Embracing Your Inner Villain is a manifesto for unapologetic authenticity, reclaiming “villain” as a symbol of power, independence, and resilience in a world that punishes those who dare to shine. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I wrote it because I was tired of seeing people — myself included — punished for being too much, too bold, too outspoken. Society often labels strength as threatening, and the word “villain” becomes shorthand for anyone who won’t shrink to fit the mold. To me, writing this book was about tearing off that label and showing that what gets called “villainy” is often just self-possession, courage, and authenticity.

You reclaim the word “villain” as a badge of honor. What was the turning point in your life that made you see it as empowerment rather than condemnation?

There was a moment when I realized no matter how hard I tried to please, the criticism never stopped. That’s when it clicked: if I’m going to be called a villain anyway, I might as well own it on my terms. That shift turned “villain” from an insult into armor. It stopped being something I ran from and became something I leaned into — a way of saying, “Yes, I’m different, and I’m not apologizing for it.” I have gotten over it – that not everyone is going to like us, and we just have to wave and be that villain, because we deserve to be our true selves.

In your exploration of envy and projection, what insight surprised you the most while writing this book?

The most surprising realization was that envy is often admiration in disguise. People project negativity not because you’re wrong, but because you’re embodying something they secretly wish they could claim. That flipped the script for me — what felt like an attack was actually a mirror of my own power. It’s both unsettling and liberating to see envy that way, because suddenly it’s not about rejection, it’s about reflection.

What do you hope a reader who has been shrinking their light will feel when they finish your book?

I want them to feel unafraid. I want them to see that the parts of themselves they’ve been hiding — the sharp edges, the audacity, the brilliance — are not flaws but sources of strength. My hope is that when they turn the last page, they’ll feel permission to step into their full presence, even if the world calls them a villain for it. Especially if the world calls them a villain for it. It is okay to shine.

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