The Original Manhattanite is a pop culture blog focused on entertainment, television, music, art, fashion and more, written by pop culture enthusiast, freelance writer, and the queen who wears her New York crown proudly and many hats, Chloe Jewel Riccardo her blog has been published and was created on October 21, 2008 in New York City.
I have seen the trailer, I have not had the chance to read this incredible book and story but I know I will be there for the film. Jennifer Lynn Lopez aka “J-Lo” has put out a movie since her career first broke out in the 1990s. I believe when you meet someone you were not just meant to be together for love purposes, some couples are meant to be together to build something that can change the lives of each other and the masses of people too. The marriage unity may be separate between her and former husband, Ben Affleck but their unity and connection creatively is undeniably strong when it comes to making something memorable.
This movie is one of those opportunities they both get a chance to redeem themselves as a professional couple.
Jennifer Lopez has appeared in over 30 different shows including cameo appearances, talk show appearances, and more. She broke out as a Fly Girl on “In Living Color” in 1990 and was there for a few years. Next she appeared on television shows, “Second Chances”, “South Central” and her breakout roles, “Mi Familia My Family” (1995)and “Selena” (1997) were the roles that catapulted J-Lo into the new Hollywood era of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
First superstar from the borough of the Bronx, New York of Hispanic/Puerto Rican descent/first female to have
a number one album and movie hit the film box office and the top 100 Billboard Music charts at the same in 2001. .
NBC's "Shades of Blue" (2016-2018)
Marry Me (2022)
El Cantante with ex-husband music superstar, Marc Anthony in 2007 and Hustlers co-starring, Lizzo & CardiB, and Keke Palmer in (2019)
Netflix's "Atlas" (2022)
Shotgun Wedding (2022)
Maid in Manhattan (2002)
Jack (1996)
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Fly Girl Days on In Living Color (1991-1994)
My Family, Mi Familia (1995)
The breakout film role, "Selena" (1997)
One of the only female artists and entertainers who is a triple threat: singer, dancer, and actress. Plus she had a number one movie that reached number one in 2001 for the ‘Wedding Planner” and a hit album made it to the top Billboard 100 list with 272,000 albums sold that first week. Plus debuting her clothing line and fragrance. Her clothing line is still around and fragrances as well. She continues to dominate the silver screen television or film appearing in movies every year. From “The Cell” (1999), “Jack ”(1996), “Out of Sight”(1997), “The Wedding Planner” (2001) “El Cantante” (2007) (which she produced and starred with ex-husband, Marc Anthony), “Enough”, “Angel Eyes” (2002), “Money Train” (1995), “Maid in Manhattan” (2002) “The Back Up Plan” (2010), “What to expect when you’re expecting”(2011), “The Second Act” (2018) “Hustlers”(2019), “Shotgun Wedding”(2022), “Marry Me”(2022) “Unstoppable”(2024), “Atlas” (2024) , and her latest film coming later this year or early 2026, “Office Romance”. She truly deserves the honor of joining the EGOT Club. She also appeared on Broadway in an early version of “Cats” as well. J-Lo has proven to us as fans she is capable of doing it all and more. Sold out tours one I had a privilege and chance to see in 2017 , a judge on American Idol, clothing lines, television production company, killing it at the annual Vogue MET GALA as an attendee, and she was a co-chair in 2024 along with Zendaya, the Oscar, Emmys, Golden Globe, and SAG red carpets with her phenomenal fashion, and continuing to slay always giving fashion forward ideas.
Iconic Looks 1999 the Famous Green Versace Dress and then 2022 at Versace Fashion show Jlo wore an iconic remake of the gown. This dress and look is legendary and here to stay.
J-Lo with her twin, model/actress, Zendaya serve and slay their looks as co-chairs at the 2024 Met Gala
"Kiss of the Spiderwoman" is a beautiful chapter for J-Lo because she gets back to the artist she has always wanted to be. She’s not the business woman, she’s not diving into her mom role (she’s mother to her two beautiful fraternal twins, Max & Emme). She is not playing a wife, daughter, mother. In this role she is going for the gusto playing two different characters visualized from two prisoners imaginations as they both share a jail cell played by both Diego and Tonatiuh (play Valentin Arnegui and Luis Molina respectively).The film has been done in the last few decades in 1975 and later in 1993. J-Lo was born for this role this is a major musical for her and something she never played an golden era Hollywood star and play another character simultaneously is a role she was born to do. As lovers of film, music, and the arts we have to keep musicals alive. They enrich our lives, give us hope, spice of life, feeling, and something we can relate to as well. I am a huge musical lover one of my favorite musicals “Sound of Music” turns 50 this year, Lion King the movie just turned 30 and the musical will celebrate 30 years in 2027. Next year Damien Chazelle’s Oscar winning film and musical, “La La Land” will turn 10. So it’s important to keep films and Broadway plays alive.
