- 3 weeks ago
In this episode of ESSENCE Now, Joseline Hernandez discusses her future on "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta," personal trainer Robert Brace demonstrates easy exercises for abs and butt, and we discuss the Season 2 premiere of "Insecure".
Category
đ ď¸
LifestyleTranscript
00:00I'm Malkone Lovu, and today on Essence Now, Jocelyn Hernandez gives us all the tea on
00:10her status with love and hip-hop.
00:12Robert Brace shows us how he helped fashion blogger Kayla Walker lose over 20 pounds in
00:1728 days.
00:18Plus, Slay the Shade is back!
00:20But right now, it's time for the hot list.
00:23The biggest stories you're buzzing about today.
00:29Girls Trip raked in over $30 million in its opening weekend, which is more than the film's
00:34entire budget.
00:35And while we're still reeling from that grapefruit scene and the finest that is Kofi Cerbo, some
00:40folks left the theater with another question.
00:43Simply Angie tweeted,
00:44Just one Girls Trip ain't gon' cut it.
00:46A sequel is a must for the culture.
00:49And Luxurious pondered,
00:50So with a sequel to Girls Trip, I see Dina getting married and they all reunite for this
00:55joyous occasion.
00:56The wood vibes, but with women.
00:58Well, Jada Pinkett Smith says it's a possibility.
01:01She told the UK TV show Lorraine,
01:03Quote,
01:04I think with the success of the movie, a sequel will happen.
01:06They're saying that we've taken R-rated comedies out of their slump.
01:10So it's a nice moment for us for sure.
01:16Another woman has come forward accusing Usher of exposing her to herpes.
01:20And she's seeking a reported $40 million from the singer.
01:23Now while the story has spawned countless jokes on social media, the disease is no laughing
01:28matter.
01:29According to the Center for Disease Control, one in six people have herpes.
01:33And many don't even know it.
01:35And it's the stigma surrounding the disease which keeps so many people silent.
01:39So here are the facts.
01:41There are two herpes viruses.
01:43Herpes simplex one, which is the virus that causes cold sores.
01:47And herpes simplex two, which is genital herpes.
01:50Genital herpes is spread through sex and skin to skin contact, which means you can get it
01:55even if you use a condom.
01:57Herpes can be easily mistaken for a pimple or ingrown hair.
02:00So you should see a doctor if you suspect you or your partner exhibit symptoms.
02:05While there's no cure for herpes, there are medicines to prevent and shorten outbreaks.
02:09For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control at CDC.gov.
02:16The war between Team Issa and Team Lawrence is on.
02:20In the season premiere of Insecure, we were all on the edge of our seats as the two had what
02:24we thought was makeup sex, only to see Lawrence walk out right after WTF.
02:30Lexus Coop tweeted,
02:31The fact that their I miss you sex was 2.5 seconds has bothered my spirit.
02:36To which QueenShiva2787 responded,
02:39Was it I miss you or I hate you?
02:41I'm trying to figure it out.
02:43Too many emotions.
02:44So what do you think?
02:45Was Lawrence being super petty by sleeping with Issa while he's in a situationship with
02:49Tasha?
02:50Or is all fair in love and sex since it was Issa the one who cheated on him?
02:53Send us your comments right now.
02:55Using the hashtag EssenceNow because we're talking about it in Slater Shade next.
02:59It's Tuesday, July 25th and it's time for Essence Now.
03:03Welcome to Essence Now.
03:13I'm your host, Makon Dovu.
03:15Hey, Twitter fam.
03:16What's up, y'all?
03:17Come talk to us right now using the hashtag EssenceNow or email us at EssenceNow at Essence.com
03:22if you ever want to come on the show to sound off on hot topics.
03:25And now, let's get into some Slater Shade.
03:28Our panelists today are actress and star of the upcoming NBC series, Marlon Essence Atkins,
03:35Laura Stiles, co-host of New York's Hot 97's Ebro in the Morning and Essence.com entertainment
03:40editor, Daniel Quateng Clark.
03:42Welcome, ladies.
03:44All right.
03:45Hey.
03:46All right.
03:47Let's dive right in.
03:48I'm sure most of you were glued to your TV on Sunday night for the return of HBO's Insecure.
03:52But can we talk about that very last scene when Lawrence unexpectedly came through to
03:57get his mail and then realized he left some things in the bathroom?
04:00What did you leave in the bathroom, Lawrence?
04:02Mmm.
04:03Anywho, just when you think he's going to leave, bam, Lawrence gives Issa that good old stroke.
04:11But was Lawrence being super petty for playing with Issa's emotions or was Issa wrong for
04:16not appreciating Lawrence when she had him?
04:19Panelists, let me see those panels.
04:21All right.
04:22Was that Insecure Quickie, a Slay, or a Shade?
04:25In one, two, three, go.
04:27Ooh.
04:28Slay, Shade, Shade, Shade.
04:29Okay, Danielle, let's start with you.
04:31Okay, so y'all going to hate me.
04:33Why am I going to hate you?
04:34Tell us.
04:35Go ahead.
04:36Go ahead.
04:37But I'm like low-key team Lawrence a little bit.
04:40I know most people aren't, but, well, most women aren't, but I feel like when you cheat
04:44you cannot, like, dictate how somebody moves on or when they move on, right?
04:48Mm-hmm.
04:49Yes.
04:50So him coming over and getting his mail was innocent.
04:52Yeah.
04:53The sex, you know, it happens.
04:54Got 2.5 seconds.
04:55They both agreed to it.
04:56They both were into it.
04:57I feel bad about her feelings, but, I mean, it was kind of sexy.
