Komen Tidewater

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Do you tutu?? I recently participated in the “Do You tutu?” campain for the Susan G. Komen Tidewater organization. The promotional ad with me (and others) donning a pink tutu was to spread the word and promote the local “Race for the Cure” event in Hampton Roads.

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The event took place this past Saturday and I was up before the break of dawn to do live shots for the station and get ready to emcee the event prior to the race. It was kind of fun to wear me news hat (literally) for the day, again! 😉

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As you can see I wore a pink tutu once again, you know…getting in the spirit and showing my support for breast cancer survivors and the fight to find a cure. King Neptune made the photo too!! My tutu was courtesy of Amp’d Couture.

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I worked on my selfies too…here I am with the other media hosts of the event… Face of Fox 43, Kevin Kennedy, Alabama Radio and Dominique Da Diva.

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Here’s one more snap, me with the parade of survivors, the true VIPs of the day!

Birthday in the Nation’s Capitol

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I spent my (pre) birthday weekend in the U.S. Capitol with some of my best girlfriend’s. I’m not really big on making a BIG deal out of my birthday as I get up there in age…LOL, but since a few of my girls have relocated to the area and a few others willing to travel to hang out for a girl’s weekend…why not?

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My first night in town we had dinner at The Hamilton, which is not only a very tasty DC spot, but they have a great ambiance and a performance venue there as well. A couple of my fellow NFL Pro Cheer Alumni gals (Joi and Mari) came out to break bread with me, and we shared so many laughs…weekend got off to a great start.

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The next day we did some sightseeing…whenever you are in DC, a stop at 1600 Penn is a must! It was a beautiful weather over the weekend for walking around and taking in the DC sights…we squeezed in a little shopping too! 😉

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That night we enjoyed a yummy dinner at STK in Dupont Circle. Pictured above (l-r) Cat, Dara, Cherisse, Norma, me, Rene and Rohelia. I am so flattered that all these girls made time to hang out…we all get so busy in our lives that sometimes it is tough to find time, and especially as a Mom now, my social calendar revolves around their activities…it was kind of different to be around so many “grown ups!” haha

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One of the other big motivators to get to DC that weekend was to see my girl Anjelah Johnson’s show at Warner Theatre! She provided lots of laughs and I even got some one on one time with her at brucnh before we all headed home the next day.

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Fun times for sure…it was “Miami” reunited in DC!! 🙂 Love my girls!!!

Mo’Nique x Me

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I met the very talented Mo’Nique during her visit to Hampton Roads when she came by my show to promote her appearance at the Virginia Beach Funny Bone. I really didn’t know what to expect…I think part of me still sees her as her Academy Award winning character from Precious! LOL! But seriously, she couldn’t have been more genuine and sweet…I was really in awe of what a true professional she is. I get to meet all kinds of people in my line of work and I can sincerely say she is top notch.

Check out the video below to see her interview. She came to the show with her friend and opening act TONE X, and we chatted about her doing the plank challenge, being Mommy’s to boys and she even shared her thoughts on Robin Williams, who coincidentally was the person who presented her the Oscar when she won in 2009. I can’t wait for the next time my path crosses with this amazing lady.

Face of Fox 43

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I recently hosted the “Face of Fox 43” special announcement show at my station. Every year WAVY’s sister station Fox 43 selects a “Face of Fox” who will represent the Fox affiliate hosting community events, tv segments and be the social media extraordinare for the station!

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My “The Hampton Roads Show” co-host joined me in doing the prime time special, where Tyrus Jones, was named the new “Face of Fox.”

Here’s a sassy shot of me…

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A couple candids from the show….

And — if you want to watch the 30 min special, just click play on the player above!

You KNOW You’re an NFL Cheerleader IF…

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I’m a former NFL Cheerleader for 2 different NFL teams (Raiders and Cardinals) and recently we had a reunion with women representing 24 different teams over the past 50 years! Anyhow, my “roomie” for the event was Shannon Oleen, a former KC Chiefs Cheerleader turned Inspirational Speaker. She was one of the speakers during our Saturday night gala and delivered a great message to all the attendees, preceded by her very TRUE and very FUNNY “Top 10 — You know you were a (former) NFL Cheerleader IF…” She tested it (the list) out on me beforehand and she was dead on!!!

So, I wanted to re-post her blog and share it with all of you!!! And — to all my fellow NFL Cheerleaders (Alumni, Current and Future), would love it if you chimed in on just HOW TRUE this all is!!!

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Top 10 Reasons, you know you were a former NFL Cheerleader:

10. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because to this day, you cannot take a photo without the classic top pop.

9. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because you have the best grapevine in your Zumba class.

8. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because you have mastered the art of putting on eyelashes or nails, while driving. Shhhh!

7. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because to this day you can still educate any man about the game of football, all of the rules and you can spot a tight end from a mile away, because you know your football facts!

6. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, if you are out for a girls weekend and you happen to bust out into sidelines #6.

5. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because you know exactly which number, and which shade of red lipstick suits you.

4. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because you’ve been asked a 1,000 times how many, and which players you’ve dated.

3. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because to this day, your husband’s cousin’s boyfriend still asks you if you can get free tickets to this year’s season home opener.

2. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because every time you step into a stadium, you get that tingle in your belly when you hear the national anthem.

1. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because at the NFL Cheer Alumni Reunion, we took over the dance floor all night long.

24 Hours in Atlanta

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I had a whirlwind weekend in Atlanta this past weekend, and while I would’ve loved to have been able to have been there a little longer, it was an unforgettable 24 hours in the ATL. The reason that brought me there was to attend the 2014 national Football Cheerleaders Reunion. The event is still in it’s baby stages, this only being the 2nd reunion ever to include all Alumni from NFL teams across the map. I missed the 1st reunion in 2012, as I had just had my first child, but I knew I wasn’t going to miss this one! The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Alumni hosted this event, and did an absolutely amazing job putting it all together. I’m so glad my limited time did not deter me from attending, it was so totally worth it to be there for the Saturday night gala and stand among some 250+ women, all Alumni of the various NFL Cheers teams…even the ones that don’t exist anymore!

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There is nothing like being in a room full of women who have gone through the auditions, practices, workouts and game days you love and cherish. It’s an amazing almost indescribable experience, an instant bond, like being in a sorority, a real sisterhood where you KNOW these women KNOW exactly what it’s like to stand and cheer on the NFL sidelines.

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All in all, 24 teams spanning 50 years of NFL Cheerleading, were represented, some that don’t even exist anymore. So if you didn’t know…now you do. The Pittsburgh Steelerettes, Chicago Honey Bears and Houston Oilers Derrick Dolls all had alumni in attendance. And –while I was the lone Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader alumni, there was also a former St. Louis Cardinals cheerleader in the building!

In the photo above are current and former directors of NFL Cheer Teams…and in the center is Suzanne Mitchell, the original director for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, a legendary woman, who spoke to us about how it all came to be…it was such an emotional moment feeling the deep love and appreciation everyone in the room has for her, knowing she was a huge part in paving the way for what the opportunity has become today.

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I had a great time meeting A Raiderette sister, Elaine, who was an LA Raiderette before moving to Indy where she danced for the Pacers and Colts. I met the very sweet Lisa Guerrero who is a fellow broadcaster and former LA Rams Cheerleader…her resume also includes directing the Falcons and Patriots Cheerleaders. My roomie for the weekend is a fellow AFC West Alumni Cheerleader, Shannon Oleen who was a Chiefs Cheerleader. She is also an amazing public speaker who delivers inspirational messages and impressed at the Alumni Gala with her “10 Reasons You KNOW You’re an NFL Cheerleader.” All of them, so much fun!!!

There is nothing like line dancing and doing the “Wobble” with 200 plus former cheerleaders or busting out with game day choreography with your sisters on the dance floor. Cheers go out to Mickey Crawford who runs the Atlanta Alumni group and made this reunion happen, along with Terri Lamb who is the head of the Redskins Cheer Alumni group. I have had the pleasure of knowing them both for a few years now and I see their vision for uniting all the talented and amazing women who all share the distinction of being NFL Cheerleaders. I feel so blessed to have made so many new friends and just to be part of this elite network of women who are my sisters. I can’t wait for our next shin dig in 2016! Buffalo or bust!!!

CoVa “Best Of” Event

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Last week I attended the “Best Of Gala” for Coastal Virginia Magazine. It was held at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center in downtown Norfolk, VA. It as a fun event with lots of food tasting opportunities with various “best of” restaurants from around the Hampton Roads area being represented!

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T and I were able to get a caricature of us made….however in the collage above, it’s actually my TV Co-Host. Chris Reckling, who jumped into the artists’ seat when he went for a break! He did a great job, right!?!?

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Chris and I were actually there to present the award for  “Best Of People’s Choice” for the night, and that went to Chef Scott Simpson at Swan Terrace. All in all a fun night out!

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T and I enjoying the party, you can see our “real” caricature drawing that was done, in my hand…

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Me with The Hampton Roads Show Executive Producer, Stephanie.

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And — with Face of Fox 43…Andria Lea

Bria Kelly from NBC’s The Voice

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I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Miss Bria Kelly of NBC’s “The Voice” fame… She is a local to Hampton Roads and stopped by the show to talk about life post-The Voice. She was really sweet and I hope she continues to live out her dream of a career in music.

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Click on the player below to watch the interview…

Bria (and Chef Bob from Farm Fresh) also agreed to take part in our friendly “Fun and Games” competition for the show…first one to empty the tissue box wins!

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Click play below to who was best with the “Handy Hanky!”