As I mentioned we have seen her transform into roles escaping completely as an individual. Now is the time for everyone to see what she’s been fighting for all of these years. It’s not about her personal life, it’s not about her music, it’s about her achievements, it’s about one simple thing she was born to be an actress at this moment, this time. This is a defining moment in her career. She has worked so hard I believe the Oscar Gods are looking down on this one she deserves it. . Go see Kiss of the Spiderwoman in theaters right now this weekend, this month, and visit http://www.jenniferlopez.com for more information on tour dates, merchandise, new films, television shows, and more.
The triple threat brings dance competition back for unknown dancers high potential are featured on World of Dance (2017-2020)
Can I just say one thing J-Lo please do one more season of World of Dance I love love love that show! You all did a phenomenal job one of my favorites.
Finally after 7 years after “The Invasion of Privacy”, several number one hits on the Billboard charts, 3 children: Kulture, 7, Wave, 4, and Blossom, 1 and one on the way with her new beau, NFL athlete, Stefon Diggs. Cardi has killed it in these last 8 years a Coachella performance, a divorce from an off relationship with fellow Hip Hop star, Offset of the Migos, now a new relationship, movies she was in the Oscar nominared, Hustlers, and Furious 9, tv appearances, touring, a few civil court cases, MTV, Billboard, AMA wins, crushing it at the Met Gala between 2018-2025. Cardi is back finally with her follow up sophomore album, “Am I the drama?" her new single, "Imaginary Playerz" just debuted with the permission behind the mogul, fellow hip hop/rapper, New Yorker, Jay-Z gave his blessing on this album
The artwork is beautiful breathtaking with a tribute to the 20th century filmmaker, Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film, “The Birds”. Cardi B is ready to promote her album, tour, and get out there doesn’t matter what’s coming in her way. She has been promoting hard and that’s what we love. The artwork is symbolic of Cardi's love-hate relationship with the media and press. She knows how to work it and set boundaries at the same time too.
The woman continues to inspire people with her outspoken, real, authenticity honesty if she's on social media posting on You Tube or Instagram. She’s smart, comical, theatrical, and she brings the sassiness. Cardi has the ability to bring the best of New York her hometown to her performances, to her music, and most of all as an artist. In New York we know drama (take it from me as a fellow New York native).
We know theatrics, we know what is it is to put on a show. We can bring a good plot twist, the emotion, and release it all on the stage or floor. I know she can put on a show I have seen her perform live in 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ at the Met Life Stadium at Hot 97’s annual summer jam.
I will defintely be there in 2026 to see her on tour again. So are you ready to see Cardi B’s new tour, album, and stream her music I know I am. Cardi’s new long awaited album will feature “The Queen of R&B Dance & Pop”, Janet Jackson, Summer Walker, Selena Gomez, Cash Cobain, Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi will reunite again after their number one hit song "WAP", newcomer, the Johannesburg Afro beats princess, Tyla, Kehlani, Lourdiz, and Lizzo! This album has been long waited so it’s amazing like they say some creative projects take time. I believe when you let something simmer it’s going to bring that extra flavor. Get ready for that extra hot sauce flavor of Cardi with the second album. We know our girl brings the fierce looks she slays fashion week, the stage presence, and the performances. For more information on tour dates the tour is coming 2026, merchandise, and more visit
http://www.cardib.com
These two women are my heroes Brandy & Monica growing up singing around the house, as a “Radio Kid” my mother worked in sales/advertising and promotion in both the radio and television industries. I was hooked on music. I think even before I fully understood what she was doing as her profession I grown up with both of my parents constantly playing music ain our living rooms. Going to visit family members and spend the night my aunts, uncles, cousins were probably playing music on the radio, their cassette/CD players, or their surround sound systems. I once even dressed up went to my Catholic school in 7th grade as Monica for Halloween 1998.
So we always had music playing around the house. Or attending concerts and shows. I remember discovering Brandy first in 1994 with her first album my father had a cassette of Brandy in the car I see this young girl wearing braids, a beige hat, overalls, and boots.
