yeah, I appreciate it.
12:31I'm so used to seeing you in Slater's shape,
12:33but thank you for taking the time
12:34to come by and have a one-on-one with us.
12:36Absolutely, of course.
12:36And share everything about your new EP.
12:38Yeah.
12:38But before we jump into it,
12:39you were with Roc Nation.
12:40Yes.
12:41You've now gone independent.
12:42Yes.
12:42And you've been extremely open,
12:43especially via social media.
12:45I saw your YouTube video content
12:47on The Declaration.
12:48Yes.
12:48About that transition.
12:50What made you feel so comfortable
12:51being so open and honest about that change?
12:54This is a crucial point
12:55in your life and career.
12:55I mean, honestly, it took me like a year.
12:57I've been off the label
12:58for a little bit over a year now,
13:00and it took me a lot of time,
13:01a lot of soul searching,
13:02a lot of, you know,
13:03figuring out what I wanted to do.
13:04And I was really scared at first.
13:06I really didn't know
13:06how the world would perceive me
13:08and if they would even be open
13:09to embracing me
13:10without, you know,
13:11such a major cosign.
13:13But, you know,
13:13the summer of 17 EP came about
13:15in the middle of my album process.
13:17Okay.
13:17I've been recording my
13:18All or Nothing album
13:19for the last nine or ten months.
13:21And maybe like February, March,
13:24I was like, you know what?
13:24This is just so sad
13:26and depressing.
13:27I want to do something fun
13:29for the summertime.
13:30And we were having a conversation.
13:32One of my management team members
13:34was like,
13:34always makes fun of me.
13:35She always says,
13:36I'm like 17.
13:37I'm always cracking jokes.
13:38I'm irresponsible.
13:39I'm reckless.
13:39I know how you feel.
13:40And she's like,
13:40you're just like a 17 year old.
13:42You have no idea
13:42how to be a responsible adult.
13:44And I was like,
13:44you know what?
13:45I should just,
13:45I feel like I'm 17.
13:47I feel like I'm 17 again.
13:48I want to do something
13:48that's going to be fun.
13:49Give people a different side.
13:50You're a cooler adult
13:51because you are an adult
13:53and you can still have
13:54a sense of humor.
13:54Yeah.
13:55What?
13:55Dropping Jim's essence.
13:56I hope you caught that.
13:57There's so many perks
13:58to feeling like you're 17.
14:00So why these seven tracks?
14:02Because it's just seven.
14:03Six.
14:03Oh, excuse me, six.
14:04So why these six?
14:05What made you select these?
14:06Um, I literally wrote out
14:08and tailor-made all of these songs
14:10to fit this project.
14:11I wanted to have six songs
14:12that had nothing to do
14:13with the album,
14:14that were really concise
14:15and conceptual,
14:16you know,
14:17just taking from the state of mind
14:19that I had when I was 17 years old.
14:20You know what I mean?
14:21I think the single act like that
14:23is so telling about,
14:25you know,
14:25where I was as a teenager.
14:27It's like the guys that,
14:28you know,
14:29wouldn't have ordinarily looked at me
14:30if I had on sweatpants
14:31all of a sudden were like,
14:32oh my God, Bridget,
14:33we love you.
14:34And I'm like,
14:34that's because my cheeks are out.
14:35Where the booty came from, Bridget?
14:36Yeah, you know what I mean?
14:37It's like,
14:37I always joke and say,
14:38I didn't hit puberty.
14:39Puberty hit me.
14:40Like, it hit me really hard
14:41and I was a tomboy.
14:42So it was hard to be taken seriously.
14:44But I'm very competitive and flirty
14:46and so, you know,
14:47I got Mac on the track,
14:48Mac Wilde's on the track.
14:49So that was perfect.
14:50But you also have
14:51some interesting conversation
14:52in some of the other tracks
14:53about love and heartbreak.
14:55Where were you
14:56in creating these songs?
14:58Well, in high school,
14:59I really,
15:00I was just,
15:01I was on the search for love.
