Own Your Throne

SHE HAS MILLIONS OF FOLLOWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND A DECADE-LONG CAREER. BOITY HAS REDEFINED WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A QUEEN.

- SHANNON MANUEL

Why star in a reality TV show?

I was in the right state of mind, and at the right age, to show my supporters my true personality. I was ready for whatever reaction it would receive, positive or negative.

Did you have any initial reservations about doing the show?

I’m a private person who usually shies away from revealing too much of my personal life on social media or in interviews. As long as you’re in this industry, you barely get to keep anything to yourself. Even though I’m used to being in front of the camera, having them in my home took quite an adjustment. I was strict about the areas the crew could access. The only rooms you’ll see on the show are my lounge and kitchen. No one was allowed in my bedroom or bathroom because boundaries were important.

You said it was time to be open about who you are. Has the media misrepresented you in the past?

For a long time, the media put me in a box. They created a character to fit their agenda, instead of representing me accurately.

That box still exists, and the media has got it wrong a few times. It’s not that they’ve painted a horrible picture of me; it just isn’t accurate. Most of the time, you’re not in control, because the media pushes their agenda so much that readers and viewers end up believing that what they’ve seen or heard is true. You have to play along to an extent, never really getting the chance to say, “Hey, guys. That’s not who I am.” Own Your Throne gives me that platform. It’s an opportunity to take control of how my story’s told, even if it’s only in 30-minute doses.