Brandy is back and will headline her 2025 tour this fall starts October 16, 2025
I remember seeing Brandy's music videos and she just looked like someone you wanted to know. Someone you wanted in your corner. Friendly, sweet, pure good girl, and she was strong, smart, and funny. Brandy Rayana Norwood later branched out into the acting world appearing on BET’s “Thea”, “Moesha”, “I still know what you did last summer”, “Cinderella”, “Double Platinum”, “Osmosis Jones”, “The Front Room”, “The Perfect Match”, and “Descendants: The rise of Red”. Brandy has had multiplatinum albums “Brandy”, “Never say Never” , “Afrodisiac” which included her hit songs “I wanna be down”, “Brokenhearted” ft Wanya Morris “Sittin’ Up in my room” featured on “The Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack”, “Have You Ever”, “Full Moon”, “What about us?” were all on the top 100 Billboard charts. Brandy continues to evolve in the music industry paving the way for other artists and is even helping her daughter, Syrai with her upcoming career because she sings as well. Brandy is brilliant always is authentic with her lyrics and her creativity in her lyrics. So who else is joining Brandy on tour? Look below we have Kelly Rowland, Monica, Muni Long, and newcomer Jamal Roberts.
Brandy will also have a memoir coming out this spring 2026 (March 6, 2026) all about her childhood, upbringing, and journey into stardom. Look out for that hitting all bookstores this spring.
The original "Miss Thang", Monica will headline and join Brandy on tour this fall
Monica Denise Arnold born October 24, 1980 in College Park, GAI have written about Monica for a long time and I am so honored to do it again. I have written about both of these ladies and it’s always a pleasure because when you get to write about phenomenal and strong women. You want to continue to share why they are so incredible again. Monica with her soulful, sassy, powerful voice. She can sing a ballad, a pop song, a R&B, gospel, or a hip-hop song. Monica will join Brandy on this tour because why not she was a part of their number 1 hit “The Boy is Mine”. Which makes perfect sense. Monica has had her number 1 hit songs from her debut album “Miss Thang” in 1995 and has gone on to reach the Billboard charts as well with songs “First Night”, “For you I will”, “Don’t take it personal (just one them days), “That’s why I love you so much”, “Everything to Me”, and many more songs I feel should have been number 1 on that list like “Angel of Mine”. Monica also has branched out into acting appearing in “Love Song”, “ATL”, “Family Hustle”, and “True Celebrity Crime” as a host. These two queens deserve to be on the stage but they will not share the spotlight as a duo.
Kelly Rowland will join Monica & Brandy on tour this fall 2025
Next to join them on stage.... Wait for it Kelly Rowland one of the original members of Destiny’s Child: Beyonce and Michelle and a multiplatinum, Grammy award, NAACP winning star will join Monica and Brandy along with Muni Long will be a part of this epic tour this fall 2025. Kelly I don’t even need to tell you who she is but this phenomenal queen has branched out to pop, R&B, hip hop, and EDM. Kelly has had her share of top 100 hits on Billboard “Dilemma” ft. Nelly, “Neva End” ft. Future, “Motivation” ft. Lil Wayne. Kelly we know is a star in her own right also making appearances in several films as well , Netflix's “Mea Culpa”(2024), “The Seat Filler” (2011), “Think Like A Man”(2012) as well as television appearances and cameos too.
Priscilla Renae aka "Muni Long" the hitmaker, songwriter, and singer
Last but not least as part of the female lineup is Muni Long born (Priscilla Renae) from Gifford, Florida. I am a huge fan her lyrics, pure magic Muni can literally pull out a magical wand pen take a piece of paper and write a hit in about 5-10 minutes. I love her lyrics its hard for us creatives to interpret certain feelings, stories, or experiences then tap into our emotions. Plus you have to find a way for the listeners to figure out your lyrics and the meaning in about 3 ½ -5 minutes. She has done it flawlessly. Striking gold each time with her lyrics. Muni is a theatrical performer if you have seen her on award shows she knows how to tell a story with her performance. She continues to slay award shows performance wise and with her Billboard Music, BET Awards, and Grammy award winning achievements. This woman has a gift she knows how to connect with her audience. She also can connect with her fellow singers and songwriters. Prior to her taking her place in the spotlight. She started out writing for Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Madonna, Pitbull, Chris Brown, Kesha, Ma$e, Ty Dolla Sign, Cam’ron, Ariana Grande and others. She deserves this chance as an artist to grow with thes e fellow divas because they know how to work the spotlight, take a stage, and develop strong connections with their audiences. They also know about longevity what it takes to stay and to be memorable for not only months but years to take successful. I am excited for Brandy’s tour and so happy she will have these fabulous divas on stage to join her too. They begin their tour October 16th and will continue all the way into late December 2025.
2025 American idol winner,Jamal Roberts will join the ladies for his first tour
Cannot wait to see you ladies.
