Controversies
- Overweight and plastic surgery
With the exception of her formative years when she was crowned a beauty queen, Peniston was struggling with being overweight constantly. "When I first got in this business, I was actually heavier and I was comfortable with who I was, but that was an issue for the record company," she disclosed in 2006. "But see in this day and age where I'm at, it wouldn't be a problem for the record company, I'm going to make sure that it's not. But for somebody who's getting into the business, realize that you're a commodity, and if the record company's investing in you, make sure you that you invest in yourself. Look is important because people see the physical first," she was advising upcomers in the 5 Magazine interview.
However three years later, in November 2009, Peniston herself was spotted in Culver City, California posing for Inside Edition (produced daily at the CBS Broadcast Center in N.Y.C.), which first revealed details about her radical physical makeover and tumescent liposuction she, reportedly, got recommended by her new record executives. In addition, she was featured in several national celebrity news and fashion magazines, including the national Us Weekly, which tracked her progress as she sought to lose weight through plastic surgery. The surgery was a “hit” for Peniston, who then claimed to "feel great" after having liposuction, a tummy tuck, fat removed from her neck and a host of other procedures at the Infini Cosmetic Associates clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Monica versus CeCe
In August 2008, Necole Bitchie interviewed American R&B singer Monica, whose first two singles made her the youngest recording act to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Singles chart in 1995. The younger singer outspokenly talked about her professional life, upcoming wedding as well as her past relationships. During the interview she also highlighted a devastating moment she had with Peniston when she was a child:
"I remember years ago when I was like 10, I went to an expo and my manager-cousin Melinda asked CeCe Peniston, who was huge at that time, if I could sing for her. She did everything she possibly could while I sang and I remember her being so rude. She was so horrible to me that I was devastated and I never forgot that", said Monica.
A friend of Peniston had brought the article to her attention later, and she would respond to Monica via the social networking website MySpace.com:
| “ | Hello, Monica. I don’t even know where to begin. A good friend of mine called me yesterday and told me about the interview you did for "Necole Bichie". I actually read it myself and my heart just dropped. I wanted to apologize from the bottom of my heart for anything that I may have said or done to make you feel that way. I honestly don’t remember this, so for that reason I can’t deny it. I absolutely LOVE children, that’s why I’ve been wrecking my brain to remember this. I’ve always encouraged and supported children in their dreams and aspirations, especially when they’ve wanted to demonstrate a talent to me. You said in the interview that I did everything I could do to stay busy while you were singing. The only thing I can assume is that maybe at that time I had a lot of people pulling me in a hundred different directions and I should have told them to wait while you were singing. At that time I was young and still pretty new to the industry myself, and so I hadn’t learned how to balance everything just yet. It really hurts me that I made you feel like that. I’ve always prided myself on staying grounded, being real to people and loving my fans. But after reading the interview it showed me that I wasn’t always on top of my game and I am very sorry for that. As an artist you know that you’re always expected to be at 100%, but we both know that we just can’t deliver that all the time. I want you to know that I’m very proud of the woman you’ve become and everything you’ve accomplished both professionally and personally. I hate that at such a young age that’s the memory you have of me. Stay blessed in everything you do and I wish you all the best with your new album. Sincerely, CeCe | ” |
After Monica reached the Peniston’s comment on the issue, she would react as follows:
"CeCe, with all my heart I believe what you are saying. I was only 11 years old and it had an affect on me in a positive way, especially as an artist. It was great for me because to fans I don’t say no to things that are fair or within my reach. But only a REAL woman would care about the story after all the years have passed. I never told the story with the intent of hurting you. I’m nothing like some of these messy chicks that recklessly speak and then back down, but I did it to make a point to the many new artists that I meet who clearly feel they owe fans nothing and clearly, CeCe, you don’t feel that way to have even addressed it after 17 years. So thank you, CeCe, at 28years old it still meant a lot to me that you addressed ME directly, and at this point I feel that story should never be told again because the second greatest point this ENTIRE story makes is that artist is still human. Thank you very much for even caring about my feelings. All my love, Monica and my entire family (who were all there that day) say we thank you and love you."
Read more about this topic: CeCe Peniston