In the ever-shifting landscape of pop culture and entertainment, Claudia Jordan emerges as a multifaceted force. She has left an indelible mark on television, radio, and more. As of 2023, her net worth stands at $1.5 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth. It is a testament to her diverse endeavors and ability to navigate showbiz’s intriguing labyrinth.
From Humble Beginnings To The Spotlight
Anya Monzikova, Kasie Head and Claudia Jordan during Stuff Magazine Hosts The Stuff Style Awards – Red Carpet at Arclight in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by L. Cohen/WireImage for Stuff Magazine)
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Claudia Jordan’s journey from modest beginnings to the entertainment industry’s spotlight is a narrative with twists and turns. Her upbringing instilled a resilient spirit to serve her well in the competitive world she was destined to embrace. As a young woman, she embarked on a journey that would see her crowned Miss Rhode Island USA and eventually pave her way into the coveted universe of media and entertainment.
Career Highs: A Spotlight On Achievements
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 17: Ray J and Claudia Jordan speak onstage at the 2019 Soul Train Awards presented by BET at the Orleans Arena on November 17, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for BET)
Claudia Jordan’s career trajectory bears witness to a blend of charm, wit, and determination that swiftly made her a standout. Her appearance on the popular television game show The Price Is Right marked a turning point, garnering her widespread recognition. Yet, her tenure as a model on Deal or No Deal catapulted her into the living rooms of millions. Her engaging presence added an extra layer of excitement to the show’s format.
From being a game show model to the Real Housewives reality television star, Jordan’s versatility is evident in her ability to transition seamlessly between mediums, captivating audiences across platforms. Her vibrant presence and undeniable charisma have earned her recognition in the entertainment community. These contributions to the industry have not gone unnoticed, with her role on Deal or No Deal becoming a cornerstone of her career.
A Mic & More: Diving Into Radio & Television
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 09: (L-R) Vivica A. Fox, Elise Neal, guest and Claudia Jordan. Attend the 2023 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza. On March 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
In the world of radio, Claudia Jordan’s mellifluous voice found a fitting home. She co-hosted the nationally syndicated radio show The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, enthralling audiences with her candid commentary and magnetic personality. Her versatility knew no bounds, as she also delved into reality television with appearances on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Celebrity Apprentice. These ventures demonstrated her capacity to transition between mediums, captivating audiences across platforms seamlessly.
Further, Claudia Jordan is dedicated to positively impacting the world. Her philanthropic efforts include supporting organizations focused on empowering underprivileged youth and providing resources to communities in need. Her advocacy extends to issues such as domestic violence awareness, demonstrating her commitment to using her platform for meaningful change.
Not many artists can reach the success of Syleena Johnson. The four-time Grammy-nominated artist has reached all corners of the industry—from performing to producer to songwriting to reality television to being one of the hosts of FOX Soul’s Cocktails with Queens. In Hip Hop, Johnson is widely known as the voice who helped carry Kanye West’s classic “All Falls Down.” As the story goes, she came in the 25th hour to help West and he famously says on the track: “Now, Syleena, you just like a safe belt, you saved my life.” The pair even reunited for Donda.
During this holiday season, Johnson continues to keep herself busy. Bungalow Films and Music produced three holiday films now streaming on Hulu, and they called on Johnson and her collaborators to create accompanying albums. The soundtracks for All I Want For Christmas, Santa Games, and My Christmas Financé host a mix of recognizable artists and a few new faces. It was purposefully curated this way, says Johnson, to hear voices that we’ve grown to treasure while also making room for the new generation.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MAY 05: In this image released on June 5, 2021, Syleena Johnson performs during Black Music Honors 2021 at City Winery Nashville on May 5, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The 2021 Black Music Honors airs in national syndication from June 5 through July 4 and on Bounce TV on Saturday, June 19. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
“I incorporated myself and Toxic, we just thought of the different people that we love and that we have great relationships with,” Johnson told us for our Christmas interview. “And so, we were able to incorporate some of our favorite artists on this album to help push the album so that the new artists can be heard as well. It’s like a pleasant surprise to be able to hear the ones you love and be like, ‘Oh, who is this? I like her.’ And then you’ll go look up the rest of her stuff.”
