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Flawed But Fearless: Meet The Women Of OWN's New Docuseries ‘Heart & Hustle: Houston' + Official Trailer

Flawed But Fearless: Meet The Women Of OWN's New Docuseries ‘Heart & Hustle: Houston' + Official Trailer

Source: Courtesy / OWN
This week (July 10th), OWN shared exciting news regarding their new series Heart & Hustle: Houston. The show, which follows an incredible sisterhood of Black women thriving in the heart of Houston, Texas, will premiere on Saturday, August 2nd at 9pm ET/PT. Along with the premiere date announcement, the network released the trailer for the season. Continue reading to check it out!
These women are redefining what it means to be a boss, a wife and a mother while navigating entrepreneurial life plus a labyrinth of unique daily challenges. Despite appearing to have it all, they face insecurities and pressures to stay on top in a competitive town while maintaining a perfect image. But through it all, their unbreakable bond of sisterhood and support inspires them to rise above the chaos, reminding them it's okay to be perfectly imperfect.
' Heart & Hustle: Houston brings a fresh, dynamic perspective—one that centers Black women not just in conflict, but in community, healing, and growth. It's a powerful look at ambition, resilience, and the bonds that hold friendships together, even through life's toughest moments,' said Tina Perry, President of OWN.
Through vulnerability, a little competition, and a lot of laughter, this group proves that with the right people around you, your very best self will shine. Welcome to Heart & Hustle: Houston – where the hustle never stops, but the heart always leads. Check out the trailer for the Emmy award winning Jesse Collins Entertainment produced series.
Navigating the complex city of Houston on their own terms and with hearts wide open, meet the dynamic women of Heart & Hustle: Houston below!
Flawed But Fearless: Meet The Women Of OWN's New Docuseries 'Heart & Hustle: Houston' + Official Trailer was originally published on globalgrind.com Source:OWN
'H-Town's Glam Girl'
Alaina is the visionary founder and CEO of Color du Jour, a beauty empire known for elevating the artistry game and empowering the next generation of makeup artists. With years of influence in the industry, she's more than a businesswoman: she's a mentor, a trailblazer, and an inspiration to thousands. As a loving mom and devoted leader, she balances boss life and family with heart, hustle, and humility. After nearly 15 years of marriage, she's stepping into a new chapter with strength, clarity, and love. Alaina is simultaneously working on finding herself while trying to preserve her marriage. However, having it all is never easy and at times these two goals are causing conflict rather than peace, forcing Alaina to have to make hard decisions between her happiness and her marriage. Proud mother of two kids, Alaina is known for her warm spirit and fierce work ethic and aims to bring beauty, inside and out, to every space she enters. Source:OWN
'The Straight Shooter'
Chloe Cook was THE premiere event planner of Houston; everyone knew if they wanted an event to pop off Chloe was going to make that happen. However, after the tragic loss of her husband, Chloe had to take a step back from her event business so that she could be more present for her young daughters. Chloe's natural ability to make any stranger feel like her best friend coupled with her brilliant personality makes her an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. Chloe is finally getting back to her fun, vibrant self which includes her recent relationship with a much younger man, Jordan. However, this relationship is causing a rift between Chloe and her eldest son, Neiko, who is only three years younger than Jordan. Although she cares deeply for her son, Chloe is determined to find the balance between being a good mom and having her own happiness. Source:OWN
'The Hopeless Romantic'
Best known for her award-winning company, Lemon-Lime Light Media, and her admired philanthropy work, La'Torria Lemon is what some have described as a force in the entertainment, hospitality, and PR industry. Kicking off her PR career at 19, La'Torria has been dominating ever since. With her infectious personality and determination there is no challenge too big for La'Torria Lemon. However, don't be fooled by her loving personality and charm. If someone tries to come for her, she is quick to make sure they remember who she is. After the sudden loss of her father who was also her best friend, La'Torria is determined to find the love of her life and begin to settle down. Wanting 5 kids total, she is feeling the pressure getting older and realizing that no one man measures up to how great her dad was. La'Torria hopes to inspire those that she encounters and continue to help others live out their dreams, all while making hers come true. Source:OWN
'The Southern Belle'
LeBrina Jackson is a woman who knows what she wants, goes for it and won't let anything stop her. Her passion, drive and compassion are what make her a loving force to be reckoned with. As an owner of an elite spa in Houston, LeBrina has begun to solidify herself as one of the few black women in the spa and wellness space while simultaneously creating an empire built to last. LeBrina has a unique ability as the caregiver of the group and can make anyone feel as if it is just her and them in a room full of hundreds of people. As a wife, a mother, a business owner, sister and friend, LeBrina can and will do it all. She can be the life of the party or the best friend holding your feet to the fire, and either way she'll ensure you always feel loved. As a mother of two children and a loving wife, she is determined to learn from her past and her family's history and use that wisdom to break generational curses and build a better future for her family. Source:OWN
'Mrs. Perfect'
Muneera Page is a multi-faceted powerhouse: a devout wife, mother of four beautiful daughters (including a set of twins), and an influential career woman whose journey embodies the power of faith, resilience, and boundless ambition. With a remarkable career spanning two decades in the oil and gas industry as a highly regarded Electrical Engineer, Muneera's career trajectory took a transformative turn as she boldly pivoted into the world of content creation. Muneera's exceptional influence has been recognized on an international scale, having partnered with over 500 major brands across multiple industries. Through her work, Muneera continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, demonstrating that success is not just about professional achievements, but about living a life of meaning, purpose, and transformative impact. Personally, Muneera is embracing a powerful season of evolving, leaning into vulnerability and unlearning the emotional walls she was once taught to build. Each day brings her closer to the balance she's redefining on her own terms. Source:OWN
'Nightlife Queen'
Roe Grady-Pichardo is a powerhouse entrepreneur, hospitality innovator, and cultural curator who's redefining the art of connection. Known for her sharp business instincts and magnetic presence, Roe has built a reputation as a leader in the restaurant and nightlife world, transforming concepts into iconic destinations. As a single mother, Roe embodies resilience, ambition, and heart. Her journey in the male-dominated hospitality industry has understandably created a tough exterior, which has allowed her to thrive and dominate in that space. However, those who truly know her see the depth beneath the tough exterior, a woman with a sweet soul who loves deeply. Her biggest personal goal is to be more vulnerable with those she loves and learn how to be softer with her friends and family. After leaving her last restaurant, Roe is currently building more businesses through her consulting company, Organized Chaos Group, and she's ready to take them to the next level.
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Love Island revives conversation about racial bias and misogynoir in dating
Love Island revives conversation about racial bias and misogynoir in dating

