Letitia Wright Gets Candid About Her Past With Depression
If you ever doubted the phrase "What is for you, will always be for you," get into Letitia Wright's testimony.
Black Panther star Letitia Wright recently opened up on the importance of prioritizing her sanity over the industry, and the benefits of finding your center before you lose your balance and sense of self.
The actress stars in this year's biggest film, Black Panther as his bomb, tech-savvy little sister Princess Shuri, who is arguably the smartest woman in the entire Marvel Universe (and also placing WOC in STEM on a pedestal). Her portrayal of the Disney princess has shattered stereotypes and ushered in depth to what a Disney princess brings to the table. With her latest role, Wright is the quintessential breakout star and has proven that her career is just getting started.
Wright has let it be known that in the wake of her recent successes, she has also found her peace, something most people twice her age still struggle to find.
However, the 24-year-old star admits the journey to peace wasn't an easy one. As a matter of fact, the Black Mirror actress reveals she was ready to forfeit fame, for the sake of protecting her sanity:
"I didn't want to do acting again. I was in a very, very bad place. I was willing to just wrap it up. I put so much pressure on myself.
"I would watch these women that I'm on the [ESSENCE] cover with and compare myself to them or anybody—Michael B. Jordan, John Boyega—comparing myself to these people. It was so hard for me to just accept that my path is different, not only with acting but other things too."
Wright also revealed on the Essence Yes Girl! podcast that she turned to God during her darkest hours, crediting her faith for helping her find her peace:
"I said I wanted to give [acting] up, then went into becoming a Christian. My friends told me about [Christianity] and I thought it was nonsense until I realized that it wasn't; that the spirit of God, the holy spirit, is very real. Once I realized that, I felt centered.
"The reason why I share this story is because I know there are people out there who are silently going through what I went through. It's a thing that goes on, especially creatives, putting so much pressure on ourselves and it leads to depression.
"The light that's in me now and the joy and the happiness that I feel, I didn't get it on my own. It's God working through me."
Wright also stopped by "This Morning" talk show and further detailed the dangers of "idolizing" fame, and that one of the major benefits of finding yourself, is losing the need to be validated by anyone else.
"I just needed to take a break from acting because I really idolized it. I came off [this] journey to discover God and my relationship with God, and became a Christian and it gave me so much love and light within myself.
"I felt secure and that I didn't need validation from anyone else, or from getting a part. My happiness wasn't dependent on that [anymore], it was dependent on my relationship with God.
"I'm centered in who I am [now] and I'm really grateful. I'm not perfect, as a Christian you're not perfect, but you're working everyday on it and trying to just, stay connected. And it's helped me a lot. I'm grateful."
As the scripture goes, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Matthew 16:26)
Wright's transparency is the level of honesty that we need in Hollywood right now, especially young Hollywood. So often the "Get money" agenda is forced down upon us, with people measuring success and #Goals to fame and wealth, versus good faith and mental health. Her testimony is even more impactful because she is a black woman speaking so candidly about her mental health journey on a public platform.
In the past, we have seen young Hollywood shed light to mental health issues, particularly depression, through the voices of non-black celebs like Selena Gomez and Alessia Cara. But representation matters in a health aspect as well, and to hear Wright get so candid about her battles with depression and how God ultimately led her to the light is radical, progressive, and very much needed.
When it comes to life, it's not nearly as important to look the part, so much as it is to be the part. At the end of the day, you can't live your "likes," you can only live your life. What's the point of not being as happy as you appear to be?
It's pretty dope that Leticia has already found the true pursuit of happiness, and learned that when you live in your purpose, all else falls into place.
Featured image by Getty Images
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A modest goddess who keeps it humble between mumbles. I'm a journalism graduate with a HERstory in digital media, print and radio. Roll the credits: Power 96, VH1, xoNecole, EBONY, SOHH. Deemed "Top 20 Women in Media" by Power 105. Bronx made me, Broward raised me.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How To Tell If You're Disciplining Your Child Or Seeking Revenge
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images