Read more from our interview with to see what Johnson said about these three movie soundtracks, advice she has for rising artists, feeling at home with the culture on Fox Soul, and why she’s spent her career as an extroverted introvert.
This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.
HNHH: Thank you so much for taking the time today! So, you’re not only helping to produce these records, but you, of course, are featured on them as well. Tell us all about the albums and collaborating with such a combination of talent.And I saw you reconnected with Keke Wyatt.
Well, they are Santa Games, All I Want for Christmas, and My Christmas Fiancé. And they’re all in alignment with movies. They’re movie soundtracks, those movies are on Hulu and Tubi. So, we were called to produce this album, myself, Toxic Productions, and Dr. Salicia Productions. Dr. Salicia is my manager and Toxic Productions is my producer. So, that’s easy.
But we were called as a team to produce these records for all three soundtracks and our original intention was to just, find as many new artists and artists that are budding and out here working, to fill the project with new artists. But, we kinda knew that if we just do that, then it may fall by the wayside. People may not recognize it.
So, I incorporated myself and Toxic, we just thought of the different people that we love and that we have great relationships with. And so, we were able to incorporate some of our favorite artists on this album to help push the album so that the new artists can be heard, as well. It’s like a pleasant surprise to be able to hear the ones you love and be like, ‘Oh, who is this? I like her.’ And then you’ll go look up the rest of her stuff.
And then, me and Keke have been friends since I don’t know. Fifteen? Twenty years? We’ve been friends for a very long time. It’s really simple for me to call her up and be like, “Hey girl.” I have a studio in my house, so it was just like, girl, come over here and come get on this Christmas song. If she’s available, which is tough because she’s very busy all the time. But she was available and she came up. We made a whole day of it, drinking wine and singing in the studio.
Yeah, I saw Tweet and Kenny Lattimore in there! And outside of music, you’ve also been holding things down on Fox Soul on Cocktails with Queens. How has that been for you and how do you see yourself evolving in that talk show space?
Well, in 2023, FOX Soul has so much in store. FOX Soul is growing, literally daily, it’s just growing quickly. I’m really, really happy to be part of the FOX Soul family, excellent network, excellent company. I have a great time working with the producers, the CEO is amazing. So, I’m in a great space in regard to FOX Soul. Plus, it’s African American so I get to be in my element. You know, it’s one thing to work out here in the industry, but it is such as blessing to be able to work with your culture, you know what I’m saying? Because they kind of get you straight away. And I’m not saying that other cultures do not. But it is a little easier to work in an environment with your culture and about your culture because you’re well-versed in it.
It’s easy for me to sit on a platform that is for my culture and speak about my culture because I like it every single day. My co-hosts are fantastic. I couldn’t ask for a better panel. They’re established, beautiful, smart, talented, passionate women. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t, but we do well with it. We know how to move on to the next thing and go back to our business. That’s the maturity that’s on the show as well.
And I love being a talk show host because I’m a songwriter. And really what we do is what you are as a songwriter, you’re just expressing yourself through song, as opposed to on a platform like this. Really, this is just another extension. Sister Circle was my first talk show. I came into FOX Soul so very well prepared. And it’s much easier than Sister Circle because I just set up—which is in front of a Christmas tree, girl—and just do my thing. Just talk.
I love this platform, I hope it never goes away. I hope it’s the new way of the world. I do want to go in the studio at some point, but I love this platform because it’s flexible. It’s impactful. So, I hope one day I’ll be able to get my own show, my own platform speaking. It will be a little different from the platform that I’m on now. But I hope to be able to merge into something like that, or evolve into something like that.
You were speaking earlier about purposefully seeking out new talent for these Christmas albums. As a veteran, what’s a nugget of advice you have for those aspiring to reach your level of success?
