OPC Interviews the “Blinged Out Bombshell” Rashidah Ali

OPC: What made you find interest in the entertainment business? And what has your journey been like?

R: I wouldn’t say I had any initial interest in working in the entertainment industry. I first started out working [at a company] with a friend of mine. Her father was the human resource director there. One of the women that worked there was going to be going on maternity leave, so I was initially supposed to just fill in for a few months. Then it turned into a full time position and then I got a promotion. It was a [wrap] from [that point on] but the fashion industry was something different. I think I decided I wanted to work in that industry when I first heard the quote “when you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life”. So I kind of thought about what would be the one thing that will never get old and I will never get bored with. [Of course the answer was] shoes.

OPC: How does it feel to say that you have been the owner of multiple businesses?

R: It feels overwhelming but it feels that there will be great rewards in the end and I learn a lot every day. I love it, I love being an entrepreneur. I love that I don’t necessarily have to be directed by anyone anymore. I can make my own visions come to light. It’s a lot of work but I still love it.

OPC: When someone thinks of your new shoe line Encore; where did the idea come from? And what can they expect?

R: I would say my vision with it was the everyday working woman and to make sure that there were styles that were trendy and comfortable. As opposed to woman that are just like me, fashion savvy but also who may not be able to afford a thousand dollar pair of shoes or this three hundred dollar pair of shoes but still don’t want to compromise there look because their on a budget . Its cost conscious and budget friendly but it’s still fair.

OPC: So I heard you are now the CEO of 5 Approved, a Promotion and artist development Company. Is there anything we can look forward to?

R: Yes, we have an annual artist showcase that we do. So in the beginning of the spring we will have a big artist showcase that will have a celebrity host whether its [someone] like Miguel or Mario. We aren’t very sure who we’re going to go with this year buts always a big turnout so you can look forward to that. It’s for up and coming artist.

OPC: Which celebrities have used your promotion company’s services recently?

R: All that’s recent Cherry Martinez and Shaheed Moore he plays for the Broncos [as a safety].

OPC: What do you have to say to all the people that feel that Love and Hip Hop is a negative show?

R: I don’t really concern myself so much with trying to revamp peoples thought process. I think for us it’s an opportunity and a platform to promote ourselves and our businesses. It’s like anything else, there’s good and bad with it. You could have a job, working a 9 to 5 you’re a corporate person, there’s good and bad that come with those positions. You have to make the best of it. Everyone just wants to be successful. That was my ultimate goal for the show. I don’t really care too much to read peoples thought process because there’s a lot of viewers so whether it’s negative or not people are definitely entertained and tuning in.

OPC: So I heard you recently got married?

R: No, I am engaged. [Planning for wedding to be in the summer]

OPC: Are we ever going to see who this mystery guy is?

R: (Laughs) I don’t know, I don’t know. Possibly, I don’t know.

OPC: Can you describe yourself in three words?

R: Independent, outspoken and caring

OPC: What advice would you give to young adults trying to make it in the entertainment industry?

R: Definably educate themselves in whatever field they want to be in. Because you know what you’re doing and no one can really take that from you so research, research, research and go for it. I don’t think they should hold back, just do it.

OPC: Is there anything else your fans can look forward to in the near future?

R: Just more shoe business. I want to make a household name. I want Encore to be able to stand on its own.

OPC: What do you want your legacy to be?

R: I would like it to be that I was highly ambitious. I went against the odds and I proved people wrong.

P.S.

Doing this interview with Rashidah was really fun. She was an absolute sweetheart. I look forward to speaking with her again in the near future. 🙂

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Getting To Know “Love And Hip Hop Star” Mimi Faust

I interviewed the reality star Mimi Faust from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta on August 7, 2012 about the show and herself. Mimi is all I thought she would be; she is smart, funny, and a sweetheart. She was really into the interview, answering every question with a lengthy response. She also gives back in the community to help our youth, which was the icing on the cake…OnPoint! She was amazing with an amazing attitude throughout the entire interview. I hope to do another interview very soon with Mimi Faust in the near future and hopefully this time it’s a visual interview. *wink wink*

OPC: What does Mimi do outside of ‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta?

M: I own a cleaning service, I do residential and commercial properties. I don’t only clean I do organizing such as closets and children’s rooms, whatever the case may be. I’ve had my business for eleven years.

OPC: Wow! That’s a long time (Laughing). How did you start the cleaning service?

M: I’ve always just enjoyed cleaning, but it’s a funny story how it got started. I was at a party and the party was over. We were just standing around in the kitchen talking and it was driving me insane. I just found myself straitening up this man’s kitchen. In like twenty minutes I had the whole kitchen spotless. The home owner came down and said, “Oh my god, who cleaned the kitchen?” and everyone pointed like she did. (Laughing) He said, “Do you want to come back tomorrow and do the rest of the house?” and I said, “Sure, are you going to pay me?” That’s how I got started he referred me to someone and it just took off from there. A friend of mind just said, “Why don’t you make this a business? You’re doing it. You’re getting paid to do it. Make it official”. That’s actual how I got started.

OPC: Did you ever think you would ever be on television?

M: Never! (Took a pause then Laughed) No! This is so bizarre to watch myself on it. Like yesterday I was like this is crazy.

OPC: How does it feel displaying your life on national television?

M: It’s not so great. (Laughing) Not so great at all. I had no idea it was going to be all of this when I initially signed u to do the show. I thought it was just going to be Stevie and I. I had no idea there was going to be a third party in the mix. (Laughing)

OPC: Do you communicate with anyone from the show?

M: Yes I do.

OPC: What is your opinion on Joseline as a person?

M: (Laughs) If you don’t have anything nice to say you don’t say it.

OPC: Everyone in Twitter land and Facebook that watch the show feel that you are too intelligent for Stevie J, What’s your opinion and do you agree or disagree?

M: The craziest thing is everyone is seeing a small tiny piece of the picture of what’s really going on. So I can understand why they would make these comments. Everyone’s going to have their opinions. That’s fine; I can’t get mad and wanted to lash out at everyone who said something crazy I’d pull my hair out. I really just can’t be worried about everyone and their opinion about what’s going on, their only seeing a glimpse of what’s really happening.

OPC: Could you ever forgive Stevie J and get back together?

M: I can forgive Stevie but I would never ever forget.

OPC: Have you or will you be giving back to the community to help the youth in anyway?

M: Of course, I actually started with K. Michelle with Saving Our Daughters. It’s a youth program to help teen pregnancy and women that have been in that situation. We go in and talk with them about our situation basically letting young girls know they don’t have to make the same mistakes we’ve made. Watch us and watch from our mistakes and try to do better. That’s how people learn you learn from your mistakes.

OPC: Tell me something about Mimi that the world doesn’t know?

M: Something about Mimi that the world doesn’t know (Thinking) I don’t know. I pretty much put everything out there on the line. I’m very genuine, I’m very loyal, (giggles) I’m very forgiving. I’m all these things that you guys see. That’s really who I am. It isn’t for the show or a front. This is just me. I like to cook. I like to dance.

OPC: What is your favorite thing to cook?

M: Lasagna

OPC: Seeing the whole situation with your mother you said you couldn’t live with yourself if you didn’t forgive. Seeing that situation and knowing that a lot of girls probably have that same situation. What advice would you give them telling them how to forgive a person? Most people can’t forgive and can’t find it in their heart to forgive.

M: The one thing I can say is, if you do forgive it keeps so much off of you. You’re not carrying around this anger and this bitterness. If you find it somewhere in there it will lighten your spirit.it will just lighten you up its all across the board. Even if something bad happens and you find it hard try to forgive something bad that was real small, take baby steps. Forgive small things at a time and then you can graduate and move up to the bigger things. It is so much off of you and just lightens your load. Just try to do it.

OPC: What do you want your legacy to be?

M: First and foremost I’m a good person. I’m a great mother. I’m going to teach my daughter to be a great person and not go through and make the same mistakes I have made. I didn’t have my mother to teach me right and wrong when I was growing up. I think that’s where I made a lot of mistakes in my life because I had to figure everything out and then if it was wrong it was like okay that’s not cool do something different now. I never had that parental guidance ad because of it I’m the person I am today and I’m a pretty good person. Had I had that parental guidance it would have been a lot easier and I just want that for her. To just teach her the right way to do things to be respectful, have morals, have values and value herself, To have self-worth, self-respect, all of that. I’m going to in steal that in her. So that way when she has children she will do the same. It’s all about doing better and I definitely want that for her.

Rapper and Love & Hip Hop Star Rasheeda talks reality TV Experience

I loved interviewing Rasheeda. She is too sweet…OnPointCeleb!

OPC: What made you decide to pursue a career in the music industry?

R: As a young girl I just loved music. I loved the stories. I love how they made you feel [at] certain times in your life. Being little and watching my mom turning music on and dance [going] from one move to another, I was like “I want to make people feel like that”.

OPC: Who influenced your decision to be a rapper?

R: It was just hip hop period. The whole look of it, the swag and the look it was just so dope and cool like in the old school before anything was watered down. It was just real stories talking about what’s going on in their hoods and making people dance and feel good. I was just like you know what that’s exactly what I want to do and what better way to do it than through rapping, rhyming, putting together a mixtape.

OPC: What are the qualities one must have to be a real MC?

R: Just that confidence…must have a certain amount of swag not trying too hard. Being comfortable with oneself and being original. That’s like the main [Key].

I loved interviewing Rasheeda. She is too sweet…OnPointCeleb!

OPC: What made you decide to pursue a career in the music industry?

R: As a young girl I just loved music. I loved the stories. I love how they made you feel [at] certain times in your life. Being little and watching my mom turning music on and dance [going] from one move to another, I was like “I want to make people feel like that”.

OPC: Who influenced your decision to be a rapper?

R: It was just hip hop period. The whole look of it, the swag and the look it was just so dope and cool like in the old school before anything was watered down. It was just real stories talking about what’s going on in their hoods and making people dance and feel good. I was just like you know what that’s exactly what I want to do and what better way to do it than through rapping, rhyming, putting together a mixtape.

OPC: What are the qualities one must have to be a real MC?

R: Just that confidence…must have a certain amount of swag not trying too hard. Being comfortable with oneself and being original. That’s like the main [Key].

OPC: How did the group Da Kaperz come about? How long was the group together? And do you still communicate with the other members?

R: I just apart of [Da Kaperz] for about five years and I do still communicate with the Keya. I haven’t seen Kiki in a while, but when we see each other we say ‘wassup’ and catch up. And one of the other young ladies I was just with her about two weeks ago.

OPC: What did you learn from being in the group?

R: I just learned that you have to kind of evaluate you situation and learn that everyone’s not going to always agree. You got to split you money. (She begins laughing) Those were some of the things; I think the difference with that situation was that we were so young like pre-teen and teenagers. We were trying to grow within ourselves. I really learned a lot more stepping outside the situation but in I just think sometimes like outsiders can cause problems and everybody has to learn to differentiate those types of things. But for the most part that was some of the funniest parts of my career and my life being young and [working with] the girls I was friends with.

OPC: Are you still apart of the duo Peach Candy with Kandi Burruss? And what’s your personal relationship with Kandi?

R: Me and Kandi still do music. We actually have a record together right now that is on my album called ‘Legs to the Moon’. We haven’t done another Peach Kandi project but we are always working together. So there’s still a little Peach Kandi action going on. (Laughing) [Kandi and I are best friend].

OPC: Explain your growth from when you first started as a young rapper/artist to the woman/entertainer you are now?

R: Girl that’s a lot (Laughing) you know learning from experience and going through different things business wise and personally from being a mother, a wife, an independent artist to was signed to a major and learned a lot from the situation but learned that being independent allows you the flexibility to be you and make decisions and really buckle down on that on business so your able to be successful. You learn so so much. The main thing I learned though was learning to be comfortable with me and doing what I love doing.

OPC: What has been your favorite part of this journey?

R: From then all the way to now it’s performing. I don’t even know [how to describe it, that moment] when you don’t even have to rap your lyrics and everyone’s throwing them back at you.

OPC: How did you end up being casted on Love and Hip Hop Atlanta?

R: My name was going around a lot. When it came to the whole love and hip hop thing I sat down with Mona. People were just like Rasheeda Rasheeda Rasheeda she’s a female rapper, she’s married in a relationship and it just [made sense]. When we got to talking she heard my story and knowing about me in the industry she was kind of like okay lets run it lets go.

OPC: What was the best part of filming Love and Hip Hop Atlanta?

R: I can’t tell you, you have to stay tuned. But [honestly] what I enjoyed the most is being able to open up about my relationship with my husband and us experiencing this together.

OPC: How did you feel when you won Mix tape female artist in the 2009 and nominated by the BET Awards in 2010 as best female Hip Hop?

R: For me to have them recognize the grind from my ‘bubble gum’ record to everything I been going through proved that it didn’t go unnoticed, and they looked and said this chick deserves this. That was a great experience.

OPC: You are known as the “Boss Chick”, how did that name come about?

R: You can kind of see it in the show though can’t you? (Laughing) Independent female who has been grinding, hustling, and going hard for top music. Just that woman who is trying to take control of her own goals, dreams, and destiny. Being that independent women, I do have a very strong foundation but at the same time I’m really really focused. I just try to insteal that in other women because we can easily get sidetracked and think we have to compromise. I just really wanted to push that out there.

OPC: What can your fans look forward to in the upcoming year?

R: Well my album “Boss Chick Music” is available on itunes now. Of course look out for ‘Marry Me’ music video which will be released very soon. We gave you a preview on the show. The ‘Legs to the Moon’ music video which features Kandi will also be released. A lot more music and a lot more Rasheeda on TV.

OPC: What kind of legacy would you like to leave in the industry?

R: Rasheeda was the girl who made us feel good about ourselves. When I turned her music on I felt confident. I felt like I could concur the world. When I heard that Boss Chick music she made me feel like I was that chick and anything is possible. When they listen to my music, I want them to feel like their friends like home girls [that can relate to one another].

 

OnPointCelebz Interviews Basketball Wife Jackie Christie

Jackie Christie is a sweetheart I enjoyed communicating with her and I wish her all the best in life.

OPC: When did you first discover you wanted to be associated with the entertainment industry? What about the industry drew you the most?

JC: From being a model to loving Fashion. I’ve done a lot of plays growing up, and could always entertain the crowd. I knew entertainment was in my blood and I would always be involved in it somehow. Now with being on TV so much as well as producing TV shows and Films. I’m enjoying it that much more.

OPC: I read about your signature runway walk that made you popular as a model, Can you explain that to us a little more?

JC: Yes, I started modeling at a very young age. I was not as tall as most runway models my age but I could walk like no other and still can 🙂 just put me on the catwalk and its like riding a bike you just never forget! So as i began doing more and more shows. I started getting standing ovations whenever i walked in a show and more and more request to open or close a show. It went on for my entire career in modeling.

OPC: How did you get involved with starting, Jean Rah Fya records your record company?

JC: Our Daughter is a recording artist and she has a passion for music so we decided to open our label with her being one of our first artist we signed, Then we were introduced to Bobby Tinsley our R&B /gospel/Producer/writer artist, through a good friend and we signed him on the spot! and the rest is history!:-)

OPC: When did you first meet your husband? And did you ever image your life playing out the way it has?

JC: Doug and i met at a place in Seattle in 1991/92 called Jersey’s it was a sports bar/restaurant with dancing food and pool tables. It was a meeting through a mutual friend who introduced us, Doug’s smile won me over fairly quickly:-) not to mention he smelled so good like vanilla and honey! 🙂

OPC: How did it feel to have your production company; Infinite Love, co-produced the reality show about you and your husband’s love for one another called The Christie’s Committed?

JC: WOW we really enjoyed doing “Committed the Christie’s” in 2006/07 BETJ when no one from the sports world really was doing that type of show. We wanted to share that part of who we were and our life with the world, there was so much speculation and media around us and our marriage we felt compelled to let the viewers in to see for themselves. We had a ton of great responses and support BET was awesome as well:-)

OPC: What is something you would like people to know about you? And why is this fact important to you?

JC: I would like people to know that what you see is what you get. With me there is no pretending or hiding behind myself. I believe everyone should live as organically as they can and i really do love people from every walk of life. I do not judge, I wish I could give every human being on earth a big hug sometimes and just make them smile.

OPC: What are two of the most important tips couples should follow to keep their relationship solid?

JC: Respect, and communication, you have to have both for the relationship to flourish because no one is a mind reader and if your partner doesn’t know what you need or what’s on your mind they can’t fix it or give you what your want and visa versa. With respect that entails always putting your partner and their feeling before yourself and the same goes for them and therefore each of you are happy and fulfilled as well as you know your mate has your back!

OPC: How do you feel when you begin to write? And how and where do you write?

JC: I feel really at peace with myself and our life. The state of mind I’m in when I begin to write is always very serene in a sense like i feel very in tune with nature and I’m extremely sensitive to everything around me, it’s very beautiful really.

OPC: What is your favorite genre of writing? And why?

JC: I love writing relationship books or self help books they are beautiful in the sense that I can really help other people with them. Now I’m getting into writing fiction and non fiction romantic novels and sexy adult books. I grew up reading harlequin romance novels and the like and nothing beats sitting down in front of the fireplace snuggled up warm reading a sexy book!

OPC: When you have free time, what do you like to do?

JC: I love to go to the Zoo. I love watching the animals with a passion and i also love to travel. I really enjoy good food and the occasional glass of a fine wine and cheese along with some grapes some R Kelly or Tyrese Christian Keyes or Joe, to name a few there’s so many greats playing on the radio is good too! and I LOVE to roller skate go to movies snuggle in bed all day… and Take long baths with lavender candles and bubbles…

OPC: Do you have anything in the works that your fans should look out for?

JC: Yes, My husband Doug and I along with Christian Keyes (actor/writer Recording artist extraordinaire) is producing our new TV show titled CALI BOYS! as well as CALI GIRLS, its a franchise we are extremely honored and excited to bring our vision to Television world wide.

OPC: What advice would you give to anyone who is starting out in the industry?

JC: To be ready to put long hours and hard work into this career also never take no for an answer and sharpen your skills daily. I would tell them you must always stay ready as you never know when your name will be called.

OPC: What do you want your legacy to be?

JC: To first make sure my kids are proud of their mother and my husband proud of his wife. I want the world to be a little bit better because I lived in it and made a difference in whatever way I could. I want everyone to know I was a god fearing Jesus loving women that held her spirituality in the highest regards that I knew and will always know that all glory be to god. Lastly i want my legacy to be for all to know that I lived my life according to my rules here on earth and i never wronged no one intentionally or otherwise and that i forgave my enemies seconds after they wronged me.