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Keyshia Cole's A Family Affair: Highlights From The Reunion Special
Posted on March 21, 2008 8:00 AM
"I'm not a star. The stuff I been through in my life, I can't be a star. I'm a survivor." -- K.Cole
Last fall, millions of us gathered around our television sets faithfully on Tuesday nights at 10:30, finding ourselves drawn to BET. Since I've come of age, it was one of the rare times I even bothered to flick on the channel. Why?
The answer was simple: we were all caught up in the rapture of the ghetto rags-to-riches story of R&B chanteuse Keyshia Cole, and the affairs of her drug addict mother, Frankie, and her sister, Neffe. Season 2 of The Way It Is shown us the aftermath of Frankie's release from jail, and exactly what happened when Cole decided to move her family into her new Georgia digs. We all shunned Frankie for her seemingly ungratefulness, and the women on the board sympathized with Neffe as she had to make the decision of terminating her pregnancy toward the end of the season. And we all had an opinion over that explosive season finale.
So, it's no wonder that we tuned into follow-up special, although it was a few months too late.
The special was hosted by BET former VJ Ananda Lewis, who honestly annoyed me the entire time, and wore a shirt that I felt was trying a little too hard. She also reminded me a bit of Tyra Banks due to the way she conducted the interview, which, to me, is not a good thing.
There were several reasons I decided to tune in:
a) I was hoping K. Cole would touch base on her song, "I Remember". At first listen, the lyrics sound like they're in relevance to an ex-beau, but I heard Ed Lover say on the radio that it actually has a filial meaning; it's about her relationship with her mother. As soon as I started interpreting it that way, I began to love the song because it made me think of my own family members that I have love/hate relationships with and wanted to hear it straight from her.
b) It was announced that they would bring out the new man in Keyshia's life, "and his name started with a 'J'". They DID reveal this... but guess what?! It wasn't Jeezy ::smile::
c) Most of all, I wanted to see how the family had grown since this:
As you can see, they've all switched their looks up..the most dramatically being Neffe, who's shed a few pounds (you go girl!) For some reason, she kind of reminds me of a thicker Fantasia now: beautifully hood. Keyshia's hair looks like what D.Woods was TRYING to do (but utilized the wrong stylist), and as usual, looks stunning in her white (she should ALWAYS wear white after Labor Day, it's her best color).
The special wasn't like something Flavor Flav or New York-esque; it wasn't scandalous at all... a few moments of ghetto-tude, but nonetheless drama free. Frankie annoyed me by her usual showboating and shouting the phrase "HULLA!" repeatedly. But you gotta love 'em.
Don't get me wrong, I don't need scandal to entertain me but I thought that the whole thing dragged at some points, especially when they went through the history of Keyshia getting her deal (that must've been for the non-Internet savvy folks). While you guys were absorbing and shaking your heads, I was scribbing down notes and quotes. Here's what I gathered as most mentionable from the special:
-- In the beginning, Keyshia revealed that her initial aspiration was to be a veterinarean (Aww! She's such a nurturer!)
-- Frankie used to be a singer and released an album that didn't chart. She was even featured in Right On! magazine, where I did my internship at (DID ANYONE KNOW/REMEMBER THIS?!)
-- Frankie made a statement about her past abuse and downfall into prostitution, blaming it on her strict upbringing and not being able to leave the house.
[When she grew up] "I was like, '20'? Let's make it rain!"
OH MY GOODNESS. That remark was a joke, but still. I don't know how I feel about that. They say it's always the ones that are kept on lockdown that go buckwild, but my parents played me close and although it pissed me the hell off, I never found the urge to sleep around, let alone for money. I did discover that college=freedom in all aspects, though. ANYWAY..
-- I thought the part where Frankie took the at-home drug test and they discovered her symptoms were possibly due to menopause was funny. Did anyone catch that?
-- One of the many tearjerker moments (for them, not for me) on the show was when Frankie mentioned that "everyday I'm learning to be a mother. Keyshia, don't give up on me." That kind of refers back to the clip I posted on the first page.
-- Like I said, the reunion had its ghetto moments. Check this out:
Neffe: [discussing her sobriety] I don't drink as much anymore. But I will take a shot of Patron, you got one? Frankie: HULLA! Don't act like you ain't got a dollar shot in your purse, you walk up IN the club like dat!"
-- During the show, the in-studio audience got to ask Keysh, Neffe, and Frankie questions. A moving question was posed by a young woman sitting in the audience, who, like Keyshia, came from a broken home with an ex-junkie mother. The woman (who said she was 30) asked Keyshia about how she learned to forgive her mother, for she still could not learn to do so for her own. Keyshia responded:
"We grow everyday, even when you're hurt... if I don't know anything, let it go."
