Hello Beautiful People,
A few months ago, I was invited to the Heal This Way book launch, in Manhattan. Truthfully, I had no idea what this book was about. But, when you get invited to an event that deals with Lady Gaga – you go. Or at least I did, as my curiiosty was peaked.
And so, I went.
And then I met Tracey B. Wilson. And may I just say…wow. What. A. Gem. What a force! What an artist! What a GOOD PERSON. What a BEAUTIFUL person – inside and out. Who is Tracey you ask? Well, Tracey B. Wilson is an actress, comedian, host, and the author of the inspirational book, Heal This Way.
I’m absolutely ELATED to introduce Tracey to all of you, and to feature her as the January author of our School Time Author Q&A Series. So, sit back, relax, and get to know the one and only, Tracey B. Wilson –
MM: First things first, can you explain to our readers what inspired you to create the book, Heal This Way?
TBW: It started out as a get-well gift for Lady Gaga, but became too important not to be published. It’s words and messages of self-love and acceptance needed to be heard.
As tour photographer for Lady Gaga’s Little Monsters, I already had a very special bond with this amazing group of people. The title song, “Born This Way,” was the hit song of that tour, and the anthem of a generation. When the tour was abruptly cancelled due to Gaga’s hip injury, I knew the Little Monsters needed an outlet for their feelings, and a way to let Gaga know what she means to them. Heal This Way was originally meant to be a get well gift for Lady Gaga, but the book became a powerful look at the power of our words. What we say to ourselves, to each other – the power of the messages we hear. While they set out to heal Lady Gaga, the Little Monsters in the book ended up empowering and healing themselves. This book became the voice of the Little Monster generation, and we knew others would benefit from the messages of self love and acceptance. It became way too powerful not to be shared.
MM: Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
TBW: Since my first tour with Lady Gaga in the fall of 2009, I knew the Little Monsters had rich and powerful stories to tell. In Heal This Way, I let the Little Monsters tell their own stories, and then I compiled them to give us the through line we can all relate to. It’s not just a “Little Monster story,” it’s a human story. We all need love, acceptance, and understanding. And more than acceptance, really, we need encouragement. We all want someone to say, YOU CAN DO IT!!! For many people, that’s what Gaga has done. She has filled this void and empowered her fans to believe in themselves. It’s a powerful, powerful, important message. Especially for teens or young adults that may be questioning their sexuality, or feeling alienated, or getting bullied – I wanted to create a book that shares peoples personal stories and says YOU ARE OKAY. YOU ARE PERFECT, YOU WERE ‘BORN THIS WAY.’ I wanted to make this book to make others feel less alone, and to illustrate that we really are the same under it all. We all have the same human needs of love and affection.
MM: While photographing the Little Monsters, are there particular stories that resonated most with you personally?
TBW: As I photograph, especially on tour before the concerts, I have a small amount of time with each person. The shoot is high energy, performance art styled. I have the briefest amount of time to shoot, but I try to bond immediately with each person, and find the human connection that allows people to feel comfortable and open up to me as I shoot. I encourage, dance, yell, laugh, and push people beyond their comfort zone. I watch people literally blossom before my eyes in the few minutes I have with them. I get to photograph this very profound moment of people owning who they really are. It’s an honor I take very seriously. I honestly feel that every picture I take of a Little Monster is also part self-portrait. I can relate to the pain, insecurities, angst, joy, and excitement of the human experience. I can relate emotionally in some way to every person standing before my camera and me.
MM: Just for fun, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
TBW: It’s a funny list! I love autobiographies. Tina Fey’s Bossy Pants is hilarious and perfect. I love reading about peoples journeys. Anyone. I love reading about the human experience. I also read a lot of sociology books and business ideas, Malcolm Gladwell is brilliant. Lots of great ideas and new ways to think about things. I am currently reading the last of The Hunger Games trilogy.
MM: Just for fun, what sound do you love, and what sound do you hate?
TBW: I love the sounds of laughter. Little kids giggling. Sheer joyousness! I hate the sound of cars skidding and screeching brakes, and that moment of not knowing if there is going to be a loud crash after.
MM: What words of wisdom would you offer to aspiring photographers and writers?
TBW: Pay attention! Look. Listen. Feel. There is inspiration everywhere we look. There is inspiration inside us already. Nuggets of gold to mine for art are everywhere. Every emotion you feel is human, relatable, and sharable. Explore how you feel, and create art that elicits these emotions. If you share you most intense feelings, your expression through art is a success no matter what!
MM: What’s next for Tracey B. Wilson?
TBW: That’s an excellent question! I am dedicating some time and energy to get HEAL THIS WAY out there. I would like it to be used as a teaching tool and possibly a fundraiser for GSA Clubs at the high school and college level as well as getting into the communities. I feel strongly that it can be used as a hip, pop-culture way into important conversations. It is a grass roots effort, and I have some work to do, but I believe it is worth it.
MM: In today’s economy, arts programs in schools are being cut. What reasons would you give a politician for preserving the arts?
TBW: This is not one occupation that is not better for having been exposed to art. Lawyers, doctors, teachers, customer service, it doesn’t matter. Exploring your creative side makes better problem solvers, better thinkers. Art is a crucial part of a society. It is critical to how people express themselves and the world around them. The human race needs people who express themselves in many different ways. Not everyone is math and science or fact based minded. I know I wasn’t. I needed projects to excel. I need to touch and feel and create in order to learn. Cutting the arts cuts opportunities to teach whole minds. It hurts my soul to think about kids not having art or music.
MM: Who is/was your favorite teacher?
TBW: I grew up in a home of teachers. Most of my relatives are teachers, too. So I have a great love & respect for teachers!
Jim Wilson, my dad, was my elementary school art teacher 4th – 6th grade. He was a funny, engaging and exciting teacher. He taught K-6 art, and inspired kids to love art and creativity. My dad taught all his students how to look at things from different angles. If you couldn’t figure out a solution, maybe you just needed to turn the paper upside down and take another look. Find your way in. He also worked at the teachers’ credit union after teaching all day, and taught me how to blend both the creative and business sides of my brain. It has helped sustain me as an artist, and experiences I am extremely grateful for.
Thank you, Tracey!
Live, Love, Learn,