That eventually, everything that you work for, you will receive. And that is the truth. Sometimes when you work for a specific thing, you’ll get something else equivalent, but it might not be what you thought you would be getting. But you’ll still be pleasantly surprised.
My advice is to continuously and relentlessly fight for your dreams. Fight for the things that you believe in. And when you get knocked down, it’s okay. Just get back up and keep going. You have your whole life to live—but you don’t have your whole life to live. You see what I’m saying? So, you have to continuously, relentlessly fight for your vision. And eventually, it will come to fruition.
…That’s good. I’ll take that myself, to myself [laughs].
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 17: Syleena Johnson performs onstage for The National Museum of African American Music Celebration of Legends Benefit Concert at Ryman Auditorium on June 17, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for NMAAM)
I’ll take some of that, too! Alright, this is my last question. It’s something I ask everyone. What is something about yourself that doesn’t always translate because of the veil of celebrity? Your fans think they have a perception of you, your team, even people you know personally—but those are perceptions based on whatever understanding they have of you. What is something at the heart of Syleena Johnson that people don’t see because of their own expectations of who they think you are?
That’s a great question. I don’t think I’ve ever been asked that question in my entire life. I really don’t. Um, I would say that I’m an introvert. People don’t know that about me. I’m an extroverted introvert. But more so an introvert. I will prefer to be in seclusion. I will prefer to be in my home with my family 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Seriously!
I get to the point anymore where I struggle with anxiety and being around people. And this has been something that has gone on in my career that started mid to now in my career. Because in the beginning—no, let me take that back, I’ve always been that way. No, I just thought about it. I’ve always hated people [laughs]. Yes, I struggle with large crowds, big environments. I am an extroverted introvert.
When I tell you I completely understand…girl! [Laughs]
Yes! And when I say extroverted, meaning, in this space with you, I can be extroverted. When it’s time to be on stage, I can be an extrovert. When it’s time to perform or speak or be in an environment with people that I’m paid for, or maybe not paid for. I can be around people. But it’s not my preference. And it can’t last for a long period of time or I will get anxiety.
Well, I truly appreciate your time and again, thank you for speaking with us. Have a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones!
Thank you! You as well.
Stream the soundtracks to All I Want For Christmas, Santa Games, and My Christmas Financé above and check out the tracklists below.
SANTA GAMES
“Go Tell It On The Mountain” – Rafael “Rae” Evans, Kevian “KB” Bateman, Syleena Johnson
FOX SOUL, the Black community’s top free streaming platform serving Black content 365 days a year, has announced that platinum-selling recording artist Maino’s Kitchen Talk series would be available for streaming.
Kitchen Talk is not a culinary show or a love show; it’s a show that delivers a vibe with in-depth chats about life, co-hosted by Platinum-selling recording artist Maino, Georgie, and Hala. The stories are sometimes funny, sometimes encouraging, but they are stories for the culture at the end of the day.
“FOX SOUL partnering with Kitchen Talk gives us the ability to reach a broader audience,” says Greg J. Gavin, executive producer. “When the show first started, the vision was to be able to create an impact on the culture and reflect growth. FOX SOUL is the platform that will assist in us becoming a staple in the media business. The most important thing about this partnership is we now have a partner to help spread the VIBE.”
From a tough past to a male influence, Maino’s tale demonstrates that it’s not how you start that matters but the work you put in to change the story. Georgie, a single mother of two boys, exemplifies strength and can relate to and inspire many women of color not to let anyone or anything stand in the way of being powerful and influential. Hala is also a young woman whose faith and determination will inspire and motivate others in the future. Kitchen Talk is unscripted culture.
Kitchen Talk is a video podcast that aims to bridge the gap between cultural and transformational discussions. Kitchen Talk seeks to motivate the future generation to work hard and never quit, no matter what is thrown their way, through motivational anecdotes and celebrations of our rhythms and blues.
Kitchen Talk will feature Angie Martinez, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, and DJ Envy. Kitchen Talk is executive produced by Maino and Greg J. Gavin. You can see the official trailer below.