-- (Just for y'all who didn't watch, "Let It Go" (the phrase as well as her single) proved to be the theme for this special. It comes up REPEATEDLY. This especially rings true when Neffe starts to cry while recounting her loser ex-husband drama, and realizing that when she heard the song and was able to face the message, she realized "this muthaf*cka f*cked my cousin!" and his @$$ had to go.)
-- The producers also let students from Clark Atlanta University ask questions of Keyshia. This was cool, but they aired a clip of a girl asking, "Who do you acknowledge more as a mother, Yvonne Cole or Frankie?" That was really, really bad taste, and I felt that BET lost by trying to CREATE a scene.. They knew Frankie was going to trip (which she did, sort of, and it just made her look like she took 3 steps backward)
LUCKILY, Keyshia demonstrated grace and decorum with her response.
-- Frankie admits that part of her resentment towards the Coles stems from the fact that she looks at them and realized that "they did what I should've done, something I didn't know how to."
Lastly, Ananda touched on Neffe's abortion issue, and asks how hard that decision was for her. Neffe starts crying during the re-airing of her phone call to set up the termination appointment, and then gets up and leaves while muttering something indecipherable.
After the commercial break airs.. she returns.... HOLDING A BABY!!!
This is the "new man in Keyshia's life"... Jaylen Welove (sp?) Cole.
Honestly, that threw me for a loop. I was smiling like an idiot when I saw that beautiful baby boy. They kept that one under wraps, boy! I didn't even know she'd kept the baby. I mean, I support every woman's right to choose either way, so her keeping her child didn't bother me at all. Keyshia looked so natural holding him, it was too sweet.
I think the show displayed a different side of what they tried to do with their reality show, exposing the fact that our families do have their problems, and its important to talk about them (sometimes using a therapist to intervene, AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT).. but most importantly, we have to move as a unit. This reunion showed that their family is DEFINITELY not perfect, but they have come A LONG WAY from where they were. I wish them nothing but happiness for the future.
For those of you who saw, what did you think? Did Ananda annoy you as much as she annoyed me? What did y'all think of Manny being on the show (this is addressed to those of you who didn't like him), do you think we saw another side of him, like the fact that he actually HAS a LIFE? Do you think there should be a Season Three? "HULLA!" LOL....
I'm out for the weekend. Have a lovely Easter, and check me Monday morning for the Making The Band Season Finale!
Comments
First!!!
When Neffe came out with the baby it was a very shocking and joyous moment. I was so happy she didnt abort that lil man. All the time Ananda was saying Keyshia got a man i was thinkin"oh no not Young Cheezy keesh!" so twoz a relief
keyshia got a good head on her shoulders..good look 4 her.
-but yo the moms & sis curse too damn much, they bleep dude mustve been tired. even keyshia was shakin her head. overall it was some real talk
& Keyshia said her fav song on the album is "got to get my heart back" which is MY fav song on the album. So(if your reading keesh) since we hav similar taste you need to dump Floyd or Cheezy or whover, and get with a playa!
man motherfuck k.cole who gives a damn i dont want to watch this fucking minstrel show bullshit! fucking crack heads, baby mama drama, fatherless children, its all bullshit get over the shit and move on with your life!
Yea i suppose i wasnt alone. I thought to myself the whole time that shirt that Ananda was wearing what so unprofessional no wonder i never see her on tv anymore.That was really poor taste. Save it for the club or not she really cant even pull off that shirt. Neffie seems like she growing she got a way to go but i see a difference. Frankie what can i say. I think some of her is fake and she say stuff that sounds good. I say this because of her behavior youll seen it u know what im talking about. She talking about she got drunk before the family renuion because of her gums? Come on now. Personally i dont want to see another season.
As for your questions...I thought Ananda was cool, but that shirt she wore was over the top for a family re-union show.
-I thought Manny was a very cool dude. He has really helped that family stay together, he's like the long lost brother. & that speech he gave hit the heart
- i dont think they should do season 3. that will just be expoliting it for ratings, and it will lose its "realness" ie BET will create drama@ their expense
I think Manny is a great manager and is someone Keyshia really needs in her life and career. He really looks all for her in everyway.
Neffe and Frankie are just too draining for me. They seems like they revel in drama. Now I will admit that Neffe seems to have matured but I was tired of them cursing and using references to the Lord all in the same sentence.
i didn't see it yet but i agree about manny he kind of holds things together by telling everyone what they need to hear but ever1 would be defensive 2 if one of the others said it themselves and is it me but doesn't he look like frankie hmself is he related? i thought neffie was the most ignorant@#$but as i watched i understand y she is like she is i was proud ass hell when she got the toll both job because she was herself she wants to be self reliant and i don't think keisha tries to belittle her but when the little sista has 2b the adult the older can't help but feel that way i think neffie wants 2b the big sister that key can look to and be proud of and i think she'll get there if she keeps the attitude she has when she's sober i wish them all luck!
