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Lalla Hirayama has had an amazing year.
The Vuzu presenter, who also had her own Legit range, has nothing but gratitude for what she has achieved. Lalla was recently interviewed on Cliff Central where she said: "It's been a surreal year. It's been one of the best years in my career and I'm very very grateful. I'm also grateful for all the support that I've been getting from the South Africans."
The TV personality, who was born in Japan, came to SA when she was about six years old. Through the help of a scout, Lalla took classes in TV presenting, acting, modelling and dancing.
Although she initially wanted to become a doctor, she said she has always been in love with the arts. "I did musical theatre and drama from a very young age." She also revealed how she was bullied as a kid and how she always wanted to fit in.
"People used to put letters in my bag about 'you should leave the school, you're a witch. You're this you're that'... All I did was cry." Lalla was also not part of the popular crowd when she started high school. But despite her tough times at school, Lalla has come out stronger. "It was rough but I've got to say, it made me tough and actually made me grow a thick skin. That is very important in this industry," she said, adding that you can spin anything into a positive.
The 26-year-old also spoke about wanting to start a family. She said: "I'm so broody right now it's ridic... I see kids and I just melt. I'm dying to have kids. I want like a football team, man. I was the only child growing up so I feel like I need to have about 20."
Although she's not married yet, she believes that she and her boyfriend Chris are "technically married". "We've been living together forever. He drives me crazy, I drive him crazy. It's a typical marriage. But I mean it's fantastic. It's so nice to have someone like him, especially in the industry that we're both in, it's very difficult. He's been 110 percent supportive of my career and he pushes me. It's so nice to have someone who's proud of you as opposed to try and keep you from the world," she said, before adding that she experienced a lot of pain before this relationship.
"I was in a very serious relationship when I was much younger (about four years) and it killed my soul. He took away my power, everything. I mean it was just horrible. I couldn't do anything. He didn't want me to wear make-up, he didn't want me to wear certain clothes, I couldn't go out here, I couldn't go there. And he was only happy when I was at home. My career was starting to pick up and he got more and more possessive, and the more I started doing well in my life I started feeling guilty so I didn't want to do well. It was horrible."
She believes that this was a great learning curve. "I look back now and I think a good relationship is also the way you handle yourself within that relationship. It's extremely important not to lose yourself, only you can make sure that that happens."
*Picture: Instgram