05:00I don't know.
05:01It was sexy and consensual.
05:02And consensual.
05:03All right, Essis, let's jump over to you.
05:05Exactly.
05:06Well, I agree.
05:07I think that, you know, in those situations, you don't get to dictate what someone decides
05:12is the next thing.
05:14You already betrayed them.
05:15You disrespected them.
05:16The trust has vanished and eroded, so now it's like, all's fair.
05:21And it's not about love and war, but it's like, sometimes you do things in the moment
05:26that you don't necessarily anticipate or consider what the consequences are going to be down
05:31the line.
05:32Okay.
05:33You know what I mean?
05:34And they already had this connection, this love, this whatever, and that passion erupted
05:36for a short period of time.
05:382.5 seconds.
05:39But it happened.
05:40You know what I mean?
05:41And we're grownups.
05:42We're grownups.
05:43We have to, like, take the responsibility for, like, whatever those weaknesses are.
05:47And I'm sorry, the last point that I have to make is I'm kind of tired of the idea,
05:53the misnomer that women can't have sex without it meaning something.
05:58Like, you know, I can get my rocks off too.
06:01Like, I'm not, and not everybody is going to emotionally, you know, drain me and I feel
06:06committed to them.
06:07That's not how we work.
06:08Sometimes that's all it's all about.
06:09Right.
06:10Laura, jump in.
06:11I'm low-key team Lawrence too, okay?
06:12Oh, okay.
06:13But in this chance, I was like, damn it, Lawrence, you're not even healed yet.
06:17You're still hurt.
06:18She's still hurt.
06:19Everyone's still hurt.
06:20So having sex like that, I just felt it was like, it wasn't going to make anything better.
06:24And I think that at the end, both of them were going to walk away hurt even more.
06:28You know what I mean?
06:29So it didn't help.
06:30That's the only way I looked at it, because I was like, God, this is not healthy, guys.
06:32Oh!
06:33It's the only way, yeah.
06:34I love how I think that you are about it.
06:35Because for the most part, I'm like, you cheated.
06:37Right, right.
06:38So, listen, you made your bed, now you lay in it.
06:41Lay in it.
06:42Literally.
06:43I agree with your points and I agree with your points.
06:44Okay.
06:45But I just felt like it just wasn't healthy for you.
06:46Well, you're right.
06:47It's not necessarily the healthy choice.
06:49Let's hear what social media hacks have to say.
06:51Welcome to our girl, Kayla, who's tracking all of your social media comments.
06:54What do they say?
06:55What do they say?
06:56Oh, my God.
06:57Mixed feelings.
06:58People don't know how to feel about it.
06:59All right, so Sherry, a parent says, Lawrence was sitting on his behind doing the least.
07:03Sometimes you outgrow people and that just happens.
07:05Crystal Stewart says, Lawrence has mixed feelings, which is why he avoided seeing Issa.
07:09Hopefully he can move on and find someone he is compatible with.
07:12I don't think Tasha is that, but who knows?
07:14Hmm.
07:15Interesting.
07:16Keep the comments coming.
07:18All right, we have to move on.
07:19Moving on, it has to be $19.95 because the juice is loose or he will be come October.
07:26So OJ Simpson was granted parole and there's a lot of speculation about what he'll do when he becomes a free man again.
07:32Will he write a tell-all book?
07:34Will he enter the reality TV world?
07:36Well, one thing he won't be is broke.
07:38So according to ESPN, OJ will have made over $400,000 while he was incarcerated for armed robbery.
07:45And none of that money can be touched because NFL pensions are protected by Nevada state law.
07:51But critics say that money should go to the family of Ron Goldman, who won a civil case against OJ in the murder of Ron and Simpson's ex-wife Nicole.
07:58Panelists, I'm really interested to get your thoughts.
08:00Let's see you.
08:01Is it time to finally leave OJ alone or is having OJ literally pay for his alleged crimes the right thing to do?
08:07Is it a slate or shade?
08:08And one, two, three, go.
08:09Here we go.
08:10Oh, you're taking your time.
08:11Okay, here we go.
08:12I just let me start with you.
08:13Why is it a slate?
08:14Well, because he killed them.
08:16Oh.
08:17Possibly.
08:18For the record.
08:19No, I know.
08:20He was acquitted.
08:21You know, the thing is, I think it's hard for us to separate.
08:25Once we have information, it's hard for us to separate what justice is.
08:29You know, I think that people kind of go, oh, well, he served his time for the armed robbery.
08:33But people are still kind of convicting him for a crime that he was found innocent of.
08:39But at the same time, he was found guilty civilly.
08:42So, I definitely think that the Goldmans should get their money.
08:46Yeah.
08:47I don't know how that's going to be possible.
08:50Again, with the fact that Nevada protects his pension and the NFL does.
08:54But I think the Goldmans are entitled to what they were granted through the court system.
08:58And we have to let him, or if he does go on to do reality TV or tell a book, that money should definitely go to the Goldmans.
09:07Laura?
09:08Well, I feel the same.
09:09So, maybe I should have said shade instead.
09:11Yeah, it's okay.
09:12Slade, yeah.
09:13So, I just really feel since they won the civil suit, they're definitely entitled to some of that money.
09:16And it just hurts that the fact that his family still continues to suffer, right?
09:21And I just feel like it's crazy that that money is protected.
09:25And who's going to force him?
09:26Those are the rules.
09:27Because nobody really can force him to pay the money that he owes to that family.
09:30How much is it, like 30-something million?
09:32A couple of million.
09:33That's a few million.
09:34Danielle?
09:35I agree.
09:36I mean, I think the emotional part is the gray area.