Hamilton Spectator

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  • Hamilton Spectator

Love Island revives conversation about racial bias and misogynoir in dating

It used to be that dating was as simple as deciding between dinner, a trip to the movies or an arcade. Now, understanding the dating scene has become intermingled with smartphones, matchmaking apps and one's ability to navigate thorny social issues like racial preference in a mate. 'Love Island,' a widely popular international reality television franchise, is emblematic of the complexities of modern dating. It has also sparked heated discussions among fans about the desirability of Black women and darker-complexioned people both on and off air. The show, which aired the finale of the seventh season of its U.S. version Sunday and is airing the 12th season of its U.K. version, casts conventionally attractive 'islanders' who are generally in their early to late 20s for a six- to eight-week stay in a luxury villa. Men and women compete for long-lasting relationships and a cash prize. But as the show's daters face challenges meant to test their bonds, as well as elimination by villa mates or by fans' vote, notions of who is and isn't desirable frequently come up for viewers and contestants alike. In the end, many fans are left with the perception that racial bias , colorism and misogyny are especially inescapable for Black women on reality dating shows. 'The diversity in the U.K. one is terrible,' said Oghosa Ovienrioba, a content creator from London. 'It's very anti-Black.' It's not simply that Black women are picked last for coupling or eliminated first on the U.K. or U.S. versions of the show. Many fans say there's a recurring theme of suitors dumping or ditching Black female contestants when there is a fairer skinned option. Black female contestants have also complained of not doing well on the show when they don't lower their standards for intimacy with a suitor, as though they are lucky to even been considered dating material among more desirable mates. Even with these viewer frustrations, Ovienrioba said she prefers ' Love Island USA .' 'I feel like the dark skin Black women on that show always find men who fit their vibe, who respect them, who are attracted to them, desire them, treat them like queens,' she said. 'Love Island' U.K. irks fans over treatment of Black women In the U.K. version, fans have counted multiple instances where Black female contestants were left as the last choice when couples were picked, or they were first to get eliminated and dumped from the villa. Many have also noted that it took eleven seasons before a darker-complexioned Black woman was declared the winner. Now in its 12th season, Love Island U.K. is still dogged by allegations of male contestants' bias against Black women. After 23-year-old Alima Gagigo , a Black woman, chose to couple up with 26-year-old Blu Chegini, a white man, he said, 'I'll be honest, on paper, you're not my type.' Gagigo responded, 'Of course,' as if those were words she was not surprised to hear. There is no evidence that Chegini was referring to Gagigo's race or ethnicity. But the exchange was enough to confirm what some in audience felt was an implicit bias against Black women in the villa. 'Love Island's only stipulation is that applicants are over 18, single and looking for love. Our application and casting process is inclusive to all and we are always aiming to reflect the age and diversity of our audience on the show,' a show spokesperson for 'Love Island U.K.' said. Black American contestants, too, say their complexion impacts their treatment JaNa Craig, a contestant on 'Love Island USA's' beloved sixth season, which aired last summer, landed a spot in the final four couples by the end of the competition alongside Kenny Rodriguez, who entered the villa 13 days into the season. Her bubbly personality made her a fan favorite. 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'I felt honored by the amount of Black girls that were like, 'JaNa, you inspire me,'' she said. 