Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Steve Harvey, Karyn White, Patti Labelle, Bebe and Cece Winans give their new year's resolutions

Jet, Dec 26, 1994

With the arrival of the New Year, some of today's hottest stars have made their New Year's resolutions. They have resolved to continue to make career and personal strides. Here's how they'll do it:

Gladys Knight, soulful singer whose latest album is Just For You, promises that she and her fiance, motivational speaker Les Brown, will work out regularly and get in tiptop physical shape in the New Year:

"I'm committed to my physical thing right now. By the New Year, I'm going to be so close to my goal weight. I'm working with a trainer now. We work out every day and I'm going to be committed to continuing that. And helping Les to continue. That's going to be my New Year's resolution, just passing it on."

Natalie Cole, Grammy Awardwinning songstylist who is celebrating the joy of the holiday season with her new album Hlly and Ivy, says she will continue to grow spiritually in the New Year: "Every year, for the past three years, I start reading the Bible over again, from Genesis to Revelations. So on January 1, I'll be back to the first chapter of Genesis and I have several different kinds of Bibles. I'll probably read the original King James version next year in 1995. That's one of my commitments that I make daily, to read the Bible every day."

Steve Harvey, start of the hit ABC-TV sitcom, "Me and the Boys," has several resolutions for 1995: "My first New Year's resolution is to provide America with another rich Black man. Because they need some more. My other resolutions: to do everything better than I did in '94. And play in the NBA."

Karyn White, sultry singer who won fame with the 1991 hit Superwoman and whose recent hits include Hungah For Your Love and Can I Stay With You, is resolved to continue her work with needy children: "My New Year's resolution is to get even more involved in helping children in need. I made it a priority in my life to support places like the Hale House in New York. There are so many children who need a warm meal and a warm bed to sleep in. That's what I want to do in '95, help the children."

Patti LaBelle, 50-year-old Grammy Award-winning pop-soul diva, revealed several resolutions when contacted by a JET editor: "Boyfriend, after 50 years, the only resolution I have is to do whatever I've done in the past 50 years, twice as good--for 50 more. One thing this diva must start doing is eating right--more healthy foods. I also want to treat people better--not that I don't now, but even better than I've done in general. Also, I want to stop complaining about the little problems in life, because baby life's too short to worry about the little problems. People have to learn to enjoy life more. Lastly, I've got to learn to be happy with what I've got--I've realized that God has truly blessed me with "Hunchie," (husband, Armstead Edwards) our son, Zuri and the rest of my family. In addition, to my voice and its ability to lift people's spirits! Of all things, I've learned to clear all the negative things, so I don't block the blessing!"

BeBe and CeCe Winans, contemporary gospel brother and sister duo who are enjoying the success of their hit album, Relationships and single, If Anything Ever Happens To You, look forward to more spiritual growth in the New Year:

BeBe Winans: "When this season comes around I look at what I have and I become more thankful than ever of what God has given me. That will continue in the New Year. And I really want to be more sensitive to the love that has been given to us and how I can turn around and share that love."

CeCe Winans: "To be more like Christ, which enables me to be a better person so that I can help others."