Toya Wright’s new book, In My Own Words, details everything from her younger days spent with ex-husband, rapper ‘Lil Wayne’, to her drive to become a fashion entrepreneur through to the tragic deaths of her two brothers. ‘It’s the stripped down, naked truth of my life and my REAL reality – not what you see on television.’
Television personality, author and fashion designer Toya Wright is no stranger to the spotlight. With a social media following of over 6 million people and the title of New York Times best-selling author after the release of her first book, Priceless Inspirations, the star is independently releasing a third book this week, titled In My Own Words. As you might have guessed from its title, the memoir offers a glimpse into the life of Toya Wright, detailing everything from her drive to become a fashion entrepreneur and her younger days spent with ex-husband rapper Dwayne ‘Lil Wayne’ Carter to the tragic deaths of her two brothers. Ultimately, the book reveals important lessons about finding happiness and purpose and loving the skin you’re in. We chatted to the star before the release of In My Own Words.
Tell us about your latest book, could you describe the story in two sentences?
In My Own Words is about my life, I get very raw and you get to see TOYA, not Toya Wright. It’s the stripped down, naked truth of my life and my REAL reality – not what you see on television.
When did you start writing it?
I started writing this book about three months ago. It took me about two and a half months to complete.
You reveal in the book that the only failure in life is settling for a life that makes you unhappy. Are you in a happy place now and what did it take you to get there?
I made a lot of decisions based on others people happiness in the past, because I didn’t want to hurt that person’s feelings. I feel that I wasn’t true to myself because I compromised my own happiness and moving forward, I want to make decisions that are going to make me 100% happy. Right now, I can honestly say I am in a happy place despite everything that has happened within the last two months. I’m content. I’m big on prayer. I talk to God a lot and surround myself with positive people that motivate me to do better with their good energy.
You also set the record straight about how you were perceived on reality television. Do you think that people are too harsh on reality stars?
Nowadays they are called reality shows, but they are actually fabricated so much, making people’s lives seem like movies. Reality stars are often judged off of a 30-minute edited clip that appears on television. Reality TV is a gift and a curse, no one’s life is perfect, we all go through things, we have ups and downs, make crazy decisions and it’s a part of life. To be judged by viewers in regards to a real life situation played out falsely on television is harsh. You have to give us a break, some people may be going through the same life experiences.
You open up about the death of your two brothers. How have these tragedies changed you?
The death of my brothers has brought me closer to family and taught me to slow down in life because I was moving extremely fast. After losing my brothers and seeing how short life can be, it made me appreciate living even more. I need to take my time, enjoy each day, tell my family that I love them, pick up the phone and call them just to hear their voices. It was definitely an eye opener for me.
Rapper Lil Wayne and yourself remain good friends. What are some of the qualities each of you possesses that have made this possible?
Loyalty, Wayne and I are both fair and we both have big hearts.
Left: Toya Wright with ex-husband Lil Wayne Right: Toya with her brother Joshua Johnson image credits: Reginae Carter, supplied
What advice would you give to the 16-year-old you?
Nothing beats failure but a try. Never be afraid to try different things because you never know where it will take you or where you can go. My 16-year-old self was afraid of failure. I was afraid to do things because I was afraid I would fail at everything and I doubted myself prior to trying. I would tell 16-year-old Toya, “Nothing Beats A Failure, But A Try”.
image credit: Aries George
In My Own Words, is available from the 11th of October at www.toyawrightpublishing.com
See a video teaser for the book below! Video Creative Director: Rick George
The post ELLE Q&A: AUTHOR & REALITY STAR TOYA WRIGHT ON HER NEW BOOK appeared first on Elle South Africa.