Interviews

Double Fab: Twin Fashion Designers & Models, Danielle & Chantelle

We love to feature young women who inspire & go after their dreams. Meet two sisters, who happen to be identical twins, Danielle and Chantelle Piper. Not only are they fashion models but also entrepreneurs who created and run their own businesses. Empress got a chance to pick their brains to find out more about the dynamic duo.

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Getting to Know Elana Meyers - 2010 Olympic Bronze Medalist of the US Bobsled Team

Not many young black women grow up with dreams of becoming a Bobsledder, or winning a medal in Bobsledding at the Olympics, neither did Elana Meyers. But, by the age of 26, Elana has won a Bronze Medal with the US Bobsled team in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Growing up an avid softball player with dreams of making it to the Olympics one day, Elana experienced a major set back when Softball was axed out of the Summer Olympics. Instead of giving up on her Olympic dreams, Elana found another way to make her dreams come true, by picking up another sport- Bobsledding. After hard work and determination, Elana was able to make her dreams come true in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Empress sat down with Elana do discuss her journey, obstacles and success as a black woman in the sport. She is a living testament of where defying cliche expectations and following a dream no matter what roadblocks can take you.

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Living the Life // Paula Campbell

Empress Magazine caught up with R&B singer Paula Campbell, who is back out with two big projects—her memoir Relentless Resilience and album Rebellious Romantic. You might recognize the Baltimore native from winning first place in Glamour Magazine’s video music contest with Ciara and collaborations with hit song writer Ne-Yo. She’s also dabbling in radio hosting and has her own label with a hopeful talent roster in the near future. Paula is ready to use these opportunities and express herself in a way that not only reveals her as an artist, but a full blown woman.

Empress: Can you tell me more about your memoir?

Paula: The book is an autobiography of my life. I used to journal all the time and I just kind woke up one day and finally decided I was [going to] write the book I’ve been talking about. I just really want to help girls and people that don’t believe in themselves. It’s definitely a roller coaster ride because I experienced so much so young. And I really just want to show people there’s another way, even if you were born into what you think is wrong or what you think doesn’t bring any good in life. You can still come out of it and get through all the pain, friendship and deception.

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Getting to Know Dondria

R&B singer Dondria a.k.a. Phatfffat may be a newcomer to the business but she already has almost 25,000 followers on twitter and her YouTube channel has had over 5 million views. With her raw talent and huge voice, she was able to capture thousands of fans and the interest of super producer Jermaine Dupri who eventually signed her to So So Def. Empress had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Dondria, to learn a little bit more about her future plans for R&B domination.

She Got It // Tionna Smalls

Who is Tionna Smalls? The first time some of us had ever heard of her was on the VH1 hit show, "What Chilli Wants". Although she may have been unknown to some before her national TV debut, she has been building a name for herself and is already a rising star. She is a Brooklyn native, the author of Girl, Get Your Mind Right!, has a no holds bar attitude, oh and did I mention she's a love "expert"? You can catch her on "What Chilli Wants", dishing out real advice and telling Chilli what she needs to do to get a man.

Sometimes women don't want to hear the truth when it comes to dating but when Tionna is your coach, you have no choice but to listen, if you know whats good for you.

Find out what makes her the perfect coach for Chilli, their real off camera relationship, love tips all women need to know and what goes on in her own love life.