"I can't believe it took me this long."
Doja Cat has followed in the footsteps of the likes of Saweetie and Tiffany Haddish and shaved her head. She debuted the look on Instagram Live and also decided to shave her eyebrows. During her Instagram Live, the “Vegas” rapper explained why she finally let go of her hair. “I feel like I was never supposed to have hair anyway,” she said. “I, like, don’t like having hair. I never liked having hair. I cannot tell you one time, since the beginning of my life, that I’ve ever been like, ‘This is cool. I just do not like to have hair.'”
She also recalled the struggle of wearing wigs while trying to exercise. “I remember feeling so f–king just exhausted with working out. Whenever I went to go train, I had a trainer at one point and I’d be wearing wigs and they would be getting tacky,” she said.
“They would re-tack because of the moisture and then they would start sliding and peeling while I’m doing this incredibly strenuous thing.”
“I would be working out, but I couldn’t focus because I was more concerned about how I looked or how my hair was doing, and how to keep it adhered to my scalp,” added.
She revealed that she would try a variety of ways to keep her wig from sliding off such as wearing a beanie which only made things more uncomfortable due to how many layers she was wearing on top of her head.
“I just can't believe that it took me this long to be like, 'Shave your f–king head,” she said.
Doja is no stranger to sharing her hair issues. The Grammy award-winning artist is half Black South African and half white and has naturally kinky curly hair. In 2020, she opened up on Instagram Live about taking care of her natural hair while also dealing with wigs.
First gas up of 2020 pic.twitter.com/wRaFRAyytV
“I have a lot of trouble taking care of my hair, so when my hair is either straightened I have a wig on, I’m pretty much okay, but when I’m trying to comb out, wash, do this twists…everything. It’s frustrating for me. It’s very hard for me,” she admitted in the 2020 Instagram Live video. “A lot of my friends would agree, who have hair like mine, agree they have [a] problem taking care of it.”
She ended her explanation by stating, “In no f–king way does it mean that I hate my hair. My hair is amazing. I have beautiful hair. I get lots of compliments. In another thing and an inner thing. I know that I am beautiful. I love myself.”
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Halle Bailey won our hearts alongside her sister Chloe when their cover of Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts” went viral when they were just teenagers, and from there they have become Grammy-nominated artists as the group Chloe x Halle thanks to albums like Ungodly Hour and The Kids Are Alright. Now, their fans have more to look forward to as Halle will be starring as the Disney princess Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
While the news of the 22-year-old playing Ariel warmed the hearts of little Black girls everywhere, not everyone was so supportive. Unfortunately, Halle’s casting was met with racist backlash because she didn’t look like the cartoon character and there was even a hashtag, #NotMyAriel, created in response to it online.
In an interview with Variety, Halle shared that her family, namely her grandparents helped her deal with the criticism. “It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear their words of encouragement, telling me, ‘You don’t understand what this is doing for us, for our community, for all the little Black and brown girls who are going to see themselves in you,’” she shared.
Her big sister Chloe was also on hand to lend support when dealing with the haters and she talked about being there for Halle. “It’s important to have a strong support system around you,” Chloe said in the interview. “It’s hard to carry the weight of the world on your own.”
When it came to Chloe and Halle, you hardly saw one without the other but over the last year and a half, they began venturing into separate projects. Chloe has been working on her solo debut album but she is always there for Halle as Halle is always there for her.
“My sister is my backbone,” she said. “She’s my best friend. She’s my everything. When I write with her, it’s different than when I’m just alone. When we sing together, I feel differently than when I’m just singing by myself.”
Playing Ariel is incredibly special for the “Do It” singer because she grew up watching the Disney classic and identified with Ariel’s story. She hopes that her take on Ariel will also resonate with girls watching it.
“I want the little girl in me and the little girls just like me who are watching to know that they’re special, and that they should be a princess in every single way,” she explained. “There’s no reason that they shouldn’t be. That reassurance was something that I needed.”
The Little Mermaid is set to premiere in May 2023.
