An Afterparty Radio Exclusive: Chanté Moore, Part 2

Despite getting signed to a major label and facing the pressures and demands of the music industry, Chanté Moore has always enjoyed singing about what she believes in which she credits to her growing up in the church and singing gospel.

“It’s wonderful to sing what I believe. Gospel has kept me regimented about singing about me and what I believe.”

While Chanté admires and supports top artists like Beyoncé, she knows that style is not for everyone, including herself.

“Beyoncé is Beyoncé. Everybody can’t be Beyoncé. She’s great where she can have different songs about this or that or say she’s done this or that. You’ll hear people say, ‘she’s this or she’s that.’ I have to represent Chanté and sing what I believe.”

Over the years, she has recognized that staying true to herself has been one of the driving forces behind her longevity in the music industry.

“I’m not going to bend to the pressure of what’s current, what’s hot, new, trendy or what’s on the radio,” Chanté declared.

Love songs, Chanté’s trademark, is something that she believes is universal and everybody can relate to.

“Everybody loves being in love. We all play that. Even the little thug can get caught up in ‘The Rapture,’” Chanté remarked. “Whitney Houston’s ‘Greatest Love of All,’ yeah, we can all relate to that.”

Even though she has enjoyed mainstream success over the years, Chanté feels that there are definite color lines when it comes to the music industry, but she has noticed changing trends especially in regards to radio.

“Since I’m a black artist, I’m going to be marketed to black radio, which is fine, I have no problem with that. But I could be palatable to a white woman in the suburbs as well. R&B music has to be on R&B radio and I don’t like the lines to be drawn. Radio isn’t as prevalent anymore because of the Internet so it’s different now.”

Appreciating a new generation and different attitudes, Chanté gladly embraces the gradual erasure of color lines in what has been typically the black R&B genre.

“Music is colorless. You have little white kids now singing R&B. People like Jessie J and Ariana Grande and I think that’s great.”

Building on her musical success and looking to explore new opportunities, in 2013, Chanté joined the cast of the reality show “R&B Divas,” where she has viewed it as a bittersweet experience.

“It’s been wonderful with exposure. The publicity, they say you can’t buy publicity. What’s great is the exposure with a new generation coming up and not just saying, ‘she’s a singer, but that girl from “R&B Divas.”’ It’s expanded my name; that’s been wonderful.”

However, not every aspect of the show has been so wonderful since Chanté’s been embroiled in numerous arguments and beefs with fellow cast members and she feel it’s important to clear her name.

“It’s difficult to be perceived as something I’m not,” she explained. “It’s painful and heartbreaking. It’s even degrading. It’s difficult to stomach the bitterness and cat fighting.”

From her point of view, all of the arguing just seemed pointless and she saw no need to resort to these types of tactics.

“I don’t like the two-facedness. If I have something to say to you, I will say it to your face. If you can’t accept that, I don’t need you in my life. I have family and friends and many beautiful people in my life.”

Chanté doled out some advice when it comes these type of back-and-forth situations.

“If I said something offensive, let me know. If I am that person, speak the truth in love and respect. If you say you are child of Christ, how are you going to do that without Christ? Put forth the effort and be a little nice.”

At the end of the day, Chanté has made it a point that she doesn’t want those type of drama-filled scenes and relationships in her life anymore.

“I am a real, real grown-up; a real grown woman. There’s no point in pointless drama. I’ll never allow somebody to put what they think I am into the world or let them present me to the world.”

Chanté has moved on to the point where she recently saw former cast member Kelly Price and they had a pleasant exchange.

“There was no beef, nothing weird or uncomfortable. We smiled. I appreciate that about her. Situations like this don’t make or break your life. It’s about forgiveness and loving your neighbor.”

From the drama and darkness, Chanté has managed to forge real friendships with some of her cast members, including Chrisette Michele and Michel’le. She views them as wonderful people who she’s learned to be friends with.

Outside of singing and acting, Chanté has added author to her repertoire. She penned a book entitled, “Would I Marry Me?” It blossomed from her last marriage where she was unhappy and was always focusing on her husband. When she turned toward God and He asked her, why don’t you do what you have do and worry about yourself, it began an inward journey.

She was forced to ask herself some questions.

“Who am I? Am I really that person? Would I marry that girl? Would I marry me?”

Chanté believes too often women focus too much on the man when it comes to relationships and not enough on one’s self.

“We talk about what we want in a man. It’s the superficial. We want a man 6’ tall, driving a 6 series, making 6 figures. That’s 666 – that’s not going to work.”

She suggests asking the authentic questions and looking deeper such as, “do you love the man for who he is,” while at the same time, asking if you love yourself.

Chanté sees this as a form of empowerment where it’s time for women to take back control.

“It’s time to take the power back. We wait for the guy to decide if it’s time to get married. We make ourselves inviting as women. Make vows to yourself; never let yourself down; never be untrue.”

She plans to turn the book into a show that she will take on the road by the end of 2015 to share her journey and experiences. At the end of the day, she believes it is all about building on your self-esteem and embracing yourself and she wants to spread that message since she finds herself in a good place right now.

“Embrace yourself; you have so much beauty and strength. I’m secure in myself now, so I’m okay with being by myself. I’m really happy right now and want to make the most of my life.”