TNC LITRATURE INTERVIEW
"Everyone wants to be famous and successful. But if you are doing the work for a higher purpose, in my case, celebrating the lives of groundbreaking and inspiring women, you can't be stopped."
Reynolds
Marcellas
January 15, 2024
Supreme Sirens chronicles the most influential and successful Black performers—from legendary jazz chanteuse Billie Holiday to the queen of soul Aretha Franklin and from glamorous girl groups such as the Supremes to modern, iconic superstars including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Janet Jackson. Through exquisite photographs, personal interviews, short biographies, and career milestones, Reynolds details how these women’s music and careers have become the soundtrack of our lives.
Congratulations on the third book in your Supreme series, Supreme Sirens, which debuts January 23, 2024. I've asked you this twice before, but are there any nerves ahead of this book's release?
They are no nerves. I'm wonderfully excited. This book is alive and vibrant. It's beautiful, from the cover with Missy Elliott to the font and layout, from the essays and interviews to the quotes from the Sirens' lips.
The reaction to Supreme Models and Supreme Actresses is incredible. You've so wonderfully created something that centers powerfully on Black Women's stories, experiences, and craft. What do you think it is about the Supreme series that has resonated and connected with readers so much?
It was time! We've been having these conversations about diversity and inclusion for years. The world is ready for fairness. The world is prepared to hear about the stories of others told in their voices. Also, with so much sadness, we want to see beautiful things and read stories of triumph.
Monica, an icon in her own right, wrote the Foreword for Supreme Sirens. How did Monica get connected with your book?
I have ways of getting to celebrities after two books and a documentary. I'm tenacious. The easy answer is imdbPRO and whorepresents.com. But I also use social media and my network to get to talent.
In Supreme Actresses, Gabrielle Union wrote a powerful Foreword about Black women's struggles in Hollywood. What insight did Monica offer about the experiences of Black women in music today?
Monica's Foreword speaks passionately and eloquently about sisterhood, prayer, faith, and belief in oneself. It's powerful and inspirational. I cried during our interview.
Please tell me a little about Supreme Sirens and why giving this unique platform to African American women and their indelible contribution to music was so important?
I don't want these iconic women lost to the fog of history. Some people must learn who Marian Anderson, Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington are and what they contributed to culture. My books celebrate icons of the past, present, and future in a lovely and timely way. These women who sacrificed so much and inspired so many deserve their flowers.
"My books are a part of these women's legacies, and through the books and the Supreme Models documentary, I've created a legacy of which I am proud."
What I find so inspiring about the Supreme series is the beauty and breathtaking legacy that African-American women have had in the cultural landscape of America. Through fashion, film, and music, your books have captured something stunning. In the face of hardships, racism, and bigotry, Black women persevered with class and always with their heads held high. It's something that they don't always get recognition for until your Supreme series. Do you think there is potential for you to continue the Supreme series beyond the entertainment industry and put the focus on Black women writers, filmmakers, and academics?
That is a remarkable statement, followed by an important question. Honestly, I don't have a fourth book in me. The books take a lot of work and are very expensive to produce. Most of the cost of the licensing fees comes out of my pocket. I also don't think a book that isn't about famous pop culture figures would sell. It all comes down to the photos, and the Supreme series contains gorgeous pictures of the world's most famous women.
Looking back at the creative process and journey you've been on with these books, what would you say has been an important lesson you've taken from the incredible lives and stories you've shared?
Tenacity coupled with purpose is unstoppable. Everyone wants to be famous and successful. But if you are doing the work for a higher purpose, in my case, celebrating the lives of groundbreaking and inspiring women, you can't be stopped. Most of these women have a higher purpose than wanting fame and fortune. My books are a part of these women's legacies, and through the books and the Supreme Models documentary, I've created a legacy of which I am proud.
Do you have any advice or tips for emerging writers?
Writers write. So write something daily, whether it's an email to a friend or journaling. Carve out some time each day and write something. Also, GET GRAMMARLY! It's so good for helping you edit your work in real-time.
And finally, what message would you like your readers to take away from Supreme Sirens?
Acknowledging each other's gifts and humanity heals and unites us. That's why I write these books chronicling this history. What has become clear from these women's careers is that a Black female singer is always more than just a singer. She is a multi-hyphenate performer who creates art where none existed before. I hope I'm doing the same with the Supreme books.