Terry Ellis: Again, it puts me in a state of being humbled. I’m so grateful. We’ve been doing this over 25 years. The very thought of that is mind-blowing. It’s still fun for me, and it really is a blessing. To be able to do for 25 years, something you love, and that is your passion, and to have people appreciate it, and to be viable and relevant, it is a blessing.
U.G. Digital Mag: How was it for you to see a group like Salt-N-Pepa honored for their accomplishments in music, especially given the input En Vogue had on the track “Whatta Man”?
Terry Ellis: Oh, my gosh. It was so heartwarming; first, for being black females and being honored for their amazing talents. Secondly, for being trailblazers. They were paving the way for us. To be such huge fans of theirs and then to one day have them call us and feel like we were good enough to be featured and work with them was an honor.
U.G. Digital Mag: With a lot of these tribute shows, I get so used to them having people come out that you didn’t realize were there. I was sitting on my hands looking for you ladies to come out.
Terry Ellis: The funny thing is we do shows with them. A couple of months ago, we had a nice little run with them, and every show we came out and performed “Whatta Man”. We were like giddy teenagers going out. It’s a lot of girl power.
U.G. Digital Mag: Girl power, and strength in music. Our music lasts and stands strong.
Terry Ellis: Absolutely. Also, the unity of black women. Us all being in a different genre, being sisters and coming together, it’s powerful.
U.G. Digital Mag: Now what is ahead for En Vogue? What things are going on. De Ja Vu continues to climb, and more people are loving it.
Terry Ellis: The album release is on the way. We’re presently in the studio. That’s coming up. You can follow us for updated information on Twitter @envoguemusic, and the same on Facebook. We’re booked through next year, so we’re pretty much juggling.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s such a blessing.
Terry Ellis: It is! When I say that, I ain’t playing [laughing]. I’m telling you, because being in this game so long, being a part of En Vogue, and me realizing there has been a transition. The lineup is not what it was. It’s not the original four. To continue to work at the level we are working, and to be able to get calls for television shows from major networks, and have sold out audiences, it is a blessing. It really is. I can’t say it enough. There’s that, and being on the road. It’s been a little trying, but a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to finishing up this record.
U.G. Digital Mag: I personally can’t wait. When you look at your career, are there any regrets in terms of either the way things were handled, or the way things turned out all these years later? Or would you do it all over again.
Terry Ellis: Well, I wouldn’t do it all over again [laughing], not with the hiccups. However, those hiccups were a part of the process. I can say for me, I realize that if you learn from the hiccups, then they really weren’t hiccups. You grow. You learn. You evolve. That is the reward.
U.G. Digital Mag: You also learn how strong you really are.
Terry Ellis: Absolutely, and I can only speak for me again, but for me, it helped me become stronger, and to be able to say I’m grateful. Those are the things at the end of the tunnel that help you stand in gratification and be thankful.
U.G. Digital Mag: With the digital aspect of the industry, much has changed with the way you can communicate with fans. There’s so many ways to talk to fans now, versus years ago. How it is now for you to be able to go online and see the comments people have?
Terry Ellis: I absolutely love it when it comes to business. We are artists, and we’re putting out music that our supporters are buying. I love that aspect of it, being able to communicate with them personally, because it creates a human aspect of it. It makes us feel more accessible and human. I love that.