D. Woods’ advice to ‘Making the Band’ contestants: ‘Know your worth’
'If you are going to do this, contestants, make sure you know who you are.' -D. Woods
Danity Kane alum D. Woods has some advice for entertainment hopefuls who are auditioning for the upcoming season of Making the Band.
“If you are going to do this, contestants, make sure you know who you are. Make
sure you have your own strategy, your own reasons for doing this, regardless if you
make it or not,” Woods told theGrio.
READ MORE: Danity Kane’s ‘D. Woods’ stars as love-struck assistant in new show, ‘Stuck With You’
(L-R) Andrea Fimbres, Dawn Richard, Wanita “D’Woods” Woodgett Aubrey O’Day and Shannon Bex of the group Danity Kane pose backstage during MTV’s Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios on June 14, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
She also recommends that industry newbies find someone they trust to look over
any contracts they are being asked to sign in exchange for their participation.
“Make sure you read that paperwork. If you don’t understand it, make sure you have
someone who can explain it to you and make sure you know your worth and what
that paperwork may be compromising of your worth,” she said.
Back in October 2008, Sean“P. Diddy” Combs announced that Woods and her
band mate, Aubrey O’Day, were no longer members of Danity Kane. The statement
came after Woods and O’Day were allegedly involved in a heated discussion with the
music mogul.
Singer Wanita “D.Woods” Woodgette of the band Danity Kane performs on MTV’s “Making The Band 4” season finale event on March 22, 2008. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
Fans were outraged by the decision, and the group completely split in 2009.
“You know, it was a fight, the whole experience was definitely a fight,” says Woods. “I can definitely say that I’m proud of myself for fighting through. I’m proud of myself for not compromising myself. I was surprised a lot in the process because I had done so much to be prepared for this moment.”
But through it all, she looks back on the time, happy that she was able to give her fans insight into her gifts and what she had to offer musically.
“I’m proud of the fact that I was able to sneak ways in to be myself and that fans gravitated to the things that I was actually able to share of myself,” Woods said.