'Love Island USA' producer Peacock, which on Sunday debuted a spinoff to its popular Season 6 season, titled 'Love Island: Beyond the Villa,' declined comment for this story. Desirability concerns reflect real-world anti-Black sentiments Fans' and contestants' concerns about Black women's representation on the show reflect a real-world anti-Black and misogynistic views of Black women, commonly referred to as misogynoir . Scholars describe it as both implicit and explicit contempt for Black women, much of it rooted in racist stereotypes that are perpetuated in popular culture and mass media. While Love Island contestants are not being outright racist to Black female competitors, many viewers feel the interactions Black women have had on the show have been laced with implicit bias. 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'Love Island USA' 2025 finale reveals Season 7 winners
'Love Island USA' 2025 finale reveals Season 7 winners

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time2 hours ago

  • USA Today

'Love Island USA' 2025 finale reveals Season 7 winners

"Love Island USA" Season 7 has come to an end, revealing America's favorite couple in a finale that arrived amid online controversy. On July 13, Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales were revealed as the winners of "Love Island USA" 2025. Alongside their bragging rights as the fan-favorite couple, the two split a $100,000 prize. Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen were the runner-up couple, thanks to viewers who cast their votes on the Peacock show's app. Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley also made it to the finale. In the last regular episode before the finale, Day 1 islanders Chelley Bissainthe and Ace Greene were dumped from the villa following a fan vote. As anticipated, the reunion was also announced. It's slated to drop Monday, Aug. 25, at 9 p.m. ET 'Love Island' Season 7 cast: See every islander so far 'Love Island' 2025 was beset by racism controversies Episode 36 marks the end of another summer of games (both emotional and physical), "crashing out" and endless neon lights, which all kicked off with the June 3 premiere. But there was trouble in paradise early on, with starting cast member Yulissa Escobar unceremoniously exiting off-camera with limited acknowledgement. Narrator Iain Stirling simply told viewers, "Yulissa has left the villa." On July 6, Cierra Ortega – who was in a front-running couple with Vansteenberghe – was removed from the show, with Stirling explaining she "has left the villa due to a personal situation." Though each season sees a portion of the cast depart for various reasons, which are never made apparent to viewers, Season 7's two unexplained exits were related to both contestants' past online activity that involved racial slurs. Cierra breaks her silence: 'Love Island' contestant apologizes for 'incredibly offensive' slur Before the show even premiered, Escobar, a 27-year-old Miami businesswoman, received backlash when several clips of her using a racial slur on a podcast surfaced. She later posted a written apology "for using a word I had no right in using." In the week leading up to Ortega's exit, screenshots of alleged recent Instagram posts showed the 25-year-old contestant using a racist slur against people of Asian descent to negatively refer to her eyes. Her use of the word caused an online uproar, provoking her family to denounce viewers who'd allegedly reported the Ortegas to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ortega, who lives in Los Angeles, is originally from Arizona, and her family is of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. The show this season condemned "cyberbullying, harassment (and) hate" in messages shared on the air and on social media. 'Love Island: Beyond the Villa': How to watch the spinoff series' episodes Within days of leaving the villa, Ortega posted a nearly five-minute "accountability video" apologizing to "the entire Asian community" and saying she "had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm, and came with the history that it did, or I never would have used it." The conclusion of Season 7 also marks the launch of "Love Island: Beyond the Villa," a spinoff series with Season 6's breakout stars, including JaNa Craig, Kenny Rodriguez, Leah Kateb, Miguel Harichi, Serena Page, Kaylor Martin and Aaron Evans.

