Bonus Exclusive Issue featuring Frenchie Davis by SKORCH MAGAZINE

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EXCLUSIVE BONUS ISSUE BROUGHT TO YOU BY by Jessicas-List.com

credits Photographer: Jeffrey Gamble www.JeffreyGamble.com Fashion Stylist Spry Lee Scott www.OhMySpry.com Makeup Artist Miyako J www.MiyakoJMakeUpArtists.com Styling Assistant Kim Charles Video by Daniel Coutain/A Camera Guy Production www.ACGProduction.net

snag frenchie’s style

Pagee 3: Black sheer top, black jeggings, bracelets and necklaces all by Ashley Stewart; rings and earrings by Jimmy Crystal New York; sequin platforms by Steve Madden. Page 4: White sweater & cluster rhinestone ring by Ashley Stewart; all other jewelry by Jimmy Crystal New York. Page 6: Black dress by David Meister; jewelry by Jimmy Crystal New York. Page 8: White ruched convertible dress by Monif C.; shoes by Boutique 9 for Nine West; all jewelry by Jimmy Crystal New York. Page 11: White dress by Monif C.; custom necklace by Maleku Jewelry.

where to buy

Ashley Stewart - www.AshleyStewart.com David Meister - www.DavidMeister.com Jimmy Crystal New York - www.JimmyCrystal.com Maleku Jewelry - www.MalekuJewelry.com Monif C - www.MonifC.com Nine west - www.NineWest.com Steve Madden - www.SteveMadden.com

masthead

PUBLISHER \ Jessica Kane CO-FOUNDER & BEAUTY EDITOR \ Carrie Woomer EDITOR IN CHIEF \ Cali Ann Lee MANAGING EDITOR \ Bonnielee Cuevas SKORCH TV HOST \ Marcy Guevara SKORCH RADIO HOST \ Trinia Dotson EXECUTIVE FASHION EDITOR \ Bella Styles CREATIVE DIRECTOR \ Jovanna Reyes JR FASHION EDITOR \ Nicole Anderson

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december 2011 bonus issue featuring an exclusive interview with frenchie davis DEC 2011 BONUS EXCLUSIVE ISSUE WITH FRENCHIE DAVIS \ PG3 \ ÂŠ SKORCHMAG.COM

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DEC 2011 BONUS EXCLUSIVE ISSUE WITH FRENCHIE DAVIS \ PG4 \ © SKORCHMAG.COM

I recently had the great pleasure of sitting down with a woman that is a true icon and talented inspiration. Her talent is backed by her passion, spirit, her hard work and her expertise in her craft. I sat down with singer and actress Frenchie Davis and her stylist Spry Lee Scott to talk about the past, the present and her future projects. Bonnielee Cuevas: What did it feel like to go from a show like American Idol to a show like The Voice? Frenchie Davis: You know I didn’t get to stay on American Idol long enough to experience it to be able to compare. The Voice seems to be more about singing and American Idol was about other things. What I loved about my experience on The Voice is that it seems to be more about the music. We all watched American Idol and we saw many talented people that were told no because of something other than their musical talent. With The Voice I thought it was powerful to have singers chosen for their voice and it is an inspiration for young people to see that talent does prevail. Bonnielee Cuevas: You played the role of Mahalia Jackson (Gospel Singer) in the one woman show. How did you prepare for such a legendary role? Frenchie Davis: I studied her to prepare for that role. I got my hands on as much archival footage as I could. I spent time researching her to see what it was like to be a black woman in that time. I researched Dr. King. Their friendship was a huge part. I spent a lot of time learning about her. I was really intimidated by playing her. No one can imitate her and I tried to channel her and bring that to her singing and the portrayal

of the role. I got great responses. It was the most challenging and fulfilling role of my life. Bonnielee Cuevas: You starred in Rent and it was supposed to be a 6 month project that later turned into a 4 year project. What made the difference and what made you stay on for the longer period? Frenchie Davis: Initially I never intended to be there that long. In this world when you find something that you love and you happen to be really good at it, you just go with it. It was my first role on Broadway and it was supposed to be a 6 month run. The producers and I fell in love with each other. I fell in love with the music and the friends I made on the show. The producers were happy with what I brought to the role. Broadway is so amazing and theater is so amazing. It made me fall in love with singing and it was a hard job to leave. It was stability where things are usually unstable. I also love to be on stage. I love to be live over anything else. I had the time of my life. I never imagined I would be there that long. Bonnielee Cuevas: What new projects can you tell me about that you have coming up for 2012? Frenchie Davis: I am finally working on my album. My first single will be out in the New Year and I am really excited about it. The album is dance, pop and a little bit of rock but not too much. I am really excited to be working with some amazing writers. So many have come forward and it has been an amazing experience. Sometimes it seems like it’s not going to happen, then it seems like you get really close and it does. You feel really thankful.

