Friday, November 24, 2017

"Diamond Women": Women of Stone


"Diamond Women"
Chloe J. Riccardo

I wrote this about 5 o'clock in the morning last month and I remember just listening to all of these crazy news stories about what's been happening with these women who have been put through the ringer whether they are celebrities or just every day women it breaks my heart what is happening out there. I am sure many of you well educated smart men know what's going on. I applaud the women who have been coming forward with their stories struggling to share the abuse and mistreatment they feel in the workplace, in their personal lives, or anywhere else. I dedicate this all to you because I wanted you to know we come from the earth we are made of the earth. Diamonds are built under pressure, under tough situations, we are the strongest stone on this earth which is made of carbon. We are diamond women we go through so many situations from the moment we are born to adults that can change our perceptions of life, ourselves, but we must not live in fear, not have our voices not heard, or ignore what is happening around us either. I dedicate this all to you I know what it's like to be in some situations where you feel like your voice is not heard and you are not able to get out there to shine. You need to and do it brilliantly. Speak the truth and believe me justice will prevail, justice and karma will be served to anyone who has ever hurt you verbally, physically, mentally, or emotionally. You will have a chance to have your stories heard. I also dedicate to men as well who have been scared to share their stories as well. Or if you have a relative, friend, co-worker you know someone who has been hurt. I hope you will heal their hearts too.  Behavior must be corrected in all environments, we all just want to be respected, appreciated, loved, and valued just like a precious and rare valuable diamond. 






Need to speak your minds
Why hide our voices
When we are the species who talks the most
Why are we fearful of not validating the truth
We are nurturers
The caregivers
The truth seekers
The protectors
How can we be protectors to our children, our loved ones when we haven’t been protected ourselves.

We have been scarred, disappointed, and hurt. We show up to every occasion able to smile for the cameras and give our best. Yet we hide behind smiles that are filled with pain and broken.
We pursue, we pray, we talk, we seek healing and find a way to medicate and meditate the horrible experiences etched in our souls and minds away.
How do we find all of the strength we are diamond women. Women of stone the strongest, most valuable, unbreakable stone able to deal with the pressure of life, whether someone diminishes our joy, takes away our smiles.
We continue to push through the pressure, push through all of life’s pain, then we show the world our sparkle and we shine brilliantly and illuminating with our light. 

"Camila Cabello" from X Factor, Fifth Harmony, to Breakout star of 2017






She’s one half fifth of the quintet Fifth Harmony who were discovered in 2012 by Simon Cowell on the popular singing competition show “X Factor”. She’s a pint-sized, girl next door describes herself as a self-proclaimed introvert. This 20 year old with Latina movie star looks and a flirtatious, seductive voice. Her name is Camila Cabello (full birth name, Karla Camila Cabello Estrabao) is the break out star from the group Fifth Harmony who departed ways in December 2016. Cabello  shocked her fans when she left the group and decided to depart for a solo career. When she decided to leave and go into a new direction it was a surprise to the group as well. Who has reached critical acclaim and become extremely successful with 3 albums under their belt. “Reflection”, “7/27”, and “Fifth Harmony” just released their third album self-titled album this year.  She knows how to separate herself when she’s on stage and who she is a young woman too. She’s the shy girl behind close doors and can rip the stage and become this bombshell right before our eyes. 
I saw her performing at the Billboard Music Awards this past summer when she broke out with her first single, “Crying in the Club” which became a hit right away and you knew this young lady has something. She also teamed up with Shawn Mendes  for, “I know what you did last summer”. Showcasing her vocal abilities and talents but the song that has become a hit that she is well known for is “Havana” featuring Young Thug has become a hit across the globe and she has become an even bigger star.  Havana has already become a hit peaking since the beginning of November at number 2.
Her former tour member  from "The Neon Lights" tour and songstress, Demi Lovato predicted she would become a superstar in her own right as well.  Camila has already become the spokeswoman for Guess jeans. Her name is even perfect as a singer and makes perfect sense. There’s something about an artist you know when someone has something special and they can captivate you with their music or with who they are as a person. They have something that can separate them from other artists too.  Her new album, “The Hurting, The Healing, and the Loving” will debut this year in 2017. Would love to see how this star continues to shine and what else she has to bring to the table. 
I love the theme of her video how she was just a simple girl at home watching her favorite television shows or soap operas but she knew there was something more of what she wanted too.  She dedicates “Havana” to all of the dreamers , her birthplace of Havana (she also grew up in Mexico City) and those who want to strive for their goals and ambitions because just as she did anything is possible when you believe in yourself, your gift, your talents, and it can take you somewhere unexpected. Visit http://www.camilacabello.com for more information upcoming tour dates, concerts, and more. 

Camila Cabello's Guess jean campaign

Sunday, November 12, 2017

The Original Supreme and Diva she made an impact on girl groups. Diana Ross


She has expanded a career of nearly six decades, she has changed and inspired many people on the planet with her uplifting music.  Well let’s just put it this way before…..Fifth Harmony, before the Spice Girls,  before TLC,  Destiny’s Child,  Xscape, 

Once upon a time there was a group titled, “The Supremes” originally called “The Primettes” and formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. These women are legendary she formed the group with the late, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. Originally a quartet one girl left the group due to having a baby and the group became a trio. They were discovered by Barry Gordy after doing hand claps, background vocals for the artists featured at the Hitsville studio which is the birthplace of Motown Records.
The biggest girl groups of the 90s and 2000s TLC

