SimplyAbuDhabi XXXVIII

We use these terms “wild and crazy” and other great sizzle words as we promote this show, but the truth is, it was incredibly complicated and it was incredibly tough growing up. We specifically went with these timelines in my life that were very defining times at 10 years old, 15, and 18. And, if we are lucky enough to come back for another round of this show, there’s a lot of other things in between those years that took place. But it was complicated, and the relationship that I had with my dad was incredibly complicated, that was fuelled by tough love. My dad was kicked out of his house at 13 and he was homeless, so that shaped the man who then raised me. And in that complication, then came an extraordinary life that was full of travel. I lived in 13 different states by the time I was 13 years old. I also lived in New Zealand. There was so much breadth to this life that I had and the creators of the show had to figure out the right, creative pathway to get into all of that that. And, to your point, it’s really the willingness to rip some things open and realise that vulnerability is going to be one of those factors, one of those pathways. Really, when I look back on this, I can reflect that the series has really allowed me a way to appreciate those hard times that much more. Because through the brilliance of Nahnatchka and Jeff, they were able to craft something that still made audiences -- I hope and I think and fingers crossed -- feel a certain way and know that we all go through these tough times. And sometimes when we’re going through tough times like this, sometimes when you’re in it, you’re in the bubble. Sometimes when you see somebody else going through it, it just gives a different perspective. It’s almost like you take that kaleidoscope and you just click it a few times and you see something in a different perspective. So long story long, we didn’t want to take the traditional route but we still wanted to talk about the complications. Let’s reveal things. And also very important, let’s talk about the good stuff. Because there was so much good stuff now when I look back at it, in this wild world with these characters who are larger than life. My grandmother, who Ana Tuisila did such a tremendous job playing, was one of the first pioneering women in the world of professional wrestling. But all of the men, so successful at what they did, interestingly enough played that role 24 hours a day. Even if that meant they lived in small apartments. Even if that meant they lived paycheque to paycheque. I look back with such a profound gratitude that I’m able to share these stories. One last thing. I will say this: I’ve celebrated one year of the loss of my dad. My dad died in January 2020, suddenly. And he’s obviously featured throughout the show, and Joseph Lee did a tremendous job playing my dad. He would have loved this. He would have loved this and he would have been so proud. Because for the first time, certainly in primetime, we are showcasing this world that he and all of his brothers of the ring, so to speak, of those men in the ‘70s and the ‘80s, that they gave their life to. To showcase it like this and through the lens of something that’s positive, I know would have meant a lot to my dad. Simply Abu Dhabi | 101