Hakuna Matata! Tony Award winning actor and singer Heather Headley who originated the role of Nala in the Broadway production of “The Lion King” recently reconnected with Simba and Timon at “Festival of the Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!  ✨
When we were first married, my sweet #husband told me that he had a vision for a state of the art #sports complex that was built, housed, supported in the heart of the city of #Chicago. Well, yesterday, I witnessed that vision settle itself into an amazing reality. And I stood on it, and in it, walked up to it, through it!
@bythehandclub, @thegapc, @intentionalsports, @jasonheywardbaseballacademy, along with the help of many amazing donors, and city officials (all overseen and guided by a miraculous God 😉), partnered together and paved the way do just that. Chicago city Kids and their families, people within the community on the west side of Chicago now have access to one of the best sports facilities and coaching teams in the #country. There is also an extensive food pantry, a church, meeting rooms, courts, weight rooms, and the #bythehandclub, which does #AMAZING outreach for, and offers help, programs, tutoring, and a safe place to kids after school (check them out for more information).
I’m so proud of my husband and everyone who persistently worked on this. So proud to have a part in it. So happy these kids, their families, and the community are honored with a safe and beautifully imagined place to call their own. And I’m so excited and mostly expectant to see all that comes from this.
(This is the closest I should come to any field, court, or anything sports related…#notmylane 😉).
(For a video tour, and a little history of the development, check out @intentionalsports)
#proudwife
When we were first married, my sweet #husband told me that he had a vision for a state of the art #sports complex that was built, housed, supported in the heart of the city of #Chicago. Well, yesterday, I witnessed that vision settle itself into an amazing reality. And I stood on it, and in it, walked up to it, through it!
@bythehandclub, @thegapc, @intentionalsports, @jasonheywardbaseballacademy, along with the help of many amazing donors, and city officials (all overseen and guided by a miraculous God 😉), partnered together and paved the way do just that. Chicago city Kids and their families, people within the community on the west side of Chicago now have access to one of the best sports facilities and coaching teams in the #country. There is also an extensive food pantry, a church, meeting rooms, courts, weight rooms, and the #bythehandclub, which does #AMAZING outreach for, and offers help, programs, tutoring, and a safe place to kids after school (check them out for more information).
I’m so proud of my husband and everyone who persistently worked on this. So proud to have a part in it. So happy these kids, their families, and the community are honored with a safe and beautifully imagined place to call their own. And I’m so excited and mostly expectant to see all that comes from this.
(This is the closest I should come to any field, court, or anything sports related…#notmylane 😉).
(For a video tour, and a little history of the development, check out @intentionalsports)
#proudwife
When we were first married, my sweet #husband told me that he had a vision for a state of the art #sports complex that was built, housed, supported in the heart of the city of #Chicago. Well, yesterday, I witnessed that vision settle itself into an amazing reality. And I stood on it, and in it, walked up to it, through it!
@bythehandclub, @thegapc, @intentionalsports, @jasonheywardbaseballacademy, along with the help of many amazing donors, and city officials (all overseen and guided by a miraculous God 😉), partnered together and paved the way do just that. Chicago city Kids and their families, people within the community on the west side of Chicago now have access to one of the best sports facilities and coaching teams in the #country. There is also an extensive food pantry, a church, meeting rooms, courts, weight rooms, and the #bythehandclub, which does #AMAZING outreach for, and offers help, programs, tutoring, and a safe place to kids after school (check them out for more information).
I’m so proud of my husband and everyone who persistently worked on this. So proud to have a part in it. So happy these kids, their families, and the community are honored with a safe and beautifully imagined place to call their own. And I’m so excited and mostly expectant to see all that comes from this.
(This is the closest I should come to any field, court, or anything sports related…#notmylane 😉).
(For a video tour, and a little history of the development, check out @intentionalsports)
#proudwife
It’s #Sunday. The house is quiet. I have some laundry to do but, because it’s Sunday (and a #mommy #sabbath😉), I’ll wait until tomorrow. However, before the children race down the stairs asking for breakfast and clothes for church and the day…
I wanted to take a moment. Just a moment to explain the millions of moments I’ve had this weekend.
On Friday night, I walked onto the stage at the Temple of Music, Carnegie Hall, with butterflies, and blue birds, and eagles, and albatrosses, and a couple of ostriches in my stomach. I’ll confess: I was nervous. This IS Carnegie. The same sacred stage on which #EllaFitzgerald, #JudyGarland, #BillieHoliday, and so many other greats have performed. And now I was to follow the same path to the mic.
This IS #NewYork. The city that owes me nothing. The city I am indebted to for all the lessons and loves I have taken with me on my journey.
