Anita told Naomi she was wallowing a bit because opening up her life to the Articulettes meant opening up her mind to the past, opening it up to memories that she must have compartmentalized. But in the Tuesday, June 3 episode of Beyond the Gates, she read a letter that didn’t make her look good. Sharon was right on that part. But we need to know more before we pass any judgment.
Beyond the Music
We’ve heard so many stories of classic bands and girl groups that have clashed over the years. And after the dust settled, there were casualties. It seems like the Articulettes went through their own growing pains. That kind of life can be survival of the fittest. After sharing a few moments with Naomi, who gave her an Articulettes collectible, Anita’s mind descended into the part of the past she tried to forget.
READ THIS: Here’s what’s coming up next on BTG.
The Letter
Suddenly, Anita (Tamara Tunie) was reading a letter from someone who turned out to be one of the original Articulettes, if we’re drawing the right conclusion. In fact, she started the group and then Dante Green — there was that name again, unceremoniously dumped her from the group. He said her voice was “not good enough, ” “classless,” and “ghetto.”
But the real kicker was that when she went to Anita to talk about what was happening to her, Anita didn’t lead with empathy or kindness or compassion. No, she was all about the ambition. This woman accused Anita of stealing her group and her dream and leaving her in the dust when all four of them started out as sisters.
Instead, Anita (who recited every word without having to look at the letter) was “cold and distant, and you said, ‘Show business is tough. And to win, sacrifices had to be made. You said you trusted Dante. Had put your whole career in his hands. You were sorry you had to go, but there was nothing you could do for me.’
‘And then you walked away into all that success we dreamed about while I watched from the sidelines like I was never a part of it.” The woman felt betrayed and broken, and at a certain point, she couldn’t take it anymore. And said that if Anita was reading this letter, then the former Articulette was gone forever.
What Anita was reading wasn’t just a letter. It was a suicide note. And the last thing the woman said was that her leaving this world for what she hoped was a better place was all on Anita. She put the blame squarely on Anita’s shoulders.
Wow. It was a powerful letter. And it was understandable why Anita broke down right after finishing it. It was a letter she chose to hide away discreetly in her desk. Who knows when the last time she read through it was?
Questions
- Obviously, we still need to know more. How did Tracy (Maria Howell) and Sharon (Bonita Brisker) react to Dante firing the fourth Articulette back in the day? Did they go with the flow, or did they attempt to stop it from happening?
- Is it fair to put all the blame on Anita?
- Where is Dante Green? Is he still alive?
- Will Anita need to bring up the elephant in the room the next time she talks to Tracy and Sharon?
- Is there saving this comeback concert?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. There is always help available via text, chat, or talk.
