- 15 hours ago
- #blackgirlmagic
Tracee Ellis Ross stopped by ESSENCE Live to gives us the scoop on hosting Black Girls Rock and play a game of "Guess the Black Girl Who Rocks.” Ray J dishes on his new show and engagement, and Marley Dias sprinkles us with #BlackGirlMagic.
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Today on Essence Live, Tracey Ellis Ross.
00:04I am so fangirling over here.
00:07Plus, Ray J dishes on his new TV show
00:10and how he was finally able to put his bachelor past behind him.
00:13And are waist trainers really a thing now?
00:17I'm going to find out in our new series, Fad or Fabulous.
00:20But right now, it's the hot list.
00:22The biggest stories you're buzzing about today.
00:24Diddy is making some serious moves this week.
00:30Not only has he conquered music, fashion, acting, beverages and more,
00:34but now the fearless mogul is opening his own charter school.
00:38The Capitol Preparatory Harlem Charter School
00:40is currently accepting applications for staff and for 6th and 7th graders.
00:44And if that weren't enough, he also just announced a Bad Boy reunion concert.
00:48It's one night only at Brooklyn's Broadclays Center on May 20th.
00:51And you better get your tickets now, because I'm trying to be front row,
00:53so I can rock out to this one.
01:12While the rest of us were praying for a speedy recovery for singer Kehlani
01:16after she attempted suicide this week,
01:18Chris Brown decided to do some really dumb-ish instead.
01:21I mean, really, Chris?
01:22He tweeted,
01:23In case you missed it, rumors were swirling that Kehlani tried to take her own life
01:40after being caught cheating on NBA player Kyrie Irving with Party Next Door.
01:44All, of course, this is a legend.
01:46This is all a legend, okay?
01:47No facts.
01:48Moral of the story, whether you think she did it for attention or not,
01:51come on, Chris, act like you got some damn sense.
01:53And Kehlani, we hope you get well soon.
01:59And speaking of being shady boots,
02:02did he or didn't he leak the video?
02:04That's the question everyone was asking Los Angeles Laker D'Angelo Russell
02:08at a press conference on Wednesday.
02:10D'Angelo has been ostracized by many of his teammates
02:12after a video leaked that he secretly recorded
02:15of fellow Laker Nick Young talking about being with other women
02:18during his engagement to Iggy Azalea.
02:20Now, D'Angelo told reporters that he feels, quote,
02:23sick over the entire incident
02:24and will work hard to regain his team's trust.
02:27Now, whether Iggy Azalea will forgive Nick Young for stepping out on her
02:30remains to be seen.
02:32Okay, this little girl is who I want to be when I grow up.
02:40And only did 11-year-old Michaelia Ulmer
02:42secure a $60,000 investment on Shark Tank for her lemonade company,
02:47but now her product will be sold in 55 Whole Foods stores.
02:51Michaelia, can I come work for you?
02:53Michaelia started Bee Sweet Lemonade in 2009
02:56based on her great-grandmother's recipe
02:57and uses honey instead of sugar
02:59so she can support beekeepers.
03:01She recently told NBCBLK, and I quote,
03:04I work on the business after school,
03:06after I do my homework,
03:07and on weekends and during spring breaks.
03:09There are not many times when I feel stressed.
03:11Go, Michaelia!
03:13And seriously, can I come work for you?
03:15And speaking of Black Girls Who Rock,
03:16the award show that honors Black women and girls
03:18is back for its 10th anniversary,
03:20and we've got its host and our personal girl crush
03:23live and in studio next,
03:25Ms. Tracee Ellis Ross.
03:26It's Thursday, March 31st,
03:28and Essence Live starts now.
03:31Welcome to Essence Live.
03:39I'm your host, Dana Blair.
03:40Today's show is going to be popping.
03:43And you know, we always want to hear from you,
03:45so don't be shy.
03:46Hit us up on social media using the hashtag
03:47Essence Live to join the conversation.
03:49And if you'd like to call in live
03:51to ask questions of our celebrity guests,
03:52and you always do,
03:54you can just email us at essencelive at essence.com
03:57for more details.
03:58Okay, so here we go.
04:00In studio with me now is everyone's girl crush,
04:03my girl crush as well,
04:04and this year's host of Black Girls Rock,
04:06airing April 5th on BET,
04:07Tracy Ellis Ross.
04:10Do you like my loud whisper?
04:11Tracy Ellis Ross.
04:12I like your loud whisper.
04:13I like your orange lips and the way it's like
04:15a different shade of orange on the nails.
04:17We've got a really good story going on.
04:19I'm trying.
04:20You're so welcome.
04:21You're so welcome.
04:22What?
04:22And it's hair flip with Tracy Ellis Ross.
04:25Day made.
04:26This is 10 years of Black Girls Rock.
04:2810 years.
04:29And it's such a huge milestone,
04:30and you've hosted several times before,
04:32but with Regina King.
04:34Yes, so I have hosted altogether six Black Girls Rocks.
04:38One was not on television,
04:41and then five that were,
04:42all of them with Regina.
