I came across a Polaroid from my PEOPLE Magazine profile from two decades ago, and it brought back such wonderful memories! Back then, the talented writer Mark Dagostino highlighted my journey of finding Luther Vandross after he faced a tough battle with a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes.
This inspired me to create the national nonprofit Divabetic, aimed at helping Luther’s fans and their families keep their homes joyful and healthy by learning how to prevent diabetes-related complications.
I was so lucky to host free monthly Divabetic support meetings at the McBurney YMCA, and I loved volunteering backstage at the national diabetes TV show, dlife, with my wonderful parents. The exposure from PEOPLE, along with my amazing network of healthcare professionals, helped me land on Novo Nordisk’s shortlist for a trial program.
With a backpack filled with Divabetic and Dude-a-betic t-shirts and a stack of flyers for various diabetes programs, I nervously pitched both myself and Divabetic to the PR team, BioSector. They were a bit puzzled by my unconventional approach, but when they asked which program I wanted Novo Nordisk to produce, I glanced at my flyers and said, “Since our name is Divabetic, people will expect a touch of glamour. I really want to go with our Makeover program!”
You can catch all of Toni’s amazing shows on Mixcloud.
Here’s a fun little tidbit about Pink Champagne: my lyrics celebrate our dear friend, the legendary Luther Vandross.
Luther had a passion for Art Deco and Art Nouveau furniture and took great joy in decorating his stunning homes in Beverly Hills, Connecticut, and New York with these exquisite pieces.
Plus, did you know his gorgeous stage costumes designed by Tony Chase and Elizabeth Courtney were also inspired by these beautiful styles? I hosted a Luther Vandross: Music & Style event with my friends, Keith Anthony Fluitt, Christopher Faison and James Ervin this past April in New York City.
You can see Luther’s fantastic costumes, artifacts and memorabilia on display at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles until June 2025. The exhibit offers an intimate glimpse into Luther Vandross’ creative process and showcases his ornate stage wardrobe, exclusive performance footage from his popular tours, and a never-before-heard recording of him in the studio.
I was lucky enough to accompany him on a few trips to auction houses where he searched for these treasures, and that’s where the mention of Christie’s Auction House in the lyrics comes from! Thanks for letting me share my memories of my friendship with Luther!
“Luther: Never Too Much,” the documentary film from award-winning director Dawn Porter, chronicles the story of a vocal virtuoso will be available on streaming apps in January 2025.
Using a wealth of rarely seen archives, Luther tells his own story with assistance from his closest friends and musical collaborators including Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Simpson, Seveda Williams, Fonzi Thornton, Robin Clark, Ava Cherry, Kevin Owens, Lisa Fischer, Carlos Alomar, Max Szadek, and Roberta Flack.
The film relives the many stunning moments of Luther’s musical career, while exploring his personal life, health struggles, and a lifelong battle to earn the respect his music deserved.
Sadly Luther suffered a stroke related to mismanged type 2 diabetes in 2003. The phrase “Every minute counts” is a warning to heed if you suspect someone close to you is having a stroke.
F-A-S-T is an acronym created to teach people how to recognize and remember the most common indicators that someone might be having a stroke. Here is what each of the letters stands for:
T for TIME: Don’t wait or lay down to see if symptoms disappear. Call 911.
F for FACE: One side of a person’s mouth appears to be drooping or their smile looks lopsided. .
A for ARMS: People who are having a stroke usually have difficulty moving arms and legs.
S for SPEECH: Difficulty talking, slurring words, repeating the same words or phrases, or their conversation doesn’t make sense, it may be a stroke.
We’re talking about coping with diabetes, depression and shame during the holidays on Divabetic’s podcast with musical inspiration from Leona Lewis.
‘Tis the season for family, festivity, and temptations that may disrupt daily diabetes health routines. That means it’s also the season when eating healthy, staying active, and taking medication on schedule is more challenging. The added stress and anxiety of staying on track with your diabetes self-care may cause even those who are usually content to experience loneliness, anxiety, and a lack of fulfillment.
Several studies show that people with diabetes have a greater risk of depression than people without diabetes.
Just like denial, depression hinders good intentions in self-care. It can even make it harder to do things you enjoy.
“I have a best friend who has severe depression, who takes medication and still struggles, so I know how bad it can be,” says Leona Lewis.
Leona’s friend describes herself as having “highs and lows” brought on by circumstance, not a clinical illness.
If you’re feeling down, remember you’re not alone. It’s important to share your feelings with your healthcare team. Seeking help takes courage and can be the first step toward feeling better.
Leona Lewis’ holiday song, One More Sleep, sparks our discussion about how the holidays affect your sleep. Insomnia during the holidays is quite common. The holidays bring parties, overeating, later bedtimes, shopping, overspending, and traveling, which may bring on jet lag. The financial pressures associated with gift-giving can also cause sleep disruption during the holidays.
Changing your behaviors and attitudes and adding more physical activities can go a long way toward eliminating insomnia so you can enjoy a deserved and joyous holiday season.
Traveling or spending time with family can shake up our usual meal routines, too. Megrette Fletcher, a diabetes educator, mentioned in an interview that everything changes and can be quite stimulating when we’re away from home, which might lead us to let our guard down a bit. Common sense says eating too much doesn’t improve the food experience, but when faced with an array of delicious treats, it can be hard to resist. As Megrette says, “Food is part of the enjoyment.” Just because you can’t take the food home with you doesn’t mean you have to eat everything in sight if you’re already full. It’s okay to savor the moment and stop when you’ve had enough!
We also have some fantastic guests on the Divabetic podcast, including experts like Debby Kay and Megrette Fletcher, and inspiring people like singer Leona Lewis, who will be sharing her music from the Christmas, with Love album. Plus, don’t miss our chance to win 6 months of mySugr Pro access in our INSTANT WINNER challenge!
Throughout the podcast, we will feature music from Leona Lewis’s Christmas, with Love album courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic’s podcast series is about energizing and empowering listeners living with, at risk, and affected by diabetes! We provide expert advice, inspiring stories from peers, stylish tips, and even some fun music and games.
We aim to encourage everyone to take charge of their self-care, boost their confidence, and truly embrace wellness. Tune in for a fun and uplifting experience!
Founded in 2005, Divabetic was inspired by music legend Luther Vandross, whose personal battle with diabetes ignited our mission.
We proudly bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, translating complicated medical language into accessible knowledge while boosting confidence and hope.
Recognized by leaders like President Obama and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Divabetic champions our “Glam More, Fear Less” philosophy, encouraging women to become wellness ambassadors in their families and communities.
Join us on the journey to glamorize good health! Visit Divabetic.
Living with Type 2 diabetes doesn’t compromise the Diabetic Pastry Chef,Stacey Harris’s creativity in the kitchen. After attending culinary school, Stacey taught herself how to make pound cake, pecan rolls, pies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods with about half the carbohydrates in traditional bakery items.
If you’re feeling deprived of your favorite holiday treats because you’re living with diabetes, then check out this new recipe from our friend, Stacey.
From her tasty treats to her outlook on life, this pastry chef keeps things as sweet as can be as well as … sugar-free!
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube cake or bundt pan. Cream butter and gradually add sugar substitute. Continue creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Blend in extracts and brandy. Gradually add the flour and beat until smooth.
Pour the cake batter into the tube pan. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean and the edges of the cake have come away from the sides of the pan. Cool for 20 minutes in the pan before unmolding. Cool completely. Add glaze and arrange apricots and mint on top.
Glaze Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar-free apricot preserves
1Tbsp. apricot brandy or leftover apricot nectar from the can
1 8-ounce can of apricot halves, drained
fresh mint for garnishing
Directions
Heat the apricot preserves until melted. Remove from heat and stir in brandy or nectar. Spread the warm glaze over the cake and sides. Garnish with the apricot halves, which can also be glazed, and garnish with the mint. Enjoy
Stacey Notes for the Best Results:
This recipe is revised from an old Ebony magazine recipe. It is a showstopper! It works well for holidays. I have made it as is. I have also made it using canola butter in place of whole butter. I have successfully made the cake by cutting the butter to 1 cup and adding 1/2 cup sour cream. I suppose yogurt would also work in place of the sour cream. You can read more about Stacey’s experience making her Sugar-Free Apricot Brandy Pound Cake recipe on her blog.
I generally mix my sugar substitutes to get the best flavor, baking properties, and health results. For this cake, I used 1 cup of Splenda, 1 cup of Stevia in the Raw, and 1 cup of Whey Low. Do not try to use Splenda alone unless you’re using Splenda for Baking.
If you’re interested in making over one of your holiday specialties with sugar substitutes, Stacey recommends using a blend of sugar substitutes in your recipe rather than just one for the best results.
Yesterday, I had the absolute joy of visiting Santaland at Macy’s, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of magical!
This enchanting wonderland is a delight for kids and adults alike, bringing holiday cheer to everyone.
Did you know that children first met Santa at Macy’s way back in 1862?
For decades, Macy’s was known as “The Headquarters of Santa Claus” and later dubbed “The Home of Santa Claus.”
Most of us always look forward to Santa’s arrival during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade—it’s a tradition that started in 1924 and charmed its way onto our screens in 1948!
This year, my friend Nolan is lending a helping hand to Santa by keeping track of all the good boys and girls, snapping photos, and listening to their wish lists right in Santaland on the 8th Floor of Macy’s in Herald Square.
Nolan is the perfect helper, bringing his big heart and creative spirit to life, thanks to his background as a former Cruise Ship entertainer!
While we waited in line, we were completely mesmerized by the sights and sounds of Magicland.
The dancing ballerina pigs, the twinkling toy trains, the festive scenery, and the cheerful elves (not to mention Mrs. Claus) made the wait fly by in the most delightful way!
Thanks to the beloved 1947 film “Miracle on 34th Street” featuring the fabulous Natalie Wood, Macy’s is now the second most popular spot for Santa, right after the North Pole!
If you’re thinking about visiting Santaland, just a little heads up—be sure to make your reservation online in advance. You won’t want to miss this holiday adventure!
I’m excited to be Toni B’s Special Guest on her upcoming show this Wednesday, December 11, on UG-ONE! I can’t wait to share stories from my incredible experience working with Luther Vandross.
I started working with Luther in 1993 on the Never Let Me Go project in the wardrobe department and eventually became his assistant until he sadly passed away in 2005.
In the Luther: Never Too Much documentary, I discuss my traumatic moment of finding Luther after he had a devastating stroke due to complications from mismanaged type 2 diabetes. It was a wake-up call for me that inspired the creation of Divabetic, a national nonprofit aimed at diabetes outreach.
I truly believe in empowering Luther’s fans and their families to keep their homes healthy and happy by learning to prevent complications like strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and more.
At Diabetic (Divabetic.org), we take a unique approach to traditional diabetes education, offering fun, upbeat, engaging makeovers, music, and games. I’m thrilled that our resources—like podcasts, videos, and online support—are free!
I’ve also enjoyed collaborating with my talented musical family from Luther’s world. With Ivan Hampden Jr. and Paulette McWilliams, I’ve written songs like Mama’s Kitchen Table and Pink Champagne.
I’ve worked with incredible artists like Cindy Mizelle and Brenda White-King on That Man Of Mine and Pat Lacy with Lisa Fischer on I Wish At Christmas I Could Bring You Home.
A couple of my singles, Mama’s Kitchen Table and Standards by Crystal Penny, even charted on the UK Soul and BCFM Soul Charts! That Man of Mine was a big hit on the Billboard Dance Charts in the 90s and was especially popular in Provincetown.
I can’t wait to share more on the show! I hope you all tune in!
“Fashion is everyday theater,” says Tony Award-winning costumier and fashion designer Bob Mackie, who, at 85, is experiencing a career renaissance. He is still designing clothes for Cher, starring in the new Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion documentary about this life and work, and auctioning off some sketches, historical memorabilia and costumes for Cher, Raquel Welch, Diana Ross, and Diahann Carrol at Julien’s Auction.
“I love doing the work” is how he explained his extraordinary career longevity to fashion insider Fern Mallis at their 92 Y Talk. Bob was joined on stage by Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters, Tony Award Winning costume designer Gregg Barnes, Bob Mackie Design Director Joe McFate, and documentarian Matthew Miele.
“We have been approached to do another documentary, ” said Joe McFate when Fern asked about what led them to make this new documentary with Matthew Miele. However, Matthew’s approach to filming the documentary first and then worrying about selling and distributing it later synced the deal. After watching the film, one can assume that Bob Mackie and Joe McFate are executive producers and have final cut approval. Bob’s professional and personal conflicts are glaring omissions.
During their interview, Bob Mackie admitted that Carmen Miranda, her ruffles and platform shoes, and the film American in Paris fueled his interest in designing costumes as a child.
Bubbly Bernadette Peters said Bob Mackie is great at what he does because ‘you trust him’ as a performer. While working on the Carol Burnett show, she remembered how Bob would watch her scene run through to get ideas and often would come up with costume suggestions to help elevate the comedy with a sight gag. She admitted Bob Mackie has a great sense of humor, beauty, and sensuality; above all, he has taste. That’s what sets him apart and makes him so successful.
Costume Designer Gregg Barnes stole everyone’s heart in the audience, sharing fond memories of Bob Mackie. Bob Mackie mentored Gregg as a teenager about being a costume designer. Gregg recalled that Bob had given him advice that had guided him throughout his career. He said to be curious and kind and do the work to succeed in the business. Gregg alluded that Bob Mackie represents the LGBTQ+ legacy of creative geniuses in the arts.
Director Matthew Miele also directed Scatter My. Ashes At Bergdorf’s and Always At The Carlyle had plenty of material to work from when making the two-hour Naked Truth documentary. At times, the film could be more cohesive. Bob’s origin story is scattered throughout the movie at the oddest times. The viewer is left filling in the blanks regarding Bob Mackie’s personal life. Bob Mackie is guarded and tight-lipped. He can barely admit to being involved with his business partner, Ray Aghayan, an American fashion and costume designer, after his divorce from singer and actress LuLu Porter.
Ray played a pivotal role in Bob’s career. He introduced Bob to Mitzi Gaynor, who hired him as the costume designer for her TV show, which kicked off his career as a costume designer.
