What does the first hour of your day look like?
I always start the day with a good cup of tea; Dilmah English Breakfast, milk and a dollop of organic honey. It’s a ritual I find comforting where I can sit and gather my thoughts for the day ahead. After checking messages and emails on my phone, I’ll fill out my Daily Greatness Journal. This helps me to practice gratitude and stay focused on my goals – big or small. If I’m going into the office, I will find a good playlist or podcast to listen to while I get ready. My taste is pretty eclectic, so it could be anything from Ludovico Einaudi to D Block Europe for music or a motivational podcast like The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett.
As an editor, can you ever switch off, or are you always looking for the next story?
I never switch off from working. A therapist will say that’s a bad thing and on occasion I have suffered from burnout. But the fact is I live and breathe what I do and have done so for over a decade. The creatives I work with are friends or become friends, so work becomes play and play becomes work.
I see content in everything. When I pick up a magazine, watch a series, scroll through socials I’m absorbing every detail. I like to watch a lot of reality shows; Selling Sunset, The Real Housewives. The clothes, the hair, the make-up, the lighting, the narrative – all of this feeds the next story or campaign I’m working on. So switching off isn’t really an option.
What has been your favourite Spell Magazine cover so far?
This is a tough question because I have more than one. Each cover has a unique experience and vibe behind it. But if I really must choose, I’d say it’s the shoot we did with the gorgeous ex-Love Islander, Jourdan Riane. That was back in July 2021 when we were still in the throes of lockdown. I was so determined to make it happen, I squeezed in TWO cover shoots that day because we didn’t know if the restrictions would change. I had to work with a skeleton team; this included the photographer, videographer, stylist, make-up artist, hairstylist, myself, and Jourdan.
I had a vision for how I wanted everything to look, and the team bought it together. Celebrity hairdresser Dionne Smith created each look without breaking a sweat and make-up artist Joy Adenuga really worked her magic with the beat. We mixed designer fashion with budget pieces like the bamboo earrings to serve a touch of high-end ghetto fab.
“I live and breathe what I do and have done so for over a decade”
Have you ever been starstruck?
Considering my career has afforded me to meet Beyoncé and Kim Kardasahian, it was a humble UK star that had me starstruck, and that was Romeo from So Solid. I met him at the Sensationnel Hair Awards and we sat next to each other for the entire evening. I was painfully shy and awkward. He was super chilled and engaging. He even let me have his dessert.
What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make in your career?
It was at the beginning of my career. I was fresh out of uni and landed a well-paid job in recruitment. I was very good at it and rose up the rankings quickly, however I didn’t feel fulfilled or happy. I spent the week placing people in their dream role and there I was feeling stuck. I took a gap year before starting uni and worked at a magazine for a year. I loved everything about it and knew in my heart that’s what I wanted to do. Ironically, they offered me a job before starting uni which I guess was another hard decision because I turned it down to focus on my degree. In the end, I quit this well-paid recruitment job to start at the bottom rung by taking an internship that didn’t pay for my lunch or travel.
In your opinion, who’s the most underrated influencer or media personality?
Well truth be told, the reason I began shooting Spell Magazine covers was because I felt there were so many trailblazing influencers and personalities in all industries not getting the exposure they truly deserved. Breeny Lee is an esteemed transformation coach with over 750k YouTube followers. Stephanie Yeboah is an author, multi-award winning content creator and body activist. Yinka Bokinni is a talented presenter. All of these women deserve a platform and to be on the front of magazines. I’m proud we’re giving women of colour that space.
“I’m proud we’re giving women of colour that space.”
Current favourite place to eat in London right now?
There’s a dessert spot in west London called Mimi’s. The menu is so mouth-watering. They serve Kinder Bueno crepes, bubblegum ice-cream, vegan pancakes – but my favourites are the throwback dishes like Tottenham Cake and custard, which remind me of school days. Everything is freshly-made too.
What are the first and last concerts you attended?
Compared to my friends I was a late concert-goer. I saw the US rapper The Game at Brixton Academy when I was 18 years-old. My friend had a spare ticket at the last minute so it was a now or never moment. I’ll never forget his party trick of downing a bottle of Henny and continuing with the show. The latest concert I went to was Chris Brown’s Under the Influence tour. He pulled out all the stops and put on an incredible show.
Besides your cards and phone, what are 3 items you always carry in your bag?
Award-winning hairdresser Hector Obeng has a beautifully scented antibacterial hand spray which I always have in my bag. Every time I use it, people compliment the smell and it gives my hands a delicate golden shimmer that doesn’t transfer on to clothing. I don’t like to carry a lot of make-up so my must-have is the Revlon Oil Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller. You literally glide it around the face to soak up excess oils that build up through the day. It’s so easy to use and the roller baller can be taken out, rinsed and reused. Oh, and I always have a pack of tissues because I’m sensible like that.
What are you currently reading?
My publisher recently gave me a book called The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and I have to say, it’s the book I never knew I needed. I like learning about self-improvement and mastering oneself, but I hit a wall and found the messages weren’t really impacting my life. With this book, and within a few pages, it challenges and changes your perspective on many areas: how you live your life; why you make the choices you make; how people perceive you and so on. Once you’re equipped with a heightened self awareness, you can embark on making better decisions that have a powerful effect, not only on your spiritual and mental well-being, but your happiness too.
What item of clothing could you never see yourself wearing?
Cycling shorts are a hell no! When I entered my thirties I started to come to terms with idea that my body shape was changing and along with that my image. I go for quality over quantity now. Fast fashion no longer appeals to me.
You received 1000 emails while you were on holiday – what’s your next move?
I think my first thought would be to throw the phone in the ocean. I do keep tabs of emails when on holiday, and again this goes back to being unable to switch off. When you’re at the helm of a magazine, the buck stops and starts with you. I would probably reply to the emails that need a response and earmark the ones that need attention on my return.
What’s a common assumption made about you? And is it true?
People assume I go to the gym. There were periods in my life that I would workout consistently so those who know me still might have that perception. I’ve recently taken up swimming, so to answer the question, I’ll say the assumption is true.
QUICKFIRE ROUND Early mornings or late nights? Early mornings Wig or weave? Weave TikTok or Instagram? Instagram
Dinner parties or after parties? Dinner parties Winter or summer fashion? Winter MAC or Fenty? MAC – the OGs Describe the last 3 years in one word Fluid
