Traffic Reporter Receives Dresses From Gabrielle Union After Body Shaming Went Viral...And She Looks Amazing!
"Some people feel the rain, others get wet."
For me, those words were just another affirmation that I saw on an episode of Being Mary Jane. What I had not considered was how powerful those words were when two different women applied them to their own lives.
You might remember the news story about Demetria Obilor, a Dallas news anchor, that became the topic of conversation after a Facebook commenter body shamed her and slammed her for having what she referred to as “a size 16/18 woman in a size 6 dress”. According to additional comments left by the troll, the prior traffic reporter dressed far more conservative and Demetria needed to take note.
The social media post quickly went viral and ended with Demetria walking away with positive vibes and lots of love from thousands of supporters, including celebrities, like Chance the Rapper and one of our favorite xoMentors, Gabrielle Union.
When Gabrielle Union got wind of the story, she wrote a touching Instagram post to Demetria for her strength and pegged her "The Real Mary Jane," referencing the character from her hit BET show. She also revealed that she would be personally sending a new wardrobe from her exclusive New York & Company collection to "traffic bae."
Sending love, light and support to Dallas News Anchor Demetria Obilor who was recently body shamed online. YOU are the real life Mary Jane… A go-getter news anchor who dresses DOPE and doesn’t give a s*** what everyone else thinks. Keep on kicking ass and taking names queen. We love you just the way you are! And since you slay everything you wear, I’m sending you a bunch of pieces from my @nyandcompany collection and some credit for extra pieces!
A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on
She wrote:
Sending love, light and support to Dallas News Anchor Demetria Obilor who was recently body shamed online. YOU are the real life Mary Jane… A go-getter news anchor who dresses DOPE and doesn’t give a s*** what everyone else thinks. Keep on kicking ass and taking names queen. We love you just the way you are! And since you slay everything you wear, I’m sending you a bunch of pieces from my @nyandcompany collection and some credit for extra pieces!
Gabrielle stood by her word, because this week Demetria posted up in the clothes and she looked absolutely stunning!
She wrote on Instagram:
MANY thanks to @gabunion and her team for coming through with the beautiful dresses from the Gabrielle Union for @nyandcompany collection! Feeling like Miss Mary Jane herself! 😍thank you so much! 💋
Werk, sis!
Demetria recently gave an exclusive to Elle where she shared her thoughts about people trying to police her body and her appearance and about how much further society needs to move as a whole in order to truly be progressive:
There’s so much that’s "unacceptable." Your hair needs to be straight; if it’s curly or an afro it’s unprofessional. If you have curves, you need to wear a huge fit-and-flare dress to hide them, because it’s too big or too sensual or too erotic. I shouldn’t have to wear a potato sack to make you feel comfortable. I've heard people say, “Well, you’re in Texas now. We’re more conservative.” So you’re telling me that every time I travel to a different state, I have to assimilate to its cultural norms and values in order to be accepted? That’s not what America stands for. America is supposed to be a melting pot based on freedom from religious persecution and cultural persecution. Don’t tell me I have to assimilate.I have a really thick skin, so you’re not going to catch me crying because you said I look a certain way in a dress or I look fat. I put myself out there to show other women:
Hey, this is okay.
Shouts to Demetria for standing up for herself and being a great example for young women looking to work in the vicious entertainment industry!
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage