People have always been interested in the personal lives of celebrities. Ever since Us began the “Stars – They’re Just Like Us” feature in 2002, fans have wanted to learn as many small details about their favorite celebrities’ daily lives as possible.
In 2022, celebrities are more accessible to their audiences than ever. Online, their lives are examined on a daily basis by media outlets and fans alike. Through avenues like social media, the general public is able to see what they eat, what they wear, what they’re listening to, who they hang out with, and their views on various topics, just to name a few. As times goes on, we are seeing the line between celebrity and real person blur, as public figures allow their true, off-stage personalities to blend with their star personas.
For Lenard McKelvey, showing his true self to his audience isn’t a new trend – it’s how he’s always been. Lenard ‘Charlamagne Tha God’ McKelvey is one such media mogul who has been breaking barriers to ensure that his audience can witness an authentic picture of his life since he came onto the scene as a co-host of the hit radio show “The Breakfast Club.” His intentionality has allowed Charlamagne to develop a following that comprises those who are looking for self-improvement and a better relationship with their mental health.
Charlamagne has come a long way from his days spent hustling in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He is the co-host of hip-hop’s most successful radio show, “The Breakfast Club,” author of bestselling books, “Shook One” and “Black Privilege”, and the host of Comedy Central’s new late-night tv show, “Tha God’s Honest Truth.”
Growing up in a neighborhood rife with drugs and violence, having been fired from four jobs, and then going on to amass a huge following in radio, print, and television is no small feat. When reflecting on how he got to where he is, Charlamagne credits resilience, faith in God, and support from the women in his life for his meteoric success.
“When I sit back and I look upon my life, that’s the only thing that got me from that point to this point. I always say at this point in my life, God, Black women, and therapy are my life sources…” Charlamagne once stated in an interview.
Charlamagne and his wife have been together for almost twenty-four years, married for eight of them. His wife, who is also a South Carolina native, is well known for being a fitness coach and consultant. During these twenty-four years, Charlamagne has not only amassed a fortune, but has also addressed issues concerning his mental health, which have plagued him for decades. The high school sweethearts have been together through thick and thin, with Charlamagne often praising her unwavering support. In an interview on social media, Charlamagne revealed why he didn’t sign a prenup with his partner of two decades:
“I don’t have a prenup with my wife because we have been together for 23 years. My wife is the CEO of our house, but also we literally came up together as kids. She literally drove me to the radio station in 1999 to fill out internship papers. When I was getting fired from radio four times, she was the one going to work every day, paying the bills; when we were getting evicted, she was the one going to the courthouse explaining to the judge why we couldn’t get evicted. What I look like doing a prenup? We’re never getting a divorce, by the way. I don’t even got to knock on wood; it ain’t happening”
The couple also has four daughters, who Charlamagne counts as blessings in his life. In an interview with Dr. Jessica Clemons, Charlamagne mentioned how his daughters had instilled in him a renewed sense of purpose and direction. He often refers to them as queens and has spoken about how they have motivated him to be more intentional in his support for Black women, and in elevating the voices of Black women.
In pursuit of this goal, Charlamagne recently surprised students at South Carolina State University by presenting them with a scholarship cheque worth $250,000. The scholarship was named after his mother (an alumnus of the university) who has also been a pillar of faith in Charlamagne’s journey to success. The scholarship aims to help assist African American women seeking opportunities to major in English or Communications.
Although he frequently mentions his wife and his daughters while on radio and television, both parents have been vocal about keeping their family life private on social media and therefore refrain from posting pictures of their kids on social media platforms.
It is endearing to witness how a man who once suffered from crippling anxiety and was struggling to make ends meet, now attributes his success to the women in his life.
Charlamagne, who is a mental health advocate, also believes in the importance of therapy; Not only to improve one’s mental health but also as a path towards growth and fulfillment. In 2018, he released a book called, “Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me”, which outlined his mental health journey and has inspired thousands to begin their healing journey.
In pursuit of his advocacy, Charlamagne also launched a platform in 2019, called Mental Wealth Alliance (“MWA”) – a forward-thinking foundation that has been created to destigmatize, accelerate, and center state-of-the-art mental health outreach and care across the U.S. while building an unprecedented long-term system of generational support for Black Communities. The initiative aims to raise at least $100 million over the next five years and is looking to associate with other Black-led institutes to help create awareness regarding mental health.
What the next decade will bring for Charlamagne is yet to be seen. However, it certainly seems like the media mogul will continue impacting lives with his initiatives in the realm of mental health.
