The Glamorous Life

Diamonds, Pearls, Heels and Curls. I think every female on this earth has dreamed those fairy tale dreams. I mean it's practically in our blood, it’s a piece of our DNA and it’s been forced down our throats from birth. Disney made it abundantly clear there were a few key contributors that you need to get to your happily ever after. Simply get a nice dress, a shiny pair of shoes, have a pretty face, some long hair and you’ll be ready to ride off into the sunset. I think it's pretty obvious that some females have taken this to heart and made them real life goals. Looking around there are girls aspiring to do nothing more than wear fancy clothes, red bottoms heels, having their face on fleek with 34 inches of weave and a man with bands. So congratulations Disney, you have truly inspired. Now ladies don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with wanting designer things and living a glamorous life. I mean who doesn’t want to get dolled up everyday? I won’t lie when I was younger I sat bright eyed dreaming of the day that I could dress up and be beautiful. Watching my mom and older sisters do their hair and makeup made me even more anxious for the days that I could do the same. It was something magical to me and I wanted to be beautiful like them. It’s no secret that I’ve struggled with my appearance ever since I was a little girl. If it wasn’t my hair I took issue with then it was my smile, if it wasn’t my smile then it was my skin complexion, if it wasn’t my complexion then it was my height and the list just keeps going. I know, I know another girl that struggled with her confidence, what a shocking revelation. I think every female has had at least a moment where her confidence and beauty were challenged. Those are demons that I’ve had to go toe to toe with before and I still face on occasion. While outer beauty can be superficial and easily washed away unfortunately it’s one of your first judgments. If you’re walking down the street it’s not likely that you’ll hear someone say of ‘ooo she got a pretty personality’. Outer beauty may capture the eye, its inner beauty that keeps people around. This may seem a little out of sorts, but when I look at celebrities of course I notice their beauty, but I always wondered what they went through growing up. What demons do they go toe to toe with? Does Beyoncé ever get self-conscious with all the cameras in her face? When Rihanna gets her makeup done does she still see scars even though they’ve healed? When Nicki Minaj looks in the mirror does she see her new Barbie body or does she still have images of the one she was born with? It’s hard feeling beautiful in society today when everyone seems to be buying what he or she need to get the perfect image. How do I look my niece, cousins, sisters, and friends in the eye and tell them that they’re still beautiful in spite of their flaws. Especially when it could all be fixed with the writing of a check, a simple slice of a knife, a few nip and tucks then you’re perfect. After examining today’s society I was inspired to go back and look at older definitions of beauty. I looked at older Hollywood glamour and after examining these beauties I was inspired and decided to start a portfolio that recaptured some images. I wanted to start with Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Thanks to the lovely ladies, Chantice Richardson for being my Marilyn Monroe, LaQuita McCluney for being Elizabeth Taylor and Jaquel Horne for taking the role of Audrey Hepburn. Read their interviews below, see you next week ladies!

Photography By: Sugar Snaps Studios

1) What do you think a Glamorous Life Includes?

Chantice Richardson (Marilyn Monroe): A Glamorous like should include someone who is very fashionable, "camera ready" which means if Trey Songz was standing right next to you right now would you look good enough for him to take a picture of you. Glamorous life should also include waking up flawless, and walking eveywhere like its a run way haha.

LaQuita McCluney (Elizabeth Taylor): A glamorous life includes doing your best and looking your best while doing it. A life where you just shine from your achievements, your presence, and your wardrobe of course.

Jaquel Horne (Audrey Hepburn): I think it includes Freedom. Freedom of wearing what you want whether it’s in style or not. Something if it’s in the highest brand in France or Wal-Mart. Driving whatever vehicle you want wherever you want.

2) What lessons did you learn from Disney Princess Movies?

Chantice Richardson (Marilyn Monroe): The lessons that I have always learned from Disney Princesses Movies is that all the princess went through certain stuff but they all make it through so it can be an happy ending.

LaQuita McCluney (Elizabeth Taylor) : To always believe in yourself, and chase your dreams. We all run into obstacles, just have to work hard to get out of them.

Jaquel Horne (Audrey Hepburn): I don’t think I learned anything from Disney Princess Movies. I didn’t aspire to be like a Princess.

3) Do you have any insecurities? If so what is your biggest insecurity?

Chantice Richardson (Marilyn Monroe): I have plenty of insecurities one of biggest ones that I hate of mine is when I compare my self to other females.

LaQuita McCluney (Elizabeth Taylor): Yes, I fear of losing and failing. For example, losing a family members, having a goal feel unobtainable.

Jaquel Horne (Audrey Hepburn): Yes, my skin is my biggest insecurity that I have.

4) Do you think that the Character that you portrayed had much insecurity?

Chantice Richardson (Marilyn Monroe): Most defiantly! I think she was very insecure in a lot of ways, but she hid them very well.

LaQuita McCluney (Elizabeth Taylor): I'm sure Elizabeth Taylor was a strong woman but even giants fall. But she made amazing things happen which motivates me to put my fears in the back burner.

Jaquel Horne (Audrey Hepburn): Probably so, I can’t say what, but probably so.

5) Which of the following celebrities do you think has the most insecurity? Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, or Beyoncé. Why?

Chantice Richardson (Marilyn Monroe): They all do, because they are constantly on the spot light. They just can't walk around in sweats pants everyday they always have to get up, and get glam up, then go on with there agenda. It's a bunch of pressure on all them I'm pretty sure.

LaQuita McCluney (Elizabeth Taylor): I think Beyonce does, it must be hard having all these fans cheering for you to be successful. She has no room to be human a make a mistake due to the reactions her fans may have.

Jaquel Horne (Audrey Hepburn): Probably Nicki Minaj. Well because she went through the troubles of Surgery for the perfect body instead of sculpting her own that she was blessed with. All so she could be portrayed as a Barbie.