09:37I think, like Essence was saying, a lot of people put the case of Nicole Brown on him versus this isolated incident of him trying to get back his stuff.
09:45I think that he needs to pay them if he owes them money civilly.
09:48Like, that's crazy.
09:49I didn't even realize he still owed them.
09:50Yeah.
09:51So if he does, my God, pay them.
09:52Right.
09:53But in terms of what's protected, it's the law.
09:55I feel like it's hard to detach emotional from the law.
09:58But if it's his money, then, you know, in the state of Nevada, if he's entitled to it.
10:02So the consensus is pay what you owe.
10:04Kayla, what are folks saying on social?
10:06People are kind of angry.
10:07Are they angry?
10:08Okay.
10:09Sandra Ryan says, I'm over this convo with OJ.
10:12Sit down, go home, and be quiet.
10:14So that's the overall consensus.
10:15Oh, wow.
10:16Okay.
10:17All right.
10:18Well, moving right along, we agree that he should pay.
10:20Yeah, he should totally pay.
10:21For sure.
10:22Now, Ice-T's wife, Coco, is the latest non-black celeb to get ripped about cultural appropriation.
10:27She was recently seen on her Instagram page rocking what she called a Coco Swoop.
10:32Hmm.
10:33But to you and me, those are cornrows.
10:35I mean.
10:36And now she's clapping back at her haters.
10:38Take a look at this.
10:39This is what happened.
10:41I did my braids, and I called them the Coco Swoop.
10:44I name all my styles that I do to myself.
10:48These are called the Coco Swoop.
10:50The braids before are called the Bo Derek braids.
10:53And it's a Cocoism.
10:55I've always done it.
10:57Why can't we all rename hairstyles or braids?
11:01Bo Derek braids?
11:02Okay.
11:03So does Coco have a point by saying that she can not only wear cornrows, but she can call
11:07them whatever she wants?
11:09Or should cultural appropriation always get a shade?
11:12Panelists, tell me what you think.
11:15And go.
11:16Shade.
11:17Yes.
11:18We all agree.
11:19That is a shade.
11:20Laura, I'll let you jump in.
11:21First, girl bye.
11:22Right.
11:23Look, here's the deal.
11:24First, I was like, all right.
11:25I know Coco.
11:26I've met her several times.
11:27She's been on my show, and she's a good person.
11:29And yes, she does her little Cocoisms, right?
11:31But her clap back video is the one I had an issue with.
11:35I'm like, if you're offending people, you can't just sit there.
11:38Like, you have no right to feel the way that you do.
11:40Of course you do.
11:41Especially, like, that ain't, that's nothing new.
11:44That hairstyle is nothing new.
11:46So for you to call it the new, this is my new, my new do, the Coco, girl, no it's not.
11:50Right.
11:51Black women have been doing that forever.
11:53Cornrows.
11:54And especially the fact that black women have been torn down for years for wearing their hair a certain way.
12:00Their natural hair.
12:01So now you're going to tell me, like, if somebody feels a certain way about it, you have to respect that.
12:05Absolutely.
12:06Essence, what do you think?
12:07I completely agree.
12:08That's the part that is disheartening to me.
12:10It's like, okay, you can, you have these Cocoisms and you like to name your hair.
12:14And I know a lot of my girlfriends name their wigs.
12:16It's fine.
12:17But the fact that you're being so insensitive to the fact that you have offended black women.
12:22When you know, and you should know by virtue of being married to a black man.
12:26Hello.
12:27That this is something that we struggle with and that we are constantly fighting.
12:31Having our things appropriated and put on white women, our culture, our music, our isms, you know, and having it appropriated.
12:39But then when we do it, it's looked down upon.
12:41So I think it's an important kind of stance to take.
12:44I mean, don't you have biracial kids?
12:45Or did black friends?
12:46Danielle?
12:47I agree.
12:48100%.
12:49The only additional thing I would say is that names are really important in culture, in,
12:53you know, diasporic cultures.
12:55Names mean things.
12:56They have references.
12:57Corn, rose mean something.
12:59Yeah.
13:00To slavery, to the process of the actual rose.
13:04So to change names may seem like very light and nothing, but names have really heavy meanings.
13:10Yeah.
13:11And so you can't just change names because I get it.
13:13Because you feel like it.
13:14But like names are attached to meanings and history and relevance.
13:17Give credit words too.
13:18They give credit words too.
13:19Yeah.
13:20It's like being Bill Maher and thinking you can, because you hate black women, you can say that.
13:23You can say that.
13:24Uh-uh.
13:25No.
13:26We're going to stop all that.
13:27All right, Kayla.
13:28I want to go talk to folks.
13:29What are folks talking?
13:30What are folks saying on social media?
13:31Definitely.
13:32And there are a lot of people on Coco's side.
13:33So, Felicia Bell says if she wants to wear cornrows, let her wear the cornrows.
13:36She says that I dye my hair blonde.
13:38I'm not sure.
13:39I'm damn sure for sure not right.
13:40So people need to just leave her the hell alone.
13:42Mind their business.
13:43I'm sure she knows quite well she isn't black.
13:45So just let her live her life.
13:47Booth, wear your cornrows.
13:48Just give credit where credit is due.
13:50Panelists, thank you so much for joining us.
13:52And coming up, I'm sweating it out.
13:55Sweating it out, y'all, with personal trainer Robert Brace.
13:57as he shows us how to get a flatter tummy and a toned bootay.
14:01And Jocelyn Hernandez dishes on what's really behind her beef
14:04with producer Mona Scott-Young.
14:06But first, if you haven't subscribed to Essence's Yes Girl podcast,
14:10what are you waiting for?
