Laura Prudom: 'American Idol' Finale: The Final Two Perform
By Bridget Bland, BlackVoices.com
Fans can't get enough of the lives of R&B sensation Keyshia Cole and her controversial family.
On Tuesday night, BET premiered the first two episodes of the third season of 'Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is' and they couldn't have dreamed up how successful the show would be -- scoring incredible ratings, amassing over one million viewers.
Not only was it the network's#1 original series season premiere telecast for this year, the second episode scored the best ratings in the history of the network for an original program.
On the first episode of 'The Way It Is,' we find the platinum-selling R&B singer, a native of Oakland, adjusting to life in her brand-new home in Atlanta. She has a super-fly sports car and three puppies. She's hired a trainer and personal chef and is taking better care of herself.
Last season, the chart-topper met with her accountant who told her she cannot continue financially providing for her family. Instead, he urged her to cut down on spending and save. If you know Cole, she totally did things her way and did not heed that advice.
Instead, she purchased a home in Atlanta for her sister, Neffe, and three nieces, in which her biological mother Frankie lives, as well. Her long-lost sister, who she was reunited with last season, has also moved to Atlanta. Neffe and Frankie have power struggles over the house and whether Frankie, a former drug addict, is wanted.
Last season, Neffe battled with the idea of having an abortion, when she found out she was pregnant with her fourth child. When the show returns, we find out that she ended up keeping the child and now had a baby boy.
In one of the new episodes, we also see Frankie and her daughter's foster mother, Ms. Cole, argue over whether Frankie should go to the mother spa day that the singer planned for the two ladies. Frankie says she has a club gig that she will make $2,000 at and decided she doesn't want to go. This also makes Cole upset as she just wants to show both of her mothers that she loves and appreciates them.
Ultimately, this show continues to highlight her struggle with balancing her career with her intense family conflict.
Later this season, there will inevitably be more blow-out arguments between Frankie and Neffe and of course some behind-the-scenes footage of her recording her new album, which is due out via Geffen Records next month.
Her third studio offering, 'A Different Me' will be released on December 16. It addition to guest appearances from Nas, Kanye West and a duet with Monica, the project will also includes a track called 'Playa Cardz Right' featuring the late Tupac Shakur, who was reportedly a dear friend to her.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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By: Tamisha on 12/10/2008 2:14PM
I love this show. But I do have a few frowns for it. Frankie and Neffe. I understand you may be from the "hood" in all, and your respective backgrounds, but come on. There's a such thing as keeping it real and then keeping it real and getting better. Frankie is such a sour person. She continues to go back and blame everyone for what she wasnt and still isn't a "MOTHER". I truly believe that her and Neffe's relationship with better when she decides to grow up and act responsible and motherly. When your mom is an ex-crackhead, the last thing you want to be is her friend or to watch her not grow as a woman and mother, but to keep that same mental attitude in which she had. All Neffe is really seeking is a "MOM". Keisha needs to stop hand holding these women... I got so tired of hearing Neffe talking about a strong black woman, this and that and she is acting everything but. Just because you have 4 kids and are raising them by yourself doesn't mean you should receive all these titles she puts on herself. You are only doing what you are suppose to do and what is expected as someone who had these kids. We all make mistakes, but 4?? I know the 3 are by her husband but still, she knew the issues before she had the last one by him. They need to stop leaning on Keisha and realize that this fame they have is only temporary. Keisha is the real star. And will someone tell Ms. Cole to stop switching those damn wigs and the color? Lord forgive me for this comment but she isn't the prettiest and going from the blond to black is killing me. Oh and let's not forget her foster sister.. EW... But in all I love the show. I noticed a few comments saying how black people should be shame.. Oh please! That's the problem with us now, we all have some issues going on but don't want anyone to know it and it's quite evident. Or better yet, don't want it out there for people to criticize. I just pray that this show in the end tames some of this family drama and creates the person they all want to be.
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