MOORE THAN A HOME

m oore THAN A HOME

Features Contributor Elisabeth Ross Photographer DeMorris Marable Hair Jodie Rowlands Makeup Kiara Harris

fter nearly a decade on The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA), —56— MAY | JUNA Kenya Moore is still a peach to watch. The entrepreneur beauty queen has openly lived her life on-screen, allowing viewers to follow her life journey through all its ups and downs, which, in turn, fosters a relatability not often found in celebrity. Though Kenya’s reality doubles as reality television, there is so much more to this boss babe momma.

Originally from Detroit, Kenya has been forthright about struggles concerning her mother’s abandonment in infancy. Kenya’s grandmother Doris brought her up and remained a highly influential part of Kenya’s life even after her death a few years ago—Kenya’s baby daughter is actually named Brooklyn Doris to honor her great grandmother.

Doris was crucial in nurturing her granddaughter’s aspirations. “My grandmother Doris was very strict, but she allowed me to follow my dreams,” Kenya reflects, thinking of a particular opportunity that changed the trajectory of her life. “A few of my friends entered a talent pageant called ‘Little Miss Black Star.’ I was 13 or 14 and was excited to do something that was fun.” Because Kenya had been dancing since she was five, “I danced for my talent portion. I placed 1st Runner-Up. It was a very positive and exciting experience and that was just the beginning. I never looked back after that.”

The pageant scene throughout her childhood eventually led to Kenya being crowned Miss USA in 1993 when she was just 22. Later that year, she placed 4th in the Miss Universe annual international beauty pageant. Though she became well-known for her Miss USA title, Kenya has also acted and produced alongside many A-list celebrities throughout her career and is known for her roles in I Know Who Killed Me, The Confidant, and Dolls of Voodoo.

The values that stemmed from her grandmother’s “very old school” approach in her formative early years never left Kenya. “She loved little girls to be well-dressed, well-behaved, and well-spoken. She was the perfect role model. She also loved healthy hair,” Kenya fondly remembers. “She always said, ‘hair is your crowning glory’ and that wasn’t lost on me. She took such pride in dressing my aunt Lisa, her only daughter that I grew up with, and me. I believe my passion was born there. She hated wigs and wanted us to take pride in our own natural hair.”

Thus, Kenya was extremely passionate about haircare from an early age, and from this passion stemmed Kenya Moore Haircare. “My signature line is about empowering women to love the hair that’s naturally growing from their heads.” The collection includes “shampoo, conditioner, a reparative mask, strengthening serum, and Moore edges and supplements. They all work together, and our customers say their hair is thriving and growing as a result of using Kenya Moore Haircare.” One aspect that distinguishes Kenya’s line from others is her belief that hair health starts from the root. “Healthy hair was my focus and the by-product of that is length retention, otherwise referred to as ‘growth,’” Kenya explains. “If your hair is healthy, it will show the growth.” All the products offered in the line are designed to help hair grow strong, long, and luscious.

Creating products that help women feel more beautiful and expanding her hair empire fulfills Kenya’s spirit. “I am a creative person, so I need outlets to express myself and my passions. I am fulfilled because I am following my passion and living my dream,” says Kenya. “Prior to being on TV, I always dreamed of having my own line. Now that I do, my passion is driving me to be the number 1 brand in the world in this category. I love helping people feel good about their hair, so I won’t stop until I’m number 1.” Someday, her daughter Brooklyn will be heir to that throne.

Even now, baby Brooklyn has a special haircare routine. “Brooklyn has very fine, thick, and curly hair. Yes, all three. I didn’t know that was possible!” Kenya exclaims. “I wash it every three days or so, condition, and use my leave-in conditioner that will be out soon.” In fact, Brooklyn “is the new face of Kenya Moore Haircare, and embodies everything that I want my brand to stand for.”

Welcoming Brooklyn has brought Kenya more joy than she ever dreamed was possible. “I want her to have unconditional love that I never had from my own mother. To give life to her, protect her, allow her to flourish, and to thrive is the most rewarding aspect of being a mother. She is my entire world,” gushes Kenya. “I didn’t know I could be so patient, so captivated, and so in love.”