14:11Here's what Girls Trip star Regina Hall told us about the value of girlfriends.
14:21I will say this.
14:23I have amazing women in my life who are, like, incredibly smart
14:28and give me great advice, supportive, spiritual, you know,
14:33so during the times that are difficult, and not necessarily with work,
14:36but it could be family and, you know, health or, you know, relationships,
14:43just always lift you up and remind you of, you know, work, whatever it is.
14:48It's important, even when you're in a romantic relationship
14:51with your significant other, you know, it's important to have your girlfriend.
15:03You're watching Essence Now.
15:05I'm your host, Makon Lovo, and joining us in the studio
15:07is a woman who is no stranger to controversy.
15:10Please help me welcome love and hip-hop star Jocelyn Hernandez to the show.
15:14Hey, Puerto Rican princess.
15:16Girl, can I just get that introduction again?
15:18Not love and hip-hop star.
15:19But Jocelyn Hernandez.
15:21Ooh.
15:21Jocelyn Hernandez.
15:22Yes, yes.
15:23You heard it here.
15:24So what is the status?
15:26Let's just dive right in.
15:27Ooh, there you go.
15:29Love and hip-hop is no longer there.
15:30So what are you up to?
15:33You know, I guess we're going to have to let the fans decide about me
15:37just doing, you know, the reality type of TV, you know,
15:44because it's just so much more out there than a girl can really do, you know?
15:49Sure.
15:50But I love reality TV, and I executive produced my daughter's delivery special,
15:55so I love doing TV.
15:57And we had 2.1 million viewers.
16:00That's awesome.
16:00That's amazing.
16:01Yeah.
16:01You know, people kind of got to see my family, my friends,
16:04kind of like to see what I do and see me as a human, as a person.
16:10Yeah.
16:10That's so robotic.
16:11Right.
16:12So I kind of like that part of things, you know?
16:15So I feel like I still feel, okay, so are you still on Love and Hip-Hop?
16:19That's no.
16:20So you're, because I hear you say that you're not opposed to reality TV,
16:23so there is a chance that you may do something else in another vein,
16:26but is the Love and Hip-Hop, is it still there?
16:28No, it's always that chance, and I would like to just do everything
16:34that it is that I want to do, you know?
16:36And what would you like to do, like, in the perfect world?
16:38Of course, you know, I'm a musician.
16:40I do, I'm pro-Latin.
16:42Shout out to all the Boricos and the Puerto Ricans.
16:45And, you know, I recently moved to Miami.
16:48After I finished filming for Love and Hip-Hop, I went to Miami,
16:51took my daughter, so we moved there.
16:52And I'm just really focusing the pro-Latin sound, the Puerto Rican,
16:57and who I am as an artist and as a person and where I come from,
17:02you know, and so, you know, acting and producing
17:06and doing everything that I love to do,
17:07but reality is always there for me.
17:09There's always an option.
17:10Well, since you're in Miami, it would kind of make sense
17:12to join the Love and Hip-Hop Miami cast, right?
17:14I didn't go to Miami to do that.
17:16You didn't go to Miami?
17:16You came, went there to...
17:18I went there to focus on the music and do what I do best,
17:21which is entertain, you know?
17:23But anything can happen.
17:25So we just have to keep our eyes peeled.
17:27Let's talk about your daughter, Bonnie Bella.
17:29First of all, Bonnie is so cute.
17:31How is she?
17:33She's amazing, thank God.
17:34She's teething right now, so I feel kind of bad,
17:36but she's doing good.
17:37She's a strong baby.
17:40We have an awesome time.
17:41She loves Miami.
17:42She loves the water.
17:43You know, she loves to swim.
17:44And look out for her clothing line.
17:47Oh, she has a clothing line coming out.
17:48And you're designing it fully behind the ideas?
17:51Yes, you got to go follow her page so you can kind of understand
17:53what kind of, you know, kind of like the brand of things.
17:58But she's got a beautiful clothing line coming out and a cologne.
18:01And a cologne, too?
18:02Yes, called Bonnie Bella Hernandez.
18:03Wow.
18:04Bonnie Bella, her name.
18:05Okay, okay.
18:05But that's her Instagram, Bonnie Bella Hernandez.
18:07So that's pretty cool to be able to have your kid.
18:10You know, I deliver her and executive produce the delivery.
18:14And I can get to raise her into this young, pretty lady and set her life up.
18:20Set her life up for success.
18:21Which is what any mother would love to do.
18:24Right.
18:24But let's go back a little bit, though, because I think a lot of people were kind of stunned
18:28about the allegations of abuse of Stevie and the molestation claims.
18:33What are your thoughts on that?
18:36You know, in relationships, you know, it's a real thin line between love and hate.
18:43And I think that Stevie made mistakes.
18:46I think I made mistakes.
18:47And I think that we're not the only people in the world that's made mistakes.
18:51We're only humans.
18:53And, you know, I think Stevie and I had a good relationship.
18:57And I think it was a lot of ups and downs.
18:59And we made a lot of mistakes.
19:00And right now what I really want to do is for him and I to just have a good relationship for our daughter.
19:07Whatever happened, I apologized to him, you know, my daughter, also for my mistakes that I've made in the past.
19:16Oh, you've had the conversation with him already?
19:19Well, me and Stevie communicate.
19:21Oh, you communicate.
19:21You still talk.
19:22Oh, well, we got a baby together, so we have to communicate.
19:24But, you know, I just, I'm in such a positive place right now.
19:28And I think my daughter took me there.
19:30Yeah.
19:30That anything that I've done, I really just wanted to apologize for.
