Celebrity photographer Derek Blanks is my new photographer. When I was in L.A. meeting with my attorney, he asked me, "Derek Blanks . . . isn't he the photographer from Real Housewives of Atlanta?" Yep, that's him. He has done photo shoots for everybody from Ciara to Usher to Brandy to Beyonce . . . I am excited to be working with him. (I've been so crazy with the photo shoot planning that I still don't have any videos up for you all yet. But DollTV is coming, I promise. And I am going to be better about writing a blog post everyday if I can . .. at least 4 days a week.)
Derek's studio is in Buckhead, not far from Park Place where I used to live. Derek and his staff are really professional, but Derek has a great creative energy about him. He had a lot of ideas for me - the glam squad he recommends is supposed to be super fierce. Like I said a while back, I am going to do a "look book" for each of my first three singles (along with or instead of the video), something that hasn't been done before. I love fashion, so it's my chance to showcase another passion along with the music. Derek Blanks is the perfect photographer to capture my vision. The photo shoot is at end of November. Yes, I will post the pics!
Ok, so my thoughts for today:
Another reason I haven't been posting consistently is because my life has been so nuts. Not just with the music launch, but personally too. I keep saying life is finally calming down, only to have something else happen that was completely unexpected. Going through a divorce and launching a very public career within the same 18-month span has been difficult for me, to say the least. Among all of the other problems that naturally occur, I had to shut down previous sources of income, chose not to fight over money, and . . . well let's just say that you quickly find out who your real friends are when money is the topic of discussion. This road I am traveling is not for the faint of heart. My natural tendency is to be very private and quiet about what's going on with me personally. But a dear friend of mine told me that I should share my story with the world, not just through my music, but also in written form. It's true that it's rare to find a woman who has been to Harvard and has also been homeless; who writes, produces, and performs her own music but is also a survivor of domestic violence. I hadn't really thought about the fact that my story might actually inspire or encourage someone. But even if I give just one woman hope, I think it's worth the sacrifice of putting myself out there. No false pretenses with me. I am a real woman who has been through it. What you see (and hear in the music) is real life.
So, in addition to pouring out life lessons in the songs, I am writing my story. I have been calling it a book, but it is more like a stream of consciousness right now, as I'm remembering things I'd just as soon forget but also seeing patterns that cause my life - and my music - to make sense to me in new ways. I would encourage women everywhere to be brave enough to tell their stories - to really OWN their stories. It is sometimes painful, but it is one of the best things you can ever do for yourself. Just get a journal and write it down.
Well, that's a gem from my Diamond Mind. Tell me what's on your's.
I will be back next week with more about what I've got coming up as we countdown to 2010 (can you believe it?!).
Peace from the Dollhouse -->
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