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When it comes to power couples in the zodiac, there are instant matches that make for love and financial compatibility. Some zodiac signs work better together than others, and considering financial challenges tends to make or break relationships--finding your money match is important. Not only that but there are certain signs in the zodiac that can enhance your financial world, just by being in it. Planetary energy in certain areas of your birth chart can provide higher success rates and opportunities, and compatibility energy varies by degree.
Power couples in the zodiac may not always be your typical astrology matches. We all know earth signs go well with water signs and fire signs go well with air signs, but what truly makes a power couple is the dynamic energy that each sign has when reaching goals, and going about them. Finding someone that can bring something to the table that you don’t already bring or want to do yourself, makes for a good match not only in the workplace but within love as well.
So what makes a power couple, and is this energy sustainable for a long-term love relationship? Read below to find your money match, and what sign you can thrive with in life.
Aries and Cancer are a dynamic duo. Fire signs and water signs feed off each other’s energy and both bring something unique to the table. Aries brings the drive, direction, and passion to this pairing. Cancer makes sure all bases are covered and that Aries doesn't get too ahead of themselves. Cancer wants to sustain Aries' passions and vision, which helps bring concrete results to what Aries is putting out there.
Not to mention, these two have a ball together and are constantly laughing and keeping things light. Aries and Cancer have fun together and are a couple that everyone wants to be around. This pairing might seem odd from the outside looking in, but there is just something that works for them and this power couple knows how to show up and show out. They are all about bringing results and are constantly growing and evolving financially.
Zodiac signs that are next to each other on the zodiac wheel tend to have a unique type of connection. When looking at the zodiac wheel, each sign after the next is said to be the evolution of the previous sign. With Taurus and Gemini, they understand each other in a way that they don’t get with other signs. This pairing works because Taurus wants to do everything Gemini doesn’t, and vice versa. Taurus isn’t afraid to put in the work and will do the nitty gritty stuff that Gemini quickly gets bored of.
Gemini expands the world of a Taurus and will do all of the networking that can seem like too much for the homebody soul of a Taurus. Taurus does the groundwork, and Gemini makes the needed connections to get the work out there. Although they may have different ideals when it comes to spending and saving; Taurus will always have something stored away for a rainy day, and Gemini will make sure the money is being put to good use.
Leo and Virgo are a power couple to the core. This pairing is all about uplifting each other and bringing out the best in one another. Both Leo and Virgo tend to be confident in the working sphere of life, and they both have a deep desire to do something purposeful in life. When Leo and Virgo come together, they create something big and elevated. Leo has the vision, and Virgo executes.
Virgo tends to be the overthinker here which is why it’s good for Virgo to be around Leo as Leo will instantly get Virgo in check and will remind them often of how great they are. Leo has big ideals and creative goals but doesn’t always know the concrete steps to put them into action. Virgo is inspired by a very clear need that Leo has for Virgo’s detail-oriented self, and will want to make all Leo’s dreams come true. This couple is red carpet material and they can provide a nice life for each other.
Libraand Aquarius are that power couple that is for the people. This pairing makes many friends and acquaintances on their path and tends to inspire everyone around them. Two air signs coming together create a free-flowing relationship and they instinctively know what each other needs to make the relationship work. Libra wants to live the good life and this is the most common sign for billionaires.
Aquarius, although they may not always show it, strives for financial stability and groundedness in life, as they are partially ruled by Saturn, the great taskmaster.
Additionally, aesthetics are important to both of them and they will not only work well together but look well together as well. With Aquarius’ humanitarian heart, this power couple accomplishes great things together in life and does so with style and charisma. This is a couple that moves up the social ladder together and enjoys doing so with one another.
Scorpio and Capricorn are the definitions of a power couple. Empowerment is important to both of these signs in life in general, and they want the best of the best. Both Scorpio and Capricorn are extremely resilient and they aren’t one to give up easily, which makes for a long-lasting, loyal, pairing. Capricorn brings the necessary grounded approach to make their goals happen, and Scorpio brings the passion needed to push things forward.
Capricorns are a financially-focused sign as they are the sign of earthly desires and manifestation. Capricorn knows how to make nothing into something, and tends to have the Midas Touch. Scorpios have an inner fire in them that never goes out. Capricorn energy can get a little stagnant, and Scorpio will quickly turn things around here and will always make sure life is exciting for them. This is a couple that has the power to accumulate a large amount of wealth, and they both tend to be good at saving, managing finances, and analyzing what is going to bring them the best profit possible.