19:37I love it.
19:38You know, let my daughter know that, you know, before she was here, I made mistakes.
19:44People made mistakes.
19:45But we're going to work to be better people.
19:47Right.
19:48Especially when we have to share something so strong as a kid.
19:52Yeah.
19:53So, but, you know, have you, one of the people that was kind of, had a contentious relationship on the show with was Mimi.
19:59Have you had the chance to apologize to her?
20:00Or have you had a chance to talk to her?
20:03I haven't had a chance to talk to her.
20:05I really don't communicate with her.
20:07I make it all about my kid and I moved to Miami to be in a happy place with my family.
20:14All my family is in Florida because I'm from Lauderdale.
20:16Yeah.
20:16And so that's just where I took it to.
20:19Like, I kind of, like, changed my past and looked for the new me and the new me being a mother.
20:27Mm-hmm.
20:27I've never experienced that.
20:29It's my first time.
20:30Mm-hmm.
20:30So your daughter has changed you.
20:32And in what ways do you think she has changed you?
20:34I mean, she's made you focus more on the music.
20:36But in what other personal ways have you seen the growth in yourself?
20:40You know, being able to say I'm sorry.
20:43Being able to be more passive, you know, if a person get upset or, you know, I went to the bathroom the other day at a restaurant in Miami and this girl was like, where you go?
20:58Don't you see me in line?
20:59I'm like, my bad.
21:00Right.
21:00I'm sorry.
21:01Go ahead, mom.
21:02Then I asked her, did she want a drink?
21:04I think I'm just in a place where it's like nothing is that serious.
21:07The only thing that's really serious is my kid, my career, and my family.
21:12And I think that as you grow up and you come up in life, we go through so many things, especially coming from a place like where I came from, from Puerto Rico.
21:21Yeah.
21:21You know, in the ghetto.
21:23Do you think that contributed to sort of the image that we see growing up your tough upbringing?
21:28You know, that contributed to the exterior that we saw that wasn't really the real Jocelyn that we're seeing now?
21:33Well, you know, the real Jocelyn that you've seen then, it was who I was.
21:37At that point.
21:38At that point.
21:38And who I am now is who I am at this point.
21:41And I think that I'm going to change again the older that I get even to be a better woman.
21:46But the Jocelyn that I was, yeah, I did come from the background where I came from, like, you know, the way I grew up.
21:52My dad died of an overdose.
21:54So it's a lot of things I went through that people really don't know.
21:57Yeah.
21:58And I stay strong while the questions is being asked.
22:02Mm-hmm.
22:02Mm-hmm.
22:03I can feel the sincerity, yeah.
22:06I can feel the sincerity coming from you.
22:08You don't have to cry.
22:09We're family, Jocelyn, you know.
22:11Well, what is that, what are you feeling?
22:13What is, what is the, what is bringing the tears?
22:17What makes you feel sad?
22:19You know, because I feel like, I feel like a lot of people judge before they even get to know me.
22:25So what we saw on Love & Hip Hop these past seasons wasn't really the full spectrum of who you are?
22:30Well, what you saw this past season was awesome.
22:33You know, I didn't, I didn't fight anybody.
22:35Yes.
22:36I didn't get into any arguments.
22:38I walked away from everything.
22:40Mm-hmm.
22:40I mean, you see me doing talk shows.
22:42I was, you know, I was doing talk shows.
22:44I was acting.
22:45Yeah.
22:45I wasn't really trying to fight anybody, you know.
22:48So what I don't get is how many people see the wrong things, but they don't ever see the good things that you do.
22:56Mm-hmm.
22:57Right.
22:58So, but maybe this new leaf can be an opportunity to turn that over and show us in a new fame, in a new way, since you're not opposed to doing reality TV.
23:06So what would you like the new Jocelyn to be in five years?
23:09Five years from now, we're having the same conversation.
23:11We're having the same sit-down.
23:12Your life is complete.
23:13I see the small crisps back in.
23:15What was that new Jocelyn looking like five years from now?
23:18You know, I, of course, I love to do TV, but perform Latin Grammys.
23:23Mm-hmm.
23:23Mm-hmm.
23:23Um, just really be in tune with my fans and my music and my performances and my acting, my producing, everything that it is, Bonnie.
23:33And, you know, I feel like I've been growing up, I feel like I almost grew up on TV.
23:37Yeah.
23:37Because I've been on TV for seven years now.
23:39Well, I think we're going to see a whole new Jocelyn.
23:42I tell you, before you came into this interview, I didn't know what to expect.
23:45I was like, what is going to happen?
23:47But I'm seeing a completely different side.
23:49I don't know if it's the baby or if it's just you're at a different place that you're in, but you're just even letting out a different sort of energy.
23:55I mean, you know, I'm only going to give you what you give me.
23:59Okay.
24:00If you're giving me a good energy and you're talking to me in a nice way, I'm going to give you back that.
24:05Maya Angelou says, when you know better, you do better.
24:07Absolutely.
24:07So that's where you are.
24:08Jocelyn, thank you so much for coming by and answering our tough questions.
24:12We wish you the very best.
24:13More Essence Now is up next.
24:21So, Syd, we need to talk about Insecure.
24:24I have been waiting for so long for this show to come.
24:27It feels like I've been waiting for years.
24:29Literally my entire life for season two of Insecure to come back.
24:32And now it's here.
24:33And girl.
24:34So let's dive in.
24:36Issa is trying to get her footing.
24:37She's trying to, like, figure out what's happening.
24:40I understand that she misses Lawrence, but I truly don't think she's really thought about why she misses him and why she would want to be back.