The opening act of Brandy’s tour will feature 2025’s ABC's American Idol winner, Jamal Roberts born November 6, 1997 in Meridian, Mississippi he will be featured on his first tour after his historic win. Jamal was originally an elementary school teacher who decided to audition and take a shot with his gifts. He has strong roots connected to R&B, Gospel, and Soul music. As the only male surrounded around these seasoned, accomplished, music professionals. Jamal will be in great company with everyone on this tour this holiday season and fall.
For more information on these 4 ladies please visit
www.4everbrandy.com, www.monica.com,www.kellyrowland.com , www.munilong.com, and jamalroberts on Facebook, Instagram, and all social media platforms. Visit ticketmaster.com, stubhub.com to get your tickets.
Pantone’s color of Mocha this fall includes hues of all browns: mocha, chocolate, caramel, honey, beige, and cinnamon can be paired this fall. You don’t have to go straight brown but you can mix and match with plaid prints, houndstooth, color block with bright colors like oranges and mustard yellow.
There are ways to include the shades of mocha this year that keep you fashionable, fun, and staying on point with your fashion all the way into the new year.
For young ladies and men in their late teens and early 20s why not incorporate some fun shades of brown with a cool brown leather jacket, a peacoat, a long trench coat, brown high knee boots for ladies, or a cool pair of dark brown boots for men with the eight pair of jeans, shirt, and hat. You can look cool in college, at your first job interview, and finding your special person with date nights too.
Women and men in their 30s and 40s fashion is still important you can incorporate your love of tailored blouses, funky nostalgic t-shirts, prints, or favorite colors into your fashion. You can still be youthful without trying to hard but still look on point.
I believe when you hit this age group this is when you really get to define who you are as a person. You’ve been through adolescence you’ve played around with hair, make up, fashion choices, fads, and trends. By the time you hit your thirties and forties. You’re learning how to find balance in clothes with work, date night, play night, guys night out/girls night out, vacation trips, job interviews, parent-teacher nights, and all of the important events in your social calendar in between.
In your fifties, sixties, and beyond I consider this the time when you reach your queen status you know who you are, you’ve reached that height and level in life where you have survived it all. You are well aware of your strengths, your flaws, what makes you significant on the planet, how you can be of better service to others too. You know your fashion sense, what works for you, and your personal style. So fall fall to my queens who are a little higher in life age experience. Queens wear your faux fur coats, your structured jackets, your faux fur hats, scarves, and gloves.
I am a huge lover of Harper Bazaar magazines style at any age section. I love how they make fashion fun, exciting, they create articles for women where they show their unique creative style through boutiques, department stores, thrift shops, and even sample racks. This is great for people who want a stylist or who are stylist themselves. It’s an easy way to take a color and easily use a blank canvas for yourself and add the accessories you need. So in honor of the 2025 Pantone color: Mocha Mousse and with a touch of burgundies, emerald greens, navys, plum purples you’re on your way to a fantabulous fashion forward fall.
All of these looks you can find on fashionnova.com, akira.com, and ClubLondonL.com
Mariah Carey will be the recipient of the 2025 VMA Music Awards for the first time on CBS/Viacom/Paramount Networks presents on September 7, 2025
Mariah Carey's new album, "Here for it all" will drop on September 26, 2025
Mariah's new music video, "Type Dangerous" off her 16th album, "Here for it All"
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MJ, Pink, Nicki Minaj, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Katy Perry and more have been honored to receive this incredible high honor in the music and entertainment industry. Voice of a heavenly angel when she sings even the birds want to join in, chirp, and tweet a little bit with her. Mariah Carey the youngest of three children she has an older sister and brother. Was destined to sing for the masses of people. With a gift like this you cannot deny it at all. People have commented when the they heard her debut album, “Mariah Carey” in June 1990 that the Music Universe has gained a queen. That she truly is a queen and diva. Diva by definition is an operatic female singer but diva definition in the 21st century is a woman defined as a female in control of her life, she’s outspoken, unapologetic, fierce, determined about her dreams, her career, her future, she’s successful, and she knows exactly what she wants and knows how to achieve it.
If she happens to be 5’8” biracial woman of Scottish, African American, and Venezuelan roots with beautiful honey caramel skin, and sandy brown golden curly locks then that’s okay too. She just fits the physical description and she’s not afraid of a 4 or 5 inch pump.
Mariah can sing with her 5 octave range which includes a whistle register notes that break glass windows and doors. Her voice is dynamic, angelic, and soulful. You feel her belief in God, her faith, her passion, her spirit, and what she has gone through in her life and career journey. You cannot keep the songbird caged she’s meant to fly and soar high.