If TV can make Neffe look decent, then there's hope for ALL women. . .
your synopsis was wonderful! im just confused at how is the babys last name cole? isnt that Keyshias adopted last name?
I THINK MANNY IS JUST THE MAN OF THE HOUSE.....LIKE THE FATHER.....4 PPL THAT GREW UP WITHOUT A FATHER IN THE HOUSE U HAVE NO IDEA WHAT ITS LIKE TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE A AUTHORITY FIGURE AROND U, NOT TO BOSS U, BUT TO HELP. NO DISRESPECT TO ANY1 OUT THERE WITHOUT 1....BUT U NEED THAT MAN TO HOLD SHIT TOGETHER.....TO MANY WOMEN IN A HOUSE CAN RUN ANYBODY CRAZY.....
Ananda was trying waaay to hard. She reminded me of Tyra too in that tryna to be hood/down sense. It came off contrived and unflattering. And that shirt made her boobs look like they were spread too far apart.
And for some reason it made me uncomfortable when the audience clapped when Neffie brought out her son. It made me wonder if she hadn't had him they would've boo'd her.
I love Keyshia and wish her all the best. It's rare that I see such a down to earthness and genuiness in the artists that I support with my hard earned dollars
LMAOOOO@ SPIDER PIG HATING ON SEXY AND BEAUTIFUL ANANDA LEWIS CAUSE YOU'RE SOHH SLEEZY FAT ASS COULD NEVER WEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT!!! LMAO!! GET ON AN EXCERCISE BIKE YOU LARD ASS APE!!!
i didn't watch it, yet but im hopin to catch the re-run seems cool, by the way cehck out this great blog: http://djtriumph.blogspot.com
I think the show last night was great! People need to RESPECT the fact that Frankie keep it real. That's who she is! If she want's to act like that then let her do her. Frankie is 48 yrs old she grown ass women! Neffie got her self together and i am very happy for her. i wish they had her Sister Elite and her Brother Sam on the stage with them. I RESPECT what Keishia is doing for here family and friends
1. Ananda looked like she stole her mother's or big sister's shirt. She's pretty as hell, but did not have the volume of tittay needed to fill out that shirt. It was like I was looking inside of her body.
2. Frankie needs to stop thinking that she's got a rap album coming out. It's crazy when Neffe looks at you like " You're being real ghetto right now".
3. At the end of the day.......I'm glad they're working it out
check out lupe's New Video Hip-Hop Saved My Life: http://djtriumph.blogspot.com
I was very disappointed that they did not acknowledge Keisha's sister who was sitting in the audience. They did not make her a part of the reunion. She was effected by all of this also and while Keisha and Neffe both had more to share about their memories of their mother growing up, I am quite sure she would've had something to contribute. The briefly, every now and then, turned the camera on her to show her reaction to Frankie's wish before she leaves this earth which is to get all of seven of her kids together at one time and having them to forgive her.
keisha cole show was what so many Black families go thru
http://www.myspace.com/jdubbthayounghectic
KEYSHIA IS SO REAL U CANT DENY IT SHE GOT SUMTHIN ERYONE CAN RELATE TO
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THAGRINDAHOLIC
CHECK THA NEW TRACK "GRIMEY"
I watched the show it was ghetto fabolous. But Keyshia needs to stop chasing after every single dollar. Feel me get that paper but sometimes you have to say no. She exploits her family for a paycheck.
lol....i thought i was the only one that found ananda very annoying (tyra-ish) and that she was trying too hard with that shirt...but i was so happy when neffie brought out her baby boy...he is beautiful...i'm happy that neffie is getting her life back on track. she reminds me so much of my cousin, i feel like i know her...you gotta love frankie lol she seems like shes enjoying her life (Hulla!! lol)...i don't know about anyone else but i like manny. i think he is very supportive of keyshia and he goes beyond being a manager to her and he seems like a really good friend...i don't really think a third season is necessary but i would probably be glued to the screen if they did do season 3...keyshia seems really happy, i'm happy for her and her family...i hope they continue to be close with eachother.