24:48Like, because what's going to change if you get back to the other?
24:50I think that Issa is a lot of us in that you, like, miss the idea of someone.
24:55True.
24:55And, you know, it was a five-year relationship.
24:57They were comfortable until things were uncomfortable.
25:00And then they kind of felt comfortable again until she cheated.
25:03Like, she is trying to hold on to that whole, we were in a five-year relationship.
25:08Like, we can make this work, right?
25:11It's just not going to work.
25:12It's not going to work because you two have both grown in two different directions.
25:15And, like, oftentimes when you outgrow a relationship, you just have to, like, let it go.
25:20You still love the person.
25:21That's fair.
25:21You can.
25:22You're allowed to.
25:23But, like, y'all just are two different people at this point.
25:26And that's unfortunate.
25:27And it's very unfortunate.
25:28And it's sad.
25:29But, like, maybe they can work to a point where they become friends.
25:32Maybe.
25:33Maybe.
25:34Maybe.
25:35That's a lot of baggage for friendship, though.
25:37But maybe.
25:38That's a lot to unpack before you can be, like, cool.
25:42I doubt it at all.
25:43Does Issa know about Tasha?
25:45Because from the first episode, I didn't get that feeling.
25:46No, you don't.
25:47No, no.
25:48And I was like, ooh.
25:49No, no.
25:50Because at the end of the episode, her and Lawrence hook up.
25:54And it's kind of like, well, wait a minute.
25:56I'm sorry.
25:57What?
25:58So, I have a problem with this.
26:00Because I have a problem.
26:04Because at the end, when he, like, leaves and she sits on the couch, she, like, has a smile on her face.
26:10As if it's, like, a symbol of hope.
26:11But, like, girl, no.
26:13He don't want you.
26:14He just wanted the cooch for five seconds, two pumps, and he was out.
26:18Like, he does not.
26:20That was not hope for a relationship.
26:21And we saw at the end of last season when he calls her while she's away with her friends.
26:27And she took that hope and, like, ran with it, right?
26:30And I feel like this is going to be another instance of that and where she, like, gets her hopes up.
26:35Yeah.
26:35Because a lot of the times for women, sex equals, like, oh, we're going to take, like, another step here.
26:42Or, oh, it's going to lead to something.
26:44Where, in fact, like, I just have this inkling, this really strong feeling that he's going to be like, girl, I do not want you.
26:52But thank you.
26:53Absolutely.
26:54And I don't need that in my life.
27:01You're watching Essence Now, and I'm your host, Makon Dovu.
27:04As you can see, I'm in my workout gear, which means I'm ready to put in some work.
27:08Now, ladies, it's not too late to work on your summer body.
27:11Joining me in the studio are two people to help you reach your fitness goals.
27:15Please help me welcome TV host and influencer, Kayla Walker, and personal trainer, Robert Brace.
27:21Hey, guys, thanks for joining me.
27:22Hey.
27:22Hey, thanks for having us.
27:24Oh, it's my pleasure.
27:25Now, before we get started, Kayla, can you quickly talk about how you teamed up with Robert to start your fitness journey and how it's been going?
27:31Yeah, of course.
27:32I mean, like most women, you want to look and feel your best, right?
27:34And the pounds had caught up with me, got the best of me.
27:37And when I got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I found this guy, Robert Brace.
27:41He has an amazing plan, 28-day challenge.
27:45I lost 20 pounds.
27:4620 pounds.
27:4720 pounds.
27:48And 28 days.
27:48And 28 days so that I could slay for life.
27:51Yes.
27:51And be here.
27:52Yeah, see, they just put the picture up.
27:54Exactly.
27:54Yeah.
27:5520 pounds.
27:55What a transformation.
27:56You look amazing.
27:57Now, Robert, what do your clients complain about the most when it comes to getting fit and weight loss?
28:01Okay, there's three main things.
28:03Okay, they always want a tight butt, trim waist, and toned arms.
28:07So the three T's.
28:08I can relate.
28:09I can relate on the black girl magic package.
28:10And that's what I call it.
28:11Yeah.
28:12All right, let's jump right in.
28:14I am so ready to work up the sweat.
28:16Now, Robert is going to show us a series of techniques we can all do at home or at the gym.
28:20Awesome.
28:20Now, to really focus in on specific parts of our bodies.
28:24For each exercise, I'll be doing the easier or modified version.
28:27And Kayla here will be doing the advanced version.
28:29We're going to do the advanced version.
28:30Got it?
28:30All right, first, let's target our lower body.
28:33Everybody wants a nice booty.
28:34So, Robert, what kind of routines will get us bootylicious?
28:38Okay, so for the booty, I've got three moves for you.
28:40Okay?
28:41So the first thing, and get onto your mat.
28:44Because I'm English, we're going to do the curtsy.
28:46The curtsy, all right.
28:47Curtsy.
28:48Now, it's very simple.
28:48You're going to stand straight.
28:50Keep your torso long.
28:51Put your hands together.
28:52You're just going to take one foot behind and stand straight back up.
28:56Easiest thing in the world.
28:57But you want to get as low as you possibly can.
28:59You African, so let's go.
29:00Get down.
29:01Me too.
29:02Me too.
29:02Now, Kayla's going to do the more advanced version.
29:05She's going to put a bounce in it, right?
29:06She's going to get down.
29:07Boom.
29:08Beautiful.
29:08The lower that she gets, the more her butt is being activated.
29:12Her thighs are being activated.
29:13This is awesome.
29:14Okay?
29:15Brilliant.
29:15Feeling that?
29:16I'm loving it.
29:17I'm loving it.
