WHAT UP DOE!

Today is International Women’s Day– a day to celebrate and honor women across the world. Do you have any plans to celebrate with family or friends?

I wrote an article featuring 10 quotes from Detroit women professionals. You should read it and share your thoughts about the special day, too!

Here are five highlights from the week for today’s #FridayVibes:

  • Gayle King Did an Amazing Job During Her Interview with R. Kelly
  • Yara Shahidi, Naomi Osaka, Adwoa Aboah, and Other Inspiring Women Honored with Barbie Shero Doll
  • Heartbreaking News: Beverly Hills, 90210 actor Luke Perry’s Shocking Death (My inner teenage self is crushed.)
  • Did You Know There’s An Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace Film?

1. GAYLE KING DID AN AMAZING JOB DURING HER INTERVIEW WITH R. KELLY

Have you seen the R. Kelly interview with Gayle King? It aired on Tuesday (March 6th) on CBS This Morning.

During the interview, King asked R. Kelly questions about the documentary film Surviving R. Kelly; on his relationship with Jocelyn Savage and Azriel Clary; and about the sexual abuse charges against him.

It wasn’t easy for me to watch for two reasons.

1) I used to love R. Kelly’s music when I was a teen. I even went to one of his concerts when I was about 15. It’s very upsetting to know a music artist I used to like has been “allegedly” hurting other women.

2) Reading or watching anything about R. Kelly is an emotional trigger for me. I can only take so much of it. (I didn’t even watch the Surving R. Kelly film.) I can only imagine how other rape/sexual abuse survivors must feel.

Kelly’s behavior during the interview was also questionable. At one point, he had an explosive outburst. King kept her calm composure, though, and she remained seated, not commenting on Kelly’s outburst.

Ronn Torossian, CEO of 5W Public Relations & Crisis Management on Gayle King’s Professionalism:

“Gayle King was absolutely fantastic during the interview. She was extremely professional in a trying time. She kept her composure and came equipped to battle. This R. Kelly exclusive interview brings the Gayle king brand to another level.

Even during Kelly’s explosive bursts, she kept her composure and continued to steer the interview back on track. That’s not an easy thing to do and it’s very impressive. This was a big interview for her, as she was given the exclusive shot to hear Kelly’s story and ask him the hard questions.  She played a huge role in exposing a side of Kelly that viewers might not have seen before up-close. It couldn’t have been easy for King to keep her cool and be as graceful as she was. She also confronted Kelly to his face, telling him that his account lacked credibility. I think she’s very brave and a true professional.” 

If you haven’t seen the interview yet, you can watch it here if you like. WARNING— it can be an anxiety and emotional trigger.

2. YARA SHAHIDI, NAOMI OSAKA, ADWOA ABOAH, AND OTHER INSPIRING WOMEN HONORED WITH BARBIE ROLE MODEL DOLL

2019 Barbie 60th Anniversary Role Model Dolls (Photo credit: Mattel)

Black-ish and Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi, tennis champion Naomi Osaka, and model Adwoa Aboah were just a few of the women who were recently honored with a Barbie Role Model doll.

According to EBONY magazine, one dollar from every doll sold will go toward the Dream Gap Project. It’s an initiative Mattel founded to “level the playing field for girls”.

3. YOU GUYS– MY INNER TEENAGE SELF IS JUST CRUSHED RIGHT NOW!

Photo by Snap/REX/Shutterstock (390866dw) FILM STILLS OF ‘BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 – TV’ WITH 1991, LUKE PERRY IN 1991

When I received the news of Luke Perry’s death, I was on my computer doing some work. A news alert popped up and I read the headline. I gasped and just kind of sat frozen for a few moments.

It was so shocking to me. I felt like I found out one of my old high school friends had passed away.

When I was a teen, I LOVED watching 90210. It was one of the T.V. shows my friends and I loved to watch together and talk about at school. Sometimes I’d even watch an episode while chatting on the phone with my best friend.

I WILL FOREVER BE TEAM BRENDA!

I even have a couple of 90210 seasons on DVD. I also introduced my own teen daughter to Beverly Hills, 90210 and she instantly fell in love with it! Later, she found out Luke was on Riverdale and she exclaimed, “Hey! It’s Dylan!”

I know I didn’t know Luke personally and I never had the opportunity to meet him, but knowing he died really hurts my heart. It saddens me and my heart goes out to his family and friends. I can only imagine how hard this is for them.

You’ll be missed, Luke! Rest in peace and prayers to the Perry family and Luke’s friends.

4. ARETHA FRANKLIN’S AMAZING GRACE FILM WILL BE IN THEATERS APRIL 19TH

Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace film is coming to theaters this April!

I read this article in the Detroit Free Press about the Queen of Soul’s Amazing Grace film is coming out soon. I didn’t even know she had this film! Did you? I need to get tickets!

According to writer Brian McCollum, the film documents the recording of Aretha’s best-selling album Amazing Grace. Franklin recorded the album with the Southern California Community Choir at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles in January 1972.

Detroiters will have the opportunity to watch the film early. There will be a promotional screening tour coming to Detroit before the film’s national release date.

You can read more about the film details here. You can also watch the trailer here.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND! ~ JENNIFER XOXO

Feature image of me taking a selfie in a mirror that reads “What Up Doe” by artist Tiff Massey. Location: MOCAD in Downtown Detroit, 3/7/19

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].