Divabetic Salutes Vesta Williams

Vesta Wiliams was an American singer-songwriter who started her artistic career.

In her teens, she was a member of her cousin, a former member of the 60’s & 70’s supergroup ‘5th Dimension,  Ron Townsend’s group, ‘Wild Honey’. She was a sought-after session singer providing background vocals for Anita Baker (‘Rapture’), Jermaine Jackson (‘Precious Moments’), Jeffrey Osborne (‘Emotional’), Stephanie Mills (‘If I Were Your Woman’), Gladys Knight (‘Good Woman’), and Sting (‘Nothing Like The Sun’) among others.  This exposure led her to be signed by  A&M Records label. She released her first album in 1986 called “Vesta,” which spawned the hit single “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.”

She was disappointed with her first album. She told Donny Simpson that it could have been better if there had been better energy between her team of e-producers. She said, “You have to let some butterflies be free, and I have to be free.” 


On her follow-up album, one of our favorites, “Vesta 4 U”, she showed a flair for dramatics. Working with Attala Zane Giles, Eric Daniels, Tena Clark, Gary Prim, and Billy Osbourne, Vesta poured her heart and soul into every lyric. “I always felt that to deliver a song successfully, you have to be an actress,” she said. “A good actress becomes the part, just as a good singer becomes the song.”

The first single, “Sweet, Sweet Love,” reached #4 on the Billboard R&B chart before she released what I consider her signature song, the mega-hit “Congratulations,” a rollercoaster of emotions and frothy camp perfection! The song’s video is like a soap opera on steroids! The song tells the story of a woman mistakenly congratulated by her old friend on her wedding day, but it’s not her wedding. Her boyfriend is marrying another woman. What? Plot twist!

The song tells the story of a woman mistakenly congratulated by her old friend on her wedding day, but little does she know that her soulmate is marrying another woman. What? Plot twist! Vesta, decked out in 80’s fashion staples, runs to the church with her shopping bags, ready to stop the wedding. She arrives just in time with her red lacquered nails and opens the church door. We can only imagine the sound she must have made because several people turned around to notice her. Why didn’t the director didn’t let her drop to her knees, roll on the ground, and crawl to the altar?


Vesta, decked out in 80’s fashion staples, initially laughs off her old friend’s assumption, but then she is completely gobsmacked at the realization. The next thing you know, she takes off like a freight train to head to the church. She doesn’t even put down her shopping bags or throw them in the trunk of her car; Vesta is determined to stop the wedding. Her shady old friend must have given her the address, or there is only one church in town because Vesta knows exactly where to go. Of course, she arrives just in time. Her glossy red lacquered nails open the church door as the couple exchange vows at the altar.

We can only imagine the sound she must have made, like a wolf howling at the moon, because several people turned around to notice her. Won’t you know one of them who catches Vesta throwing daggers at the altar is her old friend? Okay, so if the old friend received a wedding invitation, why did she ask Vesta if she was getting married? Vesta’s cold-hearted old friend set her up.  BFF’s?? No, I didn’t think so! I almost expect the old friend to pull out a bag of popcorn, kick off her shoes, and settle in, getting ready to enjoy the show. 

Sadly, brokenhearted Vesta sulks in the back of the church and casts a mean shadow. Why didn’t the director let Vesta drop to her knees, roll on the ground, and crawl to the altar instead of standing at the back of the church looking like the Grim Reaper? 

Still in the shadows, Vesta reminisces about the ups and downs of her relationship with the groom before having a crazy fantasy about being the bride. It’s like watching a telenovela but with sassy mermaid-style wedding dresses and fluffy tulle veils with lots of bodacious bows. Why Vesta is so verclemped is puzzling, too.  In one of her ‘between the sheets’ flashbacks, we see the groom for who he really is –  a dirty dog. After passionately making love, the couple is in the kitchen wearing satin robes. Vesta catches the groom on the phone talking to someone and scowls at him. Was he talking to Vesta’s old friend? I don’t think so. 

Back at the church, Vesta faces the hateful hand of cards she’s been dealt. Once the service is over, the newlyweds drive off in a limousine. A disgusted Vesta crosses the street and, I assume, heads to the closest dive bar. Ultimately, we learn that Vesta needs therapy and a new friend. Her old friend knew exactly what button she was pushing when she dropped the bomb of life on Vesta. She didn’t even get up to console Vesta when she saw her lurking in the back of the church. But hey, at least we got an epic song out of a backhanded slap in the face. 

The big payoff is listening to Vesta repeatedly deliver the word “congratulations” throughout the video. She flexes, stretches, and marinates in every syllable like she’s getting paid per “congratulations.” It requires repeated listening, but trust me, it’s worth it. 

I’m not the only one who loved this song or the video.”Congratulations” received massive airplay, and Vesta‘s popularity soared as a singer and songwriter.  I found she co-wrote the song with Tena Clark and Gary Prim, too.  