15:03I think I've always been in love
15:04with the idea of love
15:05without even being in a relationship.
15:07I'm always like,
15:08oh my God,
15:08I could totally be married to him
15:09and I'm here forever.
15:10But I think with these songs,
15:13especially, you know,
15:14the song that I have on there
15:15called Maybe,
15:15it's really about,
15:17you know,
15:17hoping that we can try again.
15:19It's like even in the wake of drama
15:20and in the midst of heartbreak sometimes,
15:22I'm still like oddly whimsical
15:24and hopeful about,
15:25you know,
15:25it may be working out.
15:26And then, you know,
15:28songs like Not Afraid
15:29where, you know,
15:30I'm in pain
15:31and I'm struggling
15:31to figure out who I am
15:33and where I want to go
15:33and, you know,
15:34who I want to take cues from
15:35and where I'm going to draw
15:36my inspiration from.
15:37And, you know,
15:38I think the beauty
15:39about evolving as a person,
15:41as an artist,
15:41is really accepting
15:42those challenges
15:43and, you know,
15:44being,
15:44even if you are afraid,
15:45facing them head on.
15:46And I have to ask you
15:47about head over heels.
15:48Are you in love, BK?
15:50Just talk about it.
15:51I'm always in love.
15:52Okay.
15:52Okay.
15:53I'm in love every third
15:54Sunday of the month.
15:54You know what?
15:55Me too.
15:55I mean, you know.
15:56I be fun in MCMs
15:57all the time.
15:58All the time.
15:59I'm like a TMT,
16:00whatever, you know.
16:01Okay,
16:01so I'm going to play
16:02a little game with you
16:03because later on in the show,
16:04you're going to grace us
16:04with a performance
16:05of your current single
16:07act like that.
16:08Yes.
16:08But I hear that
16:09you like to do impersonation.
16:11I do.
16:11So, I've been told
16:13to give me your best
16:14impersonation of someone famous
16:15and I'm going to guess
16:16who it is.
16:17I feel like it's totally obvious
16:18but it's so good.
16:19And honestly,
16:20before she was even famous,
16:21well, I just kind of
16:22gave a hint away,
16:23but before this person
16:23was even famous,
16:25this was like an accent,
16:26like alter ego personality
16:27that I had.
16:28Okay.
16:29But sometimes I do it
16:30like if I'm at a drive-thru
16:31at a Wendy's.
16:32Don't judge me.
16:32Yes, I eat Wendy's sometimes.
16:33There's nothing wrong
16:34with that.
16:35But I also like a little
16:36Wendy's,
16:36I like a little spicy
16:37chicken nugget from time
16:37to time.
16:38There's nothing wrong
16:38with that.
16:39But I love to go
16:39to the drive-thru window
16:40and I say,
16:41oh my God,
16:41can I have a little bit
16:42of chicken, please?
16:43And I really want
16:43the special sauce.
16:44Sofia Vergara.
16:45See, it's obvious.
16:46I love that.
16:46I knew you'd get it.
16:47I would do that everywhere.
16:48I do.
16:49Everywhere.
16:49I like to do that
16:50in the drive-thru,
16:51say that,
16:51and then I get up
16:52to the window
16:52and I'm like,
16:53oh, do you know what?
16:54You have extra ketchup,
16:55though?
16:55I don't want that one.
16:56And you're just totally
16:56messing people up.
16:57You know what I mean?
16:57Everybody just ends up
16:58totally confused.
16:59And they're like,
17:00she is so crazy.
17:00Or there's going to be
17:01that one person
17:01who's going to catch you
17:02and be like,
17:03mm, Bridget Kelly came
17:04in through my drive-thru.
17:05Bridget Kelly and her
17:06bipolar self drove on by.
17:08And the next thing you know,
17:09you're going to see
17:09all over the blog.
17:10Yeah.
17:10It's going to be tragic.
17:11It'll be great.
17:12But thank you so very much
17:13for stopping by.
17:13And you're also,
17:14I just want to put this out there,
17:15you're going on tour
17:16August 8th, I believe?
