What’s on your itinerary for 2018, ladies? Glow up like Cardi, remain humble like Yara, get snatched like La La, or dominate like Rih Rih? You can do it all! It’s safe to say that some of our favorite ladies in Hollywood gave us major inspo in 2017. Here are the goals you need for the year.
Back in February, Beyoncé stopped the world (yet again) when she announced on Instagram that she and hubby JAY-Z were expecting twins. The photo showed the superstar wife and mom to Blue Ivy, 5, cradling her growing baby bump in front of a gorgeous vintage floral backdrop. The social media post garnered the most “likes” in Instagram history and Beyoncé set yet another record!
The inspiration: Take a cue from Queen Bey and breakthrough and achieve a personal goal this year. Whether hitting a new benchmark time for running the mile, or growing your social following for your personal brand, whatever you set your mind to do, be in it to win it in 2018.
When rapper Ludacris and his wife Eudoxie go on vacation, they go big! Whether they are celebrating the warm summer months, his 40th birthday (like they did in 2017 with a lavish party in a Parisian Chauteau), jetsetting for their anniversary or simply taking a beach bliss break, they do it in style, and in love, of course.
The Inspiration: Whether it’s to a sandy beach or a European city, plan an unforgettable trip with the one you love. It could even be a road trip to a city or state neither one of you has been to before. Wherever you go, make it point to enjoy a getaway to a new place and make new memories. Don’t skimp on the adventure.
La La did not come to play in the second half of 2017 and we loved that energy! After announcing her separation from her husband, NBA star Carmelo Anthony, the star upped the slayage on the ‘Gram and showed off her snatched and fit physique. It definitely seems like the Power actress is living her best life at the moment and the proof is in her feed.
The Inspiration: Whether you’re trying to drop a few pounds, tone your muscle, or revamp your look, be like La La and just make it happen. If you’re in a season of change just embrace it but if you want to see a change then get to it. There’s no better time like the present!
There is no denying that Issa Rae’s Insecure is pop culture gold. The hit HBO series debuted its second season in 2017 and every Sunday night had the Black Twitter timeline divided between Team Issa vs. Team Lawrence and sparked meaningful conversations on issues that matter to Black women. While Rae shined as the creator and star of the series, she received numerous accolades for her performance and secured the bag for a third season of the show.
The Inspiration: Issa has remained true to herself and her “awkwardness” and there is no stopping her hardworking genius. While the show is a mainstream success, it doesn’t stop her grind and hustle to make bigger and better moves with each episode and season. With that in mind, keep working hard and stay poppin’ like Issa in 2018!
The mega-talented Tracee Ellis Ross finally became a Golden Globe winner! After receiving her first nomination in 2017 for her role as Rainbow Johnson in the hilarious ABC comedy series Black-ish, the star took home the prize for best actress in a comedy or musical TV series. Her win made her the first Black woman in over 30 years to win in the category since Debbie Allen took the trophy for Fame in 1983. Yass, Tracee, girl!
The Inspiration: Let Tracee’s victory be a lesson. It might take time for recognition of your talent but your hard work will always pay off, and in due time, you’ll get the wins that you’ve so rightfully earned!
Ayesha Curry, wife to two-time NBA champ and MVP Steph Curry, is a woman on a mission. Not only is she mom to their two daughters, Riley and Ryan, she’s also slowly but surely building a culinary empire that’s worthy of a round of applause. After debuting her first cookbook, The Seasoned Life in 2016, Curry had her own Food Network cooking series, Ayesha’s Homemade, dabbled in the restaurant business with the Bay-area pop-up collaboration International Smoke, launched a meal-delivery service called Homemade and introduced a cookware line. Oh, and she casually became a CoverGirl too.
The Inspiration: The lesson in Ayesha’s hustle is that you can always turn your passion into a profit. Focus on what you love and what you’re good at and invest in making your dreams happen. In 2018, turn a side hustle into a full-time opportunity. Don’t sit back and let what makes your heart happy go to waste!
Serena Williams had a fairytale love story come true in 2017. She and her now-husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian got engaged in December of 2016, shared their whirlwind love story with Vanity Fair in April, welcomed their baby daughter in September and then tied the knot in a dream wedding in November. Not to mention, Serena won her 23rd Grand Slam while pregnant!
The inspiration: Serena Williams has always dominated in her professional career and this past year she dominated in her personal life as well. The tennis champ remained open to love and wasn’t afraid to take a chance on following her heart. If that’s not the push you need to go for what you want, we don’t know what is.
Raise your hand if you gave your coins to the Bad Gal last year after she debuted her Fenty Beauty makeup line? From her 40 shade foundations to her highlighter, lipstick and eyeshadow palette, no one dominated the cosmetic industry and the conversation quite like Rihanna did in 2017. With each product, the singer kept consumers’ melanin in mind and we loved it!
The inspiration: No matter what field you’re in, remember who you serve. Be the best you can be and don’t hold back in making not only a name for yourself but proving that you can be a boss who knows her audience.
In 2017, Mary J. Blige made some major life changes. The singer filed for divorce from her husband and former manager, Kendu Isaacs in 2016, but last year she made big strides in healing and moving on. Blige released her thirteenth studio album, Strength of a Woman, headlined the 2017 ESSENCE Festival, starred in the Dee Rees directed Netflix film Mudbound, and collected numerous awards for her performance. While there were some bumps in the road–including outlandish demands for spousal support from her ex–Auntie Mary proved there was no stopping her shine or her progress.
The Inspiration: No matter what curve balls life throws your way, don’t let anything or any pain slow you down. Sure there will be trials and tribulations but there will be triumphs that follow, and as Mary so aptly sang, everything will be “Just Fine!”
In 2017, actress Gabrielle Union penned her first memoir, We’re Going To Need More Wine, in which she was candid and vulnerable about her truth and her story of becoming one of Hollywood’s leading ladies. She opened up about everything she’d gone through, including being raped, her first marriage (and subsequent divorce) and she and husband Dwyane Wade’s struggles to conceive.
The Inspiration: Gabby embraced her truth in 2017 and wasn’t afraid to have tough conversaytions with her peers. She stood in the light and let the story of her life do the talking. She didn’t hold back and neither should you. Whether you start a blog or begin writing your own memoir, share your own story–the good, the bad and the worst.
The moment certainly belongs to Cardi B. She dropped hit after hit in 2017 and made chart-topping history with her number one song, “Bodak Yellow.” As if she would stop there, the hard-hustling rapper got a glam makeover, got engaged to rapper Offset (who popped the question with an 8-carat diamond ring) and bought herself (and her man) a car. Everyone is rooting for Cardi!
The Inspiration: If you want to achieve all of your dreams, you’ve got to chase them! The Bronx native had her sights set on success and she was determined to achieve it on her terms. With the start of a New Year, write out your intentions and use all of your might to make sure you’re always making moves toward your dreams. You can make history just like Cardi.
Hollywood’s breakout star of 2017 was without a doubt, actress Tiffany Haddish. From stealing scene after scene in the summer blockbuster hit Girls Trip to becoming the first-ever African American stand up comedienne to host SNL, Tiffany was the one to watch throughout the year and she kept us laughing all the way through 2017. Penning her memoir, The Last Black Unicorn, the star wasn’t at all ashamed to share the details of her upbringing, her shortcomings, or the problems life has thrown her way. Most importantly, she wasn’t ashamed to celebrate her successes–and she’ll be the first to admit that she has no plans on stopping!
The Inspiration: Life isn’t easy for anyone so don’t hide behind the negativs when you can turn them into positives and manifest the life you need, want and deserve. If Tiffany can, you can too!
Kandi Burruss is a boss and has the receipts to prove it and now she always has a dream fulfilled which makes her even more of a star. The Xscape singer turned Real Housewives of Atlanta star had the lifelong desire to cover ESSENCE and in 2017, that finally came true. Hey, when Kandi sets her mind on something, she won’t stop until she has it.
The Inspiration: Write out your wishes, pray for them and work hard. Have patience because you know the best is yet to come. Kandi never quits, and she’s definitely on to something. This year, make time to achieve something you’ve always wanted because you absolutely deserve it.
Yara Shahidi is a reminder that even when you have everything in the world to brag about it’s always better to be humble. The young star casually got into Harvard (with a recommendation letter written by none other than the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama) and even got her own Black-ish spinoff called Grown-ish. With each crowning achievement, the 17-year-old has been vocal about the issues that matter to her and her community and has been a role model to girls of all ages.
The Inspiration: Even if you have everything in the world to brag about, it’s better not to boast about your blessings. Of course, patting yourself is a great idea but don’t go overboard on the celebrations. Remember confidence is key but arrogance is never cute!