04:44Regina is very busy.
04:46Regina is off winning Emmys
04:48and directing episodes
04:49and being an amazing actress on American Crime
04:52and directing scandals and all this,
04:54so she was not available this year,
04:56and we figured there's no one
04:59that could replace Regina,
05:00so I'm going to try and handle things on my own
05:03and see if I can do her justice without her.
05:06But, yeah, I'm really excited to do it on my own.
05:08Are you prepping differently?
05:09Are we going to see some jazz hands?
05:10Is T. Murda coming out?
05:11I would not say T. Murda,
05:13but Tracy is going to, that's me,
05:18do an opening number of sorts.
05:22If you need a backup dancer, let me know.
05:23Oh, thank you.
05:24I'm totes of veils.
05:25Totes of veils.
05:26Good to know.
05:26So noted.
05:27If I had a piece of paper, I'd write it down.
05:28If I had my phone, I'd just draw something.
05:30Do-do-do-do totes of veils.
05:31I'm here for you.
05:32I'm here for you.
05:32And also, congratulations on Black-ish season three.
05:36Huge fan of the show.
05:37Oh, thank you.
05:38Huge fan.
05:38Where would you like to see your character, Beau,
05:40go in season three?
05:42Where do we want to see Beau go?
05:43Where do we want to see Beau go?
05:44Um, you know, Beau is going a lot of places already,
05:48but I feel like there's a lot more to explore.
05:51There is a surprise that gets shared
05:53towards the end of the season
05:55that might inform some of the places Beau will go.
05:58Okay.
05:59Um, but I can't reveal what that is.
06:01It just means tune in, tune in, tune in.
06:05What?
06:06Tune in to Black-ish.
06:07That's right.
06:08Because a surprise is coming.
06:10Beau Johnson has a surprise from you.
06:14Okay, sorry.
06:14I love that, though.
06:15That's really good.
06:16I'm like, yeah?
06:16I'm copying you.
06:17Yeah?
06:18I'm trying to get with the program.
06:19Thanks, Beau.
06:21What is it with this hair flick?
06:22I don't know.
06:22I don't have hair.
06:23It makes me feel good.
06:24It makes me feel alive.
06:25It makes me feel good.
06:26It's like my alter ego.
06:27Um, so many of our Essence Live audience wants to know,
06:30are you more like Joan or Beau in real life?
06:33I'm somewhere in between.
06:35Ooh, how so?
06:36Um, I'm just somewhere in between.
06:39Um, Joan was very neurotic and frightened.
06:44Mm-hmm.
06:44And, um, neurotic and frightened.
06:47Okay.
06:48Um, and Beau is a lot more, um, sort of centered and, um, sure of herself and confident.
06:57Still crazy, but a different kind of crazy.
07:00Um, and I think I fall somewhere in between.
07:03I feel like you need all of those things.
07:04Yeah, and I am.
07:05That's what I'm saying.
07:05Like, I've got, I've got the neurotic and scared.
07:08I've got the more centered and, and sure of myself, part of myself, too.
07:13Um, I am, I am not a mother of four.
07:16I am not married.
07:17Um, so I'm not in that way.
07:20Right, right.
07:20So much like Beau, yeah.
07:21Do you think there will ever be a girlfriend reunion?
07:23I actually have no idea.
07:24People are still asking, which I think is a wonderful thing.
07:27It means that our show really had some great impact.
07:30I would be totally open to it.
07:32I think it's been a long time since Girlfriends.
07:35It's been almost 10 years since we shot an episode.
07:38It's like eight years or something like that.
07:40So, I don't, I mean, would you even recognize our characters?
07:43Of course we would.
07:44You're our friends in our head.
07:45That's hilarious.
07:46We still call you all the time in our head.
07:48That's hilarious.
07:48So, I have no idea, but I'm totally open to it.
07:51And I know all the girls are, too.
07:52I think there's more logistical reasons than that.
07:55Understandable.
07:55Yeah.
07:55And when we started off the show, I mentioned that you're everyone's girl crush.
07:57You're also my girl crush.
07:59That's very kind.
07:59But who do you girl crush on?
08:01Do you have a girl crush on someone that you don't know where you empty, like, maybe their style?
08:04There are so many.
08:05Are you kidding?
08:06Mm-hmm.
08:06Let's see.
08:07Shall we start the list?
08:08Just give me, like, maybe one or two.
08:09Okay.
08:09Amandala.
08:10Mm-hmm.
08:11Solange.
08:12Mm-hmm.
08:13Chrissy Turlington.
08:15Lena Dunham.
08:18There's so many.
08:19Wait.
08:20Hold on.
08:20I love this mixed.
08:20Rihanna.
08:22Yes.
08:22Beyoncé.
08:23Beyoncé.
08:24Oh, Beyoncé.
08:26Rihanna Beyoncé.
08:28Rihanna Beyoncé.
08:31Wait.
08:31Come on.
08:32Give me some other names.
08:33So, I...
08:34I think that's a pretty good...
08:34Oh, hold on.