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“There are many that are wealthy but not happy. I am lucky to have found that balance.” frenchie davis DEC 2011 BONUS EXCLUSIVE ISSUE WITH FRENCHIE DAVIS \ PG8 \ © SKORCHMAG.COM

Bonnielee Cuevas: Can you tell me a little bit about where you come from? Where this drive that you have derives from? What made you fight to be here where you are today? Frenchie Davis: I grew up in LA. I am the oldest of 6 kids. My parents are fighters. They are human rights activists. My dad was the Amnesty West Regional Director. The rights of others spoke with my parents. My mom worked in education and now she is an administrator. I think just having parents who didn’t make a lot of money, but did what they believed in and were passionate about what they did made the difference. My dad fought for the rights of others. It played a huge role in where my passion came from. It is what makes me fight hard as an entertainer. There are many that are wealthy but not happy. I was lucky to have found that balance. Having my parents and just having people around me like teachers. I have gratitude for the teachers in my life from elementary school up until college. They encouraged me and called me out on my BS. They played a role in my drive. It’s kind of like wanting to give up and then I have people who are rooting me on. I don’t want to disappoint them or myself. Nothing of true value comes easy. My parents told me and I entered this, knowing I was going to have to work my butt off. Bonnielee Cuevas: How do you handle any negative publicity that comes your way? Frenchie Davis: You have one of two choices in situations like that. Allow that to break you and discourage you from continuing or to be true to who you are. We are all human. I won’t lie by saying that my feelings don’t get hurt. I get hurt, I allow myself to feel hurt, cry, call my mom and sis and then I have that release. Then I get back to work. I can either believe the bad stuff or I can live a life. Work ethics speak for you and character speaks for you. It’s been 10 years since American Idol. We turned it around. Bonnielee Cuevas: Do you think being a full figured artist holds you back in this industry? Frenchie Davis: I think in the past it did. There is nothing that Barbie’s can do to stop it now. The train is moving. You have actresses like Melissa Mcarthy from Mike and Molly and she’s hysterical. You have women like Monique. Women that will never be a size 2 and news flash don’t want to be. I think beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. It’s fine if you want to be healthy. I work out 6 days a week and I have skinny friends that can’t hang with me. Society needs to be careful about what they convey to us. Such as diet pills and all the things people do to be thin. That’s not really healthy. Let’s be honest we see what those things can do. We see it when people die from their need to be thin. If the message is not be healthy then it’s all BS. We all need to agree that thin is not synonymous with healthy. I run flights of stairs and do pushups. There are women that are thinner than me that can’t do that. CONTINUED NEXT PAGE >>

Bonnielee Cuevas: As a full figured artist what is your favorite place to find signature clothing pieces? Who are your favorite designers? Frenchie Davis: I have had this theory that Calvin Klein had an affair with a plus size woman because his plus size clothing is beautiful. I love Torrid, Ashley Stewart, Ralph Lauren, Lane Bryant, and Monif C. is an amazing designer. I love her, love her dresses. There are just a bunch of them. David Meister is a designer I wore a lot. We have been talking on Twitter and he has been an amazing support. Michael Kors also. Spry Lee Scott, Celebrity Fashion Stylist: The thing that I love about Frenchie is that she’s not stuck on one style or one designer. It never has to be all high end designers. We mix pieces like Michael Kors and Ashley Stewart. When it comes to fashion and style she is really open to things. It’s what I love about her. She is trusting and if I say try it on she will try it on. She’s open to see if It works or not. Frenchie Davis: I would encourage full figured women to not be afraid of color. I also find that it might not look that great on the hanger, but once you put curves in it. It looks like a different piece. Don’t be afraid of color! There is nothing like a plus size woman in color. Bonnielee Cuevas: What advice can you give to full figured women? Women in general that are going down the same road you have? Frenchie Davis: My advice would be that whatever you want out of life go on knowing that you are enough. That people are going to try to convince you that you are not enough, that you are not tall enough or thin enough. There are even plus size girls that lose weight and the plus size industry says they are not plus size or enough. Go forward to love the hell out of yourself. No one will love you like yourself.

About Bonnielee Cuevas, Managing Editor of Skorch: A native of New York City Bonnielee Cuevas a Writer, Lifestyle Expert, Fitness Expert (Zumba & More), Makeup Artist, Fashion Stylist, Plus Size Model & Speaker. She is the founder of Pink Couture Life a company designed to empower women through beauty, fashion & fitness worldwide and Managing Editor, for Skorch Magazine. Bonnielee empowers women to live happy, stylish and in the pink. Bonnie is a Vogue Influencer part of an exclusive panel that provides reviews in beauty and fashion products. She was voted as Vogue Magazine's top 1000 Social Media Darling Influencers. She is licensed, certified and educated in all of her areas of expertise. She continues to travel and enhance her portfolios and is available for print, TV, film, fashion and events.

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