However, whatever birds were causing chaos in my stomach, soon gave way to understanding that I was surrounded and sandwiched in by love and support in that Hallowed hall.
So, I want to say thank you to you all. For showing up and being there. For enjoying the show (I know we can’t sing everything, but I hope you enjoyed something). Thank you for your love and encouragement. And for dancing and singing with me all the way home.
You’ve changed me…for good and #FORGOOD!
With love…
(@officialchrismann, @thenewyorkpops, @stevenreineke, @roncolvard, the staff at @carnegiehall…
from my heart,
#thankyou)
Pictures by @heathergershonowitz for @playbill
Dress and suit by @badgleymischka
Hair by @thechriscurse
Blessed by #God 😉
It’s #Sunday. The house is quiet. I have some laundry to do but, because it’s Sunday (and a #mommy #sabbath😉), I’ll wait until tomorrow. However, before the children race down the stairs asking for breakfast and clothes for church and the day…
I wanted to take a moment. Just a moment to explain the millions of moments I’ve had this weekend.
On Friday night, I walked onto the stage at the Temple of Music, Carnegie Hall, with butterflies, and blue birds, and eagles, and albatrosses, and a couple of ostriches in my stomach. I’ll confess: I was nervous. This IS Carnegie. The same sacred stage on which #EllaFitzgerald, #JudyGarland, #BillieHoliday, and so many other greats have performed. And now I was to follow the same path to the mic.
This IS #NewYork. The city that owes me nothing. The city I am indebted to for all the lessons and loves I have taken with me on my journey.
However, whatever birds were causing chaos in my stomach, soon gave way to understanding that I was surrounded and sandwiched in by love and support in that Hallowed hall.
So, I want to say thank you to you all. For showing up and being there. For enjoying the show (I know we can’t sing everything, but I hope you enjoyed something). Thank you for your love and encouragement. And for dancing and singing with me all the way home.
You’ve changed me…for good and #FORGOOD!
With love…
(@officialchrismann, @thenewyorkpops, @stevenreineke, @roncolvard, the staff at @carnegiehall…
from my heart,
#thankyou)
Pictures by @heathergershonowitz for @playbill
Dress and suit by @badgleymischka
Hair by @thechriscurse
Blessed by #God 😉
It’s #Sunday. The house is quiet. I have some laundry to do but, because it’s Sunday (and a #mommy #sabbath😉), I’ll wait until tomorrow. However, before the children race down the stairs asking for breakfast and clothes for church and the day…
I wanted to take a moment. Just a moment to explain the millions of moments I’ve had this weekend.
On Friday night, I walked onto the stage at the Temple of Music, Carnegie Hall, with butterflies, and blue birds, and eagles, and albatrosses, and a couple of ostriches in my stomach. I’ll confess: I was nervous. This IS Carnegie. The same sacred stage on which #EllaFitzgerald, #JudyGarland, #BillieHoliday, and so many other greats have performed. And now I was to follow the same path to the mic.
This IS #NewYork. The city that owes me nothing. The city I am indebted to for all the lessons and loves I have taken with me on my journey.
However, whatever birds were causing chaos in my stomach, soon gave way to understanding that I was surrounded and sandwiched in by love and support in that Hallowed hall.
So, I want to say thank you to you all. For showing up and being there. For enjoying the show (I know we can’t sing everything, but I hope you enjoyed something). Thank you for your love and encouragement. And for dancing and singing with me all the way home.
You’ve changed me…for good and #FORGOOD!
With love…
(@officialchrismann, @thenewyorkpops, @stevenreineke, @roncolvard, the staff at @carnegiehall…
from my heart,
#thankyou)
Pictures by @heathergershonowitz for @playbill
Dress and suit by @badgleymischka
Hair by @thechriscurse
Blessed by #God 😉
It’s #Sunday. The house is quiet. I have some laundry to do but, because it’s Sunday (and a #mommy #sabbath😉), I’ll wait until tomorrow. However, before the children race down the stairs asking for breakfast and clothes for church and the day…
I wanted to take a moment. Just a moment to explain the millions of moments I’ve had this weekend.
On Friday night, I walked onto the stage at the Temple of Music, Carnegie Hall, with butterflies, and blue birds, and eagles, and albatrosses, and a couple of ostriches in my stomach. I’ll confess: I was nervous. This IS Carnegie. The same sacred stage on which #EllaFitzgerald, #JudyGarland, #BillieHoliday, and so many other greats have performed. And now I was to follow the same path to the mic.
This IS #NewYork. The city that owes me nothing. The city I am indebted to for all the lessons and loves I have taken with me on my journey.