08:35Gabrielle Union.
08:36Yes.
08:37Regina Hall.
08:37Regina King.
08:38Sanaa Latham.
08:39Regina King.
08:40Mm-hmm.
08:40Mm-hmm.
08:40Mm-hmm.
08:41Seriously, it's one of the things that I love about what's happening right now, and it's
08:44really an example of what's happened in these 10 years of Black Lives Rock.
08:47Definitely.
08:48Mm-hmm.
08:48I feel like there's been, like, a full paradigm shift around how we, as black women, are seen
08:54in entertainment and media, how we see ourselves, how we're using our voices, and how that...
09:00There's sort of so many examples.
09:02Like, if something doesn't work for you, if somebody's not connecting, if you don't connect
09:05to somebody, you don't have to do the, oh, I don't like her.
09:08Like, what's the point?
09:09Right, right.
09:10Like, yay her.
09:11Right.
09:12Yay her doing her.
09:13But look, there's someone else I want to love.
09:14Right?
09:15And you can do you.
09:16And you can do you.
09:17Do you.
09:18Like, Francesca Ramsey, um, um, um, um, Issa Rae.
09:21Right, right.
09:22There's, like, so many examples.
09:24Hold on.
09:25There's just so many women.
09:26There's so many great women out there right now.
09:28There are.
09:29But.
09:30What?
09:31We're going to explore some of those women.
09:32Okay, sorry.
09:33At a game that's coming up.
09:34You're going to stick around a little bit later.
09:35Yeah, but let's talk about the wonderful, extraordinary women that are going to be on Black
09:37Girls Rock.
09:38Why did I all of a sudden sit up?
09:39Shonda Rhine.
09:40We can talk about Shonda Rhine.
09:41Why did I just, Kerry Washington?
09:42I was like.
09:43But we're going to play.
09:44Viola Davis.
09:45We're going to play a game now, well, coming up a little bit later on, and we'll have
09:48more women, Black Girls Rock is themed.
09:50You're going to relax.
09:51You're going to love it.
09:52I feel like I'm not breathing.
09:53No, no, no.
09:54You look fabulous.
09:55You're lifted.
09:56It's great.
09:57Stick around.
09:58I'm lifted.
09:59The neck is long.
10:00It's going to be fun.
10:01The heart is open.
10:02The heart is open.
10:03Yes.
10:04But first, Sheree Whitfield dishes on rekindling her heart and friendship with her ex-husband,
10:05and what it will take for her to return to next season's Real Housewives of Atlanta.
10:08I look really uncomfortable.
10:09Let's not, but you look great.
10:10Okay.
10:11And I'm connected to my core.
10:12I'm connected to my core.
10:15What started Bob and I talking again was, one, my oldest daughter had a birthday party
10:20at a bowling alley, so we actually was around each other for the first time in a very long
10:27time, and we actually had a good time hanging out and bowling.
10:31But I think aside from that, we both matured.
10:34We had a, you know, it was bitter.
10:36It was a lot of anger and a lot of hurt, and at the end of the day, I guess we both realized
10:41that, with growth, that that's not, that doesn't matter.
10:45Like, we need to put all of that aside.
10:47What's important is our family and our kids.
10:50I don't know if I'll marry Bob again, but I will say that I do believe in the institution
10:55of marriage, and I never say never.
10:58I will say that, you know, he and I are, you know, we're learning each other all over
11:02again, and we're just in a really good place, and we're having a good time.
11:07As far as the Real Housewives of Atlanta, I don't know what's next for Sheree.
11:10I mean, I would be open to, you know, possibly coming back next season, you know, only if
11:15I'm holding a peach.
11:18I got some other things, you know, I'm working back on Sheree, and, you know, of course,
11:23I'm all about, you know, health and fitness, so we're preparing these fitness tours.
11:26I'm also writing a novel.
11:28It's fiction.
11:30So it's a little truth and a little, you know, added, so you have to figure out what you
11:35think is true or not.
11:37You are watching Essence Live, and I'm your host, Dana Blair, here with friend in my head,
11:41Tracy Ellis Ross, and right now, it's on.
11:44It's time to play a little game.
11:46Tracy is hosting Black Girls Rock on BET, so we want to find out how well she knows
11:50her stuff.
11:51Also, we want to highlight some really fabulous black girls who rock.
11:54We've got two teams.
11:55I'll be with Essence.com Relationships Editor, Charlie Penn.
11:58Do this.
11:59You got this, girl.
12:00And Tracy Ellis Ross is paired with Essence.com Fashion and Beauty Director, Julie Wilson.
12:04Yes.
12:05Bring it.
12:07So here's how it works.
12:08On the monitor, we'll put an image of a black girl who rocks, and you have to get your
12:12partner to guess who it is, but you can't say the forbidden words.
12:16I like that word forbidden.
12:17For example, if the picture was an apple, the forbidden words might be red or fruit.
12:20So, okay.
12:21Here we go.
12:22Whichever team has the most correct answers wins.
12:23And that's going to be us, Charlie.
12:25Yes, honey.
