Marsha Ambrosius on Roots Picnic: 'Feels Like Homecoming'

Marsha Ambrosius Responds to Amanda Seales #ClubShayShay Remarks

Source: R1 / R1

Divine Martino had a sit down with Marsha Ambrosius to talk about how she feels about performing at The Roots Picnic for the very first time. With her introduction to Philadelphia dating back in the summer of 2000, Marsha was excited to come back to the city that felt like a second home to her. “I’m Philly.. Philly grown” Marsha declared. “Not homegrown and born, but I came into womanhood here. I got here in the summer of 2000, turning 23 that year, I was ‘Phil-lified'”.

Marsha says things have changed in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection since her earlier days in Philly, On top of the gentrification in some communities, Marsha, moves along the city streets feeling content with her time in Philadelphia.

“I’m looking at it through a different lens now… I had so many emotions and so many feelings here in this city, and coming back now at the place of peace that I’m at, I don’t get any of those feelings.. You know? Even thought good ones, even the bads ones, it’s just (sigh) ‘I was here and I did all of these things’ Ambrosius said.

Marsha also spoke on balancing being a wife, mom, and entertainer, and her experience working with Michael Jackson and Prince. She recalls the time that Michael Jackson reached out to her for her song ‘Butterflies’ and deems it an experience she’ll never forget. After being deflated by the rejection of her song ‘Say Yes’ by iconic singer-songwriter Ron Isley, Marsha was able to rebound by working with one of her biggest influences in the King of Pop. ‘Til this day, ‘Butterflies’ is one of Michael Jackson’s top hits and Marsha talks about the longevity of the record and what it meant to her to work with him.

“I’m still astounded that you can press play, and hear what we did, and it really is that good still… It’s timeless” Ambrosius said. “Even if I wasn’t apart of that record, the fact that, I wrote that song, and I listen to it, and I listen to him and I just seemlessly blending the way we did.. I really got to work with my hero as soon as I started.

Marsha also gets candid on her thoughts of Amanda Seales’ stint in Floetry and responds to the remarks made about her by Amanda Seales on ‘Club Shay Shay’.