Meagan Good Has Advice For Pushing Through The Not-So-Positive Points In Your Career
I see you, sis. You're out here on your job, in your own lane; staying focused on what's in front of you and only glancing in the rearview when necessary.
But anyone who has ever hopped in the driver's seat and taken the wheel when it comes to the direction of their own lives knows that roadblocks are both inconvenient and inevitable, and the only way out is through. Just ask Meagan Good, who recently opened up in an episode of Grace Byers' Sit + Sip about how shifting her focus helped her from losing her sanity during some of the toughest moments in her life.
In the episode, the 38-year-old actress wants anyone currently in a personal, professional, or financial rough patch to know that trouble don't last always, so in the meantime: pray. She explained:
"Really trust in God. Like really, really, really trust in Him. I don't believe in ever giving up. I'm relentless and resilient, and I've seen a lot of like really kind of sucky times. Times where I couldn't pay my bills, or I would have a big movie in the theater but couldn't afford to pay my bills. Oh yeah, I've seen a lot of different seasons. But for me, it's really trust in God."
Living out your dreams means joining the starving artist struggle where sometimes, it seems like your only goal is to eat. But Meagan reminded us that even when we're delayed, we're never denied:
"This entire job is a faith walk: When am I going to get my next job? Am I going to get my next job? Every single day we have to walk in faith that we're going to get a job and then we're going to go the way that we want to go."
The actress also had a word about the con of comparison. It's so easy to get caught up in playing the game that you forget that you're your own star player, playa; your only competition is you. Meagan explained:
"No competition. I just don't believe in it. I believe truly what's mine is mine, you can't take it from me, and what's yours is yours, I can't take it from you. I really believe in celebrating each other, celebrating all women and celebrating any form of underdog. Absolutely."
Accountability is a superpower and it's imperative to your purpose (and everyone connected to it) that you stop feeling sorry for yourself. Meagan explained that in moments of insecurity, she has to be the one to end her personal pity party and recenter during the not-so-positive moments in her career:
"When I'm in that in-between stage and I'm feeling insecure or I'm feeling like I don't know if I can do it or like this person over here is winning, why can't I get a break or a chance, I just bring myself back to the base. I'm here for a reason, God created me for a reason. He's not going to stop what He's started. I'm going to get all the way there. It is a process. I have to be present in the process and choose joy in the process, even when it sucks, even when it hurts. It's all about perception and attitude. Just keep pushing. Just don't give up."
To watch the full clip, watch below!
Sit + Sip Part 2 - ft. Meagan Good-Franklin (Ch. 1)youtu.be
Featured image by Getty Images
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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There's something about snuggling up in your favorite blanket and watching a comfort show or movie on Netflix, and what better time to do just that than in December? As the weather outside gets cooler, staying in becomes more of the norm. Thus, Netflix and Chill is a go-to. Luckily, Netflix has released new Black films and series on their popular streaming platform.
From Tyler Perry's historical drama The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington, to the Will Packer-produced comedy starring Marsai Martin, Regina Hall, and Issa Rae, Little, this season is looking up.
See the full list below.
Little (12/1)
Regina Hall's character is a bossy tech mogul who has everyone scared of her, including her assistant, played by Issa Rae. However, when she transforms into her younger self (Marsai Martin), she learns how to be more kind to others.
Daddy Day Care (12/1)
Eddie Murphy stars in this film as a father who decides to open a daycare after losing his job.
30 For 30 Collection (12/2)
30 For 30 is an ESPN docu-series highlighting some of sports' legendary figures and moments. Some of the episodes include Winning Time: Reggie Miller Vs. The New York Knicks and Celtics/ Lakers: The Best of Enemies.
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was (12/10)
In this special, the multi-talented Jamie Foxx returns to stand-up to give an unforgettable performance.
Blood, Sweat & Heels S2 (12/13)
The short-lived Bravo reality TV series documented the lives of a group of girlfriends making it in NYC. The show starred model-turned-podcaster Melyssa Ford, author Demetria Lucas, and the late TV host Daisy Lewellyn.
The Equalizer S1-3 (12/16)
The hit CBS show starring Queen Latifah is now available on Netflix. Watch the beloved actress kick ass and take names in this popular drama.
The Six Triple Eight (12/20)
The new Tyler Perry film starring Kerry Washington is a true story about the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color during World War II.
Christmas Game Day Ravens Vs. Texans (12/25)
While many will tune in to watch the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game, others will tune in to watch Beyoncé perform during halftime.
Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind At Radio City Music Hall (12/31)
Comedian Michelle Buteau's comedy special will focus on her life with twins, going viral, and much more.
Evil S3 (12/31)
While Evil was unfortunately canceled by CBS, viewers can rewatch the series on Netflix, with season three premiering December 31st.
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