Yes, Girl!

Before "The Bobby Brown Story" has us all in our feelings, we went straight to the source for the story behind the story of how Bobby Brown found a second chance at love and life with his wife and business partner Alicia Etheredge Brown. They invited us over for an intimate conversation about sustaining their faith-based marriage, keeping Bobbi Kristina's memory alive and getting Brown's iconic story right (The Bobby Brown Story airs September 4 and 5 on BET). Plus Charli asks where do you get your astro wisdom because although a psychic once told Cori she'd find love abroad, she did not come back with a British bae after her trip to London. Not even close. 

Rev Run (@revrunwisdom) and his wife Justine Simmons’ new Netflix family drama All About The Washingtons is out, and it’s official: everyone is hooked! We sat down with the married sitcom stars to talk about how they’ve learned to successfully mix business with pleasure (spoiler: Rev Run refused to agree to the show until Justine signed on too!), their secret to a lasting marriage, and how they knew Justine would be such a natural onscreen! Plus, Cori and Charli remember Aretha Franklin, react to Nicki Minaj’s latest Twitter rant and size up Kanye’s wedding guest attire. Grab your mugs, it’s tea time!

You know we love to hear from the fellas, and this week one of your favorites is in the house. Taye Diggs (@tayediggs) has mastered it all — theater, movies and TV. He stopped by to talk about his secret to success, hosting the inaugural episodes of Crossovers, a new talk show appearing on streaming network Stage, and to fatherhood. Plus, Black rom-com queen Charli asks burning questions about some of the classics he starred in and finds out what’s up with The Best Man Wedding movie we’re all waiting on. Plus, Cori and Charli pour up the tea for the week! Note: This interview was pre-recorded before the passing of The Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

This week we talk to ESSENCE 2018 Millennial Love Leader and wellness mami, Tracy G (@itstracyg) about all things health and fitness. Plus! We catch up with entertainment director Cori Murray (@corimurray) as she returns from her Caribbean vacation with a #popping glow. 

If a sister-friend’s love ever got you through the fire, this episode is for YOU! Actress, comedienne and host Sherri Shepherd (@sherrieshepherd) brings the laughs and the wisdom this week as she promotes the return of her hit NBC show Trial & Error: Lady Killer. Sherri recalls how her dear friend Niecy Nash’s love helped to lift her through a difficult time, shares the joys and realities of being a hard working mom and explains how, no matter what, she’s always able to choose joy.

Prepare yourself for a moment in Black Hollywood excellence as we share an epic conversation with screen queen Angela Bassett (@imangelabassett). Bassett, who’s in the soon-to-be summer hit Mission Impossible: Fallout, shares her secrets to ageless beauty, a lasting career and a peaceful family (hint: her kids aren’t allowed to have cell phones). And yes, we asked the sixty-year-old stunner to recite a classic line from What’s Love Got To Do With It. You’ll never guess which one it is. Plus: Charli (@ManWifeDog) relives her Oakland days with Bay Boys Daveed Diggs (@daveeddiggs) and Rafael Casal (@rafaelcasal), who both wrote and star in the buzzy buddy film Blindspotting. -- Angela Bassett starts at 12:00 Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal interview: 31:00 -- Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

When Michael B. Jordan posted “s/o to the baby oil lady” in the IG caption for his first solo ESSENCE cover, inquiring minds wanted to know: How can I apply for the job next time? Well, we invited Michael “Bae” to brunch at ESSENCE Fest — with some special invited friends — to discuss his application process among other things. During a steamy afternoon in New Orleans, Michael shared what his life has been like since the global success of Black Panther, the women he counts as his sheroes and who keeps him grounded, why his brotherhood with Ryan Coogler is so strong and how he’s intent on living a full, happy life. Are you ready to get personal with bae? Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

We’re still on a high from our biggest ESSENCE Fest yet and we’re reliving the moment we shared opening for The Read LIVE in New Orleans! We brought NOLA’s own Queen Of Bounce, Big Freedia (@bigfreedia), along to Kid Fury & Crissle’s (@thisistheread) show to help us get the crowd hype. And, oh what fun we had! Big Freedia reveals how she found her confidence, why she doesn’t care if you call her Freddie or Freedia and how New Orleans does it best. Plus, we caught up with summer movie stars Y’lan Noel (Daniel from Insecure) and Lex Scott Davis (@scottyeye) from The First Purge. You already knoooooowww. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