Sagittarius and Pisces are a fun power couple. They do well in atmospheres that provide a sense of freedom and spirituality, and they are constantly seeking to understand. They tend to be on the same page, which is no page at all, and they won’t be the ones to knock each other down or kill the vibe. Sagittarius’ freedom-oriented energy isn’t intimidating to Pisces as they are all about this type of stance to life.
What makes this duo a money match is that they are both ruled by Jupiter, the planet of success, abundance, and good fortune. So to put it lightly, luck is on their side. They don’t necessarily have to do as much groundwork to be successful as it’s their mind and power of manifestation that makes them a magnet for success. They are both extremely hopeful signs and look for the good in all situations. This is a couple you can bet on.
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I’ve never actually tasted a 'Sex on the Beach,' but I certainly have imagined doing it. In fact, I’ve had a lot of sex fantasies, but this remains to be one at the top of my list. However, I continue to harbor some fear because it seems that beach sex is no easy feat.
Perhaps I’ve just seen one movie too many where it went awry and felt vicariously traumatized by the outcome. But now, I’ve decided it’s high time to step outside of my comfort zone. I especially feel the urgency to deliver a few tips about beach sex after a friend of mine had sex on a beach in Mexico and got caught. In that instance, it was amazing how fast my thoughts transitioned from Sex Brought Me to the ER to Locked Up Abroad --- and I don’t want that for any of us. When having sex in public spaces, you must consider that public nudity is prohibited in some public spaces no matter how exhilarating the thought of it is.
Regardless of why you’re seeking out a beach sex adventure, I’m here to help you execute it in a way that ensures you have a fun time. Here’s to hoping these six tips will make your sex on the beach as tasty as it sounds.
Please don’t get bust down in the middle of the day in the middle of the beach – unless you’ve found yourself a swinger’s beach. I’m Team Fuck Those Kids just as much as anybody and I can even be Team Fuck The Police, but our goal here is to make sexy memories – not *claps* getting *claps* locked *claps* up *claps* abroad. Hiding in plain sight is probably the best way to make your fantasy come to life. Try having sex in the water, in a cabana, or wait until the sun has set. By then, it’ll be difficult for people to make out your figures and the oceanic movements.
You might think I’m talking about condoms, and while that’s vital I’m actually talking about protection from the good outdoors. You want to be equipped with bug spray and maybe even a blanket. If you’ve seen the way sand spreads, and gets in nooks and crannies you never even knew existed – you know why I’m suggesting a blanket. It won’t completely eliminate the sand but it will help some. This might also add some extra coverage from sand fleas and such.
You have to be ready for anything. With that in mind, you might want to consider sex outside of penetrative sex. Not only might it be easier to execute without getting caught but it could be easier for your partner if they’re feeling a little anxious about public sex. It can be difficult for us to get aroused when we’re anxious. This can make a penetrative experience go sour if, let’s say, a penis-presenting person is unable to stay erect due to nervousness. In this instance, non-penetrative sex speaks to oral and digital sex or even heavy-heavy petting. Dunno about you but I love a good teenage love affair, makeout sitch.
Instead of being butt-naked for your beach romp, you might consider sliding your swimwear to the side when trying to access the nookie. You do want to maintain a certain level of stealth on the beach.
If you’re out of the country, you may want to exercise greater caution if this is a spontaneous thing. The cultural differences outside the country could get you in big trouble, and most people fail to look into those differences and laws before traveling. If you’re a Sex and the City fan then you remember the turmoil Samantha caused in Abu Dhabi – and none of us want that.
If your fantasy is strictly about sex on the beach and not an exhibitionist fantasy, then consider getting an Airbnb near a private beach. Crowds are more limited there and there will be significantly fewer people than if you were to be on a public beach. And quite frankly, I think it would be far more intimate.
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It is like witnessing magic when you watch an athlete do what they do best. To see a mere human soar in the air over to the other side of a bar or to witness someone run at a speed quicker than a human thought. A basketball player defying gravity just to get a ball into a hoop. A ballerina turning their body into a top, spinning and spinning without fatigue.
We all know the athletes whose talents have defied logic. The Jordans. The Woods. The Copelands. However, there is probably no person who has achieved alchemy in their career quite like Serena Williams.
For decades we’ve watched the magnetic chemistry Williams has fostered between her racket and the ball. The thunderous force in which she served. Her muscular physique that looks as if it's been sculpted in the image of a Goddess.
In the recent issue ofVogueshe speaks on her plans to retire or “evolve,” as Williams put it, from tennis, the sport she’s dominated since the 90s. In the article, Williams is frank about the mixed emotions she’s experiencing with this decision she’s made. “There is no happiness in this topic for me,” Williams says. “I know it’s not the usual thing to say, but I feel a great deal of pain.” She continues: It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads. I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not. I’m torn: I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.”
It seems like Williams’ anxiety over leaving can only be rivaled by fans’ sorrow of having to say goodbye to the sports legend’s career.
To have watched Williams play tennis since she was just a child was a chance to watch as someone took the gift they were born with and turned it into something otherworldly. From the moment she stepped into our collective imaginations donning a head full of beads that adorned her braids at just 14 years old in 1995, she was bringing all of us Black girls along with her.
Serena Williams 11 Sep 1999: American tennis player Serena Williams kisses her trophy after winning a match (against Martina Hingis of Switzerland) during the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Courts in Flushing Meadows, New YorkCredit: Jamie Squire /Allsport
There were people perplexed that a Black girl and her equally talented sister hailed from Compton, California — a place that had become synonymous with violence and poverty. Their story had become one about defying the odds, as if not becoming a casualty of the various societal ills was an accomplishment and not an indictment of the system they had to work against in the first place.
This would become a recurring problem throughout her career. From dog whistle comments from the “competitors” she frequently bested like Maria Sharapova, to the media and sports officials, Williams was never able to be just an athlete. She was also forced by the many instances of misogyny and racism in her career to embrace a life of activism.
It's difficult to surmise how much she’s impacted a new generation of athletes like Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, and many more Black girls who see themselves in Williams. We are her legacy of Black woman magic and excellence. Whatever the future holds for her is yet to be determined, but if it’s anything like her tennis career, it will be iconic.
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Lori Harvey’s dating life has consistently been a hot topic on social media and now the model is shedding light on some of her dating do’s and don’ts. In an episode of Bumble’s new “Luv2SeeIt” content series, the SKN by LH founder sat down with the series' director, producer, and host Teyana Taylor and disclosed some quote-worthy thoughts on dating and relationships.
One of the 25-year-old’s dating don’ts is being close with an ex. “Cordial, okay, you speak. I don’t want y’all to have beef because then it gets messy,” she clarified. What she does appreciate, however, is transparency, openness, and communication from a partner.
When asked what makes her feel “powerful” in a romantic relationship, she answered, “Not compromising my values, standards, and my requirements.”
Lori’s last relationship was with Michael B. Jordan. The former couple dated for a year and a half before calling it quits in June 2022. Prior to dating the Creed actor, the model also dated Future and Trey Songz. During her interview, Lori opened up about what influenced her approach to dating.
“I almost got married very young,” she said. “I felt like I hadn’t really experienced anything. I didn’t really know myself, I didn’t really know what I liked, what I didn’t like. I just feel like I hadn’t really experienced life.”
“At that point then I was like I’m about to, like I said, just date on my own terms. However I want to move, whatever I want to do, I’m going to do it. And if it’s no longer serving me, I’m going to move on.”
Lori was engaged to professional soccer player Memphis Depay when she was just 21 years old. She admitted that she wasn’t the same person at 21 that she is at 25 and has learned so much about herself and relationships.
“I’m very much in a space right now where I’m not doing anything that’s gonna compromise my peace and happiness,” she stated. “So, I think just taking control making sure you maintain your power, don’t give your power away to anybody, that I feel like is the key to truly being happy in or out of a relationship.”
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Featured image by Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Black Beauty Roster
"I felt like I was not enough. And my mental health is important. So when I started feeling that way, I knew that it was time to shift."