Meet Cici

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cici.

Hi Cici, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started wanting to do my show as a podcast. My brothers James and Brandon encouraged me, saying I had a voice for radio. I then started watching those I admired like Carson daily, Lala (last name now Anthony) sway, and crazy enough jenny jones. They were my favorites. From there, I started in a video production class in high school. Odyssey was a local news station that broadcasted within the city. That’s where the love of production came in. My brother Brandon pushed me to pursue and guided me to where I should go. And my guys from mad studios then gave me the tools I needed to start. After that, it was Let’s Talk Faktz podcast which can still be found on youtube, we only got about 5 episodes in. But they were amazing. After a few trials and tribulations homelessness and divorce, I was pretty much done. Inconsistent and unmotivated to stay determined. After about a year of taking off and realigning myself with what I wanted to accomplish, I then started again. But I knew I couldn’t restart my old podcast so I really thought what I wanted to do. And then it hit me that there was nothing like the breakfast club in the high desert. And that’s when open book with cic started. I wanted to be that first platform for up n coming artists to come and talk about their artistry. I wanted to be the Arsenio hall of this. And I have been consistently working ever since.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am has been less than easy. I have been divorced, homeless, and met a few people who took who I was for a spin. After my divorced, I was in and out of court battling a custody order for my kids. Not to mention I was dealing with trying to figure out where I was gonna stay. My parents tried but you know it was always something so I got kicked out numerous times by my dad. So I slept in my car jumped home to home, all the while trying to make sure my kids were happy and keep my dream going. I found a place and moved in with an old friend. who ended up doing some super shady mess and I found myself back in a situation. So just as I thought things couldn’t get worse, I ended back with served paperwork for court and my kid’s dad tryna take full custody. So I ended up depressed and ready to go for good. But just as I thought it was time. I ended up finding a place and things started looking up for my show. I found great people to work with and a manager who believed in me. And from there, we been up ever since

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My show is definitely a vibe and a half. I am known for my “shots with cici” and “ask cici” segments in my show. Which gives the guest a chance to loosen up and interview me on the spot. I get to know the guest as a person. In and out of the bedroom. Outside the art. We definitely talk about what you do and your art but we focus about the person behind the stage. I’m super proud of the growth and elevation from season one to now. The love I’m receiving and even having my mom recognize my dedication and growth means more to me than anything.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Having a personality is definitely number one. Most think it’s looks that get you far and though that may help… being funny having a bright ora and great energy is number one!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Open Book with Cici
• Facebook: Open Book with cici
• Twitter: Fanslovecami
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4T1JP8HNkYNlsQae8z-kFg

Image Credits
Ricardo, and Mad Studios