12:26Let's do it.
12:27All right.
12:28So, let's go, Charlie.
12:29You're up first with me.
12:30Here we go.
12:31Okay.
12:32She had her own time slot on a news network, and then she went off about something.
12:37Melissa Harris Perry.
12:39She is just everything, and her speeches are everything, and she is ruling Thursdays.
12:43Oh, she arrives.
12:44Last slot.
12:45Last slot.
12:46Oh, Viola Davis.
12:47Nice.
12:48Her show is back tonight.
12:49Empire.
12:50Oh, Taraji.
12:51The other one.
12:52When she got sexy, people got mad.
12:53When she got sexy, people got mad.
12:54And we were like, what?
12:55Kirby is everything.
12:56Why did they get mad?
12:57Kirby, Kirby, Kirby.
12:58Oh, uh, uh, uh, Gabrielle Citibank.
12:59Yes.
13:00And she is, I mean, her show is also on tonight, and we love it.
13:03She goes, and she's our friend in our head.
13:05You just said it.
13:06Oh, uh, uh, uh, Taraji P. Henson.
13:07You're our friend in our head.
13:08She's so special.
13:09I was right in this moment.
13:10Taraji, it's my friend.
13:11No, right in this moment.
13:12Right in this moment.
13:13Oh.
13:14Tracy Ellis Ross.
13:15And she, okay, she, um, um, oh, you're killing me.
13:19She can make it happen with the woman we were just talking about.
13:21She will come over.
13:22Kerry Washington.
13:23No, no, she will come over.
13:24She will hold your hand.
13:25She will come to your direction.
13:26Iyama.
13:27Yes.
13:28Woo.
13:29Okay.
13:30She said fix it.
13:31We're done.
13:32Okay.
13:33I think we're going to lose.
13:34I'm sorry.
13:35No, no, no, no.
13:36We got this.
13:37All right.
13:38I need to find my confidence because right now I feel beaten down.
13:40Look at me.
13:41Uh-oh.
13:42Don't feel beaten down.
13:43No.
13:44Okay, so I got four.
13:45Inner confidence.
13:46Thank you for that.
13:47That's a team player right there.
13:48Four is the number to beat.
13:49We got this.
13:50No, honey.
13:51Five.
13:52Five.
13:53Six.
13:54Here we go.
13:55We're going to get all of them, so it doesn't matter.
13:56I'm so scared.
13:57I'm not going to lie.
13:58Get it started.
13:59Here we go.
14:00In three, two, one.
14:03These beautiful black girls live in the White House.
14:06They are the-
14:07Sasha and Malia.
14:08Yes.
14:09Okay.
14:10So she is an amazing athlete.
14:12Her arms are everything.
14:14Her legs are everything.
14:15Serena Williams?
14:16Yep.
14:17Okay, so ain't nobody got time for that.
14:20Ain't nobody got time for that.
14:22That is crazy.com.
14:23That's hot mess.
14:24Oh, you've lost me.
14:25Um, she has a beautiful little son.
14:28Um, oh God.
14:30Why am I-
14:31Um, her-
14:32She has siblings that are all female.
14:35Oh, oh!
14:36Tamar- Tamar Bruxon?
14:37Yes.
14:38Oh!
14:39This is the offspring of Denise Huxtable.
14:41The offspring-
14:42Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, Raven-Symon?
14:43No, no, no.
14:44Oh, Denise.
14:45Denise.
14:46Denise Huxtable.
14:47Denise Huxtable.
14:48Who's-
14:49Who played Denise Huxtable?
14:50Denise?
14:51Yeah.
14:52She's the offspring of Denise.
14:54Yes.
14:55Wait, what?
14:56Like in real life.
14:57In real life, right?
14:58It's the-
14:59Oh, oh my God!
15:00Shut up, Denise Huxtable.
15:01Yes.
15:02Which means that I'm supposed to say a name won't come out of-
15:04Zoe Kravitz!
15:05Yes!
15:06You got it.
15:07You got it.
15:08Okay, this-
15:09Oh God, I'm feeling comfortable all the time.
15:10This person is a music artist.
15:11Okay.
15:12And she has like a very curvy body.
15:14She sings Feelin' Myself.
15:17Nicki Minaj?
15:18Yep.
15:19And then, last but not least-
15:21Nicki Minaj!
15:22We have this woman who is amazing.
15:24What's happening to me right now?
15:25She was-
15:26She's on stage.
15:27She sings, Lady Sings the Blues type-
15:30Type songs?
15:31Dying around?
15:32No, no, no.
15:33She is Lady Sings the Blues.
15:34She is Lady Sings the Blues-
15:35She is Lady Sings the Blues-
15:36On the stage, on the Great White Way.
15:38On the-
15:39Billie Holiday?
15:40Yes, but who plays Billie Holiday on the Great White Way?
15:44What's the Great White Way?
15:46I can't say-
15:47Time's up!
15:48Yes!
15:49Oh!
15:50Oh, God!
15:51Oh!
15:52I didn't know she was playing Billie Holiday.
