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Denara Auriel

@denara_auriel

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Your local bi-con. #FuckICE #Fuck12
#AllEyesOnSudan #EyesOnCongo #FreePalestine #BlackLivesMatter #TransLivesMatter

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It's been 10 years since @jamilawoods 's ICONIC album "HEAVN", which I got to listen to when I first moved back into Chicago. This is one of my favorite songs ever, and this album felt like a greeting back to not only my hometown, but to myself. And all the parts of me that I had forgotten or neglected when I tried to shrink myself or assimilate into what I thought the world wanted me to be. "Holy" reminds me I am enough as I am, and I am so so grateful to this amazing songwriter for putting self-worth into words so beautifully. Thank you ❤️ I hope this lil snippet did the song justice!

#chicago
#singer
#singing
#singingcover
#rnb taken in Chicago, IL by @denara_auriel

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a month ago

Hey! Did a short little cover of "Wonderwall" by Oasis! Gonna cover some more songs this week and throughout the month! Hope you enjoy! I'm gonna try and do some other genres hehe

#chicago
#singer
#singing
#tiktok
#instagram by @denara_auriel

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a month ago

I don't share a lot about my upbringing. But there's been some pretty big things that have happened this summer that have made me reflect and remember. And it hasn't been easy. It never has been. I am so hard on myself when I fall short. I get super sensitive when people leave my life and switch up, and I internalize all of it. I needed to remind myself of where I've been compared to where I am.

The past couple of years have shown me that no matter what I do, how much I explain, explain I try to give, people are still gonna misunderstand me. And I can't do anything about it. And even this can be triggering because it reminds me of how powerless I am and how powerless I've been in so many cases in my life.

I hope that by owning my story and all the parts of me, the good, the bad, the ugly, the imperfect and messy parts, the healed, unhealed, still tryna heal parts, I can take some power back. This year marks 10 years since I voluntarily checked into a mental facility because I was suicidal.

I try to be the best person I can be, and I live with a heart that feels like we as a whole do owe each other more. I owe myself more. I owe so much to younger Denara. And I hope she can look at me now and see some hope and grace ahead. Thank you to those who understand me or try to. To those who don't, it is what it is. I just hope you can look past your privilege. Either way I'm about to enter one of the best phases of my life, and sometimes you can't take everyone with you. I deserve people in my life who realize how far I've come and how hard it is. And I'm trying my best to give myself a pat on the back even when many won't. by @denara_auriel

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2 months ago

Hey y'all! I got to be a featured performer at @dorothydownstairs last Thursday and had a blast! It was very intimate and gay, which I LOVE. @twinka_masala was once again a lovely host, and I am so grateful to them for having me be a part of this!

The school year's coming up, so I'ma be focused on that and adjusting to this new stage in my life. This might be the first time in my life where I won't be in survival mode in some way, where I can fully put all of my attention into myself, and that's gonna be a huge adjustment. Who am I when I am able to focus on thriving instead of simply surviving? I guess we're gonna find out!

S/O to meeting the talented @nanciuml who took the first 3 pics and my wonderful Twinka for taking the last one! Y'all made me look SO so hot 🥵

#chicago
#chicagogram
#rnb
#independent
#unsigned taken in Dorothy by @denara_auriel

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2 months ago

Hey hey! I covered "Strange" by @celeste ! I've been wanting to for a while, so I finally decided to one random night. I'm tryna get out of my head and sing from the heart even if it doesn't sound perfect. I'm pretty proud of this one ❤️

If you wanna hear me again, come to @dorothydownstairs this Thursday! I got another cover to debut and get to support my homie @twinka_masala who's hosting! You don't wanna miss it, and it's an open mic night so sign up!

#singer
#tiktok
#singing
#chicago by @denara_auriel

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3 months ago

Sorry if my head is cut off in some of these, editing was a nightmare 😂

Anywho TRANSPARENCY AND UPCOMING SHOW POST!

As our country becomes more and more fascist, one of the byproducts of that is the end of body positivity, back to diet culture and stinky culture.

I see GLP-1 and shapewear ads on a daily basis now, and I would be lying if I said these didn't make me feel bad about myself or my body as a plus-sized person. And when you're also a Black woman and see your people dying everyday, it's hard to feel like you shouldn't even exist.

It is a daily practice to remind myself that I should exist and should take up space. That I am important, sexy, worthy, not a burden. And sometimes I fail at this practice. But here are some fits and photos where I loved myself and my body, despite living in a world that tells me everyday that I shouldn't exist.

If you wanna see another beautiful plus-sized fit from me, come to @dorothydownstairs on July 30th to see me as the featured artist for their open mic nights, hosted by my lovely and talented friend @twinka_masala !

The best thing I can do in a world that hates me is try not to hate myself ❤️ by @denara_auriel

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3 months ago

Just an FYI in case this ever happens to me cuz especially with my mental health history, I could see that being used as a way to lie about how I went out IF I go out like this. Black folks, PLEASE stay as safe as you can out there. I really don't wanna keep losing more of us, and I feel so powerless in that. 💔 by @denara_auriel

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3 months ago

HAPPY BLACK MUSIC MONTH!

Here's my cover of Donny Hathaway's "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" ❤️

Looking forward to creating and posting more music-related content this summer!

Enjoy!

#singer
#singing
#donnyhathaway
#neosoul
#rnbmusic by @denara_auriel

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4 months ago

So I NEVER planned on posting this as its own post because I know it's not perfect, and I know I have a long way to go to return to who I was as a singer. But we all gotta start (or restart) somewhere! Hope you enjoy this effort! I did a brief cover of Kehlani's "Folded" and baby, it was HARD. But aye, I tried!

#singer
#rnb
#coversong
#tiktok
#singing by @denara_auriel

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6 months ago

Are yall ready for another talented line up?
Our first donations based show of the year will be March 26th at @cafe_mustache

Free RSVP link in Bio taken in Subterranean by @denara_auriel

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7 months ago

Today my school's Black History Month theme was to dress as an iconic Black figure. I chose Dorothy Dandridge, inspired by her look in the movie Carmen Jones (1954)! For that movie, she became the first Black actor to be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. I learned about her because Halle Berry played her in a biopic I saw when I was a kid. And Halle would go on to become the first actor to WIN the Best Actress Oscar.

Many didn't know who I was dressed as lol so it was nice that I got to teach some of my students AND some co-workers about her!

I love dressing up at work!

#blackhistorymonth
#dorothydandridge
#carmenjones
#blackteachers
#blackgirlmagic by @denara_auriel

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8 months ago

I think this was the only video I got from the last show. Thank you so much for capturing this @sadxbunnii ! I covered "Til It Happens to You" by @corinnebaileyrae not knowing I had bronchitis at the time. I think I sound pretty good considering!

Once again thank you so much to @alchemyartschicago @noorthealchemist @subtchicago for having me and @lawjonesmusic for accompanying me on guitar!

Can't wait for the next show! Stay tuned!

#singer
#rnb
#valentinesday
#blackhistorymonth
#coversong by @denara_auriel

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8 months ago