Owing to Kenya’s fertility challenges, she holds the Baby Quest Foundation close to her heart. “It’s an existing charity that I am an ambassador for that truly spoke to my heart as our values align. I wanted to give back to those that wanted to have a child but are suffering through infertility the way I did.” The Foundation bridges the gap on the cost of assisted reproduction. “Baby Quest created a grant for me to give back and pay it forward,” Kenya says, referencing the Kenya Moore Giving Hope Grant. “Money should never be an obstacle for having children.”

Since welcoming Brooklyn in 2018, Kenya has relished her baby girl’s growth at every stage, all the while managing an extremely full career plate. Right now, Kenya is savoring “How smart she is, and her memory is unbelievable.

We actually have conversations where she speaks to me like she is really expressing her thoughts. It’s the most precious thing.”

Moreover, “COVID,” she adds, “slowed things down for me and made me focus on what is most important. I balance because I have to.”

In addition to Brooklyn and her professional pursuits, Kenya’s home, dubbed Moore Manor, is another source of great joy. The “modern, sleek, and sexy” house features clean lines with minimal, contemporary interior design in a white and grey palette. “I hate clutter,” she says, regarding her aesthetic. “I love open bright windows and simple yet sleek décor.” Even Brooklyn’s room marries crisp whites with pops of bright pink for a fresh girly look. “Her modern Barbie nursery is the envy of all the little girls!”

One of Kenya’s favorite rooms in Moore Manor is the one dedicated to glamor—her home styling set-up. “I have my own glam room downstairs. I love it. I always hated doing hair in a kitchen,” she admits. “The walls are custom glass [with a] gorgeous chandelier, and all my hair products are in their own closet. It’s über glam.”

After separating from her husband Marc Daly, Kenya decided to give Moore Manor a refresh by finally adding the pool and cabana she’s always wanted. Completed in a mere nine months, “I also added some safety elements, too. I love swimming and so does Brooklyn. It’s heated and has a saltwater system. I can’t wait for the landscaping and retaining walls to be complete!” The evolution of Moore Manor is still underway. “I think I will add a pool house. We sit on an acre of land, so we have plenty of room.”

Moore Manor is the essence of home not because of its pristine composition but because of the sanctuary she has created for herself and her daughter there—this ideal is evident in all aspects of Kenya’s life. Through RHOA, Kenya enjoys “being able to promote what makes me happy and getting behind great causes. It was especially meaningful to me when I produced my PSA for domestic violence. Even though it was incredibly difficult, I received so many letters and emails saying how much it helped people. They were so appreciative of my efforts and it allowed many to escape abusive relationships. Being a survivor allowed me to help other women survive. By bearing my soul, it encouraged others to and inevitably save[d] lives.”

Kenya is relentless in her pursuit of happiness alongside career ambitions and is laserfocused on having it all, but on her own terms—this is a tricky path for a lot of people, yet she manages to make it seem easy. “My idea was always to have an amazing family unit, unconditional love, a thriving and fulfilling career, and to be financially secure. I can honestly say I have the happiness I have searched for, and I did it my way. There is and will always be a learning curve and bumps and bruises along the way in life, but those battle scars are a roadmap to all I have accomplished. I still want more; I’m not done yet!”

According to Kenya, “In life and love and business… women can have it all. It is a matter of believing just that,” she trusts. “I never doubted that I could win Miss USA. I never doubted that I could be a successful actress. I never doubted that I could find love. I never doubted that I could follow my passions and become a founder and owner of a haircare line. It may not always be when you want or expect, but your blessings will always be right on time. I hope my strength and irreverence, of which I make no apologies for, can also serve as a template on how [women] can have success. All women can achieve their dreams. I followed my passion. I was unafraid. I was fearless and I am here. Still standing.” By believing in herself, Kenya Moore is doing more than just talking the talk—she is an inspiration for women everywhere.