15:54She's playing, yeah.
15:55She's back in-
15:56The Great White Way means Broadway, but I couldn't say Broadway.
15:58So the last one is-
15:59Oh, shoot!
16:00Damn it.
16:01That was a great clue.
16:02You guessed Billie Holiday was one of the key words.
16:03I actually did not know-
16:04Yes.
16:05It's okay.
16:06Thank you everyone for coming.
16:07Thank you, Charles.
16:08Thank you for having me.
16:09All right, Tracy.
16:10Please be sure to watch her.
16:11Thank you for kicking my ass.
16:14It was out of love.
16:15Thank you so much, Charlie, Julie, and of course, Tracy Ellis Rock.
16:18I have never heard the reference so much for participating.
16:21Tracy, you know, you're welcome back anytime.
16:22And of course, please be sure to tune into Black Girls Rock on BET on April 5th at 9, 8 central.
16:30Later, we're going to sit down with Ray J and talk about his new TV show.
16:33Plus, why he decided to give up his play-aways.
16:36But right now, have you seen those waist trainers going around Instagram?
16:39I know you have.
16:40Well, see what happened when I tried them out for myself and our new series fad were fabulous.
16:44I have a great idea for waist trainers.
16:46Ooh.
16:47Tracy Anderson.
16:48Okay, guys, she's here.
16:56This is Mama's waist trainer.
16:59Oh, yes, ma'am.
17:02You better come through with the leopard print.
17:04This material is no joke.
17:08Very strong, very sturdy.
17:10So this is me trying to get in this bad boy.
17:13How do people wear this?
17:15Rubber or whatever it's made out of is serious business.
17:18There's like a tight and we're going to push your organs down your body tight.
17:23I fluctuate between a size 4 and a size 6 regularly in tops and bottoms.
17:28This waist trainer that I ordered is a medium.
17:33This is the most difficult thing to put on.
17:35And there you have it.
17:3720 minutes later, I'm actually in this bad boy.
17:42Okay, so I'm wearing this thing to work out.
17:45I can't breathe.
17:47Lungs.
17:48Running.
17:51Need to be able to breathe.
17:53I don't know how people do this.
17:55I couldn't breathe.
17:56I felt like my lungs were not opening and closing.
17:58Like, feel this.
17:59I felt like they were not opening and closing.
18:01See what women are doing to get sexy.
18:05So I'm not really sure if anybody notices that I'm wearing this thing.
18:11But I'm definitely walking funny.
18:13What do you think of this contraption?
18:15I think it's everything because I need one.
18:18You look so snatched.
18:19But this is not my real body.
18:20It's a snatch nation right here.
18:21But this is not my real body.
18:22I want a bowl of fried chicken right now.
18:24That's cute.
18:25This is not cute.
18:26First of all, this says what you think about my fashion choices.
18:28Can you work out and move in that thing?
18:29No.
18:30I didn't know it was a waist trainer, but obviously.
18:34That's scary.
18:35You're supposed to create an hourglass shape and train your waist to have this hourglass
18:41shape.
18:42Stop laughing at Ryan.
18:45You look good in it though.
18:47Oh, look, see?
18:48I can't even deal with him.
18:49Waist trainers, definitely not for the faint of heart, because you might faint.
18:54But I'm going to have to say, I think they're a fad.
19:00You are watching Essence Live.
19:04I'm your host, Dana Blair.
19:06Joining me now is a man who is known for his love escapades, but now he's a changed man
19:10and wants to help you find love too.
19:12Please welcome Ray J to the show.
19:14Welcome.
19:15There he is.
19:16There he is.
19:17There he is.
19:18What's up?
19:19Y'all good.
19:21I appreciate that.
19:22I'm going to work on that.
19:23I'm going to work on that afterwards.
19:24But welcome to Essence Live.
19:27Shout out to Essence.
19:28What's up?
19:29It's coming out on WE tv.
19:30Yes.
19:31But before we jump into that, I have to take a step back.
19:33Step back.
19:34Because now you're a change man.
19:35You're known for being a playboy.
19:36You're very handsome.
19:38And now you're a change man.
19:39You're engaged.
19:40Yes.
19:41I am engaged.
19:42I've been engaged for a few months now.
19:44And I'm in a great place.
19:46Now what is it like being in a relationship with Ray J now versus old Ray J?
19:50Oh man, that was a disaster before.
19:53But now I'm just, you know, I'm focused on one woman.
19:56Because I want to be, you know, not because I got to be or because I'm under pressure.
20:00You got to feel it inside.
20:01And now I don't see everything.
20:03Every woman's face is blurry.
20:05I just can't see nothing.
20:06I just walk out at work.
20:07Everybody's blurry.
20:08Oh really?
20:09That's a good place to be in.
20:11Hey, and I didn't know that I could actually get there.
20:14Mm-hmm.
20:15Because everybody would tell you, you know, you know it when you know it.
20:17You know the one.
20:18But then now I know it because I know what I'm doing.
20:21You know, my father, I have an older brother, they always say that.