I enjoyed the show and have seen a lot of growth in Keyshia as well. She started out real hood, but I understand why. However I feel she is becoming more graceful each year. I think God is using Keyshia as the catalyst to mend her family back together. Neffie has matured a great deal but has a ways to go. I really do believe Frankie had been drinking before the show because she kept saying, "Tyra Mail" and "How You Doing" and "HOLLA"! I just hope she gets her life together. Manny is a great influence in all of their lives; it was nice to see him there. Now Ananda Lewis looked inappropriate. She should have dressed decent and fixed her hair differently. I too think she was trying too hard and maybe felt a little intimidated at times. I would like to see another season of the show just to show other families that counseling does help and despite all the trials and tribulations; life can be mended. God Bless Keyshia and her family and those surrounding them. I pray she continues to prosper and shine.
Ananda hosting this show brings you down to the lowest of lowest in your career.lol I for one don't understand why people still continue to watch this mess along with Flavor of Love, I Love New York, and any other bafoonery. These shows are coonery at their best.
Yes!, Yes!, Yes! Ananda was the most annoying host. She kept trying to identify and it sounded fake. It definitely was very Tyra Banks, I almost flipped the channel several times during the show.
There is something about Neffe that makes me really like her. She got in touch with her issues, faced them head on and is dealing with them like an adult. She's setting a good example for her kids. I lover her gangsta and her growth. But that Franky....she's still a mess! She comes off as a fraud and gets on my nerves. She seems selfish and thinks she's a star. She has come a loong way but she has an even longer way to go. I do want a 3rd season just show their growth.
I knew she kept the baby right after the season ended..They had the results on B.E.T after season to wrapped
i love Keyshia Cole she will never be forgetton in my heart i love you
Did anybody get neffe she had a three some with her cousin. But then when her husband just sleep with the cousin she thought that was wrong.
who careas aboit keyshia'as family althouugh I woulsd sex all of thwem keyshia's mom better not come my way cause me and my boys got plenty of drugs around here.
Although I did not watch the show regularly, I did catch this special. Like others, I was not feeling Ananda Lewis' shirt...or entire outfit for that matter. Even if the guests of a show like this are dressed down (which they were not) - the host should usually dress a little more conservative and classy. If you are serious about the task of hosting a show with a semi-serious subject matter...you would want the focal point of the show to be about your guests and their message...and not about your outfit. Everything from her hair, to her shirt, to her bohemian hooker heels was just plain wrong. Her hairstyle seemed more appropriate for a 10 year old girl and her shirt was just...well...wow. Also, I watched my share of TRL back in the day and I NEVER remember Ananda Lewis being so "down". Even when they would have a rapper or R&B singer as a guest - she never would play that ghetto role. I wanted to scream out "I don't believe you....you need more people!" As far as Keyshia Cole goes, I felt that she answered questions without pretense...the same goes for Neffie and Frankie. Some earlier posts indicated that this show basically glorifies "ghetto" behavior but I believe just the opposite. Shows like this don't make a statement about whether or not we should talk ghetto, act ghetto, etc. Shows like this are supposed to give you a raw and uncut view at how others live life. If you want to see people behaving in a way that you or society deems appropriate...then what you should be watching is scripted television. Lastly, for all the Frankie "haters" I just have to say that she cracks me the hell up. As a matter o' fact....she reminds me of my uncle Junior......HULLA! LOL
I love Keyshia Cole! For folks who think she's ghetto, "Oh, well." What's beautiful about black folks is our experience spans the spectrum of life. Keyshia is a wonderful representation of a young lady taking lemons and making a big whole picture of lemonade. I admire her for helping her family and because I've worked with and grown close to many young ladies like Keyshia, I know this family's story is touching some folks. I do think Mama Frankie had a little sumthin' before the show aired, but with God's help she'll get better... As for Keyshia, God's got her back, she's growing and changing and will continue to be someone our entire community can take pride in. And, she can write great lyrics and sannng!
I kow a bunch of ya'll were not loving Ananda's look. As I also feel that it was not appropriate for the show, I am sho nuff trying to find that top for my upcoming trip to Anguilla! I have to admit it's a great look for the beach. If anyone knows where to find it, please post.
I REALLY ENJOYED WATCHING THAT SHOW I'M SO GLAD SHE KEPT HER BABY I HOPE SHE HAS A SEASON3 REAL SOON
soooooo...i assume you all didnt like Ananda's shirt. got it. what prudes live in this united states! you see a little booby and you lose it! LOL no wonder the world thinks you're losers...LOL
I would think with all the trifling whores on the flavor of love, charm schooland all the other shows that make it to your air, you would be grateful for an articulate, smart, real woman like Lewis on your airwaves. but you are so shallow that all you see is the shirt,.. Oh well.. send her to Australia! WE LOVE YOU OUT HERE ANANDA!!! keep being glorious!
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