17:17We actually pushed it back.
17:19Okay.
17:19I'm very sad about it,
17:20but I'm also excited
17:21because we're adding
17:21a bunch more dates.
17:22Okay.
17:23And it's going to pick up
17:24in like three or four weeks.
17:25So first and second week
17:25of September,
17:26we're going out
17:26and it's going to be
17:27a ton of cities.
17:29Awesome.
17:29Some I've never even been to
17:30apparently,
17:30which is crazy for me
17:31because I've done
17:32a bunch of national tours,
17:33but I'm excited to go
17:34places I've never been to.
17:35Awesome.
17:35Thank you so very much
17:36for joining us.
17:36I look forward to your performance
17:37a little bit later on.
17:39Coming up next,
17:39the panel will join me
17:40for Slade or Shade,
17:41but first,
17:42we have a sneak peek
17:43into the life of media mogul
17:44Issa Rae
17:45as she prepares
17:46for her latest project's
17:47premium cable debut.
17:49Check out why
17:49she made the switch
17:50to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
17:53to help her keep it all together.
17:54Be sure to tune in live next week
17:56for the full length exclusive
17:57right here only on Essence Live.
17:59Awkward Black Girl
18:00ended up being
18:01my third web series that I did.
18:03That's the one
18:03that sort of took off.
18:05I was like,
18:05I want to keep doing this.
18:06I want to just keep writing
18:07and creating
18:08and shooting my own content.
18:09I made the switch
18:10to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
18:12because I'm always on the go
18:13and I need a phone
18:14that can keep up.
18:15Looking at headshots
18:17and researching,
18:18if I did not have it,
18:19I would be lost.
18:20You have to be hustling
18:21in this business
18:22at every moment,
18:23but it's also really exciting
18:24because you're making it happen
18:26for yourself every single day.
18:30So this is what it's come to.
18:33Human sardines
18:34packing into tiny frames,
18:37carrying around sticks
18:39like cave people,
18:40trying anything
18:41to fit in everything.
18:43You can keep struggling
18:45to get everyone
18:45in your shot
18:46or you can change
18:49the way you take selfies.
18:50The Samsung Galaxy S6
18:52and S6 Edge
18:53with a wider
18:53and higher-res selfie camera.
18:55Get a 64 gigabyte
18:56GS6 or GS6 Edge
18:58for the price of a 32 gigabyte.
18:59All right.
19:14Welcome back to Essence Live.
19:15I'm going to give you guys
19:16a quick recap
19:17because we haven't had
19:18a jam-packed show thus far.
19:19Craig Robinson stopped by
19:20to chat Mr. Robinson.
19:22I know you caught that steamer
19:23with J. Ellis.
19:24And my girl Bridget Kelly
19:26shared some news
19:27on her new EP
19:28and she will have
19:28a performance coming up
19:29a little bit later on
19:30in the show.
19:30But let's not waste
19:31any more time.
19:32It's now time
19:33for Slade or Shade.
19:35Our first guest
19:36is four-time
19:37Gold Olympic medalist
19:38for Team USA.
19:39What?
19:40Track and field Olympian
19:41Sonia Richards-Ross.
19:42How are you?
19:43I am awesome, Dana.
19:44Thank you so much
19:45for having me.
19:46I'm like having
19:46like a fan-out moment
19:47because I'm with you
19:48at every starting line.
19:50I'm kicking.
19:50My thighs and legs
19:51don't look as good as yours.
19:52But I'm with you
19:53running across that line.
19:54I am too, Dana.
19:55You have been doing
19:56such a great job.
19:57And I'm loving
19:58this whole show.
19:59So I'm so happy to be here.
20:00And don't worry,
20:00we're going to be all with you
20:01in Spirit 2016 in Rio.
20:03Yes, please.
20:04Because we know
20:04you're going to take home
20:05another gold.
20:06You ready for some
20:06Slade or Shade?
20:07I am.
20:07Yes.