Sadly, Ray died in 2011, so Joe McFate is tasked with pulling personal details about their relationship from Bob in a very awkward scene. LuLu appears briefly in the film but never discloses any information about their romance, marriage, or enduring relationship. I would have enjoyed hearing her discuss how their sixty-year relationship transitioned from lovers and spouses to best friends and grandparents.
Sadly, LuLu and Bob are unable to discuss the death of the son, Robin Mackie, who died in 1993 after a history of substance abuse. Their inability to discuss their son sitting at a table with Robin’s daughter is uncomfortable to watch. Although it feels intrusive for Matthew to pry, you can tell he’s desperate to make Bob Mackie less one-dimensional. I was rooting for Matthew to crack the code and get Bob to discuss his son’s death. This tragedy, coupled with his lonely childhood with a despondent mother and hyper-masculine father, seems to fuel his undying desire to masterfully help audiences escape their grim lives and journey into a world of beauty and spectacle.
If there’s more to Bob Mackie’s life than his work, your guess is a good as mine which is a shame. Younger generations have little or no respect for the previous generation’s closeted lives because no one who lived that lifestyle can articulate their struggle. Bob Mackie and other successful gay and bisexual men, Rock Hudson, were forced to live in secret to keep their careers. Unfortunately, their pain, suffering, and struggles sound cliche without personal reflections, insights, and disclosures. People who love Bob Mackie may hate his documentary for not revealing more about his process or his romantic life.
Younger LGBTQ+ viewers, especially, might be disappointed in Matthew and Bob’s inability to discuss his personal life or disclose how his sexuality influenced his work beyond Bob’s midwestern crack about fashion and costume design fields being populated by gay men. Bob is part of the long history of gay and bisexual men creating glamor and feminine allure on screen.
Thankfully, Gregg Barnes masterfully helps the audience connect from the mega-musicals at MGM, Bob’s creations for the Carol Burnett Show, to his stage designs for the Kinky Boots musical. Watching the documentary, you get the sense that CAMP is not going anywhere and, like Cher and cockroaches, will survive long after the rest of us are gone.
Strangely, although Bob Mackie resists and seems to resent being associated as the Master of CAMP, the film opens and closes with Bob, John McFate, and Bob’s publicist attending the MET ‘What is CAMP?” Gala 2019. Yet, Naked Truth does not disappoint sparkle, sequin, rhinestone, and CAMP overs.
The film gives us a glimpse into Bob’s design process and the incredible work of his team of LA-based beaders for Cher’s ABBA-inspired outfit worn on multiple TV appearances. It also treats us to a glorious feast of Bob Mackie’s most iconic CAMP moments for television working with the 70’s most prominent female stars, Cher and Carol Burnett. Carol testifies that Bob’s best-known design, the Scarlett O’Hara dress for the Gone With The Wind sketch, brilliantly captures his wicked sense of humor and superb craftsmanship.
Carol Burnett mentions that Bob Mackie made 1700 costumes while working on her show. Cher admitted in the film that people tuned in to see Bob’s designs for her opening sequences on the Sonny & Cher Show and The Cher Show. Vicki Lawrence said she ran over from the Carol Burnett Show to stand in the wings of the next door Sound stage to see what Cher wore week after week.
The film includes numerous live performances and interviews with divas like Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Mitzi Gaynor, Miley Cyrus, and P!nk in Bob Mackie designs.
Yesterday, I spoke to a Divabetic community member with menopause who is struggling with high blood sugar levels. Sadly, some healthcare collaborators don’t discuss the link between estrogen levels and insulin resistance.
If this topic strikes a chord, research and discuss it with your healthcare collaborator. You’re not alone. We believe in you!
Enjoy highlights from Divabetic’s World Menopause Day Panel discussion on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
Our panel was moderated by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller and featured Dr. Julianne Arena,Donna Rice, and Amparo.
Dr Julianne Arena is a double board-certified physician, a board-certified OBGYN who applies traditional, integrative methods and a multi-layered approach to helping women with sexual health and intimacy issues. She’s also a practitioner of Cliovana, the only treatment available that improves long-term clitoral stimulation with proven sound wave technology. Her goal is to help women create optimal and vibrant lives.
Donna Rice is a registered nurse and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She is a national and international thought leader and author of four books, including Divabetic’s ebook Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide To Love And Intimacy With Diabetes. She is a Past President of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists and the Past President of the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute for Baylor Health Care Systems in Dallas, Texas. Donna is the Chief Operating Officer for DiabetesSisters and The Chief Evangelist for Call-ai, working on voice-driven AI for diabetes care and education. According to research, hormone levels (most notably estrogen and progesterone) fall dramatically during menopause. Changes to our hormones can affect our blood sugar levels and make managing diabetes more difficult.
