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Bad Girls Club, Judi the Voodoo Vixen, Opens Up for an Interview!!!

To all my Bad Girls Club and Love Games fans/viewers, here’s a treat just for you!  I had the opportunity to speak with Judi from BGC, Season 7 and she opens up to show her fans that there is a lot more to her, than what we’ve seen on television.  She goes into detail about her romance with Matt, what being on the Bad Girls Club has taught her and what’s in store for her future.  Of course, if you’ve seen Oxygen’s most intense series-to-date, you know that this show holds nothing back.  At times I can admit to cringing from the violence and the girl on girl cattiness because it’s nothing short of a public display of bullying, but in the end the girls are supposed to have grown from the experience.  Well, only time will tell if anyone actually comes away with a healthier perspective of reality and speaking with Judi was my chance to see what the Voodoo Vixen learned from her time in the Bad Girls Club house.  Check out what we talked about; you’re in for a treat!

 

A lot of times, especially with the newer shows like Basketball Wives and Love & Hip Hop, to me it seems a little scripted so you never know what’s true or what’s just for TV. As far as Love Games goes, just to put the rumors to rest, are you and Matt actually together? Was that real love?

Yeah, we’re still together!  No relationship is perfect, but it was real.  It wasn’t scripted at all!  Love Games nor Bad Girls Club was scripted.

I know it’s hard enough to have a relationship that’s behind closed doors, how do you make it work when millions of people can see your every move?

Well, we’re making it work…I can’t really say how, but we’re trying…(Me: Prayer?) It’s not easy…

The Judi on TV is crazy, likes to party, but what’s the Judi that we don’t see on TV…what’s Judi on a normal day without cameras?

I’m actually really cool and laid back.  I be chillin! I just don’t like people to mess with me….that’s it! I’m actually not a crazy person…I don’t wake up on 10 and go to sleep on 10!  I’m actually calm and respectful, I have common sense…I don’t just wake up drinking Mimosas and go to sleep drinking hot tea and vodka, I’m sober (lol).  People just think I’m out of my mind and have no common sense at all!  But really, I do and I’m actually really emotional and all the craziness and anger just comes from me being overly sensitive.

What do you think is the biggest life lesson that came out of you being on both shows?

On Bad Girls Club I pretty much learned that in the real streets, people are gonna hurt you if you torture them or mess with them.  You’re an adult now, you have to take responsibility for your actions…if you want to throw cereal on somebody, they will beat you up!  That’s what I’ve learned! You get what you give!  From Love Games I learned that you don’t always have to show out and act out to get attention.  On Love Games my role was kind of reserved and I was actually pretty quiet…that was the other two girls fighting, I kind of just chilled and sat back.  You don’t always have to be the loud one to make your point or to give people attention…just be yourself.  What’s that saying? The loudest one in the room is usually the most insecure and I just realized that.

As you weave your way through the industry, how will you begin to separate yourself from the image that you portrayed on the show? How will you become that serious business woman that people want to invest in?

On the Bad Girls Club I was 21 and I’m 23 now, so I mean age is nothing but a number, but with experience comes maturity.  Going through the BGC and things that I’ve been through in the last few years, I’ve come a long way.  I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I am growing and I think that’s all you can do…your actions speak louder than your words.  And I’m definitely not the same Judi throwing cereal and cussing everyone out…I do slip up and make my mistakes still til this day, but I’m more of a woman.

Looking back, if there’s one thing about your journey that you could change, what would it be?

I wouldn’t necessarily change anything, but there’s certain stuff that made the media and I would have chosen to not do that and I would have thought about it before I acted out.  I just realize there’s a time and a place for everything, but I don’t regret anything.  I would have handled myself better and more ladylike and mature in certain situations.

What are some of the long term goals you have for yourself, moving forward?