20:08Next up,
20:09we have an Essence fave
20:10and no stranger
20:11to the Slade or Shade couch
20:12digital entertainment journalist
20:13Ms. Gia Peppis.
20:14How you doing?
20:15Hi.
20:15Good to see you again.
20:16I'm so happy
20:17to have you back.
20:18You ready to Slade or Shade?
20:19Always.
20:20Always.
20:21Over-focused.
20:22And another Essence fave
20:23lifestyle and relationship
20:24editor, Sharia Jackson.
20:25How you doing?
20:25We're doing great.
20:26Doing fabulous.
20:27We're not going to put her
20:28out there.
20:28She thought it was
20:29a competition.
20:30Well, she is a medalist.
20:30She was ready to beat us.
20:31What did y'all say?
20:32Right there, Sharia?
20:33I'm so good about it.
20:34I was just like,
20:35tell y'all right now,
20:36don't challenge her on the street.
20:37I was about to say,
20:38do you really want to do that
20:39right now?
20:39I meant Slade.
20:40Slade.
20:41She's saying it.
20:42Sharia, anything coming up
20:43in the September issue
20:44we should keep our eyes out for?
20:44So much goodness
20:46coming up in the September issue.
20:48Gosh, so much goodness
20:49coming up.
20:50I'm really excited
20:51about the cover.
20:52I'm tongue-cut.
20:52I almost wanted to give a hint.
20:53You can't tell.
20:54It's in the realm of someone
20:55who is making waves
20:56in the athletic field
20:57of Rina.
20:58And who happens
20:59to be my screensaver.
21:01Oh, see,
21:01you're giving a hint away.
21:02Don't steal my phone, Brooklyn.
21:03Anyway, all right.
21:04So, we can't forget
21:05about our most important panelists,
21:07all of you streaming
21:07the show live.
21:08Make sure to chime in
21:09using the hashtag
21:10Essence Live.
21:11Let's get started.
21:12First up,
21:13Sierra has been bringing
21:13her son to her boyfriend,
21:15Russell Wilson's
21:16football practices
21:17where pictures have been
21:18snapped of Russell holding,
21:19hugging,
21:19and affectionately playing
21:20with the baby future.
21:22Sierra's baby daddy
21:23has publicly expressed
21:24on radio and social media outlets
21:26his disapproval
21:27of the situation
21:28and the lack of respect
21:29he feels he's receiving
21:30from both Sierra and Russell.
21:32All right.
21:33So, is this a slay
21:34because Sierra has
21:35every right to bring her son
21:37around whomever she wants
21:38without explanation?
21:39Or is it a shade?
21:41It's inappropriate
21:41for the child
21:42to be around
21:43another fatherly
21:43or male figure,
21:45especially if the child's
21:46father disapproves.
21:47All right.
21:48On the count of three,
21:49I'm going to see
21:50Slade or Shade.
21:51One, two, three.
21:53Oh, we have Slade,
21:54Slade, and Slade.
21:55Okay.
21:55I'm going to start
21:56with you.
21:58So, I totally approve.
21:59First of all,
22:00I'm married to an NFL player,
22:01so I'm a little biased.
22:02I think Russell's a good pick.
22:04She's like,
22:04I'm going to throw her out there
22:04more competition.
22:05But that win.
22:07That win.
22:08That win.
22:09And I also think, too,
22:11like, we're not in
22:11a relationship.
22:12We don't know what's going on.
22:13I think Sierra
22:14is a responsible parent.
22:15We have no reason
22:16to think that she's not.
22:17So, she should have the right
22:18to make the choice.
22:18And if she thinks it's appropriate,
22:20I think we should think
22:20it's appropriate, too.
22:21There you go.
22:22All right, Gia.
22:22Okay, so, first of all,
22:24I'm really upset about
22:26Future and all these interviews
22:27because I honestly feel like
22:29as two grown people
22:30with a child
22:31who has to grow up
22:32in this digital age
22:33where they can Google everything,
22:34you really shouldn't be
22:35disrespecting anybody publicly
22:37because whether you like it or not,
22:39Sierra was a choice for you.
