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Spelman graduate, 'Access Hollywood' correspondent and Emmy Award-winning journalist Shaun Robinson is now an author. 'Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice with Today's Girls on What it Takes to Believe in Yourself' (Ballantine) is filled with sage advice from noted women on everything from sex and body image to self-confidence and even crash diets.
"There were several things that inspired me to write this book," says Robinson of the two-and-a-half-year project. The first was just to touch the lives of the teen girls she regularly comes into contact with through her volunteer work with the foster care system of Los Angeles County. The other was about living a more meaningful life.
"I was listening to a sermon, and the pastor was saying that we constantly strive for more money, more stuff, a bigger car, a bigger house. And he was saying if you really want to live a more fruitful life, you really have to strive for significance, not just success. And in my own little way, this is how I'm giving back and saying thank you for the many blessings that have come into my life."
BHM MEDIA NEW
While on a family vacation with Tom and Suri, Katie Holmes hit the beach near Rio de Janeiro in this blue one piece.
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Rihanna hits the stage at the NFL Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Concert in a pair of knee-high black boots. What do you think about the pop singer's look?
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images for NFL
Mischa Barton wore this Elie Saab couture mint green gown to the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville. Is Mischa's look a hit or miss?
Eric Ryan, Getty Images
Heroes star Hayden Panettiere arrives at the NBC Universal Pre-Super Bowl event at Portofino in a black tuxedo jacket and dress with a plunging neckline. Is the Hollywood starlet hot or not?
Gerardo Mora, Getty Images
Diane Kruger wore Nina Ricci for the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville. Is her dress a mess or amazing?
Eric Ryan, Getty Images
Kim Kardashian opted for this floral strapless Tracey Reese dress for the 2009 Moves Magazine Super Bowl Party at The Venue Club. Let us know what you think about Kim's look.
Tim Boyles, Getty Images
Burlesque beauty Dita Von Teese wore an ice blue Elie Saab (left) satin dress at the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville.
Dominique Charriau, WireImage
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz appeared at the the 2009 Goya Cinema Awards in Madrid in this black lace Chanel gown. Is it a win or a loss?
Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images
Amy Adams wore a Jasmine di Milo gold and silver sequin backless dress and Christian Louboutin heels to the 61st Annual Directors Guild of America Awards.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Being thousands of miles away didn't stop Meryl Streep from celebrating the inauguration. The actress wore this Catherine Malandrino flag dress to the Paris premiere of Doubt.
Julien Hekimian, WireImage
'Exactly As I Am' is as inspiring as it is real – Queen Latifah candidly talks about sex, Diane von Furstenburg speaks of a mother who survived a concentration camp, Rep. Nancy Pelosi relates to girls who grow up in households filled with men and Jennifer Hudson shares how she dealt with stage fright. Other noted women include Alicia Keys, Sharon Stone, Vanessa L. Williams and Janet Jackson.
"I've been fortunate enough I've been on 'Access' a long time, and people know me and they trust me," says Robinson. "I let people know that I would like to get their comments on girls and self-esteem. One of the big yeses was when I got Oprah Winfrey. I interviewed her in South Africa, when I covered the opening of her school there. I said to her, 'I'm doing this book and I'd just love it if you'd be a part of it.' And I was very, very thankful."
"It's just very rewarding to see a girl just start to come into her own," says Robinson. "There was this movie, 'He's Just Not That Into You.' And we want girls to say, 'Am I That Into You?' We want girls to start from that point of view, not trying to be everything to a guy. And we need to start delivering those messages to young girls very early."
'Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice with Today's Girls on What it Takes to Believe in Yourself' goes on sale March 31.
Comments: (11)
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By: Sheryl on 3/18/2009 2:16AM
This is definately a 'MUST BUY'... I have always admired Shaun Robinson, as she seems to exude class and style.
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By: C.J. on 3/18/2009 12:33PM
I think Shaun is an inspiration not only to teen girls but to some older women. 'Am I That Into You,' some older women need to ask themselves that question. I really admire her and I hope to meet her someday.
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By: Sandra on 3/18/2009 12:49PM
She is so beautiful and talented!
Http://www.FindABlackSalon.com
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By: Gpowell on 3/18/2009 3:10PM
She is a nice lady but she shows too much cleavage when I see her on TV.....just saying....that is not the kind of role model I would want my daughter to have....
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By: parks on 3/18/2009 6:25PM
Please stop hating and learn to find the good in people. Her clevage does not define who she is.
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By: will smith on 3/18/2009 8:32PM
i dissagree with gpowell, ms. robinson does NOT show her cleavege like that, quit hating. shaun is a very classy, very intelligent, and very ambitious lady with plenty of morale fabric to her self-esteem. thers a difference between looking sexy and looking straight up skanky.in fact, i would love to give her a call one day.... tanika ray is a gorgeous one too.
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By: Sondra on 3/19/2009 9:50AM
I agree there is a difference in dressing sassy/classy verses to sexy. A classy woman knows the difference.
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By: MITA on 3/18/2009 8:43PM
GPOWELL---STATED THE FOLLOWING:
She is a nice lady but she shows too much cleavage when I see her on TV.....just saying....that is not the kind of role model I would want my daughter to have....
YOU MUST NEED EYEGLASSES...SHAUN IS VERY FLAT CHESTED....SHE DOES NOT SHOW ANY CLEVAGE AS YOU STATED...YOU SOUND VERY STUPID....TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT HER PICTURE ON THIS PAGE.
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By: eric on 3/19/2009 1:13AM
The best advice to give many of these young BW today, is to encourage them "not" to continue to have all of these OOW babies! Instead focus on making education their priority!
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By: solomon711@peoplepc.com on 3/25/2009 9:39PM
MRS ROBINSON,I THINK IT IS GREAT THAT WOMEM LIKE YOU AND TYRA AND OPRAH AND A FEW OTHER'S,TAKE THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR WISDOM WITH THE YOUNG GIRL'S THAT ARE COMING UP IN THIS WORLD TODAY...YOU LADY'S ARE THE THREE WISE SISTER'S WHO WILL SAVE ALOT OF GIRL FROM BECOMING...VIDEO VIXEN...AND...HOLLYWOOD WHORE'S...AND FEMALE'S WHO LOVE TO CALL THEMSLEF'S...SUPER HEAD...THE VIRTUS WOMAN IS DAM NEAR EXTINCT,ONLY FOSSIL REMAIN NOW...JAMES BROWN ONCE SAID THAT,THIS IS A MAN WORLD,BUT IT WOULDND'T BE NOTHING WITHOUT A WOMAM OR A GIRL...IN OTHER WORD'S IF YOU SAVE THE GIRL YOU SAVE THE WOMAN,AND WHEN YOU SAVE THE WOMAN YOU SAVE THE WORLD...THIS IS THE VESSEL GOD CHOSE TO BRING US ALL HERE IN...BELL,BIV AND DEFOE WROTE A SONG CALLED NEVER TRUST A BIG BUTT AND A SMILE AND SHE'S POISON...WE MUST TAKE THAT KIND OF THINKING OUT OF ROTATION,SO THAT THE BLACK WOMAN CAN TAKE HER RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THIS WORLD...MOTHER ISIS WOULD BE PROUD OF US...P.S...IF I COULD HELP SOMEBODY THAN MY LIFE HAS NOT BEEN IN VAIN...SOLOMON...THE RETURN OF THE MACK...
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