
This Atlanta Makeup Artist Is Inspiring Body Positivity With Dance Your Pounds Off

Brandi Mallory is redefining what it means to be a mover and shaker and she is doing it one dance routine at a time.
The Atlanta-based makeup artist and former Extreme Weight Loss contestant is dancing her pounds off and going viral while doing it. In a video posted to Instagram earlier this month, Brandi popped, locked, and dropped it through intricate choreo to a “Thriller" remix, and it was nothing short of amazing. Over 200,000K views later, the Dance Your Pounds Off movement is in full effect – thanks in part to Brandi slaying the fitness game and her unapologetic body confidence.
Dance Your Pounds Off was not the beginning of Brandi's weight loss journey, but instead more so of a continuation. Her journey to weight loss began as a contestant on Extreme Weight Loss at a weight of 400 pounds. There, she learned the key to staying active is doing something you love. And it was through Zumba that she rediscovered just how much she loved to dance. Not long after, in October 2014, she got a call from Dwight, the owner of Dance Your Pounds Off, that would change her world forever. He asked her if she could speak on a confidence panel he was hosting, and later invited her to take part in his dance classes.
“Dwight is amazing. He's amazing at not allowing you to just be regular you. Like, he forces you to get out of your head. He can also tell when you have something that's going on. A lot of people think that Dance Your Pounds Off is about the weight loss aspect," Brandi tells xoNecole exclusively.
“Of course, weight loss is the obvious aspect for him, but it's actually has everything to do with dancing the pounds off that we carry around daily, that we carry on our shoulders. Bills, health issues that our family members may be going through or experiencing, relationship issues. Things that everybody goes through. And he thinks that the dance floor is the best place to kind of dance that negative energy off. He breathes life into people, so I really couldn't imagine being in a better place."
Despite where she is in her journey now with Dwight and Dance Your Pounds Off, it wasn't until earlier this year that Brandi committed to the movement. She went from going to a Pounds Off class every now and then, to attending classes every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with makeup gigs and travel being the only exceptions for her being MIA.
She described the motivation behind rededicating herself to fitness with Dance Your Pounds Off, saying, “I said if I'm going to do this, I'm going to really start appreciating the body that has gotten me so far because I couldn't see what I felt."
What's probably even more noticeable about Brandi, other than the fact that the girl can MOVE, is how confidently she rocks a sports bra and embraces the loose skin that's still there after losing so much weight --175 pounds to be exact.
“I kinda wanted to regain an appreciation for myself and I decided, okay, I'm going to do it shirtless."
"I don't know why that was the thing, but it was more so about wanting to appreciate my body. It has gotten me through so many things… Obviously, nobody likes the rolls, nobody likes the jiggle, but oh my God, I've lost so much weight. Should I really be this angry and hurt and disappointed? And so, it was just really a way to kind of change that."
Making that decision is not only an inspiration and a positive change for Brandi and how she views her body, but it also inspires all of us to love the bodies we have. Brandi still has fitness goals, but is learning to love and appreciate her body as is. Since becoming a part of Dance Your Pounds Off in January, Brandi has lost 20-25 pounds and she has a goal of losing 25 more by next January.
At the rate she's going, we have a feeling she'll make her goal in no time and that she'll have plenty of fun while doing it.
Be sure to keep up with her fitness journey by following her on Instagram.
If you're in the Atlanta area, check out the classes Dance Your Pounds Off has to offer here. Online classes will be available soon.
- Brandi E. (@brandimallory) • Instagram photos and videos ›
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- Brandi Mallory Is Inspiring Body Positivity Through Dance Your ... ›
- Dance Your Pounds Off's Brandi Mallory inspires you to love your body ›
- Meet Brandi Mallory - YouTube ›
- Body Positivity Over Perfection || Brandi Mallory is #PerfectlyImperfect ›
'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