OMG we saw a ghost, ya’ll! That’s right, STARZ’s hit drama Power is back and hotter than ever, so it was only fitting we get caught up with our bae Omari Hardwick (@omarihardwick) during the American Black Film Festival in Miami. Omari and ESSENCE go way back like Atari. We dug right in as he opened up about fame, fatherhood, becoming Ghost, and how hard he’s been hustling for his craft. Plus Charli, Cori and Yolanda are in NOLA, grubbing and grinding for Essence Fest. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

One thing we learned from Simone Missick (@SimoneMissick): She knows how to pray. Back for Luke Cage’s second season kicking more ass (with one arm), Simone’s tapped into a higher power that’s blessed her with an in-demand career on stage and screen and loving husband (hey, Dorian Missick). Literally minutes before Simone took the stage at Netflix’s Strong Black Lead panel at the American Black Film Festival (@abff), she chatted with Yes, Girl! about her work-life-love-faith balance — yes, she’s tired but she’s thankful — and why Detroit girls never leave the house without slaying. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Yes, Girl jumpstarted summer with a last-minute trip to Miami for the American Black Film Festival (@abff). In between movies and mojitos, we chatted with Mara Brock Akil (@marabrockakil) about her new series Love Is_ (@LoveIsOWN), which takes us back to the beginning of her real life love story with husband Salim Akil. The series is already a fave of Charli’s (@ManWifeDog) who knows the real thing when she sees it. Plus, we’re thankful our Tidal subscriptions were active when the Carters’ dropped Everything Is Love. Like the rest of the world, we went apesh*t. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Comedian, actor, director and producer Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans) returns to Yes, Girl! for more unfiltered conversation. He’s celebrating the return of his hit sitcom Marlon (season 2 premieres tonight on NBC) and going in about the realities of being a father, co-parenting and why White Chicks was one of his all-time favorite projects. Plus, Marlon beautifully explains why he and his ex are truly the best of friends (and that’s better for them both), his wonderful relationship with his mother and brothers, and why he’s better off single. Plus, he doesn’t think he’s actually “rich” and his explanation is as real as it is funny! We love him more after this conversation and we’re certain you will too! Get into it! Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Multi-millionaire reality TV boss Mona Scott-Young (@monascottyoung) has been quietly building her Monami Entertainment empire for over 20 years and she has a mile-long list of receipts to prove it. The talent manager and Love and Hip Hop creator comes through to share her recipe for ongoing success, her personal mantras, the tea on her forthcoming new fiction book, Blurred Lines, and her praise for our girl Cardi B! Grab your mugs, loves, because this tea is hot like fire! Plus, Charli and Yolanda weigh in on the Drake vs. Pusha T rap beef, Roseanne (bye, Felicia!) Barr’s racist rants and DMing gone wrong. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

In case you guys haven't heard the news, our girl Taraji P. Henson (@TheRealTaraji) got engaged on Mother’s Day. In honor of her big news — remember when she confirmed her and Kelvin Hayden’s relationship exclusively on "Yes, Girl!"? — we’re re-airing our epic interview with Taraji in Jamaica where she spilled all of the hot tea. Plus, Charli, Cori and Yolanda get their best British accents together just in time for Meghan Markle’s royal wedding, recap their Mother’s Day highs and lows and applaud Jada Pinkett Smith for all of these grown woman confessions she’s dropping on her new Facebook live show, Red Table Talk. Are your mugs ready because the tea is served.

Bae is here! Insecure star and new American Black Film Festival host Jay Ellis (@jayrellis) came through to talk all things Beyonce, Black Hollywood excellence and, of course, TV “f*ck bois” like his character Lawrence. Plus, Charli and Yolanda go IN about their true thoughts on R. Kelly, the latest Kanye West foolery and traveling (and renting homes) while Black. Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc