Vixen: Black Beauty and Pop Culture
Where would pop culture be without the beauty and aesthetics of black women? Our aesthetics and likenesses are constantly on display in fashion, film, music videos, lyrics, and more. On Vixen, a weekly podcast, the role black women and their beauty play in today's culture is discussed and analyzed, with each episode focusing on a different subject.
Episodes
55 episodes
Shine Bright: Danyel Smith
Back for a bonus episode! Join me as I talk with Danyel Smith, author, writer, and host of the Black Girl Songbook podcast about her brand new book, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop! We discuss the impac...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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1:11:13
Film Review Finale: Black Girlhood In Southern Gothic Films
On this season's film review finale episode, we talk about Southern Black Gothic movies centered around black girlhood- specifically Beloved and Eve's Bayou. We're back with a BRAND NEW SEASON on 5.11.22! Instagram:
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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1:05:00
Black Beauty Pageants Part Two: Miss Black USA
Today's episode is the second and final part of a two-part series on the history of black beauty pageants! This one talks about Miss Black USA, the uniqueness of the pageant's mission, and controversy over the years. Instagram:
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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29:50
Black Beauty Pageants Part One: Miss Black America
Today's episode is the first part of a two-part series on the history of black beauty pageants! Today, we talk about the inception of Miss Black America pageant and how it progressed over the years. Instagram:
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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32:45
Fashion's Hidden Figure: Zelda Wynn Valdes
On this week's episode, we talk about the life and career of Zelda Wynn Valdes, her black starlet clientele, and the innovative moves she made to propel the fashion world forward. Instagram:
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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20:00
Crime Crossover: Sadia Morrison
Sadia Morrison was a promising, determined, young stylist and image consultant with a very bright future. Then, she was found behind the Highbridge Projects in the Bronx. What happened to Sadia? Trigger Warning: in this episode, we discuss the ...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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31:52
Black Betty Boop: Baby Esther
Today's episode talks about the short (or was it?) life of Esther 'Baby Esther' Jones, the young black singer, dancer, and entertainer who was the inspiration behind the iconic Betty Boop character.Instagram:
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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28:06
BONUS: Let's Talk About Black Girl Luxury...
This week we've got a bonus episode centered around the Black Girl Luxury phenomenon currently taking the Internet by storm. Where did it come from? What defines 'luxury'? Is the popularity of this 'movement' helpful or harmful (or a mix of bot...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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1:11:53
Foxy Lady: Lithofayne Pridgon
Today's episode is all about artist and muse Lithofayne Pridgon, also known as 'Fayne' or 'Faye.' We talk her childhood in Dirty Spoon, GA, moving to the big city, and her relationships with Willie John, Sam Cooke, and of course, Jimi Hen...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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42:25
Miss Freek-A-Leek: Esther Baxter
Today we're talking Esther Baxter- one of the most recognizable and successful video vixens to ever do it! Let's talk about her early life, how she got into urban modeling, her acting career, and what she's up to now. Tola Maria L...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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31:54
Model Behavior: Alek Wek
Today's episode follows the life of Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek. We discuss her life in Wau, Sudan, being discovered in a market, and her ongoing career as a supermodel, muse, and humanitarian. Tola Maria Life Coach:
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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33:32
Pronounced Jah-Nay: Zhané
SEASON 5! Let's talk about short-lived 90's girl group duo, Zhane, their rise to fame, their breakup, and the success both members had outside of the group. Ooo That's My Jam Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ooo...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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26:25
BONUS: The Tragic Story Of Ruthie Mae McCoy And The Murder That Inspired Candyman
Halloween edition bonus episode, focusing on the real events that inspired the urban legend cult classic film, Candyman. Ruthie Mae McCoy was a poor, black woman living with schizophrenia in the Abbott Homes on the west side of Chicago when she...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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44:12
Film Review Finale: Black Girl Group Movies
THE SEASON 4 FINALE IS HERE! This film review episode focuses on movies about black girl singing groups, specifically Dreamgirls and Sparkle! We will talk about the original Dreamgirls musical and movie remake, then get into the original Sparkl...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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54:08
Hip Hop Havens: The Tunnel Nightclub (Bonus Episode)
Taking a break from the usual Vixen content for a bonus episode! This is all about the history of the legendary NYC hip-hop hotspot The Tunnel, the mega-club responsible for breaking many records, artists, and bottles. Meet me here next W...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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34:28
Connie Girl: Connie Fleming
Today's episode is all about Connie Fleming AKA Connie Girl- artist, supermodel, legendary figure of the downtown NYC scene, the most well-known nightclub door girl, and so much more! Podcast Interview With Connie &...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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30:00
Black Women, Blaxploitation Films: Brenda Sykes & Vonetta McGee
Back to blaxploitation! Today we discuss the lives and careers of 'blacktresses' and queens of the film genre, Brenda Sykes and Vonetta McGee.Tola Maria Life Coach: www.tolamariaadeyinka.comGet 20% OFF Single Sessions & 12% OFF ...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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28:46
Nollywood Diva: Genevieve Nnaji
Let's get into Nollywood's highest paid actress, Genevieve Nnaji! Called "Nigeria's Julia Roberts" by Oprah, Genevieve is also an activist, producer, singer, director, a true doll. Tola Maria Life Coach: www.tolamariaa...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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26:22
Strength Of A Woman: Phyllis Hyman
The story of the late, great Phyllis Hyman, a legend gone way too soon. We talk about her upbringing in Pittsburgh, how she worked the jazz circuit in Miami & NYC, getting signed, and more about her career and personal life. TW: this episo...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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1:10:08
Anniversary: Happy Birthday, Vixen!
In the very first anniversary episode, I share some unreleased stories on Azizi Johari- former Playmate, model, and actress, as well as Marie Bryant, legendary professional dancer. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VIXEN!!!! Tola Maria Life Coach: www.to...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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34:00
Pop Princess: Samantha Mumba
Irish pop princess Samantha Mumba is the focus of today's episode- let's talk about her meteoric rise to fame, the transition to acting that might have hurt her, her juicy love life, and what she's up to now!Tola Maria Life Coach: www.t...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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34:30
Crime Crossover: Thelma Wright
Thelma Wright was pretty, popular, and a promising athlete. After her beloved husband, drug kingpin Jackie Wright was murdered, Thelma was left behind to pick up the pieces, becoming quite the queenpin in her own right.Tola ...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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46:03
Poe Little Rich Girl: Jacki O
This episode focuses in on Jacki-O, Miami-born hardcore femme rapper turned minister. We discuss her fast rise to stardom, beef with another rap star, label troubles, and how she found religion. Tola Maria Life Coach: www.tolamariaa...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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31:04
The #Zola Effect: The Greatest Digital Story Ever's Impact *AD FREE!*
I'm baaaack! Let's kick off Season 4 by reflecting on the lasting impact of the greatest Twitter story ever told, #TheStory by A'Ziah King! We cover how the story sent the Internet into a frenzy, set the trend for digital storytelling as we kno...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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32:33
Film Review Finale: Sex Positive Black Girls In Film
It's that time again- this time, we discuss the following movies; Girl 6, Just Another Girl On The IRT, and She's Gotta Have It! We talk about the importance of films and shows focused on black girlhood, comparable movies and shows from recent ...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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1:03:56
