Ladies and Gentlemen, Happy NEW YEAR!
There has been a lot to celebrate these past few weeks as we have entered a new year full of new opportunities and new ways to get to the bag!
It only made sense to shed light on some of the positive things that have been going on in our society, hoping that it will help us stay on this trajectory for 2024!
I don’t know about y’all, but all I want for 2024 is PEACE and ABUNDANCE; we are leaving all the negativity back in 2023!
So, let’s hop into some of the most significant moments so far in 2024!
#1. AWARDS SEASON:
I don’t know if y’all have been paying attention, but the Emmys and Oscars recently passed, and our people won big!
Starting with Storm Reid and Jasmine Guy for winning their first Emmys ever. You may know Storm Reid from her breakout roles in Missing and Euphoria and Jasmine Guy as the beloved Whitley on a Different World, but now they are officially Emmy award-winning actresses.
Reid took her first Emmy home for being the Outstanding Guest Actress in HBO’s critically acclaimed show, The Last of Us. Guy won her first Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy for her role in Chronicles of Jessica Wu.
But it doesn’t stop there! Angela Bassett finally won an Honorary Oscar after countless contributions to the film industry. And, while we know this award is long overdue, Bassett took her winning moment as an encouragement to future actors and to remind them that there is room for everyone at the table (Lee & Mandell, 2024). Congratulations to Bassett on her award and the future generations of actors and actresses she has inspired!
#2: PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS/CONFIRMATIONS:
Many celebrities are having babies, and some have recently announced what others have expected for months now.
Starting off with Halle Bailey and DDG announcing that they welcomed a healthy boy at the end of 2023, the world was excited to hear them finally confirm what many individuals have been suspecting!
And, although she didn’t drop the news when everyone wanted, it reminds us that celebrities deserve privacy, too!
Another pregnancy announcement that has set the social media world on fire is Don Toliver and Kali Uchis!
If you have not been streaming their music recently, I am unsure what you’ve been doing with your time! But the rising stars are expecting a beautiful bundle of joy, and we wish them a healthy and prosperous pregnancy.
#3: BIRTHDAYS!
Life does not only re-start at the stroke of Midnight on December 31st, but it also re-starts on everyone’s birthdays.
This past week, the incomparable Mary J. Blige celebrated her 53rd birthday with style and grace and still applies pressure in the music streets.
In honor of her birthday, she released the music video of her highly discussed song, “Gone Forever,” featuring Remy MA and DJ Khaled!
If you have not seen it, go to YouTube and leave the Queen some love!
In addition, Kelly Rowland’s Husband, Tim Witherspoon, celebrated his 50th birthday with a huge bash surrounded by celebrities like Beyoncé, Jay Z, Michelle Williams, and many others!
And Lebron James threw himself a 39th Birthday 1970s disco theme party with celebrities like Savannah James, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kevin Hart, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, and many others!
If you have not seen the photos, please visit their Instagram pages! It looks like they had a blast!
#4: CARIBEAN CULTURE!
If you follow any Caribbean blogs, you know there has been some beef in the streets between Jada Kingdom and Stefflon Don!
While I won’t get into the logistics because I know they’ve been discussed a lot, there has been a positive call from individuals like Sean Paul requesting that the ladies have a sit down to squash the situation!
Paul reminded the ladies on Instagram, “Women nuh fi talk so. Live better my sisters. Doe Follow Di waste dem. How can we calm down if y’all doing dat 2. 2 Beautiful black women. Live betta. Set a betta example pls for the culture. 4 the kids. 4 the younger females” (French, 2024).
Ultimately, leaving followers to wonder will peace be granted, or will the feud and diss tracks continue.
Let me know in the comments how did y'all spend the new year?
I will see you all in 2 weeks!
Peace & Prosperity,
Jadis "IHateAdulthood" DeShong-Venay
References:
Lee & Mandell. (2024, January 10). "Angela Bassett Shouts Out 'Trailblazing' Black Actresses While Accepting Honorary Oscar: This 'Isn't Just for or About Me." People. https://people.com/angela-bassett-honorary-oscar-governors-awards-acceptance-speech-8424258
French. (2024, January 11). "Sean Paul tells Jada Kingdom, Stefflon Don to set a ‘better example’ amid clash." Caribbean National Weekly. https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/entertainment/sean-paul-tells-jada-kingdom-stefflon-don-to-set-a-better-example-amid-clash