22:41You were with her,
22:42and so for you to speak out about her
22:43kind of makes you look kind of crazy.
22:45Secondly,
22:47I'm happy for Sierra
22:48because Russell seems like a good guy.
22:50Like, for once,
22:51he seems like a really good guy.
22:52And for Baby Future,
22:55it's important for him to see
22:56that you can be successful
22:57and not be a rapper.
22:58You don't have to be
22:59a football player either,
23:01but you can be a guy
23:01who's about Christ,
23:03who's about other things
23:03than the strip club
23:04and having four baby mamas,
23:07which is not a bad thing.
23:08Hashtag just saying.
23:09Just saying.
23:09It's not a bad thing
23:11to have said baby mamas.
23:13It's just,
23:14it shouldn't be
23:14the only man he sees.
23:15Now, I do think Sierra
23:16should introduce them
23:17just so we can squash all this.
23:18But also, too,
23:19you bring up,
23:20raise a good point,
23:21you know,
23:21now all of a sudden
23:22you have this really strong
23:24moral fiber future.
23:25Yeah.
23:25Yeah.
23:25You know,
23:26and you should just pick up
23:27the phone.
23:27I'm saying.
23:28And call Sierra.
23:28You don't have to do this,
23:29you know,
23:29to promote your next album.
23:31Whoop.
23:31That was shade.
23:32Sorry if you said that.
23:33Sharia.
23:33And you know future house coming.
23:34It's a lot of slay
23:36because there's no such thing
23:37as too much love.
23:38And this little,
23:39it's a baby.
23:39He has no concept
23:40of another man
23:41who's just showing him love.
23:42That could easily
23:43just be an uncle
23:43or her brother
23:44who's stepping up.
23:45And the fact that he's there
23:46means his daddy
23:47didn't pick him up that day.
23:48So if you really want to come,
23:49then make sure you're present.
23:50You could have been right there
23:51at the practice too.
23:52And you know what?
23:52I'll take care of my son
23:54while you all play.
23:54But as long as she's
23:55taking care of her son
23:56and she's got a great guy
23:57in her life,
23:58girl, go ahead.
23:59Preach.
24:00Molly, you in danger, girl.
24:01All right.
24:02Yes.
24:02Next up is a growing trend
24:04taking over delivery rooms
24:05across America.
24:06New moms are scheduling
24:07in-room beauty appointments
24:09for after labor.
24:10That means moms
24:11are getting full-on glam
24:12from hair to makeup,
24:13some even donning
24:14new fashionable hospital robes.
24:16Is this a slay?
24:17Because you just pulled off
24:18one of the toughest feats ever.
24:20You deserve to get glammed.
24:21The hospital visitors
24:22are plentiful
24:22and those pictures
24:23will last forever.
24:24What's wrong with
24:25looking great in them?
24:26Or is this a shade?
24:27Moms, you're doing the most
24:29after you just did the most,
24:30if you catch what I'm saying.
24:31All right.
24:32So on the count of three,
24:32is this a slay or shade?
24:33One, two, three.
24:35Oh, we have slay, slay, and shade.
24:37Okay, Cherie,
24:37I'm going to start with you.
24:38Why the shade?
24:39Because this is one more
24:40amount of pressure women need.
24:41You just had a baby.
24:42Now you have to see
24:43these other women
24:44with glammed up in their pictures.
24:46So I feel like we have
24:47so much pressure on us
24:48as women to always be on.
24:50This is the one moment
24:51where you get to be so beautiful
24:52you don't need an ounce of makeup.
24:54What do you need makeup for?
24:55You just did the most powerful thing
24:56you can do as a human being.
24:57So I don't think we should start
24:59to put more pressure on women
25:00because we're just another arena
25:02where you now have to be all glammed.
25:04I hear you, Gia.
25:05I was actually more of a slushed
25:06on my face.
25:08Every week we have this happen.
25:09I'm like, we need to create
25:10a new one.
25:11You need a slushed.
25:11A slushed.