I really want to be a business woman and invest in my brand.  I’m the face of ME’YA Cosmetics! I love lipstick! I want to be a brand owner and a Video Jockey or a radio personality.  I want everything!  For Judi to be a household brand…sky’s the limit.  I also want to get married and have kids ( I giggle)…no, seriously, this is not a joke!

If you had to give yourself a self-assessment, would you say that you’re content on where you are?

I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m where I’m supposed to be.  There’s always progess, learning and advancing and every day is a new chance to make yourself better than yesterday.

What do you say to the younger girls that are impressionable and looked at all the stuff that happened on Bad Girls Club? How do you let them know that may not be the best way to handle a situation (fighting)?

Television is not somebody’s whole life…it’s just a snippet of an hour of what people may go through, but it may not make them.  So, do not base your life off of somebody else’s life because God has a path and a plan for everybody and your life is headed in the direction that God wants it to go…don’t be influenced by an hour of TV where for the other 24 hours you really don’t see what that person is really like.

How did you get the opportunity to be on TV?  You went to Colombia University, correct?

Yes, I went to Columbia!  I was always the party girl, the loud one…like let’s get it crackin’!  Me and my friends were watching Bad Girls Club one day and I remember thinking “ARE YOU SERIOUS?! I can do this!”  Like, let’s get drunk and talk smack to everybody, that is right up my alley (lol). I can be on this show! And everyone agreed…it was obvious that the girls on the show have been through stuff in their life and I have too, so my friends were like just try out.  An open casting session came to Chicago at a bar up north and I had no idea that I would make it.  It was literally  me up against 1500 girls…there were so many girls there! I just remember thinking, “I’m never gonna make it. Noway!”  And I did!  I beat out all those girls…it was so surreal when they flew me to LA for my final interview…that’s a moment that I will never forget. It was the most exciting moment in my life! I was 100% myself…they take party girls with issues (lol)!  I AM the Bad Girls Club!

For those looking to follow the same reality TV aspirations, how much work do you have to do to maintain your brand?  Is it difficult?

It is difficult.  You have idiots tweet you dumb stuff and call you all types of names, and since I’m in a relationship, you have people who judge that.  As much as you want to cuss them out and go H.A.M. on them (I’ve done that a couple times), you can’t.  You never know who’s following you…a big person may see me go off and they may not want to work with me…you have to pick your battles.  You also have to stay true to yourself…all people know is the Judi on TV, the Voodoo Vixen…they don’t know me, they don’t know Judith Jackson.  You want to go out to the club and be that girl from TV, but you can’t because people are watching…you do have to change!  I want to get ratchet, but I can’t.

Do you feel like there’s a sense of getting to a point where you will be yourself 100% regardless of what others think?

I was real on TV…that’s Judi all day!  They didn’t edit me in a different light.  But, I can’t go out and throw drinks in the club and lift my dress up, I have people looking at me.  I’m not on camera and people aren’t going to protect me.  I don’t have to be that destructive person.  A normal person can go to the club and get drunk and fall over, but if I do that it may end up on Mediatakeout and can be a whole different story like I was on drugs and that may not be the case.  It’s about being more mellow and being aware of your surroundings.

Do you have anyone in the industry that you look up to and want to work with?

I would love to work with LaLa, Rocsi from 106 & Park, and I would love to work with the Kardashians.  I think they flipped their mistake and made it into an empire.  I think that’s the smartest thing ever.

What’s one funny thing that people don’t know about the sober you, but it’s a big part of your character?

I really do talk to myself! I do smile when nothing is going on (lol).  When Matt is really serious, I laugh!  I don’t laugh cuz it’s funny, I laugh cuz “why are you so serious?” (lol).  People probably really do think I’m crazy!

How did you even come up with the whole Voodoo thing?  Is that real?

Yes! I’m really Creole and I’m from Louisiana, but my mother used to tell me stories.  I never practiced Voodoo, but her mother and my Grandma really do practice Voodoo.  The thing with Voodoo is, it’s just karma!  What you give out in this universe, you’re gonna get back.  I’m not afraid!  Treat people how you want to be treated.  I’m not crazy, I really know what I’m talking about.

