Avani Gregg - Backstory: My Life So Far

Avani Gregg

Backstory

My Life So Far

Gallery Books

An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

Copyright 2021 by Avani Gregg

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Gallery Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Gallery Books hardcover edition September 2021

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Interior design by Davina Mock-Maniscalco

Jacket design by Chelsea McGuckin

Jacket photography by Krissy Saleh

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Gregg, Avani, 2002 author.

Title: Backstory : my life so far / Avani Gregg.

Description: First Gallery Books hardcover edition. | New York : Gallery Books, 2021.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021021640 (print) | LCCN 2021021641 (ebook) | ISBN 9781982171575 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781982171582 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781982171599 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Gregg, Avani, 2002 | Internet personalitiesUnited StatesBiography. | TikTok (Electronic resource) | ActorsUnited StatesBiography. | LCGFT: Autobiographies.

Classification: LCC PN1992.9236.G74 A25 2021 (print) | LCC PN1992.9236.G74 (ebook) | DDC 818/.603 [B]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021021640

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021021641

ISBN 978-1-9821-7157-5

ISBN 978-1-9821-7159-9 (ebook)

To my family and friends, who helped me get through all my ups and downs (and also went through ups and downs because of me).

S o, this is me, writing a book. Never thought Id say those words (school essays arent my favorite thing), but here I am. People think they know me because I post thirty-second videos vibing on social media. But I guarantee you they dont know the backstorynot even half of it. Just because you see me on TikTok doesnt mean you know what makes me tick or who Clown Girl really is when the makeup comes off.

Why? For a long time, I wasnt ready to tell you. Im not someone who likes to spill the tea. TBH, Im a little guarded and it takes a lot to break down my walls. But 2020 propelled me into a new place and got me thinking, Shouldnt we all know each others backstory? Wouldnt it help us understand each other more and treat each other better? Because honestly, the world is not a happy, carefree place at the moment, despite all the fun and games you see on social media. There is a lot of ugliness, hate, and misunderstanding out there, and that was before we were cooped up inside thanks to the pandemic. As someone who has a public platform, I feel like I should do my part to put some of that toxicity to rest. Thats why I post videos and images, and its why I started my Messenger Watch Together show, Here For It with Avani Gregg. I wanted to start a conversation so we could all learn a little more about ourselves and connect with one another. I want this book to do the sameto open eyes and set wheels in motion. Theres a lot of stuff we all think and feel but are afraid to say out loud. Well, Im saying it, and trigger warning: its gonna get deep.

You might think my life has been picture-perfect (social media would have you think so, right?), but thats a lie. Like everyone, Ive been through pain, loss, hate, and bad days as well as good ones. Ive struggled and I continue to struggle, but Ive learned you can bounce back from adversity better and stronger. You start by surrounding yourself with people who genuinely love and care about you (my Team Avani). Then you take a deep breath and start to connect the dots of your life. In my case, I wanted to start with my mom, my dad, and their roots, and take stock of everything that has happened in my eighteen years. Eighteen is a big birthday, and it seemed like a good time to reflect. I feel like Im the same person, even if my daily life has changed dramatically from being a competitive gymnast to becoming known on social media. When I sat down to write this book, it was the beginning of the pandemic, so my head was in a weird place. I just wanted to be around my family and my boyfriend and shut the rest of the world out. I needed to feel safe and supported while my mental health was shaky. I needed to give myself some me time to be instead of do.

Somehow, putting words and emotions down on paper made me feel free; instead of hiding my backstory, I embraced it. Ive been through a lot, but I also learned some important life lessons along the way. Not the things they teach you in school, but the real personal stuff you can actually use, like how to build your confidence, how to tune out negativity, and what to do when life throws you a curveball. Ill share what Ive learned because, hey, were all in this together, right? Hopefully, you can relate to my stories of toxic relationships, being bullied, falling on my face, and freaking out. I guess what I want you to know is that youre never alone in what youre going through. Your story is your story, but we have all been through stuff.

Still, even if I could go back and change anything, I dont think I would. Everything Ive been through has shaped me into who I am today. I think you need to embrace your backstory so you can move forwardwhich is what Im doing with this book. I have a lot of dreams and if I can own who I am, then Ill be that much closer to making them happen. Being real with yourself is what turns dreams into reality. Im not a fake it till you make it person. I think authenticity is everything and when youre happy with yourself, no one can take that away from you. Your backstory is your superpower.

I started using the word backstory about a year ago, and it just stuck. Youve probably seen it in some of my captions or heard me mention it in interviews. It gave both my work and my life a sense of purpose and clarity. Its the foundation that I build upon: everything happens for a reason and every choice you make is based on what came before it. I truly believe that everything and everyone has a backstory that colors who they are and how they see the world, and we should all try to understand each other on a deeper level. You never know whats going on in somebodys headwhats motivating them or holding them back. You cant, until you learn where they came from and how they arrived at where they are. Even then, youre not living in their skin. Youre you, Im me, and no two people are 100 percent alike. Thats what makes the world such an amazing and interesting place.