In case you thought being one of the best-selling gospel artists in history was enough for Yolanda Adams, you thought wrong.
Aside from listing multiple chart toppers on Billboard tallies over the past two decades, the Grammy winning diva has also brought her megawatt talents and smile to a number of projects including film, television, radio, and most recently, her own bath and body line ‘Simply Yolanda’.
With the venture being one of many keeping her ever busy, Adams took time to chat exclusively to That Grape Juice about it, her love life, new music in the works with legendary production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson) and hit songwriter Diane Warren, her love of gospel newcomers Joshua Rogers, Livre, and so much more.
What are you waiting for? Tuck in below to see it all:
That Grape Juice: Yolanda, it is an absolute pleasure to finally speak with you!
Yolanda Adams: Thank you!
TGJ: No problem! So, let’s get right to it! We’ve seen you as singer, actress, radio show host, and now venturing into beauty! How do you juggle it all?
Y. Adams: Well, everything I do, I absolutely love. So, it’s not a “juggle”. It’s just a matter of placing it in the right spaces during the day (laughs). Of course, when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is get ready for the
From there, I go to conference calls and handle other business ventures. So, it all boils down to time management. The easiest thing for me is that nowadays, I know how to shut it down (laughs).
TGJ: And, we know that is very important! That brings us to your latest venture – ‘Simply Yolanda’ the beauty product line. What inspired you to pursue the beauty industry?
Y. Adams: The inspiration behind it included a lot of things because I love bath and body products! I love how they make me feel and how they make my skin feel. I wanted to bring that feeling to my fans and listeners.
One of the things that happened for me that turned me on to the bath and body line is that I have nieces and nephews with [the skin disease] eczema. So, there are certain things they can and cannot put on their skins.
I wanted to ensure the quality of product I put out there was sensitive enough to meet the needs of people with skin concerns and that it would nourish it.
TGJ: What’s been the most surprising aspect developing and designing your own line?
Y. Adams: The technicalities you have to deal with the FDA [Food & Drug Administration] weeding out the things you don’t want in your product that others are putting in theirs. I won’t call names, but there are just some things our bodies are not supposed to absorb.
Your skin is your largest organ! Whatever your skin absorbs effects other vital parts of your body. So, I want to ensure that when people wear things like our CHOCOLATE: BODY Soufflé that they don’t worry about compromising their health or safety.
TGJ: If you had to choose, what would you say is your favorite of ‘Simply Yolanda’s line?
Y. Adams: (audio)
TGJ: Alrighty then! So, now let’s talk about the music! We’re still enjoying your 2011 release ‘Becoming’, but when should we expect new music coming from you?
Y. Adams: Well, we are now working with Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and James “Big Jim” Wright. Israel Houghton has written a tune called ‘Symphony of One’ just for me.
I’ve been in talks with Diane Warren, too! So, hopefully we will be able to get an album out and even a city-to-city tour! So, I’m really excited about what’s coming.
TGJ: As are we! We know at one time there were rumors that you were toying around with the idea of an R&B themed or secular album. Is that true?
Y. Adams: (audio)
TGJ: Awesome! Now, as with many interviews, we have a segment called “Five From Fans” where we received five questions from our readers for you.
Y. Adams: Ok!
TGJ: #1) When we can expect a “Yolanda Adams Reality Show”?
Y. Adams: Never! My life is too full. I don’t have time for reality TV. My reality is fast-paced enough as it is.
TGJ: #2) What is your favorite song of your own?
Y. Adams: Man, they’re all my children – especially the ones I wrote! One day it may be “Fragile Heart”, the next it may be “Be Still”.
TGJ: #3) As we too are fans, this one’s from us at TGJ. You mentioned earlier about a number of great singers you’ve shared the stage with, but who is someone you’ve yet to duet with that you’d like to?
Y. Adams: (audio)
TGJ: #4) Yolanda, will you be judging on the next season of BET’s “Sunday’s Best”?
Y: Adams: Yes, I will!
TGJ: #5) Who are some of your favorite up-and-coming artists?
TGJ: Thanks for that! In reference to the forthcoming season of BET’s ‘Sunday Best’, as a judge, what advice would you give to season 6 hopefuls?
Y. Adams: Know how to sing! That’s it (laughs). Please know how to sing.
TGJ: Let’s bring this home talking about your hit radio show. With so many other ventures, how did you know it was time to that avenue?
Y. Adams: It was brought to me as the answer to a prayer. God answered a prayer for me to be home more with my daughter and it worked out so well.
TGJ: What would you say has been your most memorable interview so far?
Y. Adams: Every time I talk to the President and First Lady they are so encouraging to me. You see them on television and think they’re probably the busiest people in the world, but they still take the time to talk to me and my listeners.
This is the first time we’ve had a President and First Lady be as hands on as they are.
TGJ: Awesome! So, last but not least, we see you so busy with music, radio, fashion, and more, tell us: what’s next?
Y. Adams: Probably TV. TV and movies are the next plateau.
TGJ: We’re definitely looking forward to that. So, where should our readers look to find the latest on you when that ventures comes to be?
Y. Adams: Well, you can always visit my official website http://www.yolandaAdamslive.com or follow me on Twitter @YolandaLive!
Interview by: Quinno Rashad (That Grape Juice US)
(@blueeyedsoul517)
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