Yep ... My OWN TV Show; Haters Already?!

It's September and it's official!  I am starting filming for a new reality series about me as I (re)launch my recording career, my magazine, my fashion line . . . Yes, there are already too many reality shows on TV!  But one more won't make it worse, and I aim to use mine as a platform to inspire people, especially women, to get back up when life knocks you down, so maybe it will be worth it!

We have to film enough footage over the next few months to be edited into a pilot, and from there we'll see which networks are interested.  In the meantime, I hope you will tune in on YouTube and UStream as we film the next few months of my life (from now 'til Christmas before there is a break).

So what will we be filming for the rest of the year?  I am sort of in between moving back home to Atlanta, but I still haven't bought a house or anything so we'll have to go through that whole process.  I have to hire a stylist and do a lot of photo shoots and video shoots for the 2010 album launch.  I have to attend the mandatory industry events and parties.  And my goal is to discover a new talent in fashion design to start work on my new line.  Of course, I will be in the recording studio, collaborating and making new tracks.  I will have planning meetings for the magazine and the big launch event in Atlanta in January (or will it be March?!).I'll be meeting new people and I'm sure running into some haters along the way.  And my business philosophy after being burned quite a few times is to do all of this yet remain debt free!! A show where business meets celebrity meets publishing meets fashion meets music, fueled by these ideas as they flow out of my Diamond Mind (I'm coming back from hiatus after much personal drama!). It will be fun ride, so stay tuned.

Anyway, my thought for today:

I got a hateful message from someone I don't even know on Facebook telling me what they think I should do because they heard that I did something "terrible" to one of our mutual friends.  I was at first really upset and offended by receiving this message.  Like first of all, WHO ARE YOU and how do you have the nerve to send me a snippy message about something you have nothing to do with? And second of all, if any "friend" of mine has an issue with me, a "friend" would pick up the phone and call me rather than talk about something behind my back. 

But I was only fuming for a few minutes before I remembered some wisdom from one of my mentors: he told me that when people even think that you might have a little bit of fame, power, money, or importance, they will automatically think every part of your personal life is theirs to comment on.  This is true not just for celebrities (I am not a celebrity clearly, but a lot of people know me whom I do not know); it's true for anyone living life in a way that catches the attention of other people.  My mentor asked me if I was really ready to have my life put on display for the world to comment on and blog about, critiquing and/or criticizing my every move without ever knowing the facts about my life.  I have decided, I am ready (to quote my producer Uncle Charles) for whatever.  That is, WHATEVA.  I have to live my life without caring what people think about me.  Any real "friend" will pick up the phone and talk to you if they have beef.  The rest need not apply.

That's a gem from my Diamond Mind.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Here are the Top Four Contemporary Divas I respect for what they bring on the mic as well as in life:
1. Mary J-for being a strong role model and not letting life get the best of her
2. Queen Latifah- for being a pioneer on wax, on TV, on the big screen and breaking barriers
3. Alicia Keys-for her humanitarian focus not just self focus at the height of her celebrity
4. Chrisette Michele-for staying true to her own musical style in this fickle industry

It's hard to find artists that genuinely earn respect in this day and age. And female artists are becoming a rare breed. Kudos to all those who are stayin true and letting the light shine from your Diamond Minds.

That's my gem for today.

My schedule:
I took it easy for Labor Day. I have the opportunity to produce three TV pilots this fall, plus working on this album, doing some shows, and laying the groundwork for the clothing line and the magazine launch in Atlanta in January. No breaks for me between now and Christmas, and I love it! Can't complain about gettin' paid to do what you love now can you?

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Thanks, Tyrese! My Inspiration This Week.

I am in the studio today, but I like to end or begin every week with some links to videos that inspired me.

The first video is a speech from a great mind, Steve Jobs, speaking at Stanford commencement (remind me to tell you the story of how I almost ended up at Stanford instead of Harvard!)

The second video is on Rachel Roy, superstar fashion designer (love, love, love her!).

Steve Jobs: Tyrese Gibson told me about this one: Thanks, Tyrese!




And here's Rachel Roy. Watch Vogue TV Documentary Part 3 for her philosophy on pursuing a dream. 
Rachel Roy Video

I will catch you guys next week.  Follow me on Twitter over the weekend.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

My Ryan Leslie Story (Mr. Right vs. Your Dreams Pt. 2)

Here's how I know Ryan:

When I was singing, writing songs, and performing at Harvard, I did so alongside some talented folks, including International R&B superstar Ryan Leslie (Britney Spears, Cassie, Danity Kane).  No, he's not the Mr. Right mentioned in the title: we were just friends.  Here's the connection to yesterday's post:

Back at Harvard, I recorded a song with Ryan and another friend of ours for a special project Ryan was doin'.  I was a popular vocalist/performer on campus/around Boston at the time, and Ryan and I had always performed in the same talent shows/had respect for each other, etc.  So we co-wrote and recorded the song (I found it the other day; I was even rappin' on the song--LOL--but it was actually a good track).  Ryan was a great producer even then.  Anyway, something happened after the session and Ryan lost everything we had done.  He needed to re-record all the vocals.  He asked me more than once to come back in the studio with him.  I told him no.

Ryan never knew why I said no.  He went on and did his thing without me.  But the real reason I "couldn't" re-record is because my then-boyfriend (we later eloped, then the 5+ year hiatus from music that I talked about in yesterday's post) didn't want me to do it. There were early signs even then (which I should have picked up on) that my boyfriend was jealous of my performing and my popularity (I had just had my acting debut in the Cambridge Theater a few months prior).  He basically wanted me all to himself.  I was so in love, I wanted to show him that he was more important to me than my music.  Well, I can tell you now how naive that was! 