25:12Yeah, I was thinking
25:12a slushed.
25:13I understand wanting to be
25:18like, you know, on fleek
25:20because in 20 years
25:21She said it all on the fleek.
25:23Yeah, I understand
25:23because in 20 years
25:24when you look at those pictures
25:25with your kids
25:26they're like, dang, my ears hurt.
25:28But instead of that
25:30you can be like, oh wow.
25:32Like when Beyonce put out
25:32those pictures
25:33and after she had it
25:34okay, I know that's a lot
25:36but she looked very pretty.
25:38She ain't wake up like that.
25:39She didn't wake up like that.
25:40Beyonce wakes up like that.
25:41So I understand wanting that
25:44because I mean, again
25:45she's a celebrity
25:46so that's going to go viral.
25:47Right.
25:47But I do understand
25:48wanting that thing
25:49but I agree with you
25:50that is the most beautiful thing
25:52you can do in life
25:53is have a child.
25:54Geez, I might be
25:55a little slushady too.
25:57But you know what?
25:58I think it's a slave
26:00because I think
26:00if the woman wants to do that
26:02I think she has
26:03every reason
26:04to want to feel beautiful
26:06because it is
26:06listen, I thought I'd push out
26:08Lil' Ross.
26:09He better have the crew there
26:11pampering me.
26:12Wait, is there something
26:12you're trying to share with us?
26:13No, no, no.
26:14No exclusive?
26:15I thought I had a Nick Pusa.
26:16I thought I got one
26:17but I didn't.
26:17You guys will know first.
26:18But you know, like you said
26:19it is one of the toughest jobs
26:21that a woman has
26:21and it is very difficult
26:22and you don't have time
26:24to do it yourself
26:24at that moment.
26:25You're just like
26:25get it out, get it out
26:26and so you know
26:27if you afterwards
26:28someone wants to pamper you
26:29and make you beautiful
26:30for the pictures
26:30I'm kind of all for it.
26:31So I'm no longer slushady.
26:33I am just slayed.
26:34I want a really rough
26:36looking picture
26:37so I can look at my child
26:38and be like
26:38look what you did to mama.
26:39Look what you put me through.
26:40And this is when I ask you
26:40to pick up your
26:41you know after yourself
26:42and you can't even do that
26:43for me look what you did to mama.
26:44I want to do that
26:44carry that guilt
26:45like what my mother did to me.
26:47Oh, oh, oh.
26:48Just saying.
26:48All right, so let's check in
26:51with our Facebook fam.
26:52Jamel says
26:53why not?
26:54You've earned a bit
26:55of pampering for yourself
26:56before your life is consumed
26:57in pampers.
26:58LOL.
26:59Go for it.
27:00And lastly
27:00in a recent feature
27:01one magazine provided
27:03step by step.
27:04instructions for
27:05white girls
27:06or non-ethnic girls
27:07on how to achieve
27:09an afro.
27:09Yes, the hairstyle
27:10that women of color
27:11have been rocking
27:12for decades.
27:13Hmm.
27:14Is this a slay
27:14because there are tons
27:15of hair straightening
27:16tutorials and how to's
27:17for women of color?
27:18What's the difference?
27:19Is it just cultural
27:20appreciation?
27:21Or is it shade
27:22because this is another
27:23case of cultural
27:24appropriation?
27:26I know y'all gonna have
27:27a lot to say
27:27about this one
27:28so here we go
27:29on the count of three
27:29slayed or shade?
27:32Uh-oh.
27:32I'm definitely
27:32going to the shade
27:33for sure.
27:34Shade?
27:35Shade?
27:35Okay, Gia,
27:35I'm gonna start
27:36with you.
27:37Can we have
27:38anything?
27:39Just one thing
27:41that is ours anymore?
27:43Like, we always
27:44have the afro.
27:45Like, you really
27:45wake up like that
27:46if we talk about
27:47men.
27:47Mine's flat on one side.
27:49You know what I'm saying?
27:49Like, you wake up
27:50with the flat,
27:50you gotta comb it out.