Mariah’s discography and music history according to Billboard music includes over 15 albums, 19 number one hits, 50 songs on the Billboard charts, and 28 top 10 hit songs, she has toured all over the world and seen her millions of fans her “Lambs” as she likes to call them and continues to define music history. We have seen Mariah go from gospel, pop, dance, hip hop, powerhouse ballads and R&B hits. I haven’t seen her touch country or Latin music yet but I am sure that will be next on her agenda. Mariah has the ability to crossover and connect with her fans instantly through her lyrics they touch their hearts, makes them feel of value, appreciated, considered, and loved most of all. When you hear a song lyric like “When you love someone so deeply they become your life...” or “You will always be a part of me I am apart of you indefinitely”. Or “When a hero comes along with the strength to carry on”. Songs like this are meant to be shared and created. I am getting chills writing this her voice still gives me goosebumps and chills to this day. I started listening to Mariah I was probably about seven when I first heard “Hero” in the car with my mom. They were dedicating the song to Michael Jordan’s late father in 1993.
As I grew up I remember that was when I became a fan. Then seeing her videos, (1998) the VH-1 divas special, and more just instantly knew I need to know this woman’s music. I wanted to become a singer/songwriter at an early age. In 1997 when “Butterfly” was released I was a magnet had to hear and listen to this album at my tender age of 10 1/2. I knew there was something powerful when you see her image was changing, she was ready to break out not only as a female but as a recording artist, singer, and writer. She wanted more freedom and power as an artist and from her record label, and ex-husband, former CEO Tommy Mottola of Sony Music. “Butterfly” catapulted Mariah into the stratosphere showing the public not only could she reach gospel, R&B, but she can reach her hip hop/rap fans and sustain any genre of music. She truly is untouchable and she can work with any artist from Boys II Men, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Nicki Minaj, Ne-Yo, Jay-Z, Brenda K. Starr (who she was a backup singer with and gave Mariah her first start), Busta Rhymes, Rah Digga, 98 degrees, Joe, and countless artists who she has worked with behind th/e scenes in recording sessions or directly on her albums.
Mariah continues to expand as an artist and a songwriter. This September 7th, 2025 Mariah will receive the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard for 2025 one of the highest achievements for Music Television among her peers. We all know music videos have and were another medium to promote the image, the brand, and most importantly the music of the artist. It also is a huge art form for all producers, film directors, the film crew, stylists, hairstylists, and more coming up with the concept and treatment for music videos. Some of my favorite videos “Always be my baby”, “Fantasy” the Remix (ft. ODB), “My All”, “Dream lover”, “Love Takes Time”, “Honey”, “Breakdown”, “Touch my body”, “We Belong Together”, “Thank God I found you” ft. (Joe & 98 degrees), “I will be loving you a longtime”, and “I still believe” these are some of my favorite songs and videos. She did a phenomenal job with her videos and continues to bring a great story line, fashion, and more to her music videos.
Mariah’s career and her many life titles and roles are not only a singer/songwriter, producer, but she’s a huge animal advocate, and is a mother two her beautiful twins she shares with ex-husband (married 2008-2016), Nick Cannon, their children, Monroe & Moroccan aka “Roc & Roe” who are 14 years old now.
Mariah with her twins, "Roc & Roe", 14
Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey and their twins
I hope all of you will tune in because this was well deserved when this award was announced. Tune into the VMAs will be hosted by a rap icon, the one and only, LL Cool J with tons of surprises, tons of guests, and more. Get ready. Look out for Mariah’s new single, “Type Dangerous” has been released this August and “Here for it all” will be released in September 26th For more information visit http://www.mtv.com, http://www.mariahcarey.com , and http://www.billboard.com on music, touring, and merchandise.
This movie is one of those opportunities they both get a chance to redeem themselves as a professional couple.
Jennifer Lopez has appeared in over 30 different shows including cameo appearances, talk show appearances, and more. She broke out as a Fly Girl on “In Living Color” in 1990 and was there for a few years. Next she appeared on television shows, “Second Chances”, “South Central” and her breakout roles, “Mi Familia My Family” (1995)and “Selena” (1997) were the roles that catapulted J-Lo into the new Hollywood era of the late 1990s and early 2000s. 
This movie is one of those opportunities they both get a chance to redeem themselves as a professional couple.
Jennifer Lopez has appeared in over 30 different shows including cameo appearances, talk show appearances, and more. She broke out as a Fly Girl on “In Living Color” in 1990 and was there for a few years. Next she appeared on television shows, “Second Chances”, “South Central” and her breakout roles, “Mi Familia My Family” (1995)and “Selena” (1997) were the roles that catapulted J-Lo into the new Hollywood era of the late 1990s and early 2000s. 