He was important to me, but ladies, no man you are not married to should be coming between you and what you love to do.  What on earth?! If he wasn't ready for all that I was doing (I walked away from quite a few other MAJOR opportunities for this man; I just didn't know any better at the time), then he wasn't ready for me.  I was just so scared that I would lose him.  Silly me.  If you have to be less of yourself to keep your man, ladies, he is not the one.  How hard is that to figure out?  Took me much too long; once I got into the relationship, even when everything fell apart, I stayed because I wanted to show that I was loyal, that I wasn't selfish.  But truth of it all is: when it comes to your dreams, you gotta keep your eyes on the prize.

Ryan ended up getting signed by Diddy; he just got a nomination for BET Best New Artist this year. And believe it or not, Ryan wasn't the only famous friend I came up in the game with.  (Yes, I have more stories like this one! How crazy is that!) But fortunately, I never stopped singing, writing, and believing, and I was able to get back in stride before it was too late. 

I will never forget how it felt the day my friends started texting me saying "You'll never believe it!  I just heard Ryan Leslie on the radio!  I just saw him on BET!"  I was so happy for him, and more determined than ever to follow my passions and share my gift with the world.  Ryan is a genius (If you don't know, you HAVE TO check him out: www.ryanleslie.com).  He hustled hard and let that genius out of his Diamond Mind.  Now the world is richer for it.  I am letting mine out now, and I am telling you, you've gotta let yours shine too!  You never know where it will take you.

That's my gem for today.

My schedule for today:

I am planning a big event (a Ladies-Only Celebration of Inspiration) for my magazine in Atlanta in January 2010 so I need to make a few phone calls.  (I hope all you ladies will join me. Hey, since Ryan inspired me, maybe I'll ask him to come! He was named one of New York's 50 Most Desirable Bachelors, so you girls will like that I'm sure!)  But I will spend most of my day today workin' on the lyrics for "Who's Dat Lady" (new joint) and getting ready to re-record the vocals for "Wishing Well."  I am making a video of these studio sessions, so you guys will be able to check it out soon.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Mr. Right vs. Your Dreams

A word for all my single ladies:

When you are running full speed chasing a dream, there's no room in your life for negative people who want to bring you down, or selfish people who want to keep you to themselves.  I learned this lesson the hard way when I took a 5+ year hiatus from my dreams several years ago, all in the name of love.  Not only did the relationship not last, but I ended up way behind and far off of my normal pace of hustlin' and makin' it happen where my dreams are concerned.  I got it back on track, without missin' much of a beat, but I know for a fact that this kind of resilience is actually a miracle. Lightning doesn't usually strike twice.

So that's why I tell every girl I meet (and every dude for that matter): if you've got a dream, stay focused!! I don't care who promises you what, or how much somebody claims to love you.  You've got to learn how to do you and let true love come and find you. That goes for your family as well as for your friends. If they love you, they will stand back and step aside while you follow your heart.  If they really love you, they will support you, not hinder you.  If they can't stand in the light of your greatness, they are not ready for you or worthy of you, so keep it movin'!!  At the end of life, you will have to stand before God and give an account for what you did with your time, gifts, talents, and opportunities.  What are you gonna say then?  You can't be scared of losing love - love yourself!

That's a gem from my Diamond Mind.

My schedule:

Today, I have another rehearsal later on and then I will be workin' on a few new songs we're considering for the album (AM Music, ya heard?!). I am pushin' hard getting last minute details of my life ready for the whirlwind that's going to start after Labor Day and won't end for me until Christmastime.  But I am doing what I love!!  I can't complain!!

Go do something great today.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Who Does Doll Think She Is?

Here's a bit about me: I switched high schools right before my junior year - I walked straight into Frederick Douglass High School in Atlanta as a new face among people who had been going to school together for years.  Immediately, I was top of the class . . . on the Northstarettes (dance team) . . . had a popular boyfriend at our rival school . . . I was singing and performing so exceptionally that I got Jane Fonda's attention . . . recorded a Billboard Top 40 record with a gospel group in my spare time . . . won almost $1 million in music and academic scholarships including one to Harvard. I wasn't tryin' to achieve these things, I was just generally living my life and doin' it big 'cause that's the only way I know how to do it.  People who didn't know me used to whisper about me all the time: "Who does she think she is?"

My life has changed in a lot of ways since then, but some things are the same.  I have had my personal struggles, but I have also traveled the world and I have an unshakeable faith and philosophy about life.  Now that I am making a name for myself doing what I love--music--and building a media company (developing TV shows, writing books, publishing two magazines, starting a fashion line and more), some people may be (not-so) secretly thinking the same thing: "Who does this Doll think she is?"  Well here is my answer:

0. If you don't know me yet, you are about to so you might as well get ready for me.
1. I don't think I am anyone, I KNOW who I am . . . a blessed child of God
2. I don't just jump into things . . . I take everything that I do seriously and surround myself with the best people to make sure that I do it all brilliantly. Pride is thinking you can do everything and thinking you know everything.  Humility is KNOWING that you can do nothing on your own and depending on God to shine His light through you.
3. The real question is, who are YOU and what are YOU willing to let shine out of your Diamond Mind?  The world is yours - go get it!

That's my word for today.

My schedule for today: I have to record a few demo tracks to get ready for my studio session on Friday. But first I have to finish getting this new blog and twitter thing set up . . . I know I am late getting on twitter but I was avoiding it!  Now that I'm doin' it, though, it's fun . . .

Peace from The Dollhouse -->