
Adrienne Bailon Talks The Ending Of ‘The Real’: ‘I Was At Complete Peace’

After eight seasons, The Real has officially come to an end. Unfortunately, when it was time for the show to renew for a ninth season, it was canceled by their network, Fox. The Emmy award-winning daytime talk show premiered in 2013 and focused on millennials and featured a variety of topics that were specific to that demographic such as beauty, fashion, social media, social justice issues, and more. The show, which featured a panel of co-hosts such as Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai Jenkins, and Garcelle Beauvais, broadcasted their “Farewell” episode on Friday, June 3 where they looked back at their special moments and thanked their fans and supporters.
Adrienne, however, took it a step further and shared a video on her personal YouTube page titled “How I Feel About the End of ‘The Real.’” The singer/ actress, who is one of the original co-hosts, reflected on the memories from the show which she was on for almost a decade. She was just 29 when she started on the daytime show and made history by becoming the first Latina talk show host on an English TV channel. “Being the first Latina I definitely felt a lot of pressure but in a good way,” she said.
“But I also recognized as well that I was representing Latinas on TV, that didn’t necessarily mean that there’s only one way to be Latina. That was probably one of the first things I recognized when doing the show because there were some people that were like she doesn’t look like me, she doesn’t talk like me, why is she so urban? And I was like because I’m definitely an urban Latina from New York City, born and raised in the projects in the Lower Eastside and I’m always going to be true to who I am.”
While she always wanted to be a talk show host, there were a few things she doesn’t miss about working in daytime TV such as waking up at 4 a.m. which she said killed her social life and even put a strain on her marriage. But her husband Israel Houghton would often come on set and surprise her. When it came to the good times, she said that her dressing room was the hot spot where they would drink and socialize. “Fun fact, now that the show is over I can also admit to the fact that we used to drink and take shots up in our dressing rooms and go down and have the best girl chats ever,” she said. She even admitted that they sometimes had a little “courage juice” in their coffee mugs on the show.
But with the good times came some controversy. The 38-year-old would sometimes find herself in hot water due to comments she made on the show such as saying she can only go 12 hours without having sex and that she doesn’t always wash her hands after using the bathroom. She made sure to clear up those comments in the video. “You don’t get to have a full explanation of what you’re saying,” she said. Noting that segments are only 15 minutes long.
When the “Farewell” episode aired, the co-hosts were very emotional and Adrienne shared what was going through their heads during that time. “I feel like we made our mark. I was at complete peace with the show ending because guys I spent literally almost a decade on the show and I was ready and excited for what’s next and in the moment I was like there’s nothing to cry about,” she said.
“It’s an end of an era but it’s also a celebration of what the show has done. To some extent, we have a trauma bond of being a part of this show ‘cause it was not easy. It was not easy baring your soul, going through the changes of the cast members, being attacked in the comments sometimes or because of the things that we shared and it was really hard. And it made us stronger and it made us tougher and it made us wiser and it made us the women that we are today so that’s where all those emotions definitely came from.”
How I Feel About the End of ‘The Real’
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Featured image by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage