Jody Watley, Harper’s Bazaar 10 Most Beautiful Issue (Women from 21 to 48 Talk About Their Looks and Lives), September 1989
I was in great company as the ‘The Top 10’ list also featured Academy Award winning actress Jodie Foster on the cover, other inclusions were Faye Dunaway, Whitney Houston, Susan Sarandon, Kelly LeBrock, Julia Roberts, Melanie Griffith, and Anjelica Houston.
Clothing – Rifat Ozbek
Photography Matthew Rolston
For me – though having a strong visual presentation and identity as an artist is important – your looks never define who you are as a person nor have anything to do with substance, character, talent, tenacity and perseverance. One must have something going on beyond what’s on the outside. Over the decades I’ve found in some ways with women physical appearance when others consider you ‘beautiful’ can work against you too, you almost have to work double to be taken seriously not to mention those that may resent what they see and some to their own personal biases, misperceptions and so on – it’s a double edged sword. That said, looking back it’s special to have broken through some of the barriers that often exist for black women and artists in the lexicon of beauty and fashion opening the door a bit wider for others that have followed. This was my second of 3 features in Harper’s Bazaar.
No matter what – don’t forget to be awesome not matter what you look like!
Be sure to subscribe as I continue to develop the channel – concert clips, behind the scenes, monthly inspirational vlog, new music videos and specially curated playlists! I really enjoyed this Unplugged concept, so pure. I look plan to bring it to a few other intimate venues in 2020.
Gregory Douglas Presents LGBT Music Festival. Fabulous Memorial Day Weekend destination event and Vanguard Award ceremony presented on All White Wear Night – perfect for the oceanside setting.
Arrival – hotel lobby.
Morning arrival
..and the eagle continues to soar.. love this capture.
In the distance..a rainbow you just have to pay attention and look – just like life!
Enjoying an oceanside mimosa – just taking it all in.
A positive affirmation – getting morning coffee.
Jody Watley – Saying hello to contemporary R&B artist Monifah.
Jody Watley with renowned choreographer (En Vogue, Beyonce, and more) Frank Gatson – we had such a great time talking and hanging out oceanside.
Met so many wonderful people – and received nothing but love.
Jody Watley with – Honoree Designer and former stylist Ty Hunter, author and host Patrick L. Riley and Honoree Shanice Wilson ready for evening of fashion.
Ty Hunter and Jody Watley, LGBT Music, Culture & Arts Festival 2019. Cancun, Mexico.
Fashion and Music Night, snippets of Frank Gatson’s June’s Diary and Frenchie Davis.
Vanguard Awards Night.
Frank Gatson, Keke Palmer Gregory Douglas Presents, Frenchie Davis, Shanice Wilson, TS Madison, Jody Watley, Ty Hunter, Host and Author Patrick Riley
Two authentic spirited and talented Chicagoans – Honorees Jody Watley and KeKe Palmer after Vanguard Awards.
Host and Los Angeles Event Producer Ivan Daniel, Jody Watley and Frank Gatson
Honorees Frank Gatson and Jody Watley
From Monifah who presented my Vanguard Woman of Excellence Award in her Instagram post: “With the iconic & legendary @jodywatley What an honor to present her with the 2019 Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award this year! We MUST give OURS their flowers while they can enjoy them in this life!! Musically, she is an integral part of most of my generation’s childhood and teen years! From her intro on the music scene as one-third of the legendary R&B group Shalamar to becoming a Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum selling, cultural style icon solo artist who used her massive platform to shine light on the issues of a marginalized and underrepresented community. She was an advocate for and an ally of the LGBT community, human rights, AIDS awareness when it wasn’t easy or fashionable to do so. Thank you @jodywatley for your indelible contribution to music, fashion & advocacy. We love & honor you!! #lgbtmusicfest #vanguardawards #jodywatley #monifah #cancunmexico ”
I lost my other earring.. but didn’t notice it being in the moment -enjoying to evening breeze.
Living my life like it’s golden – and always in gratitude!
Jody Watley “Woman of Excellence” – Honoree Vanguard Award – LGBT Music Festival Cancun 2019
Video of full speech to come for my YouTube Channel Friday post – it was truly a night to remember full of real love!
Thanks again to Gregory Douglas and the LGBT Film Festival for the honor, author host Patrick L. Riley, Monifah who presented the award as well and congratulations to all of honorees; as well to the LGBT community who have always been my strongest supporters. As I wrote in the 90’s in my song “Affection” – “..it don’t matter if you’re young or old, it don’t matter if you’re straight or gay – everybody needs to feel loved.”
“…always find and live in your best light your inner Wattage..and encourage others to do so as well..” – Jody Watley
The fight for equality will continue amidst a climate of division and hate, and hate crimes on the LGBT community and often overlooked black LGBT community.
Perfect for a chilled out breezy summer evening, The Top 10 Smooth Jazz Hit “Waiting in Vain”, a jazz bossa nova makeover of the original Bob Marley classic.
For the cookout or backyard gathering where your guests might feel the need to do a two step or you feel the need to get your own groove on – Number 1 on various UK stations, Top 2 UK Soul, Number 1 JAMMFM Netherlands “The Mood” Alex Di Cio Mix. Jody Watley & SRL. New single and video “The Passion” coming soon on my independent label Avitone Recordings – Fueling Quality Music Since 1995.
I’ve been working on a new playlist for my Spotify Artist Page – of course it will be eclectic
All new music available at digital outlets and streaming on services including Spotify, Apple and Tidal.
The gears below the Paris Opera House (Le Palais Garnier)
Being the first artist or entity at all to be allowed to film a video in the then called Opera de Paris (Palais Garnier) in Paris, France for my video “Still A Thrill” in 1989 is something that was quietly monumental at the time – and probably beyond my devoted fans few know this. When most “urban” artists were primarily relegated to basic in studio videos. I thought about the significance as Beyonce made headlines with her video filmed at the prestigious Louvre museum another landmark in Paris. As one of my fans noted..”if you released this today, you would have broken the internet..it was ahead of the times.” I agree.
Directed by Brian Grant, the 2nd of 3 videos we filmed together – I sashayed all over the streets of Paris (thank you to my former label for supporting my vision) – I worked the historic setting with no choreography or rehearsals. There’s also a scene in one of the night shots on the streets of Paris where graffiti notes “Gay Color, Say Cool Say What?” that makes it’s own statement and my support of the LGBTQ community without batting a cat-eyed eyelash that I’ve never been asked about.
This included the basement so to speak working the gears with Tyrone “The Bone” Procter, former ST alum like me – freestyle, waacking, just making it up as we went along. I styled myself (a bit of Jean Paul Gaultier mixed in) as well as Tyrone (in a Jean Paul Gaultier T-shirt). It was about the edgy style against the opulent setting and getting in the music. Creating art outside the box especially for a black girl at the time dealing with industry politics among other things – quietly opening doors and raising the bar for myself and others to follow has always been important to me – before social media.
You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing-that’s usually how artists make a mark.
Classic.
Paris By Night was the theme and concept of the video – totally enjoyed collaborating and working with Brian Grant.
