DIVA caught up with the Scottish singleton to find out more about her time in the Masseria
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY BBC / TWO FOUR / JAMES STACK
For many people I Kissed A Girl (IKAG) is about more than just looking for love. It’s a place to find community, new friends and a sense of belonging. That’s exactly one of the reasons Tyra went to the Masseria… as well as to flirt with some pretty girls.
Initially paired with Ebony for the first kiss, it was clear there wasn’t that romantic vibe between them. But when a newbie entered the Masseria who was Tyra’s exact type – “cute brunette with a nose ring” – sparks started to fly.
We caught up with Tyra to find out more about her time in the Masseria.
Why did you choose to go on IKAG?
Being a queer woman of colour from a tiny town, I wanted to go on IKAG to normalise [being queer] in the spaces that I grew up in. I want people to see that it’s okay to exist, despite what environment you come from or how heteronormative it is. I hope I can change one little girl’s mind about being more comfortable with who she is, and maybe talking with her friends and family about how she is feeling. Maybe she’ll watch me and be like, “Oh, this girl is from a Black background? It’s not the end of the world if I tell my African mum I’m gay!” I wanted to go in and represent people in spaces who maybe don’t have the safe space to be themselves or who don’t see themselves in the media.
Could you tell us a bit about your own coming out story?
It was emotional. There’s no queer community where I grew up, so navigating that was really difficult. All my friends are straight, and I didn’t have anyone I really identified with. I went through a stage in my teens where I felt like I’d rather live a lie for my whole life than accept who I am. I’m really sad for that little girl, but I’m so proud of how far she’s come.
What did you learn about yourself on the show?
That I am enough. I’ve struggled my whole life with feeling like I was falling short in some departments. Just being around a group of girls that validate your feelings showed me that it’s okay to show up as I am. I don’t need to put on a facade or a show. If I continue through this world authentically, I’ll attract the right people. My confidence has shot through the roof since filming.
Four new episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer on 23 June at 6 am, with episodes one and two airing on BBC Three on 23 June, and episodes three and four on 24 June from 9 pm. Following this, two brand-new episodes will be available every Tuesday at 6 am on iPlayer and 9 pm on BBC Three.
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