Spotlight || MJ/Prince

Spotlight || Chapter 12

1993

Angela "Angie" Powell

As if on cue, my powerhouse management team woke up from the dead out of nowhere. This current situation marked my first big-time interview since going on personal hiatus. I'd given birth to Jamie. Last year, there was just no other choice but for me to walk away from entertainment and then properly handle motherhood.

It wasn't long before countless media outlets quickly flocked towards me again with interest, even as I tried to brainstorm for the cameras. I hadn't even released any recent album and shelved music for obvious reasons, but finally made my choice.

Dodging tabloid programs or even some print magazines, I chose my "brother" Arsenio Hall for the long-awaited interview. He launched his late-night talk show back in 1989, but we first met during post-production of "Coming To America."

In 1988, Nona Hendryx wanted someone to play an electric guitar solo on her soundtrack-record entitled "Transparent." After shuffling quite a few duties around, I decided to raise my hand. In fact, Eddie Murphy, Arensio, Nona and I snapped a polaroid in the recording studio right before I flew back home later that evening.

Now, standing in this dressing room alone, I glanced in the mirror, already thinking of my little princess as time moved on. Jamie had barely turned one year old at that time of my interview. On this particular night, wonderful babysitters were called in, but I could only imagine how Jamie felt without having me around her.

Mommy will be back home soon, Baby Girl. I closed both eyes and soon thought for a moment, even promising myself. As soon as the cameras stopped rolling, I'd returned back home and finally become "Mommy again. Nothing else meant more.

As I opened my eyes once more, someone knocked on the door. I cleared my throat, planning to see a crew member with their own headset. No matter how I felt at the moment, I always knew how to handle myself during interviews like this.

"Surprise." One word from his famous and low voice welcomed my eardrums. I jokingly rolled my eyes, but still opened both arms as he stood in this doorway and joined my own embrace. We hadn't seen each other since "Love Symbol" hit stores.

"Hi!" I beamed, pulling away from our embrace to take flowers away from his arms. This glass vase carried sunflowers, my mother's favorite type of course. I wanted to cry, but remembered that my makeup would've looked terribly smeared on camera.

"Just wanted to hand this present over before the interview. See you out there. I'll be hiding backstage with those monitors." Skip kept his trademark voice low, glancing around as if he weren't even supposed to be here. I laughed and smiled.

"Thank you. Wish me luck." I kissed his cheek just as other crew members filled the hall and planned to whisk me away. Even Skip chickled to himself as we bid farewell in the quickest form, probably ever since we even began our loving friendship now.

Bright studio lights and excited people had waited for quite some time to see me again. I couldn't wait to start. As long as I really did trust the people around this evening, this moment in time would run along without many problems or drama.

____

"Please welcome back my sister, the one and only Angela Powell!" Once Arsenio introduced me and I walked towards that famous sofa, the audience lost their minds. Applause could've shattered my ears if I'd never heard noise before.

Sharing this friendly hug, I then sat down and settled in. People found in that audience just wouldn't stop cheering out loud for me. Our smiles broadened as time moved on. Even the in-house band began to play one of my previous records now.

"Thank you!" I'd given up the braids for once and returned to curls, tossing back my new hair as I laughed with Arensio. As everyone here finally settled down their excitement, I looked back and noticed that my photographs screened behind us.

"First of all, How are you doing? I know that it's been quite a while since we've last seen you, especially on camera." Arensio kept his opening respectful and I knew his intention. We had spoken not long before this moment, still prepping questions.

"I'm doing so well. I'm happy, really. Times have changed quite a bit for me and I might not be as quick with delivery this time, but look out for new music soon." I winked towards the camera and the audience screamed. Even Arensio faked his smile because I'd already surprised him with details of an upcoming record earlier.

Playing an electric guitar and piano with that in-house band, I eventually covered one song by "The Artist" and took off my favorite jacket, soon revealing my latest surprise. Even Arsenio couldn't help smiling as I continued to perform music onstage. It wasn't long before I then completely understood his own happiness.

One particular night, I called nannies, waited until dark, and ran off to my favorite tattoo shop, not even telling anyone else about what I planned. Adrenaline kicked for the first time since Jamie came along. I didn't have to consider motherhood.

Now, the world-famous "Love Symbol" inked my left shoulder blade.

Those hungry cameras captured every moment, leaving me to enjoy this brand-new era. I had given birth to a beautiful princess and even music returned to my life. There was definitely no better feeling in the world than knowing that I was back.

No one could bring me down again.