27:51I don't think
27:52there's anything wrong
27:53with, you know,
27:54trying out new
27:55hairstyles.
27:55Right.
27:56But the way that
27:56the magazine put it,
27:57it was like,
27:58you can also be this
27:59way if you do this
28:01because they are
28:02so hot right now.
28:02I mean, like that
28:03meme says,
28:04it is amazing to be
28:04a black girl right now.
28:05We are killing it.
28:06Everybody wants to be
28:07like us, for us,
28:08whatever.
28:09But that's just
28:10a little too far.
28:11Especially for it to
28:12be in a magazine.
28:13It's like, a lot.
28:14A blog.
28:14Sharia?
28:14And part of my shade
28:15was the fact that
28:16they didn't even
28:16acknowledge the
28:17cultural connection.
28:18It's just like,
28:19we're not gonna act
28:19like Afro is for
28:21people of African descent.
28:23AFR has a connection
28:24there.
28:24So for me,
28:25it was like,
28:25you're not gonna even
28:26talk to a black
28:26hairstylist.
28:27You're not gonna even
28:28mention that cultural
28:29component that the
28:30reason your hair
28:30doesn't come out
28:31your scalp like this
28:32is because you're
28:32not of African descent.
28:33So it's incredibly
28:33disrespectful and
28:35inconsiderate of
28:36the history and
28:36culture.
28:37That's a very good
28:38point.
28:38All right, you get
28:39the last word.
28:39Yeah, and I say
28:40it could be shady
28:42because just in the
28:43same way with the
28:44Bindi, with the
28:45Hindu culture, how some
28:46people will do it
28:47to appreciate the
28:48culture and others
28:48sometimes use like a
28:49costume or something.
28:51I think in that same
28:51way it could be kind of
28:52shady, but I also kind
28:54of see it as being
28:55slayed because like
28:56you said before,
28:57like we in our
28:58magazines, we have
28:59hair straightening
28:59stuff.
29:00So I think sometimes
29:00we're really sensitive,
29:01but we should also see
29:02it as them appreciating
29:04us because we are
29:05setting the trends and
29:05we all know that Afros
29:06are an African-American
29:08hairstyle.
29:08So I can see both
29:10sides.
29:10I think it's a little
29:11slightly shady, but
29:11I'm just happy that
29:12black girls are killing
29:13it right now.
29:14And you're waking up
29:16like this and looking
29:16gorgeous.
29:17Well, it's not, not
29:18really.
29:20Not really, but I own
29:21it.
29:21There's a lot of
29:22concealer and
29:22spackle and product
29:24that's happening, but
29:25that's a whole nother
29:25segment.
29:26All right, so let's
29:27check in with the
29:27Twitterverse.
29:28At Mona J07 tweeted,
29:30if a woman not of
29:32color wants to wear her
29:33hair in an Afro, she
29:34should.
29:34We wear our straight.
29:35Why can't she wear a
29:36fro?
29:37Hashtag do you.
29:38All right, well, so
29:39you know, everyone has
29:40different feelings and
29:41emotions about it.
29:42I get it, but I see
29:43where you're coming from,
29:43Sharia.
29:43Let's make that
29:44connection and kind
29:45of, you know, give
29:45props where they're
29:46due.
29:46Exactly.
29:47All right, so I want
29:48to thank all of our
29:49guests who stopped by
29:50Essence Live today, and
29:51it definitely was a fun
29:52show yet again.
29:53Thanks to everyone who
29:54watched today's episode.
29:55Tell your friends to
29:57tune in, even if y'all
29:57at work.
29:58Nobody has to know.
29:59And especially to
29:59those who joined in on
30:00the conversation at
30:01hashtag Essence Live.
30:02Thank you very much.
30:03Next week, Essence
30:04September Fall Fashion
30:05Issue is coming out, and
30:08we'll definitely have some
30:08exclusives you won't
30:09want to miss.
30:10Right now, we're going to
30:11leave you with a live
30:12performance performing
30:13Act Like That off of
30:15her brand new EP
30:16Summer of Seventeen.
