Monica’s Lifts Veil on Family, Career with “Still Standing”

Monica’s Lifts Veil on Family, Career with “Still Standing”

By CHRISTOPHER WINDHAM

It’s been over a decade since R&B singer Monica busted on the music scene with her hit “Don’t Take It Personal,” which reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1995.

The deep and emotional vocals Monica displayed as a 14 year-old quickly gained her a following across the world for love songs typically reserved for singers twice her age.

But much of Monica’s personal life has been private, leaving fans to wonder what the R&B diva is really like.

Fans are now getting an inside look at the private Monica in her new BET reality series “Monica: Still Standing,” which has earned the singer praise for her maturity and parenting.

“It’s about life, it’s about perseverance, it’s about making it through,” says Monica, now 29. “That’s why I choose “Still Standing” [as a title]. Those words, when you put it together it, signals strength.”

Among the situations covered on the show include Monica’s bouts with high blood pressure, her family life with rapper Rocko and their children, and the recording of her new album, also titled “Still Standing.” The album, whose title song features rapper Ludacris, is scheduled to be released in January.

“Most people know how strong I am,” Monica says. “They see my children. I’m so vulnerable and sensitive with them. And they’ll be surprised to learn I like to bake.”

Monica was in New York recently at the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund’s 22nd Anniversary Gala. Monica introduced mentor Mary J. Blige, who was being honored with the “Breaking Barriers” Award for her community service initiatives.

“Mary’s been very influential to me in becoming the woman I am with her honesty,” says Monica, who offered the audience a heartwarming introduction of the singer.

“She told me to keep my head to the sky, she told me to live my life, she told me to be a woman and be responsible for things you do, say and project to the world,” Monica told the audience. “Because of her I’m a better example now for all of you.”