20:23Or the men in my life, they always say there's like a trigger point.
20:26Something happens for a man when he's like, that's the one.
20:28Or when he wants to change.
20:29Yeah.
20:30Was there a trigger for you?
20:31I think that we just went through a lot of ups and downs.
20:34And I think the downs help us become strong together because a lot of times you don't
20:38know really where to go after you hit rock bottom in your relationship.
20:42You know, you kind of, most of the time people move on and they go to the next phase.
20:47But with us, we really loved each other.
20:49And we just felt like a lot of people was in our ear.
20:52Right.
20:53Pulling us here, pulling us there, the television show, all kind of stuff.
20:56And you know, it bothered us both that we wasn't together.
20:59So we locked back in, started being real honest with each other.
21:02Bumped everybody out of our life and just locked in first.
21:06And then once we got an understanding, everything else started unfolding.
21:10I think whether you're a celebrity or not, that's a great piece of advice.
21:12Yeah.
21:13Just kind of push out the outside noise.
21:14Yeah.
21:15And so that you can really lock in.
21:16And Steve Harvey told us like, you know, lock in and make sure you're all tight first before
21:20anybody.
21:21And if y'all solid and always solid, then nothing can tear y'all apart.
21:24And you're engaged to Princess Love, I have to mention that.
21:27Yes, yes, yes.
21:28How did you get her to trust you again?
21:29I know it was a lot of work.
21:31I mean, listen, I still have to work on, you know, her trusting me a hundred percent,
21:36but I'm just doing the right thing.
21:38You know, literally just doing the right thing first.
21:41A girl can feel it.
21:42You know, a woman has an intuition so she can feel that I'm focused and I'm just really
21:47trying to do my job on a day to day and then come home to her.
21:51You know, so she can feel it and with my actions and what I do as far as my communication, all
21:58that kind of stuff.
21:59He threw out that buzzword.
22:00It looks communication.
22:01Communication is key.
22:03Communication is key.
22:04And then I go out of town a lot.
22:06I just bring her with me everywhere.
22:07Like I don't go nowhere without Princess.
22:08Even your energy just feels different.
22:11You feel very like much more comfortable in like your own skin.
22:14Yeah.
22:15This is good.
22:16I like this.
22:19I wouldn't be asking if I didn't ask though.
22:20Do you have any wedding tea?
22:21Like, have you set a date?
22:22You know, do you know how big, small?
22:23Well, I want to get married like a September.
22:25Oh, wow.
22:26Okay.
22:27You know, September is when I'm trying to get it done.
22:29I mean, it's going to get a little bit cooler.
22:31Mm-hmm.
22:32Fresh out of summer, so the weather is right.
22:34Mm-hmm.
22:35And it's just, you know, I just feel like it's a good time, you know?
22:38Mm-hmm.
22:39I mean, it's on her though.
22:40Whatever she want to do.
22:41Of course.
22:42Of course.
22:43But I think September, October sound real good to me.
22:45And kids in the future maybe?
22:47Yeah, all that.
22:48Whatever come with it.
22:49How soon after the wedding?
22:50Whenever.
22:51I'm pressuring you now.
22:52Whenever.
22:53Whatever she wants.
22:54You seem like you'd be a really cool dad.
22:56What kind of dad do you think you'd be?
22:57I'm already a cool uncle.
22:59Mm-hmm.
23:00And all the kids is like, you know, even if they not my niece or nephew, they call me Uncle Ray J.
23:05Mm-hmm.
23:06So I think the kids is going to have a good time with me.
23:07I think I'm a really cool aunt too.
23:08Can I get five on that?
23:09Yeah.
23:10Come on.
23:11You know what I'm saying?
23:12Scarlett, you know auntie's holding it down.
23:13Whatever.
23:14Okay.
23:15So let's bring it back to love.
23:16Your new show on WE TV.
23:17Yes.
23:18Driven to love.
23:19We driving them.
23:20You driving them.
23:21You're playing the ultimate driver and the ultimate wingman.
23:22Yeah.
23:23And you're helping singles drive around New York City and find love.
23:26How does that work?
23:27Well, it's a lighthearted dating show.
23:28It's fun.
23:29Mm-hmm.
23:30It's not the kind of show where you get married right after the show.
23:32Mm-hmm.
23:33So it's no pressure.
23:34Right.
23:35But you know, if somebody wants to find love, they come hop into Love Caddy.
23:37Mm-hmm.
23:38I'll go through their profile.
23:39I choose five amazing people that I think will be perfect for them.
23:42And we drive around and we meet them.
23:43Mm-hmm.
23:44Only two can ride at a time.
23:45So every block she sees two or three people.
23:47She checks their profiles out.
23:49She kicks one out, puts another one in.
23:50Mm-hmm.
23:51And we go through challenges, games, all of these things.
23:54And then we end up at JFK.
23:56She picks the guy she wants to go on an amazing vacation with.
23:59Mm-hmm.
24:00Or he does.
24:01And then boom.
24:02What price are you giving?
24:03Because I find this fascinating.