29:18Show me more.
29:18Fantastic.
29:19So with these, you just want to do about 10 reps on each side.
29:22Okay, cool.
29:23Let's go down to the mat.
29:24Very, very good.
29:25For move number two.
29:26So this is the single leg hip thrust.
29:29You're going to take one leg to the ceiling, the other leg on the floor, lie back, and
29:34you're going to push the hip all the way up and back down to the floor.
29:38Okay?
29:38Go again.
29:39We're going to do 10 of these.
29:40Ten.
29:40Now, to get the maximum out of this, you want to take your hips all the way up.
29:45You feel that?
29:45Yes, I can feel it.
29:46Different exercise there.
29:48Okay, one more.
29:49One more.
29:49One more.
29:49One more.
29:49Squeeze.
29:50Okay, no gain, girl.
29:52Take both feet down to the floor.
29:53What is the advanced version?
29:55Now, what you're going to do to get an extra squeeze is keep the hips up.
29:58Okay.
29:58Both feet on the floor.
29:59Uh-huh.
29:59Squeeze the glutes.
30:00Now, Kayla is going to look like a superhero as she runs in this position.
30:05There you go.
30:05Okay.
30:06Good.
30:06Now, as she's doing that, she's using hamstrings and glutes to lift her whole entire body, which
30:12is pretty awesome.
30:13Okay, round of applause for Kayla.
30:14Thank you very much.
30:15Thank you very much.
30:15Fantastic.
30:17Okay.
30:18Let's move on.
30:19Excellent job.
30:19Now, how long do we hold that one?
30:21Now, that one you hold for about 30 seconds.
30:2330 seconds.
30:23Okay?
30:24Okay, very good.
30:24And now, my favorite move.
30:26What's your favorite, Robert?
30:27Which is a thrust and squat.
30:29Sorry, squat and thru-
30:30Squat and thrust.
30:32We got it.
30:32Squat and thrust.
30:33You got it?
30:33Okay, let's do it.
30:33Okay, here we go.
30:34Show it to me.
30:34So, you've got four bounces.
30:36One, two, three, four.
30:40Thrust and squat and thrust and squat.
30:44Okay.
30:44Get down one.
30:45One, two, three, four.
30:47You thrust.
30:48Thrust.
30:49And squat.
30:49Thrust again.
30:51This is like a dance.
30:52One, and two.
30:53Get low.
30:54And four.
30:54And three.
30:55If you dance and I'm working, you harden up.
30:57Let's go.
30:58One, two, three.
30:58Oh, no, I'm good.
30:59I'm good.
30:59I'm good.
30:59I'm good.
31:00Okay, now, the advanced version.
31:01Yes, the advanced version.
31:02You're going to put a little-
31:03You're making fun of my voice.
31:04No, no, no.
31:05We're going to do a little jump.
31:07Here we go.
31:08One, two, three, four.
31:11Thrust, sit, thrust, sit, get low.
31:13One, two, look at that.
31:16Dynamite.
31:16Taylor is a beast.
31:18Oh, straight beast.
31:19And look at that.
31:19Oh, look.
31:20She's smiling, too.
31:21She's smiling.
31:22Okay.
31:23I think she needs some more.
31:24Let's talk about the core.
31:25All right.
31:26I think Kaylee needs more.
31:27What are some exercises for a nice, flat tummy?
31:29We all want it.
31:30Okay.
31:31We all want it.
31:32Absolutely.
31:33This is one of the number one requests.
31:34Let's get back down onto the mat.
31:35Okay, very good.
31:36Now, we're going to do a move, that classic move that we've seen a lot.
31:38We're just going to do the bicycle.
31:39Okay.
31:40Right?
31:41Now, you just want to make sure your abs are always pulled up.
31:43You get a good twist, and your core is nice and tight.
31:46Okay?
31:47With these, you're going to want to do about 20.
31:48Okay?
31:4920, in total?
31:50Yes, total.
31:51Okay.
31:52And you get all the way across.
31:53Now, you can't have a bicycle without a pump, right?
31:55Right, right.
31:56You're going to put the pump in, and this extra little twist that pump she puts in there is
32:00going to increase the intensity in the abs, making it nice and tight.
32:03You feel that?
32:04Oh, wow.
32:05I totally feel it.
32:06Good?
32:07Yes.
32:08You want to do some more, or shall we move on?
32:09No, let's go into the next one.
32:10Let's go into the next one.
32:11Okay.
32:12Fantastic.
32:13Okay, stay down there.
32:14Okay.
32:15Now, you're going to take the feet right up, hands behind the head.
32:16Okay?
32:17All you're going to do is touch the toes, keeping your abs pulled in.
32:20Now, if this is too hard for you or strenuous on your neck, you keep your hands here,
32:24and then just come up.
32:25Okay?
32:26The advanced move is going to be touch, center, side, side.
32:30Okay?
32:31Let's go.
32:32All right.
32:33Let me see.
32:34Yes, you've got that.
32:35I just feel like I can't straighten my legs.
32:37Is that problematic?
32:38That's not problematic.
32:39You're activating your abs.
32:40Okay.
32:41Fantastic job there.
32:42And breathe, breathe, breathe.
32:43Good.
32:44And let's see this.
32:45Oh, yes.
32:46There you go.
32:47Poster child.
32:48Okay.
32:49Let's get a couple more.
32:50All right.
32:51Fantastic job.
32:52Okay.
32:53I love these.
32:54But, you know, it's also important to eat well as well, right?
32:57Yes.
32:58Look.
32:59Any program, especially for the summer body, abs are made in the kitchen.
33:01You've got to eat clean.
