The Art Of Fine Travel: Waje’ s L.A. Diary

I was invited to perform at the 25th annual Divas Simply Singing AIDS benefit at the Montalban theatre in L.A on the 24th of October. The benefit is organised by the award winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph who you will remember if you were a teenager in the 90’s as the mother to Brandy’s character in the sitcom, Moesha. It wasn’t my first time in the US of A but it was definitely my first in Hollywood, so I decided to make a holiday of the experience with my darling daughter in tow!

 

Day 1

We landed in LA absolutely knackered after a long 12 hour flight that took us through Frankfurt. Expecting to be exhausted, I realised that our travel agent had mixed up the bookings and the hotel wasn’t expecting me in that day! This wasn’t the grand entry we had planned…. A quick call to my manager Godwin Tom in Nigeria, and he in turn made a few calls and in 20 minutes, I was set to go. Before we hit the bed, we rushed in for a quick rehearsal at the Mon Talban!

Waje during rehearsal

waje at rehearsals

Day 2

I had only a few hours shut eye before it was time to get ready for the show. I woke up with a small fever! Seriously?! Today when we don ready to shut down Hollywood? No way. This is nothing some prayer won’t fix. So me, my bible and some sure-fire mountain of fire prayers and I was good to go…

My fierce stylist Damilola of Fierce and Modish hooked me up with this vibrant Vlisco print set by Ejiro Amos Tafiri. I have since called it my shutdown outfit because it gave me my first Hollywood standing ovation : D Make up was by Buchi Akpati of The BA Beauty Company who doubled as photographer and videographer for the rest of my trip! I got complements all night long!

Waje loking awesome with this Vlisco print set by Ejiro Amos Tafiri
STYLED BY HER PERSONAL Stylist, Damilola of Fierce and Modish
Ready to hit the stage wearing Vlisco print set by Ejiro Amos Tafiri
WAJE READY TO HIT THE STAGE: IN VLISCO PRINT SET BY EJIRO AMOS TAFIR
waje
MAKE UP WAS BY BUCHI AKPATI OF THE BA BEAUTY COMPANY

The Show

Usually, I handle pre show jitters with some honey and tea and a few words of prayer. I did the same this time around, but the audience looked like a roll call of Ebony and Essence Magazine regulars, I even heard Michael Jackson’s sister was in the audience. When it was time, Sheryl hugged me tightly to herself and shouted Go! Slay! That was all the ginger this Edo girl needed. And slay I did. At the end of my performance, everyone was cheering on their feet. Not a bad way to hit Hollywood ba? God is good.

I made the after performance backstage rounds and got to meet some amazing people. Here is one with Michael’s sister in the middle, the family resemblance among the Jacksons is remarkable. I also did some media rounds like this one with FT TV where Sheryl almost made me cry with her beautiful words.

Waje with Beth Payne and Cece Peniston
Waje with Beth Payne and Cece Peniston
Waje with Emerald and Beth Payne
Waje with Emerald and Beth Payne
Waje and Emerald ready for the show
WAJE GETS READY TO HIT THE STAGE
SHERYL LEE RALPH, WAJE AND EMERALD BACKSTAGE.
WAJE AND SHERYL LEE RALPH

 

SHERYL LEE RALPH, WAJE AND EMERALD BACKSTAGE
SHERYL LEE RALPH, WAJE AND EMERALD BACKSTAGE
SHERYL LEE RALPH
SHERYL LEE RALPH
waje and sheryl lee ralph dancing on stage
WAJE AND SHERYL LEE RALPH DANCING ON STAGE

Waje and guests

Waje receives warm embrace
SHERYL LEE RALPH GIVING WAJE A VERY WARM EMBRACE

waje, sheryl and guests

Waje with Angela Winbush
Waje with Angela Winbush

The After Party

I showed up in this white metallic shift dress by Warehouse and gladiator sandals. I got to meet the super sweet and quiet Jordin Sparks and a few other people. I also got complements on the dress—> a toast to my fearless stylist! Obviously, I love to show my legs when I can so we went to town a little with the pictures! Enjoy!

Waje rocking white metallic dress with red shoes

waje ready to step out to the after party with this white metallic dress by warehouse and gold strapped sandals

Waje in white metallic dress by warehouse and red shoes
WAJE LOOKING STUNNING IN THIS METALLIC SHIFT DRESS BY WAREHOUSE AND SANDALS THAT SHE ROCKS TO THE AFTER PARTY

Waje and guest (6)

The lady in purple next to Sheryl Lee in Blue is Mary Wilson who was part of the supremes, Alysson williams is in white ,middle(Mary Wilson from the supremes
The lady in purple next to Sheryl Lee in Blue is Mary Wilson who was part of the supremes, Alysson williams is in white ,middle(Mary Wilson from the supremes

waje and guest (4)

waje and guest (3)

Waje and guest (5)

WAJE INTERVIEWED BY FT TV
WAJE INTERVIEWED BY FT TV

waje and guest (2)

waje and guest

Waje with Sheryl and a guest

Day 3

If there is one thing I learnt from LA, it’s that the celebrations never end, so after the show, there was the after-party and after the after party, (get your mind out the gutter) there was lunch… at Sheryl’s. So how do you dress generally for a Hollywood Lunch? We didn’t plan for this.

When in doubt? Go for

Waje ready to step for lunch

Waje rocking this print outfit for lunch with Sheryl

My outfit was by xxxx

EMERALD SLAYING WITH THE DENIM SHIRT, TATTERED TROUSER, SNEAKERS AND HAT
EMERALD SLAYING WITH THE DENIM SHIRT, TATTERED TROUSER, SNEAKERS AND HAT

 

Day 4

All play and no work, makes ‘Jill’ a broke girl! Today was for meetings. Not your average skirt suit and stiletto heels meeting. Today, I gave them a healthy dose of the exotic African star hits Hollywood. Hat in hand, short print mini dress and flats. Judge me not please. I met a few great people today and saw my fair share of multi platinum records (saying a short prayer)

 

Day 5

Today is a free day! Yay, at least most of it…. So Emerald and I hit some parts of the town too have a little fun. Warning: A lot of random tourist behaviour

Waje tour in LA after the show

Meeting time

After lunch with Sheryl and a guest

lounging after lunch

lounging after lunch

After lunch with Sheryl and a guest

 

TSS

Everything beautiful.

1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

The online destination and fashion journal that goes beyond the surface and taps the pulse on all things FASHION. First out of Nigeria and increasingly across the continent, with wit, intelligence and humour.

FOLLOW US ON

TSS is an arm of the RED brand, which is the continent's largest omni-media group focused on Africa's youth.