All Smiles with Mimi Faust during her recent charity event.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’s own, Mimi Faust, during her back to school supply drive. A smiling, fedora clad, Mimi opened up about giving back, the true cost of a life in the limelight, and she gave us a glimpse of what the future has in store for her beyond reality tv.

Lia: So Mimi, tell me what made you want to a do school supply drive?

Mimi: I have a daughter and I know how hard it is for single moms, so I wanted to do something to give back to the community and provide school supplies for single moms in need. It’s expensive and if I can help and get other people to help, I think it’s a great thing. I know school is about to start up and I wanted to make sure that kids had the supplies that they needed.

Lia: Of course you use your celebrity to do that, to bring people out (for a good cause), but you also know that celebrity can be a double edged sword. What advice would you give someone who is ready to step into the public eye?

Mimi: Be careful what you wish for (said with a huge laugh.) First and foremost the celebrity lifestyle is not all it’s cracked up to be. It’s very stressful and it’s a lot of things that come along with this lifestyle and you have to have a real thick skin to deal with it. So, if you decide to get into television or the entertainment industry, just be prepared for it. You get a lot of backlash from just all over, period ya know. Even before I had any controversy I was getting backlash for no apparent reason, just because.

Lia: Finally, what is next for Mimi Faust the brand and the woman? Where do you see yourself in five years?

Mimi: The sky is the limit, there’s no cap on it. Umm, my daughter, I have a clothing line coming out for her. I have a book that’s coming out. Umm, there’s so many things that I’m doing right now. I’m working every day, constantly. This is probably the busiest I’ve ever been in my life and trying to maintain and manage everything. Its hard work.

Ms. Faust has taken more than her fair share of bumps in front of the lens, no doubt at times questioning how careful she was with her own wishes, but she seems to have come out a little wiser, a lot stronger, and more focused than ever on what’s ahead. . .and, I’m sure we’ll all be watching.

Until Next time, love you to life.

Lia Marie