However, whatever birds were causing chaos in my stomach, soon gave way to understanding that I was surrounded and sandwiched in by love and support in that Hallowed hall.
So, I want to say thank you to you all. For showing up and being there. For enjoying the show (I know we can’t sing everything, but I hope you enjoyed something). Thank you for your love and encouragement. And for dancing and singing with me all the way home.
You’ve changed me…for good and #FORGOOD!
With love…
(@officialchrismann, @thenewyorkpops, @stevenreineke, @roncolvard, the staff at @carnegiehall…
from my heart,
#thankyou)
Pictures by @heathergershonowitz for @playbill
Dress and suit by @badgleymischka
Hair by @thechriscurse
Blessed by #God 😉
It’s #Sunday. The house is quiet. I have some laundry to do but, because it’s Sunday (and a #mommy #sabbath😉), I’ll wait until tomorrow. However, before the children race down the stairs asking for breakfast and clothes for church and the day…
I wanted to take a moment. Just a moment to explain the millions of moments I’ve had this weekend.
On Friday night, I walked onto the stage at the Temple of Music, Carnegie Hall, with butterflies, and blue birds, and eagles, and albatrosses, and a couple of ostriches in my stomach. I’ll confess: I was nervous. This IS Carnegie. The same sacred stage on which #EllaFitzgerald, #JudyGarland, #BillieHoliday, and so many other greats have performed. And now I was to follow the same path to the mic.
This IS #NewYork. The city that owes me nothing. The city I am indebted to for all the lessons and loves I have taken with me on my journey.
However, whatever birds were causing chaos in my stomach, soon gave way to understanding that I was surrounded and sandwiched in by love and support in that Hallowed hall.
So, I want to say thank you to you all. For showing up and being there. For enjoying the show (I know we can’t sing everything, but I hope you enjoyed something). Thank you for your love and encouragement. And for dancing and singing with me all the way home.
You’ve changed me…for good and #FORGOOD!
With love…
(@officialchrismann, @thenewyorkpops, @stevenreineke, @roncolvard, the staff at @carnegiehall…
from my heart,
#thankyou)
Pictures by @heathergershonowitz for @playbill
Dress and suit by @badgleymischka
Hair by @thechriscurse
Blessed by #God 😉
It’s #Sunday. The house is quiet. I have some laundry to do but, because it’s Sunday (and a #mommy #sabbath😉), I’ll wait until tomorrow. However, before the children race down the stairs asking for breakfast and clothes for church and the day…
I wanted to take a moment. Just a moment to explain the millions of moments I’ve had this weekend.
On Friday night, I walked onto the stage at the Temple of Music, Carnegie Hall, with butterflies, and blue birds, and eagles, and albatrosses, and a couple of ostriches in my stomach. I’ll confess: I was nervous. This IS Carnegie. The same sacred stage on which #EllaFitzgerald, #JudyGarland, #BillieHoliday, and so many other greats have performed. And now I was to follow the same path to the mic.
This IS #NewYork. The city that owes me nothing. The city I am indebted to for all the lessons and loves I have taken with me on my journey.
However, whatever birds were causing chaos in my stomach, soon gave way to understanding that I was surrounded and sandwiched in by love and support in that Hallowed hall.
So, I want to say thank you to you all. For showing up and being there. For enjoying the show (I know we can’t sing everything, but I hope you enjoyed something). Thank you for your love and encouragement. And for dancing and singing with me all the way home.
You’ve changed me…for good and #FORGOOD!
With love…
(@officialchrismann, @thenewyorkpops, @stevenreineke, @roncolvard, the staff at @carnegiehall…
from my heart,
#thankyou)
Pictures by @heathergershonowitz for @playbill
Dress and suit by @badgleymischka
Hair by @thechriscurse
Blessed by #God 😉
A few days after the shut down began, my #husband went out for our groceries. He came back with food, and these flowers. He said there wasn’t a great selection, but he got them because he thought we’d be inside for a few weeks, and while we were, I should have flowers and a little beauty to look at…to cheer me…at least for a few days.
I cried.
I told him that I wouldn’t throw them away until this ‘time’ was over. They’d be my reminder! A reminder that this awfulness started. A reminder and hope that it would end!
I thought it would be a few weeks. But we now know better.
I then kept them because they remind me of his sweet heart looking after and protecting mine during that ominous time…and always.
Anyhow, today…I’m throwing away the flowers.
I’m saying that It’s Over!
‘Make room for new #flowers…!
Shall we #sing?!
😉
25 years ago we did a show!!
Oh! WE DID A SHOW!!