How do you balance your relationship?  Matt seems like a laid back person and you’re more boisterous.

Me and Matt have way more in common than anyone knows.  He’s not mellow all the time and I’m not wild all the time.  It’s a relationship…I don’t think Matt would have dealt with me for so long if he wasn’t a goofy person or funny.  People just don’t know that because he’s actually really shy.  I’m just more outgoing and outspoken.  You guys can watch the Youtube videos from Mexico…

How do you want your fans to support you?

I have Twitter (JudiJaiKrazi) and my YouTube channel (JudiJaiTV)!  My fans are really interactive with me and unlike a lot of other celebs and reality stars, I actually talk back with my fans.

I think it’s great to see a different side of Judi, outside of what is seen on TV!  She was super sweet and hella funny!  Thanks for visiting the Dreamworld!

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Is This Bad Girl Really All That Bad?

We get to see glimpses, no matter how real or scripted, into the lives of young individuals on television.  Sometimes a  reality star may even stand out to me and I can see past the glitz and glamor of the role they’re dubbed to represent.  Elease Donovan is no exception!  Maybe it was that she spoke with a little more sense than the rest of her cast or maybe it was her smoking hot looks, but whatever the reason, I reached out to her!  I wanted to get an idea of what Season 8 of The Bad Girls Club couldn’t capture with this aspiring entrepreneur.  Welcome, Elease…to the Dreamworld!

Often, we see a pretty face and think that’s where it stops.  Or we may even assume that this is their first go ’round within the industry.  Well, neither of these are true for Elease; she’s been in the industry for a while, gaining popularity and allowing her success to pave a path in the direction toward her ultimate passion for fashion.  She’s been featured in magazines such as King and XXL, with her latest dose of fame on Oxygen’s hit show, The Bad Girls Club.  Check out my short interview with Elease Donovan to learn about her love for fashion, how she was discovered and what new business ventures she’s diving into!

(Source:XXL feature)

1. What was your first big break in modeling/fashion?

My first big break in modeling was being spotted at the mall by a well known modeling agency here in Miami.  From there I was sent on castings and booked roles…

2. What keeps you motivated to follow your dream of being a big-time designer?

What keeps me motivated to follow my dream of being a big time designer is my mom.  My mom has always been a successful entrepreneur and one day I’d like for her to sit back, relax and not have to work anymore.

3. How has Bad Girls Club helped your career aspirations?

BGC has helped me with my career aspirations with worldwide recognition. As my fan base grows, worldwide, more and more people are able to see my swimwear line and are eager to buy it, along with other lines I will be coming out with.

4. What advice would you give to younger females trying to make it, just like you?

Advice I would give my fans is to keep working hard no matter what and you can be whatever you aspire to be. It might be hard at times but keep working and be patient.

5. What do you think is your God-given purpose in life?

To be the best I can be.

6. What advice would you offer the “younger Elease” knowing what you do about life and the business thus far?

Advice I have for the younger Elease is stay focused because it’s easy to get distracted at times.

7. How do you intend on making sure you remain unique and grounded through your journey?

How I intend on making sure I remain unique an grounded through my journey is just to be myself.  No matter how far I go I believe I will always remain humble and grounded.

Elease has launched a brand new swimwear line that you can check out at: http://www.eleasedonovanswimwear.com/

Thank you, Elease!  It’s always nice to know that we can keep dreaming!  She’s made, what most would sum up as just good looks, work for her.  She’s a business woman with a successful brand…brains and beauty are always a good combination!

