Fourteen years ago, a then-15 year-old Monica Denise Arnold burst on the music scene in 1995 with her 'Miss Thang' debut – making history as the youngest singer to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.
And since then, she's had her fair share of ups and downs.
Today, her personal and professional life are on display with a new BET reality show, titled 'Monica: Still Standing.' The mother of two sat down with the BV Newswire to chat about where she is in her life and how she was talked into putting her life on display for the world.
"As artists, the media glorifies what happens to us, but they don't tell the kids how we made it through," the Atlanta native said "This show altogether was a blessing...it will encourage the kids to keep pushing through trials and tribulations."
The 'Don't Take It Personal' singer said that she never thought about having a reality television show, but is "excited and grateful" for the opportunity to tell her story and reach people.
And although she and Keyshia Cole are friends and even recorded a song together, Monica clarified that 'Still Standing' will differ from 'Keyshia Cole: The Way It is.'
"Keyshia is a really dear friend of mine and we have a lot of similarities and we also have a lot of differences too, which makes our shows independently great," she said.
She rattled off a few of the key contrasts between their BET programs, "My family comes from the country in Newnan, GA and are all extremely close. My first cousin manages me. I have two children," 
Separate from the personal differences between the two entertainers, it is clear that the timing of Monica's new docu-drama series comes on the heels of the Grammy Award-winner's musical comeback of sorts. Her last album, 2006's 'The Makings of Me' included the hip-hop friendly 'Everytime Da Beat Drop,' which remains her least successful single to date.
Now with her upcoming fifth album, which is due in stores this Dec., the 29 year-old is hoping to return to her R&B roots.
"People want to hear music of substance from me and they still want to hear me sing, that was the only error in that particular album. I still appreciate the million people who bought that CD. It didn't do what the other CDs did, but it was a good learning experience," she noted. "Now, what I do is, if I don't feel it, then I don't record it."
Her J Records release, also titled 'Still Standing,' includes a song produced by Polow Da Don and featuring T-Pain, which she described as a track "about a guy and girl that were in a relationship and now that they are apart are critiquing the other person's mate." Included on the album is also a ballad called 'Here I Am,' that Monica says is "more true to who I am." She's also hoping to release a song with her fiancée and the father of her two sons, 'Umma Do Me' rapper Rocko.
Ultimately, Monica said wants the world to know that she's survived the difficulties of the music business and hardships in relationships, but she is here to stay.
"'Still Standing' is two words that if you put them together signify strength and I wanted that to be the basis of the show. I don't want them to feel sorry for me or like I'm the victim. I would like for them to see what I have learned as I've grown. I understand the mistakes I've made and I've moved on and that's where my strength comes from."
"All I can do is focus on being Monica the person and Monica the artist, and conveying that through my music."
'Monica: Still Standing' airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on BET.

Comments: (14)
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By: carla ford on 10/27/2009 2:45PM
There is no doubt Monica has one of the more powerful voices in the industry-however I think her "keeping it real" persona has stumped her career.The sassy girl with much attitude was cool in the 90's, but now its time to step up & broaden your horizons by trying different kinds of music instead of just making "hood anthems".
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By: carla ford on 10/27/2009 2:46PM
A new image & look wouldn't hurt either.
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By: Vega on 10/27/2009 4:14PM
LOL! Agree with your comments Carla. Personally, I won't be watching. It looks like it's going to be one of those typical and boring realities from the commercials.
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By: spicy56 on 10/28/2009 1:08AM
Looking forward to seeing you Monica. I love your voice. Your song with Keyshia Cole which I love her, was very moving. You still got it and I love the new look. I am wishing you the best and look forward to hearing some of your great music. To you haters stop bashing this young lady, why can't you just be happy that she has made it to a new and more deserve reward to show case her music.
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By: spicy56 on 10/28/2009 1:12AM
I am sure this is what she will do........don't jump to conclusion. Give her a chance. I am sure you have not heard the new music so wait nd give her a chance.
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By: Jankobot on 10/29/2009 1:07AM
The show was great, wow Monica you are amazing!
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By: evelyn on 10/30/2009 11:03PM
Hey monica:
Praise the lord sister Jesus is your home its time to come back to your true love when i saw u on that musical awards u had to sing u felt the sprirt of the lord Jesus needs u in his kingdom,and so do we to help the young people and it will be effect haters going talk as a minister of the Lord they talk theres a work to be done. I love u in the name of Jesus Christ u are call many were choosen but only few are call. ur haters can't do nothing with u cause God Favor u.
God bless and children u can do all things in christ Jesus anything.
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By: walt on 10/29/2009 1:44PM
I like Monica's music and all, but not another "Hey look at me" reality show!
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By: Shellfish789 on 10/29/2009 7:55PM
She looks very Pretty and classy, but when she talks, she talks like a "Ghetto-Hood-Rat" and that take away from her beauty...
I think she needs to tone down her "Street-like" talking Mouth
she too pretty to talk and act that way......
Just my opinion !!!!!!
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By: odessa on 10/29/2009 10:33PM
Hey yes she is all that and yes she do look good i have to say, you don't get it monica is just an down home girl, she's from the south and her parents iis from newnan and she talk just fine we all got that thuggisttalk that we let people like you know just where we are comming from, why should she talk like she is from NYC or something girl it's the voice not the attitude..just listen'''
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