24:04Oh, we go through everything.
24:05Like, we play games like phone check where, you know, we're chilling.
24:08And all of a sudden, I say, yo, everybody break out they phones.
24:10The best way for a girl to get to know a guy is by their phone.
24:13And boom, here we go.
24:14We off to the races.
24:15Uh-oh.
24:16We off right there.
24:17And then it gets intense from there.
24:20Do you ever lean over and say, girlfriend, no, no, no, no.
24:22Let him out at the next corner.
24:23Well, you know, I definitely mention, you know, what I feel up top.
24:26I'm driving.
24:27She's in the back.
24:28Mm-hmm.
24:29Yeah, again, initially it's on her or him to choose.
24:32And I'm the wingman.
24:33I'm just trying to get everything out that I need to get out.
24:36And if I smell any kind of bad stuff, you know, I definitely bring it to their attention.
24:42Now, do you think you're going to transition and do more television?
24:45Because we've seen you on several shows.
24:46Yeah.
24:47Do you think you're going to do more TV and production now and kind of always music behind a little bit?
24:51Or?
24:52Well, I mean, I like music.
24:53I got a song out called Curtains Closed.
24:55Mm-hmm.
24:56Yes.
24:57It's on the Billboard charts, high single charts.
24:59It's number 20 on the urban radio charts.
25:01And I'm independent, so it's doing well.
25:04But as far as producing shows, yeah, I'm getting more into that.
25:08I got Driven to Love.
25:10Mm-hmm.
25:11We got a new show that we're developing on VH1.
25:14I got a show that's coming out on BET called Music Mobile.
25:16So you're pretty busy.
25:17I got another show on Reels I'm producing called Hollywood Hillbillies.
25:20We're in our fourth season.
25:21Mm-hmm.
25:22So I've been doing shows, you know, and I've been producing and creating.
25:26And it's just been a better feel for me than as far as music, as far as consistency, as far as number one shows.
25:33I've been kind of spitting them out.
25:35Mm-hmm.
25:36I like the space I'm in it in TV.
25:38What's your favorite hit that you've put out?
25:40For my...
25:41Most of the people in the control room were saying Sexy Can Eyes there.
25:43Really?
25:44But what is it for you?
25:45I like One Wish.
25:46Okay.
25:47Because One Wish was a song that was independent.
25:49Mm-hmm.
25:50Nobody told me.
25:51Everybody told me, don't put it out.
25:52Don't put it out.
25:53You need a club song because you're spending your own money.
25:55Mm-hmm.
25:56I was like, listen, man, God gonna do this song.
25:58God got this song.
25:59The meaning is strong.
26:00Mm-hmm.
26:01And that was when I was kind of figuring out that strong meanings and positive messages
26:06always outlast just random, you know, wilding out topics.
26:10That's true.
26:11You know?
26:12And so as I got older, I started to see that.
26:15And, you know, now I'm back in that One Wish kind of space again.
26:19Awesome.
26:20Thank you so much for stopping by at Essence Live.
26:22What a great place to be.
26:23Thank you for joining us.
26:25And you can watch Driven to Love on WE tv April 1st.
26:28Coming up, it's our black girl magic moment of the week.
26:30But first, what do you call a man?
26:33You know.
26:34You know.
26:35Ray J, what do you call yours?
26:36Um, dang.
26:38I don't even call it nothing.
26:40I try to stay away from that.
26:43He said, I told y'all I was a changed man.
26:45I just told you.
26:46I try to stay away from that topic because a lot of people seen my thing.
26:49So I don't want to, you know, I don't want to talk about what his name, you know?
26:52You know what, Ray J?
26:53Go ahead and check it out.
26:56My name is Lavelle Crump and I call it LC, the life changer.
27:02Well, with guys, you know it's always a dick.
27:11Schlang.
27:12Schlong.
27:13Scharoni.
27:14Black thunder.
27:15Eggplant.
27:16Meat.
27:17Beef.
27:18Sausage.
27:19Mr. Boom.
27:20Lozar.
27:21Cock.
27:22Cock.
27:23I'm walking out.
27:24I was going to say that.
27:25I'm walking out of you.
27:26The wheel of fortune.
27:27You spin the wheel and you just hope for the best.
27:30When I was younger, I used to say free Willy.
27:32When he gets, you know, the bug gets happy and he spurts out that water.
27:35So, you know, out of the top of his head.
27:36I don't know why I associate it to a wheel.
27:38It's not that big, but it's not that small either.
27:41I call it the money team.
27:43It's a team of three.
27:44We have conversation.
27:45Did you enjoy yourself?
27:46Yeah, I was in and out.
27:48And two make great decisions and one doesn't.
27:54The dumbest name I've, Junior.
27:56It just tells on you.
27:57Like, okay, we already know what we're dealing with.
27:59It doesn't sound like something I'd want to explore.
28:01Johnson.
28:02Johnson.
28:03Johnny.
28:04I don't know where that came from.
28:05Johnson's a long name, you know, and yeah, it's long.
28:08So, I'd probably call it a Johnny too.
