It turns out we were worried for nothing. After months of deliberating about which fantastic single should be her first release from the album, Monica decided to please both her fans and the record execs by putting out two singles at once.

A few weeks back, Timbaland suggested that having a few songs in the Top 10 was better than having just one No. 1 hit, so it seems Monica agreed.

I think Monica made the right decision. Although both Monica and the label want the same thing, she thinks satisfying those who’ve been following her from the beginning will make the album a success. On the other hand, the execs are thinking about attracting a new legion of fans.

Maybe the decision to release two singles will work and catapult Monica’s career into another 15-year run of hits.

Monica: Still Standing

I’m getting worried. There’s only one episode of “Monica: Still Standing” remaining, and she doesn’t seem any closer to deciding on her first single as she did 10 episodes ago. You know what that means?

This episode featured more of Monica in the studio, meeting with producers, listening to tracks. It seems to be an unending process.

I wish I could help her decide. Personally, I like the “Everything” track. I think it’s a hit. I’d put it on repeat. There are a few nice ballads I’ve heard throughout this season, but I wouldn’t choose one of those as the album’s first release.

Are there any songs you’ve heard this season that you think would fit as her first single?

While hanging out in the studio, listening to what might become her first single, Monica has an interesting relationship conversation with her cousin/producer Polow and award-winning music man Timbaland.

As expected, the men and women are polarized. While Monica talks about honesty and monogamy in a relationship, the fellas snicker about their need to reproduce and the likelihood that they’ll lie.

Their mentality isn’t anything new. This debate between men and women has probably been going on since the second woman roamed the earth. (Watch out, Eve!)

OK, so maybe I’m thinking too hard, but their train of thought seems to transfer to the music business as well.

Monica is still searching for that No. 1 song. The “one” single that will make her dreams come true. Timbaland suggests that maybe that’s not the right way to go. He thinks that three songs in the Top 10 are better than one No. 1.

Typical.

When it comes to Monica’s album, I’ll actually have to agree with Timbaland; but when it comes to relationships, I’ll have to side with my girl.

Watch exclusive video. See photos of Monica with celebs, and play the puzzles now!

Monica heads back to the studio after execs from J Records decide her two choices for a first single won’t work. As usual, Monica takes it all in stride. That’s not to say that she’s happy about it, but she turns her disappointment into action.

She returns to the studio to continue working and decides to do what more people should do when they’re feeling down.

Monica helps somebody else.

“How does that help her?” you ask. I’ve been told that one quick way to get your mind off of your own problems is to help someone else solve their problems.

So, Monica – obviously having heard the same advice – reaches out to a single mother of three who lost her new home to a recent flood.

Doesn’t that help put things in perspective? Sure, Monica needs a place to stay herself, but her situation isn’t nearly as bad as that of a practically homeless woman with four mouths to feed. Monica’s problems seem a little less significant and a lot more easily solved.

Plus, isn’t it nice to see a celebrity actually giving back? We’d heard rumors that such things happen. Now, we have proof. LOL.

Get more Monica: Still Standing now.

All season long, Monica has been focused on her album and the first single. She’s listened to and recorded several songs in hopes that one will be worthy of representing her album.

She’s battled with music producers, family and friends and music industry execs about which song will work best.

So, imagine her surprise when one of her singles is released on Twitter.

I’ve never much thought about the whole music leak thing, but after watching Monica toil and debate over which single to release first, I can understand why having a song leaked would be infuriating.

Not only had Monica not yet decided if she wanted the song on the album, she also wasn’t sure it represented her best, and we know her image is a big deal this time around.

While she’s considering herself more of an old-school artist satisfying her already established fan base, the big wigs want her to compete with the new-schoolers and bring a different sound. Will she bend?

I tend to think that someone from the record company may have leaked the song. After all, the song posted on Twitter was one that they suggested for Monica’s first single.

What do you think? Did the record company leak her song? How do you feel about music leaks?

