And it’s going really well. People are responding to it,
and I’m actually glad I am doing something where I can
learn so much about wine.
If that’s not already enough on Bailey’s plate, she is also
the founder of The Be Better Foundation, whose vision
is to in-spire young ladies, to be confident, empowered,
and successful in life. Other business brands include
Cynthia Bailey Eyewear, and CB VIOR, an affordable
luxury leather collection.
As for her foundation, Bailey says she targets more than
one cause. “There is so much going on in the world. I
support breast cancer, homelessness, and domestic vio-
lence.” She acknowledges her foundation is an umbrella
to encompass these important issues. In her words, “Be
Better” is to BE BETTER in every way.
“It’s all coming from a positive space. It’s
why I started the foundation in terms of
being an inspiration to young girls and
my daughter. They need to see examples
of women doing positive things in the
community. You know it’s one thing to
talk about it and support it, but it’s actu-
ally another thing to be on the forefront
of creating things and making it happen
so people can be motivated to support.”
On another note, and according to Bailey, there’s some-
thing to be said about women 50+ enjoying their lives.
“Turning 50, by far, has been my favorite birthday. I
think I made that pretty clear,” she says with laughter.
Bailey recently celebrated chapter 53, on February 19.
Looking back on the ways she kick-started her mile-
stone celebration, Remember the time she dressed as 50
Cent for Halloween anyone? The reality star thinks it’s
important to let other women like herself, who are of a
certain age, know it’s okay to get older. “Getting older is
a luxury not granted to everyone,” and Bailey admits she
feels more beautiful in her 50s than she ever did in her
20s, 30s, and 40s.
“I’m happier in my 50s than I have ever been in my whole
life that when I turned this age, it was almost like I did a
reboot. I don’t know how long God is going to let me live.
I don’t know if I will see 80 or 90. I don’t know, but what
I do know is that at this point, in my life, these next years
are going to be the Cynthia years.” Bailey, full of vigorous
emotion, continues, “I’m going to do me. I’m going to be
happy. I’m going to live my life for me.”
To take control of falling back in love with herself, Bai-
ley knows all too well the balancing act of being a mom,
daughter, sister, and wife (she was previously married
to entrepreneur and restauranteur, Peter Thomas from
2010-2017). “We (women) make so many sacrifices for
28 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
our family and village. I feel like you know what, all of
that is great, and I love my family, and I’m always go-
ing to take care of my people, however, not to the point
where I’m not good. I think, as women, we feel like we
have to do so much. We think, how selfish is it to put
me first before anybody? Before my child, before my
husband? Here’s the thing, if I don’t put myself first and
take care of me, I cannot be a great wife to anybody. I
cannot be a great mom. Turning 50 was about taking
care of Cynthia because if I take care of me, I can take
care of everybody else.”
Also, part of Bailey’s self-care is not taking herself too
seriously. “I can be a little bit of a goofball. You guys may
have seen my twerking videos. I don’t mind putting my-
self out there. I can laugh at my own self. I think it’s so
“we are not
perfect, but are
perfect for each
other.”
important in life to have a sense of humor. Laughing is
good medicine. It keeps you healthy to some degree.”
Bailey then remembers the last time she laughed out
loud in real-time. “Yes, it was when I was in Los Angeles
with my fiancé. I have this joke. I said if I were a guy, I
would be Mike Hill because that is how similar we are.
He’s the male version of me. I might be marrying my
own self (laughs). We have so much in common, and we
have fun together. He accepts me for who I am. As you
see on the show, the wig comes off. I can snatch it off
at any time and truly be myself. I am having fun in this
relationship. We take care of business, but I am having
fun. And we laugh out loud all the time. He’s my favorite
person to laugh out loud with. Not only is he my fiancé,
but he is also my best friend. We are so compatible.
We shared with Bailey, Mike’s version of when he en-
joyed a good laugh. It was around the time we inter-
viewed the author of “Open Mike” back in the fall of
2019, and in his own words, his soon-to-be wife tried
to tell a joke with the assistance of Google. He thought
it was so cute and hilarious. Bailey, not having heard the
story before laughs.
The woman with the high cheekbones, whose natural
look (you’ve seen it on Instagram) is as beautiful on the
outside as she is on the inside, and nowadays, she’s most