OnPointCelebz Interviews Tia Ferrera

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

T: Wow! I grew up around music. My mom is a professional singer and most of my family members are in the music industry. From being very little I've always been around music. I fell in love with it at a very young age.(Laughing) I feel like there was no other way for me to go.

OPC: How long have you been singing? When did you discover you had the ability to sing?

T: I started off singing at my grandfathers church. He has a very very small church in San Diego California where I was born. Started singing there once he gave me my solo I was like oh yeah (Laughing). This is me, this is what I want to do. I don't want to do anything else in life.  I knew pretty early that, that was from watching music videos and all the people I admired, I knew very very early that it was something I wanted to do.

OPC: Who is your #1 inspiration?

T: Mariah Carey

OPC: Who would you love to work with in the industry?

T: Timbaland or Ryan Leslie

OPC: From what you've seen or heard, what makes a professional artist? An ideal superstar?

T: Someone who is very well rounded as far as their gift. Whether they have [tackled] the technical side as well as just being free enough to express themselves. There are people that have master both of those as well as being able to network and run a great business. It seems to me that those are the most successful in the entertainment industry. Their able to balance all of those different areas of their lives and stay on top even though its a lot. Its a lot to try and balance but from what I see the people that are very successful are able to balance all of that.

OPC: What has been your favorite part of your Journey so far?

T: I have to be really honest other people wouldn't say they do it for the feed back [but that's why I do it. I love when someone can relate to my music]. Its just a song in my head until I go in the studio and record it and its just a song until I preform it and its just a song until someone hears it. But if it actually means something to somebody else that the whole reason i do it.

 OPC: What song have you gotten the most feed back on?

T: Its weird because for women its this song that I have called 'Its Complicated' and its specifically about how a relationship goes wrong and your like what the heck happen we were doing so well. And I got that from all the people on Facebook land that had a status that said its complicated. I started seeing peoples comments saying what does that mean. And not everyone wants to admit it but everyone has been in that part of their relationship where their like I don't know if were still together or whats happening so I wrote a song about that. From women I get the most feedback about that. And then I have another song that we shot the video for and its called 'Ladies Night'. For a very strange reason a lot of guys (laughing) like that song. Their like I know I'm not supposed to dance to I know its a song for women but I like that song. Its very opposite ends of the spectrum but I love it.

OPC: Do you have a special zone you get in when your writing?

T: I do have a special zone. It depends on what kind of song it is but I specifically try to take myself to a place that I've experienced. When writing a song or singing a song, what ever the subjects about I try to take myself to that place. So if its one of those sad songs I literally take myself to that bad, dark, not so good place. [I start] from there to make the emotion come out. 

OPC: What do you want your legacy to be?

T: I hope that when its all send and done. When I'm old and grey and can't do this anymore. I hope that what people just got from me is that I wasn't afraid to go against the green and follow the dream that I've had since I was little. No matter what it cost me or what obstacles I've met. That's what I stand for.

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. :-)

Nerissa Irving Talks About Being A Sexy Rasta and Her Natural Magazine

OPC: Where are you originally from? And when did you come to America?

 N: I [was] born in Jamaica and I moved to America…In 1989

 OPC: Where in Jamaica are you from?

 N: Kingston

 OPC: Is your whole family from Jamaica?

 N: Yeah my family is from Jamaica…well if you go back to my great grandmother and my great great grandmother no they are from other parts of the world.

         OPC: When did you decide that you wanted to become a model?

N: I went to a model search when I was really young and got [noticed]. [I was] eight at that time, but my mother and I decided to wait until I became older to look on my own.

       OPC: What companies have you modeled for?

       N: Well I do everything on my own. So [I’m not with a company] at all.

      OPC: Have you ever done anything in the industry besides modeling?

       N: I have a few things that are coming up. So I can’t really say those yet. I haven’t done that much acting, but I’ve done a lot of extra work in California for sitcoms and things like that, but major acting not yet but it’s coming. And then I do videos and things like that. I’m also the model for Jamaican Mango Hair Crème product.

      OPC: Is there a difference between saying locs and dreads? If so you do you prefer a specific name?

