Back in the day, creating a successful music career wasn’t as easy as it is today. Music artists couldn’t just attain platinum records and collaborate with the best in the business without being connected to a middleman, such as a major label or commercial radio. That, added with the pressure of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, resulted in some of the most horrendous stories of people violating all kind of unspoken boundaries.
Singer Jody Watley was among those phenomenal women who was able to blaze a successful pathway despite the hurling insults and expectations of her male counterparts. Per a conversation with Watley’s former bandmate Howard Hewett on Vlad TV, fans of Shalamar found out that Hewett had some choice words for the “Looking For A New Love” artist.
“There was a point right when we were breaking up and [Benny Medina] said, ‘[Watley] said you guys got into an argument in front of this hotel in the UK, in London where you used to stay,'” Hewett recalls. “I remember the argument. We came there — Jeffrey and Jody, were coming there to tell me about myself, and I wasn’t really here about it, so we got into this big argument.”
Hewett continues the story as he says Medina told it, “In the midst of the argument he said, ‘You told her — she said that you told her — that she would never be s–t without Shalamar.'”
Watch The Vlad TV Interview HERE
The words were hurtful enough to cause Watley to distance herself from Shalamar while embarking on her own solo career. Hewett says he can’t remember if he said that or not, but he feels like Watley won overall because of her huge success.
Recently, Hewett released a message over social media titled “It’s Never Too Late To Say I’m Sorry. 40 Years Is Long Enough!” where he pleas with his former Shalamar bandmates to end the decades-long battle between them.
“There were words that I spoke to you, Jody, back in the day that hurt you, and I realized that,” Hewett said. “I can’t take those words back, but I can say that I am truly, truly, truly sorry for the words that I spoke. For my part in that whole situation.”
Although those words may have hurt Watley, it inspired her, as well. Indeed, the Chicago-born Watley has been very successful. Her career spans more than thirty years, with nine solo studio albums, four worldwide tours, and several accolades, including a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1988, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Billboard Music Awards in 2008, and seven Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits.
Watley’s legacy consists of female empowering songs that became hits and timeless classics, such as “Looking For A New Love,” “Some Kind of Lover,” “Real Love,” and “Friends.” While Watley continues to tour, she recently signed a talent deal with OZY Media that will include an upcoming biopic on her life.
In an interview with The Mouthsoap, she expressed gratitude for her career despite the adversity she’s experienced.
“It is a blessing to have this type of longevity in the music business, especially because women are the first to be marginalized and pushed aside,” Watley said. “If there’s something you want to do, push your way — if there’s no door, build one for yourself.”