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He’s a Man With More than Just “Love Games”

When you hear his name, you may not recognize it unless you are an avid Love Games fan, but he’s certainly on his way to stardom.  After I saw one episode I was hooked and not because the show was the best on television, but because he grabbed my attention.  That person was Matthew Goodman, a.k.a. Matt.  Of course some would see his handsome look and pretty smile and think the obvious, but there was a feeling of genuine charm that couldn’t be ignored.  He stood out from the others and I knew I had to get a deeper peek into what he was all about.  I took a chance and requested an interview with the young man and of course, in true southern gentleman fashion, he agreed to give his fans a sneak peak into his world.

Native to Atlanta, GA Matt knew at a young age that he wanted to be in the lime light and show the world what he was made of.  So far, it looks as though he is succeeding with his goal!  He’s been seen in films such as, Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming and 5 Days in the Day “A”.  He was also featured as a cast member on BET’S College Hill Atlanta Season 5, as well as, BET’s 106 & Park and Spring Bling.  You may have also seen him showing off his skills on Showtime at the Apollo’s Dance Competition in 2006, where he won over the crowd 3 times!  Matt’s most recent camera time has been captured on Oxygen’s Love Games, where he was chosen as the winner who found love with Bad Girl’s Club voodoo vixen, Judi.  He explains, “Love Games was a more intimate, personal level that people were able to view me in.  I feel that it was an exposure platform for what is to come in the near future…”

Not only is he making his way through Hollywood, but he’s also making his way through Atlanta by helping out local organizations and foundations such as, the Ludacris Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club.  He spends his free time helping out and giving back; something that is becoming very rare among those finding success.  When asked what he wanted the first thing people thought of when they heard his name he said, “Real, Ambitious, Intellectual, Gentleman, Humble.  Evenly spread across the board, these words best describe me as an ever-evolving individual.”

His answer alone is unique, therefore it seems only fitting that his career take the same mold. Matthew isn’t just interested in being on the big screen, but he also has musical aspirations that include rapping, writing, producing and performing across the globe.  He is slated to release his EP by Spring 2012.  My main goal is to always uncover what inspires someone to keep pushing and the things that keep Matt pursuing his music and television are simple. In his words:

The love and passion for music, as well as television and film, is what continues to drive me to pursue my career as I do. Secondly, the support and feedback that I receive from people everyday plays a huge role in where I’m currently at in my career.

With dreams of success in mind, Matt is charting his own territory in the industry, but inquisitive minds may wonder how he won’t be sucked into the world of being just an ordinary reality star.  Let’s face it, it’s the new fad for young people making their rise to fame, but if you are one of the individuals left to wonder if he will fall victim, check out how he plans on NOT allowing this to happen:

I plan on making sure that reality T.V. success won’t niche me as a typical “reality T.V. star” by constantly reinventing myself and who I am as a person.  You’re not the same person you were a year ago, not even a few months ago.  With that being said, there is always room for growth and improvement. I have lifelong business, as well as, personal goals I’ve set for myself and being young, complacency is not an option nor an excuse.

Well, there you have it.  He just may be as unique as he seems and driven to go against the norm.  My interview is just a small peak into the world of someone who is clearly destined for something big, but the glimpse may inspire others to stick with their goals and attain their own success, such as Matthew Goodman.  So, what is his God-given purpose in life?  He tells his fans:

I feel that because I am still alive and breathing, I have not yet fulfilled my ideal God-given purpose.  Nevertheless, I  feel that I have a special gift in communicating with people.  I’m a people person and I would love to reach different ethnicities and cultures, through music and artistic expression.

His journey is picking up speed and I can’t help but be excited for what’s to come of this young, humble, intellectual and ambitious young man’s life and career.  One thing’s for sure, the right attitude goes a long way and for that alone, greatness is definitely in his future.

If you want to learn more about Matthew, visit his website: http://www.matthewdgoodman.com/

 

You can also check out this clip of the Love Games Season 3 Finale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3ZBXSbRpu8

As always, another story of hard work and dedication proves to have a pay off.  This is just another sign that there are plenty of dreams to be had in the Dreamgirl’s world!

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