Monica is homeless. That might be an overstatement, but the fact is that she is living in a hotel. After more than a year, her home is still undergoing improvements, and she is taking it as an opportunity to learn patience.

Monica has more patience than a lot of folks. I’m certain that I would not be as calm and collected about not having a permanent place to rest my head for an entire year.

Monica has exercised a lot of patience this season. We’ve seen her painstakingly meet with producer after producer and listen to track after track in search of the right songs for her album. We’ve also seen her have patience with her two young boys.

If you didn’t know it before, it’s now obvious that Monica is a perfectionist, and that does take time. You can’t rush through important tasks if you want them to turn out just right, and that goes for houses as well as albums.

Watch full episodes. See exclusive photos. Watch Monica music videos.

We all know Monica has been in the music business for a while now. Her career has outlasted many other young teen divas, and we now know her family support has a lot to do with it.

Another key to Monica’s success: knowing when and who to ask for help.

In the latest episode of “Monica: Still Standing,” we see that she has no problem getting input from others. Whether it’s the latest song on the album or what furniture to buy, Monica is always interested in others’ POVs.

In the studio, Monica was excited for legendary ATL producer Jermaine Dupri to hear a song she liked. She was also anxious to get feedback from Missy about a new song. Monica knows what she wants, but she also knows a little cosign from folks who are important to you helps.

I think more people would benefit from getting the advice and input of friends and family around them. We see young Hollywood starlets falling by the wayside (or down the red carpet) regularly. Maybe Monica’s willingness to seek good counsel is one reason she’s still standing.

See exclusive BET.com photos of Monica and Jermaine Dupri.

I think we can all agree that for a 29-year-old mother of two, Monica is nicely keepin’ it together. Even with the TV adding 10 lbs, Monica looks slim and trim, despite her love of soul food, and now we know why.

She spends as much time on her diet and with her doctor as she does in the studio, and who can blame her? If she’s not healthy, then nothing else matters.

Now, to help her with her regimen, Monica has gotten the whole family involved. Smart girl.

Reaching any goal is much easier with a support system. Like Monica said, it’s hard to walk into a friend’s house and ignore the hot pan of macaroni and cheese that just came out of the oven, but if that friend is dieting, too, that makes life easier.

There’s a lesson in that. Do like Monica and surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you and will help you achieve.

-MM

The latest episode of “Monica: Still Standing” looked a lot like the previous three. Monica spent time in the studio, still trying to figure out exactly which songs she wants on the album. She worried about her high blood pressure, and she hung out with family. 

Dare I say that Monica’s life seems a little stuck in a rut? 

What we didn’t see before that reared its head in episode four is Monica’s fiancé Rocko. Apparently, he spends a lot of time on the road, so the family made the best of his time in town. Monica, the kids, Rock and his extended family spent the day at the amusement park. It’s nice to see a Black family enjoying quality time and bonding. Later, after the kids were pooped out, Monica and Rocko got some one-on-one on. 

What do you think of Monica’s relationship with Rocko? Is she getting what she needs?

When your health is at risk, little else matters. Black women are known for doing it all, but sometimes the body needs a rest, and episode three finds Monica at the doctor’s office.

She’s trying to get her blood pressure under control. Juggling a music career, relationship and family isn’t easy for anyone, but Monica perseveres. She struggles to deliver at the recording studio, and a sore throat results in a less-than-stellar product in the end.

I’m thinking it might have made more sense for her to stay home and get well before coming into work less than 100%.

Luckily, Monica has folks around her that are genuinely concerned about her, and not just her music. However, no one’s telling her to postpone the album release and maybe take a few months to de-stress.

I get the feeling that such a suggestion would be ignored anyway. Despite the health issues, Monica seems determined to keep it movin’. She’s overcome obstacles in the past, so if history is any indication, she’ll come out on top, as usual.

Click here for deleted scenes, video and photos from “Monica: Still Standing.”

-MM