Yes, Girl!

This week, Black Panther hit the billion dollar mark at the box office, and we’re still in Wakanda heaven. If the movie's amazing visuals gave you life, then so will legendary film and television costume designer Ruth Carter, who created the film’s unforgettable wardrobe. Ruth paid us a visit in L.A. and gave us the tea on the vision behind the looks our new favorite characters rocked on screen, how her incredible career began on the set of Spike Lee’s School Daze and why she’s all about keeping it real...for the culture. Plus, Ruth (@iamruthecarter) and Cori (@corimurray) gush over being proud Hampton University grads, and Charli (@charlipenn) asks Ruth for tips on how to get her DIY Dora Milaje Halloween costume together. Next, Florence Kasumba (who plays Ayo, the fierce Dora Milaje) stops by to tell us all about how she prepared, both mentally and physically, to play the ultimate badass for the role of a lifetime.

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Everyone’s favorite auntie Kym Whitley (@kymwhitley) drives nearly two hours in LA traffic (thank you, boo!) for an unfiltered chat about inequality amongst women in comedy (yes she hears Mo’Nique's point but…), Lena Waithe’s genius writing and balancing the life of stand-up comedy and motherhood. Speaking of hard working moms, Yolanda (@yolizama) has some BIG news. Plus Charli’s (@ManWifeDog) lashes barely survived ESSENCE’s Black Women in Hollywood awards and Cori (@corimurray) twirled at the Oscars and nearly took a picture of Jordan Peele at the Governors Ball (she explains why she didn't).

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

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When ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood 2018 honoree Lena Waithe (@lenawaithe) says come over when you get to L.A., you take the fastest Uber you can find and come on through. Waithe returns to the podcast to discuss her historic Emmy win, her hit drama "The Chi," and how special it is to be Black, creative and winning in Hollywood right now.

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray (@corimurray); Charli Penn( IG: @CharliPenn/ Twitter: @ManWifeDog); and Yolanda Sangweni (@yolizama)

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

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(Warning: spoiler alert!) Black Panther’s finally (!!!) here and while everyone is everything in Wakanda, Princess Shuri aka Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) has a special place in our hearts. The Guyanese-born, Britain-raised actress already had our attention from Black Mirror (get into it), but seeing her fight for her brother, her King and country last weekend sealed the deal. In person, her vibe is even more infectious – she’s gracious, she’s grounded, and she’s gifted.

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineers: @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

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We¹re baaaaaaack for season 2! Comedy¹s new royalty 2 Dope Queens Phoebe Robinson (@dopequeenpheebs) and Jessica Williams (@msjwilly) anointed us with their Black girl shine. Their four-part HBO special has us in stitches every Friday night. Plus in Tea for the Week, we congratulate Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre on their engagement and Yolanda on foreseeing the return of Omarosa.

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineers: @ChiquitaPaschal and @iamtydavis

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

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Surprise: When Kandi Burruss (@Kandi) said she had a few hours off from her Broadway debut as Mama Morton in 'Chicago,' we said come thru sis! Between how she’s staying snatched, sane and sexually fluid, Kandi sets the record straight on this season’s 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' drama brewing between her and Kim Zolciak. As she said in her ESSENCE cover story — written by our very own Charli Penn (@ManWifeDog) — Kandi’s reputation means everything to her. Listen in as there’s nothing alternative about these facts. 

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray (@corimurray); Charli Penn (IG: @CharliPenn/ Twitter: @ManWifeDog); and Yolanda Sangweni (@yolizama)

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio Engineers: Dave Giles (@daveeveryseason) + Aaron Amado (@theoriginalsaedi)

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

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We see you 2018! There’s already lots to celebrate and we’re just three weeks in. First, we have some news: ESSENCE is now 100-percent Black-owned (again!) and Black girls everywhere are rejoicing. Plus, Black Panther’s release date is close, and we’re shopping for outfits and prepping our snack list. Yolanda’s bringing hot chicken and Cori’s tucking quarter water into her Wakanda-inspired bag. Let's heart it for celebs such as Serena Williams and Will Smith bringing nothing but authenticity in 2018. Last, we’re taking a small break but look for season 2 of Yes, Girl starting again in February.

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We’re closing out the year celebrating why Black women are so lit (obvi). ESSENCE editor-in-chief Vanessa K. DeLuca (@Vanessa_KDeLuca) shares what it's really like to be at the helm of Black Girl Magic headquarters and recaps the biggest moments for Black women in 2017. Plus, Yvonne Orji (@YvonneOrji) is back, ya’ll! Cori, Yolanda and Charli kicked it with the Insecure star in Miami — on a break from touring on Chris Rock’s Total Blackout tour — and as always, extreme laughter and good vibes followed. Yvonne reveals what “making it” means to her, why she won’t let fame change her and why 2017 has been incredible for her. Happy New Year! Love, Team Yes, Girl!

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Project Manager: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Production: Cadence13’s Bob Tabaddor @tabaddor

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

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It’s no surprise why ESSENCE named Kim Fields (@KimVFields) memoir, Blessed Life, “one of the best books of 2017.” In the spirit of bringing the magazine to life, Fields gets cozy in our studio for a conversation about her journey from Harlem to Hollywood, the biggest lesson she learned from that year on reality TV, and confirms what we always hoped – she and the cast of Living Single are that close.

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog + @CharliPenn; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Project Manager: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Production: Cadence13’s Bob Tabaddor @tabaddor

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

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“I’m very happy in my personal life.” That’s how Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) feels right now. Yes, she and her bae are still going strong plus she has so many exciting projects to toast to right now — so we sipped Seagrams Escapes with her in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. She’s producing and starring in her annual holiday variety special, Taraji’s White Hot Holidays, as well as her next film Proud Mary and returning to Empire. However, @ManWifeDog @yolizama and @corimurray discover, Taraji’s true joy comes from the real love surrounding her and her truth: “I’m not stopping until I’ve done it all.” 

Yes, Girl! hosts: @corimurray @ManWifeDog @yolizama

Project Manager: @stevenpsyllos

Production: Cadence13’s @tabaddor

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.