33:03Lots of natural, non-processed fruits and veggies.
33:08Lean meats.
33:09And just make sure you're controlling your portions.
33:11That's the biggest thing.
33:12Show me.
33:13And no cocktails.
33:14And no cocktails.
33:15Limited cocktails.
33:16Limited.
33:17Limited.
33:18Limited cocktails.
33:19One last core exercise, Robert.
33:20Show me what you got.
33:21Okay.
33:22So, this is what we're going to do.
33:23We're going to do simple movement that everybody knows, but we're going to do it right.
33:27Okay.
33:28Perfect plank.
33:29Perfect plank.
33:30Feet together.
33:31Ready for this one?
33:32Okay.
33:33I'm ready.
33:34I feel like...
33:35Okay.
33:36Right?
33:37Yes.
33:38This is what makes it work.
33:39You have somebody to do it with.
33:40You're going to pull your abs in.
33:41Okay.
33:42Okay.
33:43Now, here's the thing.
33:44Look into each other's eyes.
33:45Look into each other's eyes.
33:46Look into each other's eyes.
33:47Okay.
33:48Here we go.
33:49And Caleb's going to do the extra with jumping jacks right here.
33:51Three.
33:52You can do it.
33:53There you go.
33:54Come on.
33:55Stay there.
33:56Come on.
33:57Come on.
33:58Hold it.
33:59You got it.
34:00Five, four, three, two.
34:01There you go.
34:03Oh my God.
34:04You did it.
34:05You did it.
34:06Good job.
34:07Okay.
34:08Let's target our upper body.
34:09Okay.
34:10I don't know about y'all, but I'm trying to have sculpted arms.
34:13Sculpted arms.
34:14Like Angela Bassett.
34:15Angela Bassett.
34:16Or Michelle Obama.
34:17So Robert, make it happen for you, please.
34:18Okay.
34:19You said the M.O.
34:20The M.O.
34:21You said the M.O.
34:22Yes.
34:23So we're going to make that happen.
34:24Okay.
34:25Very good.
34:26Very simple.
34:27Okay.
34:28You're going to keep your body nice and long.
34:29Keep your core nice and tight.
34:30First thing, just the biceps.
34:31Okay.
34:32Double bicep curl.
34:33Okay.
34:34All the way up.
34:35Good.
34:36Now, I want you to see this very quickly.
34:38Kayla's abs are nice and pulled up.
34:40Every workout you do, you've got to make sure your abs are nice and tight.
34:43So she's going to go center and side.
34:46Okay.
34:47Center and side.
34:48And that's the advanced version.
34:49All right.
34:50Okay.
34:51Okay.
34:52For these, you want to do about 10 to 15, depending on your strength level.
34:54Okay.
34:55Okay.
34:5610 to 15 reps.
34:57Three sets.
34:58Three sets.
34:59Oh, look at you.
35:00Yeah.
35:01Yes.
35:02That's nice.
35:03That was right to go.
35:04Okay.
35:05So next thing is shoulders.
35:06Double shoulder raise.
35:07Okay.
35:08So you're just going to stay up.
35:09Bring the dumbbell straight up.
35:10Now, you always want to make sure your chest is up, your shoulder blades are back.
35:14You maintain good form.
35:15Don't just throw them up there.
35:16Yeah.
35:17You don't need a lot of weight for these because these are a small muscle group.
35:19Okay.
35:20Now, how high up should my arms go?
35:21You just want to go parallel to the floor.
35:24Okay.
35:25Straight out from your body.
35:26No higher than that.
35:27Now, Kayla will do the more advanced version, which is up here and then to the side.
35:32Okay.
35:33Good.
35:34Straight up.
35:35She keeps her core nice and long.
35:36Her posture is perfect.
35:37You can see those arms working.
35:39Okay.
35:40Fantastic job.
35:41Fantastic.
35:42Look at that.
35:43Listen, arms are my strength.
35:44Let's do one last one.
35:46One last one.
35:47Okay.
35:48Okay.
35:49This is for the finish.
35:50A minute.
35:51For the long haul.
35:52Okay.
35:53A minute.
35:54Come on.
35:55Let's go.
35:56All the way down.
35:57Yes.
35:58Your fingers are going to point towards your butt.
35:59Okay.
36:00Okay.
36:01You're going to extend your arms so they're nice and straight.
36:02Okay.
36:03All I want you to do is a little bend and straighten.
36:05You're going to get those triceps, right?
36:07All right.
36:08Many women talk about they just want to wave their hands and not this part right here.
36:12Yeah.
36:13Okay.
36:14So this gets rid of the jiggle and the wiggle.
36:15Now, for the advanced version, you're going to put five bounces in.
36:18One, two, three, four, five.
36:20Extend.
36:21Look at that.
36:22Go, Kayla.
36:23Go.
36:24Oh, you can see that.
36:25Go again.
36:26Thank you very much.
36:27One, two, three, four, five.
36:28Extend.
36:29And one more for the people out there.
36:30Come on, Michelle.
36:31You see my Michelle-o?
36:32Yes.
36:33Michelle-o coming right there.
36:35Her arms.
36:36Okay.
36:37It's amazing.
36:38I love it.
36:39Thank you so much to Robin and Kayla for sharing some super great and super easy exercise routines
36:42with us.
36:43Make sure you try these next time you work out.
36:45Now, I want to thank all of today's guests for stopping by.
36:48Remember to subscribe to our YouTube page for all of our videos and tune in next Tuesday
36:52at 3 p.m. Eastern for an all-new Essence Now.
36:55I'm Malkon Dovu, who's officially out of breath, and I'll see you then.
Comments