Watch 'Love Island USA' season 7 final online: how to stream FREE and from anywhere
Watch 'Love Island USA' season 7 final online: how to stream FREE and from anywhere

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After a month of passionate kisses, wild arguments and a couple of controversial removals, the 'Love Island USA" season 7 final will finally see this year's fun in Fiji come to its climax today. Here's how to watch the "Love Island USA" season 7 final online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free! The "Love Island USA" season 7 final takes place today (Sun. July 13)► Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (2 a.m. BST / 11 a.m. AEST on Mon.).• FREE — Watch on CTV (Canada, Mon.)• U.S. — Peacock• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free Will it be Amaya and Bryan, Huda and Chris, Iris and Pepe or Olandria and Nic who get the chance to take home $100,000? Like so much of this series, the decision lies in the hands of the American public who will vote for their favorites to win. Amaya Papaya has been a fan favorite throughout, but will fans deem her relationship with Bryan as the most genuine connection in the villa this year? Olandria and Nic are the most likely to challenge them, with their relationship blossoming nicely. As soon as the winning couple is announced, of course, the final drama will unfold. Will the lovebirds decide to split the $100,000 prize? Or could we finally see an individual decide to keep the full amount for themselves? Ready to see which couple will be crowned America's newest sweethearts? Here's how to watch the "Love Island USA" season 7 final online from wherever you are in the world — including how to watch "Love Island USA" on CTV for free. The entire season of "Love Island USA" season 7 has been streaming for FREE on CTV in Canada — and that goes for the final, too! You don't need to register. Just go to and start watching! Just note, though, that episodes only land on CTV the day after they're broadcast in the U.S. So the final will become available on CTV on Monday, July 14. Outside Canada? You can fix that with a VPN — we use NordVPN every day and it's superb. It works perfectly with CTV and the price is really reasonable, too! NordVPN deal: FREE $50 / £50 Amazon gift card Boasting lightning fast speeds, great features, streaming power, and class-leading security, NordVPN is our #1 VPN. ✅ FREE Amazon gift card worth up to $50/£50✅ 4 months extra FREE!✅ 76% off usual price Use Nord to unblock CTV and watch FREE Love Island USA with our exclusive deal. Using a VPN is incredibly simple. 1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite. 2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're overseas and want to view a Canadian service, you'd select Canada server from the list. 3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to CTV and stream "Love Island USA" for free! NBC's streaming service Peacock is the exclusive streaming destination of "Love Island USA" season 7 and the final will show there in Sunday, July 13) at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. A subscription to Peacock costs $7.99/month for Premium membership, but the $13.99 Premium Plus plan gives you an ad-free experience. Not only is Peacock one of the best streaming services, but it's also available on most of the best streaming devices. Peacock is the home of the vast NBCUniversal library, including every episode of "The Office", "Suits", "30 Rock", "Yellowstone", 'Poker Face' and more (here's our in-depth list of the best Peacock shows to watch). In Canada, "Love Island USA" tracks with the schedule south of the border, so the season 7 final will go out on Crave 2 at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 13. Or you can stream "Love Island USA" 2025 for FREE on CTV from Monday, July 14. Head to the website here. Not in Canada at the moment? Signing up to NordVPN will help you access your preferred streaming service and watch "Love Island USA" online when you're overseas. Residents of Australia can catch the full season of Love Island USA, including the finale on Stan. Stan's subscription plans range from $12 to $22 per month. Remember, Canadians visiting Oz can watch Love Island USA for FREE by using a VPN. Season 7 of "Love Island USA" hasn't yet started streaming in either the U.K.. It will come to ITVX eventually, but you'll need to wait a while longer. Traveling to the U.K. from somewhere that is streaming "Love Island USA" season 7 and don't want to wait? You can use a VPN to watch as if you were back at home. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

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