28:10Let's be for real.
28:11No man just really has an eggplant.
28:12That's like abnormal.
28:13Like.
28:14I got that tripod.
28:15I got that third leg.
28:16And you're like, you do?
28:17You do?
28:18That's what I've heard consistently.
28:19Okay.
28:20And usually it doesn't pan out.
28:23I said, don't judge me.
28:30Hi, my name is Tiara Simons from Brooklyn, New York.
28:33My name is Bilkis and I'm from the Bronx.
28:35My name is Tiara.
28:36I'm from Jamaica, Queens.
28:37My name is Ophelia from the Bronx.
28:39And you're watching.
28:40And you are watching.
28:41And you're watching Essence Live.
28:42Essence Live.
28:43Essence Live.
28:44Essence Live.
28:45This is Essence Live and it is time for our Black Girl Magic Moment of the Week.
28:50And it goes to a young lady we have all been talking about.
28:53You may know her from her hashtag 1000BlackGirlBooks, which she started because she was tired of
28:57reading and I quote, about white boys and dogs.
29:00And now she's being honored with the Making a Difference Award at this year's Black Girls Rock.
29:04Please welcome Marlee Dias.
29:06Hi.
29:07Hi.
29:08I'm very excited to have you here.
29:10And I love the ensembles.
29:11Thank you so much.
29:12So talk to me.
29:13You've been on tons of morning shows, night shows.
29:15You've gone from just being a regular kid, if you will, to now a celebrity.
29:20What is that like?
29:21It's a lot of fun.
29:22And I think it's fun to have my social action projects kind of being in the limelight
29:25and showing that it's possible for, like, younger girls, like, younger kids in general,
29:29to be able to do and make a change in their community.
29:31Mm-hmm.
29:32So that's definitely important.
29:33But at the same time, I try to avoid having that invade into my schoolwork and my friendships
29:38because I don't want them to think that because I'm a celebrity in a certain, like,
29:42aspect, like a literary advocate who's been on the news, I don't want them to think that
29:46I have to be like that at all times.
29:48I have to act superstars or pretend like I'm all that when I'm at school.
29:53Well, you kind of are amazing.
29:55You know, being all that sometimes is okay.
29:56I'm just saying.
29:57No.
29:58So how many books have you collected now to date?
30:00About 4,000.
30:01Wow.
30:02We're still donating, so we run out, but then we end up keep getting donations.
30:05So.
30:06So the process is going to keep going and going and going.
30:07Yes.
30:08It's going to keep going.
30:09That's awesome.
30:10And what are your, you mentioned your friends.
30:11What do your friends and teachers at school have to say about your success?
30:14My friends, they're very proud of me, but I like to tell them what I'm doing, but I
30:18don't go in depth so that they feel jealous or anything, but they're really proud of me
30:22and they're happy.
30:23And some of them help and some of them are just here, they're for moral support and they're still
30:26like, go Marley, I'm happy, I miss you at school, but I'm still excited that you're
30:30able to do these things and go these interviews and promote whatever you're trying to say.
30:34And my teachers are very proud of me as well.
30:36You sound like you have some really great friends.
30:38Yes.
30:39So you're a superstar.
30:40You're receiving an award at Black Girls Rock.
30:42You're doing great things for your community.
30:44What do you do during the summer?
30:45Do you have summer plans or are you going to just continue to take over the world this summer?
30:49Well, for summer I have camp stuff and then I have some extra work and extra curricular
30:54things that I want to help with the project.
30:56Like we're thinking of doing a black girl book club in which we would have like a meeting
31:00about a black girl book and we read it over the summer and I have a discussion with the author
31:04and then like a live chat over Skype and in person.
31:07That is amazing.
31:08And what's your favorite book?
31:09Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson.
31:11And why do you like that book?
31:13I like that book because I'm a very avid reader and it was like I've been reading
31:17and reading and reading and then I got to this book and I had a challenge reading it
31:21and I couldn't understand.
31:22It's a poetry book.
31:23It's a memoir of Jacqueline Woodson's life and it was really difficult and I was like,
31:28wow, there's finally a book out there that's like making it hard for me to understand.
31:32So it was exciting but it was still difficult.
31:35So then I read it.
31:36I waited a year and then I read it and I understood it and it meant a lot to me because I could understand
31:40that there was a girl who loved writing and she was black and she was experiencing racism and discrimination.
31:45I like that.
31:46You like a good challenge.
31:47Yes.
31:48I do.
31:49I'm super, super proud of you.
31:51Congratulations on all of your success.
31:52Here at Essence, you are family.
31:53You're welcome back anytime and we're going to support any and everything that you do.
31:56And congratulations on your Black Girls Rock Award.
31:59All right.
32:00And being our Black Girl Magic Moment of the Week, remember you can see Essence's original Black Girl Magic
32:05documentaries anytime on Essence.com slash Black Girl Magic.
32:08And if you missed today's show, stick around for the repeat.
32:11It's happening here shortly on Essence.com.
32:13I'm your host, Dana Blair, and I will see you next week.
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