Destiny's Child 



Fifth Harmony

Xscape they are back and on tour now




Anyone notice this movie was loosely based on a pop diva's life? I am sure you all know Dreamgirls (2006) loosely based on Diana Ross, The Supremes, and their journey with Motown 


Something in my spirit told me you have to write this story and blog about it because something about hearing that Diana Ross the legendary star, living legend, singer, songwriter, performer, and was one third of the original girl groups, The Supremes would be the recipient of the 2017 American Music Awards it touched my heart right away cause I remember someone once calling me and jokingly saying I was acting like “Diana Ross” one time when I was younger in high school at Academy of Sacred Heart. I think I was joking around dancing and singing one day with my choir but now looking back I will never take that as a critique I take it as a compliment. I remember when I was about six years old this is back in 1992.
 I was attending my school Holy Name Catholic School in Washington, D.C. and I was to be performing in a talent show. I was always into little recitals and talent shows, and I remember seeing three girls on stage and they were getting ready to hit the stage doing rehearsals. They were singing the Supreme hit,  “Stop in the name of Love”. They are actually one of the most sampled girl groups as well. I just realized if you listen to the song “If” by Janet Jackson there’s a sample from “Someday we’ll be together” by the Supremes in the beginning.
They call her the original diva, star, they call her “Ms Ross the Boss” but it’s quite an incredible title this woman has accomplished and broke so many records. You have to look at her as a whole person and woman. She’s been through so much as a child, teenager, and she’s strong as hell. She’s incredible if it wasn’t for her and these women I don’t think there would have been any girl groups today.  Her impact definitely changed the way pop culture, music, entertainment would change the way we view women, women in the music industry, and would change how girl groups and solo artist are viewed today in the 21st century.
Diana Ross originally born Diane Ernestine Earle Ross on March 26, 1944 was born in Detroit, Michigan she was the second eldest of her family along with . She had a lot of luck and fate with her childhood. Diana when she used to be a neighbor of hit maker, lead singer of the Miracles, Smokey Robinson. I think that’s pretty amazing because he ended up writing some of Diana’s biggest hits and of course a dear lifelong friend too.  She formed her group in 1959 with the Supremes and for about 10 years the Supremes dominated the airwaves and television performing on a variety of television shows from 1959-1970s.  The Supremes truly have left a mark for women they were the original girl group and changed the game entirely.
No matter who you are you know who this woman is and her impact on music, film, and television history. Diana’s music is definitely timeless. I was looking at a clip when she was on Oprah Winfrey’s final season in 2011. They showed a clip of Diana performing at the Oscars with Lionel Richie in 1982 singing “Endless Love” and it was just incredible that 35 years later this song is today still being played at weddings and it’s still a classic. “I am coming out” an anthem for so many different social communities in society is one that people can often recognize. Her classic music and songs. Diana continues to evolve with each generation her style, her fashion, her music, she reinvents herself time and time again. One thing I know is her music has impacted many generations in my family from the 1960s-Present everyone can probably personally remember a song that they love and can remember. Or a movie I remember when I was 12 I auditioned for the Wiz an off broadway version as a kid I didn’t get it though. I remember studying the movie, learning the words “Home” which is a song so many girls audition to even to this day. Her voice definitely gave



Anyone ever heard of the classic (1978) film "The Wiz"



The original members, Diana, Florence, and Mary Wilson


The Supremes Mary Wilson, Diana, and Cindy Songbird (replaced Florence Ballard)

One of my favorites love this movie the costumes and her theme song, "Do you know where your going to?"

`1980s Diana and her 3 oldest children: Rhonda, Tracee, and Chutney

The gangs all here Diana and her family now with her children and grandchildren and their spouses

Love this photo is classic Diana her children and the hitmaker and founder of Motown , Barry Gordy 



me chills this was during a time when I was taking vocal lessons too. I started singing about 7 but I never really started taking it seriously until I was in my teen years but now I realize that was when my love for music began. Watching movies like “The Wiz”, “Lady Sings the Blues”: The Billie Holiday Story, “Double Platinum” with her and Brandy Norwood, or “Mahogany” these are films that gave every young actress a chance to see herself in that character. One thing I really love about her was when she was working hard to be in the business, she designed clothing, she was designing costumes for her group, and herself. Much like her character Tracy in the film Mahogany. I loved how relentless she was she has a drive and work ethic that is pretty incredible and unstoppable.
Ms Ross has impacted so many generations of people including her own family you see her impact in her five children: Rhonda, Tracee, Chutney, Ross, and Evan, and her grandchildren. Her story will continue to be shared for many generations to come who are inspired by this chameleon this powerful woman who is a force and is not be stopped at all.
I remember my mother telling me the story how she was in Central Park in 1982 when everyone was out there and Diana was singing “Reach out and touch” to the crowd with her long dark brown wavy hair blowing in the wind in a fierce red mesh jumpsuit, and high heels pouring her heart out. That takes dedication to be in a massive storm and she survived. I am sure God was carrying her the whole way through. I hope that with her relentless determination and persistence. Diana will continue to be a major influence in the entertainment industry, impacting a new generation of fierce unstoppable divas who want to have their voices heard and to make their mark. Congratulations cannot wait to see her achievement. All of your fans and those you have influenced are in awe and we all salute you.
For more information on Diana Ross her music, her films, and everything happening visit http://www.facebook.com/dianaross  and visit http://www.spotify.com/dianaross

Prequel "Mufasa" comes to theaters this holiday season in December 2024

Mufasa comes to theaters on December 20, 2024  The Ensemble Cast of Mufasa (2024)    Who remembers the Lion King film?, the Disney classi...