        N: Some people say they don’t like dreads or dreadlocks because it has a very social background. So when you say dreads the definition of dreads is like a negative word. So some people don’t like that. I know what it means and I know my hair isn’t negative. So just to please everybody I just say locs. You know we have some very sensitive people out here. People are so serious now days.

      OPC: How did it coming about for you to become the face of Jamaican Mango Lime hair care line?

     N: They found me online. Just like most of my jobs. I have my website up and most of my jobs I get though my site. So they saw me online and I went to their office, did the interview, and got the job.

    OPC: How long have you been working with them?

    N: It’s been almost 3 years.

OPC: On Instagram I notice your whole family has locs? Will you continue the tradition with you daughter?

N: Yeah I’m definitely going to start my daughter with locs. My son I don’t know because boys are different, they don’t go through the same stuff women go through with hair. So I’ll pretty much let him be with an afro and if he wants locs he can have it but I’ll let his dad handle that hair part.

OPC: When did you begin your Kamoy Magazine? Who is the target audience? And where can we find this magazine?

N: I started the magazine at the end of 2010. I’m just trying to cater to people like us, meaning not just natural looking but a natural way of life eating healthy, food everything. Not just sticking to Kim Kardashian is wearing these type of shoes today, this baby was just born or this person is doing this. I’m so tired of that type of magazine. Every magazine has the same thing. I don’t see a magazine on the stands that just cater to natural hair, natural this, great articles and no gossip. Gossip is good but we don’t need it every day all the time. That’s what I’m trying to work on. It’s still a work in progress. I’m going to have a magazine that is not easy. The hardest part is finding people to be on your team. That’s the hardest part you have to have reliable people.

OPC: A lot of people suspect that you are a Rasta women? Is this true?

N: Yes I am. So people think because I take sexy photos I’m not and I’m like so when you do to the beach you go in full cloths? People take this natural thing too far they suspect that because your natural girl you can’t be hot and I’m like get out of here.

OPC: Describe yourself in three words?

 N: Bold, Natural and Drama-Less

OPC: What is your favorite quote you live by?

 N: “Don’t spend years waiting on grass to grow on concrete”

OPC: What do you want your legacy to be?

       N: I want to leave behind a path for young girls; natural girls. Let them know they can be in the industry and [don’t have to] conform. They don’t have to become anything. They can be themselves or they can create their own lane. They don’t have to go in somebody else lane because that’s what I said, I’m not going down that path. I want to go down my own path and make my own destiny. That’s the legacy I want to leave behind. I don’t necessarily want to be known as a millionaire. I just want to be known as someone who said their going to do something and made it happen and they can if they put their mind to it. That’s what I want to be known for.

       OPC: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

       N: The beauty line Nerissa Nefeteri Organics coming out soon, more calendars. I’m working on selling things now, different products. I’m doing a fitness video, and coming out with a baby book for my daughter.

       OPC: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

 N: I see more children in my life. I see my products kicking off. I see myself with an empire.


I really enjoyed doing this interview. Nerissa is an absolute sweetheart. We wish her all success in everything she is doing and can’t wait to see more from her.

And now she is officially an OnPointCeleb! MuaH! :-)

Thank you Nerissa we appreciate your support!!!

OnPointCelebz Interview Mya

OnPointCelebz Interviews LISSEN

I interviewed the group listen while on my vacation in Atlanta. I first heard the group when I went to a spoken word spot. When they got of stage and started to sing the girl were going wild. I can see why because their vocals were OnPoint! They were so into their performance they didn't want to get off the stage. The actions of true artist...Love it! After they got of stage they started selling their mixtape, "Beta Bring Your Towel". My Uncle; who was with me, bought their CD without hesitation then handed it to me. I hadn't asked for the CD but I was curious to hear their music. The next morning I popped in the mixtape and began listening, Every song was good. So I took it upon myself to get in contact with the talented group. After speaking with their Manager Victor, we set up an interview for a few days later.
We did the interview at my house. Once the guys arrived they were very polite and introduced themselves. I see these guys going really far and I wish them all the success in the world.

Lissen music video "Smell So Good"

OnPointCelebz Interviews 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.

THeOnPointGurly Interviews Shawna

She is a really pretty girl...Loved the answers she gave...OnPoint!