Of “Congratulations,” Vesta said “Tena wanted a situation where ‘congratulations’ is the last word you’d expect to hear. And so we came up with a concept about having it be about a woman who lost her love. She runs into the church and the only thing she could say is congratulations – unless she ran in and blew up the place, which would have ended the song rather abruptly.” Vesta’s performance of the song on “The Arsenio Hall Show” earned Vesta a standing ovation, one of a handful of ovations in the show’s history. When asked during an appearance on the Arsenio Hall show if she had written “Congratulations” based on a personal experience, the songstress replied, “Oh No Honey, if that ever happened to me, I’d probably burn the church down, or something.”

Vesta’s stage show featured much more than music. She liked to tell jokes, make funny quips, and was a gifted impressionist of famous singers like Tina Turner during her live performances. “A lot of people called me the black Bette Midler, and I regard that as a compliment, “she said. 

During her music career, Vesta Williams recorded songs for films, including Soul Man and Mississippi Burning, and the theme from the television mini-series Women Of Brewster Place.  Sadly, Vesta Williams’s unexpected and untimely death left a hole in our hearts. She became a folk heroine for R&B fans because she beautifully conveyed betrayal and loss, which we laughed along with, not at her. This self-proclaimed diva with a four-octave range is a part of the soundtrack of my life. She epitomizes all the emotions between heartbreak, love, and romance in The Quiet Storm, and we thank her for that. 

If you’re living with, at risk of, or affected by diabetes, planning, or attending a wedding, this inside guide to one of life’s most important celebrations is for you! Join Mr. Divabetic as he officiates a full hour featuring a guest list of wedding, food, and fashion experts with tips and suggestions for brides, grooms, attendants, and attendees. Guests include Jessica Issler and Judi Wilcox, certified diabetes educators; Christine Campanelli, wedding cake designer; Holly Clegg, celebrity cookbook author; Catherine Schuller, fashion stylist and a group of former brides.

Sadly, Vesta remains restrained throughout the ceremony, reminiscing about their awkward relationship with the groom and fantasizing about being the bride. It’s like watching a telenovela but with more mermaid-style wedding dresses and fluffy tulle veils with lots of big bows. The big payoff is listening to how Vesta delivers the word “congratulations” repeatedly throughout the video. She flexes, stretches, and marinates in every syllable like she’s getting paid per “congratulations.” It requires repeated listening, but trust me, it’s worth it. Ultimately, we learn that Vesta needs therapy and a new friend. Her old friend knew exactly what button she was pushing and dropped the bomb of life on her. But hey, at least we got an epic song out of it!

Sadly, Vesta Williams’s unexpected and untimely death left a hole in our hearts. She became a folk heroine for R&B fans because she beautifully conveyed betrayal and loss. She was gifted at doing impressions of famous singers like Tina Turner, often telling jokes and making quips during her live performances. “If you got it, flaunt it; if you don’t, cover it up,” is how she defended wearing low-cut dresses. We laughed along with the self-proclaimed diva with a four-octave range, not at her. 

Divabetic Salutes Stephanie Mills



Stephanie Mills’ voice is so distinctive that it is hard to mistake it for anyone else’s. She has been nicknamed “the little lady with a big voice,” but this hardly does justice to her status as a living legend. Although her impressive string of hits in the ’80s and early ’90s might qualify her as an R&B icon, it was her electrifying performance as Dorothy in the Broadway show “The Wiz” that made her a household name.

Did you know an up-and-coming songwriter named Luther Vandross penned “A Brand New Day“, also known as “Everybody Rejoice“? 


If you do a few Google searches,  you’ll find “The Wiz” wasn’t her first foray into showbiz. At the ripe old age of nine, she achieved considerable success in a background role for the 1968 musical “Maggie Flynn. After that, she won amateur night not once, not twice, but six sensational times at Showtime at the Apollo. 

Her Broadway success in “The Wiz” led Stephanie Mills to be signed with 20th Century, scoring her first top 10 R&B hit in 1979 with “What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin’.” From there, she segued to Casablanca and then MCA, where she recorded five No. 1 R&B singles, including “I Feel Good All Over” and “Home.”
She freely admits, “I love all my albums [but] I think my prime album would be the Home album because I put a lot of thought into re-recording ‘Home‘ and the songs on that album. But each of my albums [has] a story of a time in my life [and] what I may have been going through at that time.”

Although we’re glad to hear she loves her albums and still tours, we can imagine the time, dedication, drive, and diligence it takes to be at the top of your game for over six decades. “I sing every day, but I get a lot of rest. I sleep a lot, but I love touring,” she said in an interview with one of our favorite websites, Rated R&B. “It’s not taxing. I’m older, so when I come home, I am tired, but it’s a good tired because I love leaving everything I have on stage with my audience.”

Recently, Stephanie Mills chose to fund her own recording. She explained to the White Mountain Independent, ” “I’m doing this on sheer will, faith, and my experience in the business. I didn’t set out to do this on my own; it just happened. But I believe in this.”

When asked what keeps her inner rhinestones glowing, Stephanie Mills said, “Seeing the audience’s faces and seeing them enjoy my singing. I take pride in trying to sound as close to my records as I can. In fact, when I sing, I sing to my original recording. People pay their hard-earned money to come see you. That’s big. That’s a lot.”On social media, Stephanie Mill has no problem speaking her mind. She’s shared her feelings regarding the R&B whitewashing and defended her friend, the late Michael Jackson. 

Her recording of Angela Winbush’s “I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love” is a standout. Her voice is rich, clear, and powerful. She pours emotion into every line of lyrical sentiment that speaks to your heart. It’s one of my most beloved Quiet Storm ballads. You don’t hear songs like this anymore. 

“I’ve had a fabulous life and fabulous career,” the legendary singer confidently told Rated R&B. Asked what she credits for her longevity in the music industry, she said, “Never following a trend. I’ve always done my own path and stayed on my own path. I didn’t listen to a lot of noise of what people say: “Oh, you should do this, you should do that.” I took the best from whatever they said that I felt was best for me and would work for me and I would do that. I always took my time and just slowly did the slow walk. I didn’t do a fast run. I did a slow walk.”

We can’t forget that our friend, singer, and songwriter Tawatha Agee penned the monumental duet “Two Hearts” for Stephanie Mills and Teddy Pendergrass. Released in 1981, the song reached #3 on the Billboard R & B Charts.


After working in showbiz for half a century, Stephanie Mills must feel content knowing that people still enjoy watching her perform. It’s difficult to imagine the numerous setbacks, disappointments, and frustrations she has faced throughout her career. From the singles that failed to make it to the top of the charts to auditions for roles that she didn’t get, Stephanie has likely endured more challenges than most of us could handle. Therefore, we celebrate her longevity steeped in excellence with great admiration.

Divabetic remembers Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) with this special podcast. Luther Vandross was a musical master whose style has influenced an entire generation of today’s vocalists. His distinctive brand of satin-smooth vocal magic moved international audiences and continues to touch people today. Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek, who worked with Vandross for more than 14 years, hosts this tribute podcast featuring Luther’s former vocalists Paulette McWilliams, Pat Lacy, Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle, and Kevin Owens, band member Bryon Miller, Vandross family member, Seveda Williams, friends Darren Margo and David Jones, the Luther Vandross historian, Leon Petrossian and Luther super fan, Jane Goodman from Great Britain. Throughout the podcast, we will play selected Luther Vandross songs that he recorded during the 1990’s courtesy of SONY Music.

Was Chaka Khan Experiencing Low Blood Sugars At Verzuz?

From slurring words or forgetting lyrics to her famous side-to-side, stutter-step shimmy, Chaka Khan‘s performance at the recent Verzuz “competition” with Stephanie Mills has many speculating that she was either drunk or high.

But could she have been experiencing low blood sugars?

Some symptoms of low blood sugar can look the same as being drunk. The most common ones are feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or confused; and getting sleepy. However, others may think your signs of low blood sugar are due to drinking. As a result, they may not realize you need help.

The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 2011. She credits her vegan diet for helping her lose a significant amount of weight after her diagnosis.

“I felt like I needed to heal my body, so I would just fast and eat no meat, no dairy,” she said. “I’ve never been a fan of meat, dairy, and sugar. And when I developed diabetes I said, ‘Oh OK, I’m not going to be here long. A change is coming,’” Chaka Khan told the lifestyle website Essence.com.

Assuming Chaka Khan experienced low blood sugar levels on stage with Stephanie Mills, let’s review some suggestions for treating it.

First, eat or drink 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, then check your blood sugars and retreat if necessary. 

The best options are sugary foods without protein or fat. Chocolate contains fat which slows down the absorption of sugar, so it’s not the best option. Instead, you need food or drinks that easily convert to sugar in the body. Try glucose tablets or gel (sold in your pharmacy), fruit juice, regular — not diet — soft drinks, honey, and sugary candy. Keep in mind, 15 grams of carbohydrates is far less than a whole can of soda or a tall glass of juice. The amount is significant because if you overtreat a low blood sugar by eating or drinking too much, you risk experiencing high blood sugar levels.

Finally, you should know that alcohol makes your blood sugar levels drop by inhibiting the liver’s ability to release glucose.

Ivan Hampden, Jr., Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Pam Butler MS, CDCES, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDCES, CDN, Cookbook Author and Culinary Expert Holly Clegg and Ginger Vieira on this episode of Divabetic’s monthly podcast.