30:17Here's Bridget Kelly.
30:28Too bad, so sad.
30:31I thought that you
30:32could handle it.
30:33Your confidence ain't
30:34run away.
30:36But now I know who I'm
30:37dealing with.
30:38Hey, you took a U-turn.
30:40Baby, change that.
30:41When did you turn?
30:43All up in my face, you
30:44talk a good game.
30:45You should really do
30:46your research.
30:47And I know you only want
30:50me, cause it's June.
30:51If it wasn't for my
30:53boom-boom shorts, you'd
30:54hate my attitude.
30:56You'd say, why you act
30:58like that?
30:59Why you gotta act like
31:00that?
31:01You could leave, I know
31:02you're coming right back.
31:04Like you ain't really
31:05mean it.
31:06Talk time, we take the scene
31:07mean it, mean it.
31:09I know you didn't mean it.
31:11You could leave, I know
31:11you're coming right back.
31:13I know you didn't mean it.
31:15You ain't gotta worry
31:17about love, cause that
31:18ain't what we're here for.
31:20Summertime fire, knew
31:21the thing one time.
31:23Say it's just a fling,
31:24boy, you sure?
31:25Hey.
31:25But you tried me.
31:28And now you're in too deep
31:30if you wanna swim good,
31:31baby, you know where
31:32to find me, find me.
31:34Hey.
31:35But you're playing too cool.
31:37It's a new day,
31:38top of new rules.
31:39I can do things,
31:40you should peak game.
31:42I'm the shh, let me teach
31:43you.
31:44And I know you only want
31:46me, cause it's June.
31:48If it wasn't for my
31:49see-through shirt, you'd
31:50trip and call me rude.
31:52You would say,
31:54why you act like that?
31:56Why you gotta act like that?
31:58You can leave,
31:58I know you're coming
31:59right back.
32:00Like you ain't really
32:01mean it, yeah.
32:02Talk time, we take the scene
32:04and lean in.
32:05No, you didn't mean it.
32:07You can leave,
32:08I know you're coming
32:08right back.
32:09I know you didn't mean it.
32:12Girl, you bad in the month.
32:14Hey.
32:14And I ain't worried
32:15about the month.
32:16I get fangin' with a couple
32:18more shots of the henny.
32:19Oh, the henny!
32:19You may never call Tyron
32:21again.
32:22Long down, baby.
32:24Uh.
32:24Hittin' walks,
32:25you makin' never make it.
32:26Light skin,
32:27so response time
32:27on lazy.
32:29Even messes
32:29cause you finna get it.
32:31Like, why you always
32:32frontin'
32:32actin' so damn rude?
32:35Attitude
32:36as hot as
32:37you and me
32:38won't play this
32:39cool, baby.
32:39Say it.
32:40Even though you're
32:41mad, it's gonna be
32:42all right.
32:43Bet you're coming
32:44home with me
32:44all right.
32:45Boy, you know
32:46it's gonna be
32:47all right.
32:48All right.
32:49Yeah.
32:50You don't know
32:50you say it's gonna be
32:51all right.
32:52Tryna play me
32:53like you know
32:53it's all right.
32:55Don't be mad
32:55when it's all right.
32:57All right.
32:58Yeah.
32:59And I know
33:00you only want me
33:01cause it's June.
33:03If it wasn't
33:04for these
33:04boom-boom shorts,
33:05you'd hate
33:06my attitude.
33:07You say,
33:09why you act
33:09like that?
33:11Why you gotta
33:11act like that?
33:13You can leave,
33:14I know you're
33:14coming right back.
33:15Like you ain't
33:16really mean it.
33:18Talk time,
33:18we take the scene
33:19and lean it.
33:20I know you
33:21didn't mean it.
33:22You can leave,
33:23I know you're
33:23coming right back.
33:25Cause I know
33:25you didn't mean it.
33:28I thought the beat
33:29was gonna keep
33:29going.
33:30I thought it was
33:30going.
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