Amiyah Scott - Memoirs of a Mermaid

Memoirs of a Mermaid

Copyright 2019 Amiyah Scott

License Notes

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Published in Atlanta, Georgia by Amiyah Scott Publishing
in conjunction with Fideli Publishing, Inc.

https://theamiyahscott.com/

Edited by Leah Pride and Rooted in Writing

Cover design by Flient Design

ISBN: 978-1-948638-54-8 (Limited Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-948638-55-5 (hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-948638-56-2 (paperback)

For anyone whos ever felt different

Table of Contents

Foreword

by Lee Daniels

I am delighted to write this foreword for Amiyah Scott, a.k.a. Cotton. Amiyah and I met via Instagram. My sister was obsessed with Amiyahs Instagram and turned me on to her. So I started following her. To my surprise, she didnt follow me back. I had a trans friend that lived across the street from me growing up that I wanted to recreate in my television show Star . I think I finally DMd Amiyah or had the casting director DM her (cant remember). Regardless, we began a conversation over the phone, then FaceTime. She then put herself on tape for me for the character of Cotton. She flew out to Los Angeles, screen tested, and booked the gig!

Amiyah has given birth to Cottons character and taken this journey into my world in a way that I dont believe anyone else could. I think its monumental to have her in millions of homes per week, especially having America invite someone into their living room who is not only trans but just a beautiful woman who they otherwise would not have met in their everyday life. Not only does Amiyah act her ass off, but she also brings such authenticity and vulnerability to the role. I dont even really have a choiceshe is Cotton.

I know firsthandfrom the countless stories weve shared with each otherthat Amiyah has lived. And when I say lived, I mean lived . I love her spirit, her struggle, and her honesty. It would be a crime for her not to share her truth with the world, as I know it will not only be an entertaining read, but it will also help, heal, and inspire. Specifically, it will not just inspire trans women, but every single person who has ever followed their dreams and marched to the beat of their own drum.

Mermaids
in the Bayou

I ve had this same dream for as long as I can remember. Theres a mermaid in the bayou. Ive seen her. Hidden in the murky waters. With eyes so piercing, almost glowing, as she navigates through the dangerous swamp. Some would say that these New Orleans swamps possess magic, which I believe is true. But this isnt a story of voodoo or frog princes. Its the tale of an elusive beauty, an enchanting being that Ive seen. A majestic mermaid in the bayou. At times, Id feel like she was motioning to me, almost as if she was trying to tell me something, but before I mustered up the courage to step into the dangerous waters, shed be gone, and Id be left alone among the nights sounds and menacing swamp creatures. Frightened and cold. It was as if the warmth had left when she did, and just before the darkness engulfed me, Id wake up, never understanding what it meant.

Early on, I merely thought that my dream represented my infatuation with mermaids. From the start, Id always identified as a fan of the Disney classic and all things like it. But growing older, I began to question and dissect these recurring dreams. Why would this mysterious undine be in waters so unfit? Yes, New Orleans is a place of magic and mysticism, and bayous possess a certain peaceful beauty with their delicate moss and almost motionless water, but you would think that a sea or ocean would be a more fitting backdrop for my fantasies. But somehow this feminine sea siren has made her way into the questionable waters of my mind.

Introduction

S elf-discovery is such a beautiful thing. But life isnt just about finding yourself; its about creating yourself. Do you love yourself? And when I say love yourself, I mean really love yourself. Are you happy with who you are? Are you happy with what you see? I spent a good portion of my life misinformed, and I regret the wasted time every day. But I love who I am today! It wasnt always this way. I grew up very unhappy with who I was, because I wasnt myself. When I looked in the mirror, I saw this unfinished version of me. I loved myselfdont get me wrong, but I really loved who I had the potential to be. I also loved my spirit.

I always had such a strong spirit, matched with an intuition that was almost psychic. Its as if someone was always watching over me, protecting me, guiding me I believe it was God. Ive learned over the years that its called favor. I am extremely favored.

I loved my mind. I was extremely gifted. But physically, something was wrong! I would spend hours gazing upon myself, analyzing, and trying to look further than my exterior. Over time, I grew to see something within myself. I saw who I really was, and I spent my entire life trying to be the person that I saw when I looked in the mirror and into my soul.

From a very early age, I knew that I was different. I just didnt know what it was. Was it because I was young? Black? Creative? Articulate? Outspoken? Well-off? Or maybe it was because I was attractive? People always commented and complimented me on my good looksstarting with my parents from the beginning of time. Being my mothers only child and my fathers youngest, I was cherished. Physically perfect, spoiled rotten, and showered with a love so strong that it eventually navigated me successfully through a very unloving world even when my parents werent around. But with so many things working for me, there still was a very apparent uncertainty about who I was working against me.

I was raised in New Orleans, Louisianaa city of magic and mysticism, full of culture, heritage, and excitement. I went to the finest schools, lived in an upscale neighborhood, and in many ways it seemed the path that was paved for me was laced with gold! But on the inside, I felt completely incomplete, and I didnt know why. I felt like I didnt know who I was.

Looking in the mirror was like looking at an uncut, unedited version of me. It was like I was wearing a disguise or working undercover trying to solve my own case. Who was this person in the mirror? Was I just an amazing kid with a bright, preplanned future, destined to possess a gigantic slice of the American dream? Or was I purposed for something else? I pondered and wandered into different spaces and places in my heart and mind on a quest to find myself.