Naturally Natalie - Natalie Cole

Naturally Natalie

It's no exaggeration to call Natalie Cole a born entertainer. As a child, Natalie was surrounded by the beautiful music her father and uncles made - together and with some of the giants of the day. Imagine having Nat King Cole croon your lullabies!

Today, Natalie, 40, who has made her way to the top of the business, ignites audiences with her own dynamism and enormous singing talent. And she moves so well onstage that men and women alike can't help but marvel at her fine five-foot-nine-inch figure and elegant, natural-looking self. The positive response that Natalie receives when she performs is inevitably duplicated when folks meet her offstage. She is down-to-earth and beautiful.

A veteran in a business that can be tough on body and soul, as well as on home life, Natalie has found a way to keep herself together, maintaining her good looks and energy. Underlying everything she does is a strong sense of self-worth, as well as a deep spirituality that helps Cole cope with the challenges she faces. For a Black female solo artist in an industry where people of another color and another gender are usually in control, those challenges can be numerous. Much of her approach is an outgrowth of the healing she underwent during six months of treatment for drug abuse in 1983. "It was a journey of rediscovery," she says of her second, and successful, attempt to beat drugs. This time Natalie came away with the tools she needs to deal with all the conflicts and problems she might encounter. Now she surrounds herself with people who love and support her in ways that are positive and fortifying.

When Natalie returns from a tour, she gets the chance to devote extra time and attention to her beauty and fitness routines. She doesn't follow any strict regimen of exercise, diet or hair and skin care, but she does take care of her physical health and her looks - for herself, her family and her fans. Actually, her work is a great workout in itself. Dancing and moving in rehearsal and in performance are great aerobic exercise, and the sweat she raises helps purify her skin. Here's Natalie's rundown on how she stays fit and focused: On diet: "My metabolism usually keeps my weight down, but about three years ago I had gone up to almost 170 pounds. I've lost the extra weight since then. When I want to reduce, the first thing I'll do is skip breakfast. That's because it's my favorite meal, and I can go the whole gamut, from eggs and grits to French toast. Generally I don't eat a lot of fried food, and although I'm not big on vegetables, I do eat salads. On the road, I avoid eating late, although I'm hungry after doing one or two shows. As far as drinks go, I take no alcohol, very little soda pop and lots of water. Water is great because it flushes the system from your head to your toes." On exercise: "When I'm in Los Angeles, I work out with a trainer who comes to my house. I do low-impact aerobics, and for a while she had me jumping up and down on a small trampoline." On hair care: "I do my hair myself when I'm traveling, so I see a professional and have as much done as I can before I go on the road. I have a perm, with a few extensions, but everything else is mine. I wash my hair a lot and keep my scalp and hair well conditioned, because all the travel on planes takes a toll. This is another reason I drink so much water. It helps my hair and skin as well as my weight." On makeup and skin care: "I'm wearing less and less makeup now. Since I've been married, Andre has made me feel even better about myself, and he tells me I don't really need to wear a lot. So I just use foundation and a little lipstick and eye color. My lips tend to get very chapped, so I'll put some mentholated cream on them for about 15 minutes, then take it off before I apply lipstick. Makeup can be very draining on the skin, and I used to be terrible about taking it off at night. But my skin started to complain, so now I take makeup off after my last show. And I'm proud of the way my skin is looking now."

Natalie is really a natural woman whose beauty and fitness begin within and radiate without.

The positive way that she feels about herself plays a part in the well-being she projects. Another major factor is the happy, nourishing relationships she has with her husband and son. Natalie married Andre Fischer, a successful record producer, last year, and she lives with him and her 13-year-old son, Robbie, in Los Angeles. The two main men in her life keep the home fires burning when Natalie is on the road - some eight months out of the year.

She calls Andre her "best friend," and although her absences are hard on them both, Natalie feels her husband's love for her and his own personal understanding of the business (he has spent years on the road as a musician) make their time apart a little easier. Natalie's separations from her son are tough, but she works at letting him know that he's thought of and loved. "I'll pick up little books or cards and send them to him with a message that may simply say, `You're a wonderful son.'" There are times when she's on tour that Andre, his children from a previous marriage, and Robbie join her out of town.

At home in L.A., the family spends a lot of time together. Right now, however, Natalie's in the studio working on a new album and is taping her new weekly television music and variety show, Big Break. The nationally syndicated show debuts this fall, and Natalie will introduce up-and-coming performers as well as do some singing herself. At last, this is going to give Natalie's fans and admirers a chance to see and hear her regularly. Then there's always her recorded music to listen to, and if you're lucky, a concert where you'll get to see the lady live and in beautiful living color.

COPYRIGHT 1990 Essence Communications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group