And 25 years later that show lives on! I can’t tell you how proud, honored, and blessed I am to have been, and (in a small way) to still be a part of the Pride. When I was pregnant with our first child, I made a decision that our children’s first theatrical experience would be #THELIONKING. We had two littles to introduce to the show and to the theater, and a few days ago, we took them to see the touring company of @Thelionking for their initiations. it didn’t disappoint. I will never forget seeing their faces light up as those animals/actors came down the aisle. I cried through the entire opening (as I always have), and I may have sung along a little…well, a lot!!
I’m grateful for the impact the show has had on my life!
It lives on…in me, in the companies that have come after us, in my children…it lives in you😉!!
@thelionking #tour #goseeit #theater #nala #always
My lot today: #juryduty! I spent two hours there, and then they dismissed me (i brought my whole life in my bag expecting to plead for mercy or be there for days🤦🏽♀️), but they didn’t need any more jurors🤷🏽♀️! I was happy to leave, but the #helen-#lawyer-wannabe in me wanted a quick glimpse of the courtroom (after all, I AM a lawyer…(on tv🤷🏽♀️)😉)!!
Anyhow, this #civic #duty is done…at least for a few years.
The honor was having the opportunity to do a solo show at one of the most prestigious halls in the world with one of the best orchestras in this country. Every singing/performing child knows the weight #CarnegieHall carries with her. So, to have this amazing opportunity, AND for you to be so gracious that you’d show up THIS much…
I am truly overwhelmed.
I guess I should break my voice rest and start warming up!
The children are coming…😉!
@carnegiehall @officialchrismann @thenewyorkpops @stevenreineke @roncolvard
One of my #lovelanguages is #qualitytime. But I figured out that it wasn’t just quality time from or with others; It’s also quality time with Me.
I covet, need, appreciate, feed off, center within, release, recharge, and reset on early mornings…just like these.
Just me. God. His thoughts. His creation. Music…maybe. My silence. My prayers. The harmony of the birds singing with the ocean. The occasional passerby saying good morning, celebrating the beauty of this earth.
Yep…this is a #lovelanguage in itself.
#taketime
A few days after my show at #carnegiehall, I asked the kind folks at @thenewyorkpops and @carnegiehall if they could send me the poster from my night there. Two weeks to the day later…here it is. 🥹! What a beautiful reminder of what was a magical and dream-to-reality night. I won’t forget. And now I really won’t. 😉!
Thanks again to you all for being there. To all who couldn’t be and sent me messages. To all who prayed me through. I’m so grateful.
I’m off to my framer🏃🏽♀️!
A few days after my show at #carnegiehall, I asked the kind folks at @thenewyorkpops and @carnegiehall if they could send me the poster from my night there. Two weeks to the day later…here it is. 🥹! What a beautiful reminder of what was a magical and dream-to-reality night. I won’t forget. And now I really won’t. 😉!
Thanks again to you all for being there. To all who couldn’t be and sent me messages. To all who prayed me through. I’m so grateful.
I’m off to my framer🏃🏽♀️!
A few days after my show at #carnegiehall, I asked the kind folks at @thenewyorkpops and @carnegiehall if they could send me the poster from my night there. Two weeks to the day later…here it is. 🥹! What a beautiful reminder of what was a magical and dream-to-reality night. I won’t forget. And now I really won’t. 😉!
Thanks again to you all for being there. To all who couldn’t be and sent me messages. To all who prayed me through. I’m so grateful.
I’m off to my framer🏃🏽♀️!
A week ago, we visited the #MagicKingdom…and felt at #home. We hung out with the cast of #thelionking there (singing like it wasn’t 11am 😉), checked in on #Timon and #Simba (they are doing well), and had the most amazing time as a #family. In my room, I had the best welcome…a few pictures and special #mask that reminded me of the legacy of which I am a member. It also flooded me with memories of a sweet man, #SamWright, and the artistry of #julietaymor and #MichaelCurry. @disneyparks @disney
A whole #week with these beauties. Age doesn’t know their addresses! And I’m grateful that I share their genes. They almost drove me insane a few times (don’t ever agree to take them to @target unless you have time, money, lunch and dinner…you can buy a change of clothes at #target 🤷🏽♀️!), but it was an honor and a blessing to be able to spoil and pamper them this week.
These women have prayed for me, my immediate family, my extended family, friends, and their friends and have pulled us through so much. They’ve rejoiced with me. Cried with me. And they’ve kept our family strong and intact. They’ve carried us all on their backs, and love us even when we get heavy and can’t seem to have strength enough to pull our own weight.
And they can cook too (although that was not allowed this week 😉). #auntie #aunt #mother #mommy #goodgenes #happymonday #trinidad #thankful #thanksgiving
A good and happy #monday morning…from a magical #southcarolina!
