Luvvie Ajayi has a way with words that is so impressive, she has been praised by queens in media like Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay and Shonda Rhimes.
In fact, all three are fans of her first published book, I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual, which was released everywhere on Tuesday, and they’re far from the only ones. Just ask Ajayi’s personal fan base, collectively known as LuvvNation, who have been eagerly anticipating the release.
The book, which reflects Ajayi’s spunky personality and hilarious commentary, documents her thoughts on everything from her personal take on serious issues like racism and sexism to her everyday pet peeves like the obnoxious use of hashtags. No matter the case, Ajayi said she’s judging us all for the shameful decisions we make but encourages us to rest assured because she’s here to help us do better.
“I want people to walk away from this book understanding that you always have some type of way to do better,” Ajayi told HuffPost during a Facebook Live interview on Wednesday. “There are very key ways that we can leave this world a little bit better than when we found it. This book will make you laugh while you’re thinking through some of the stuff.”
Ajayi split the book into four separate sections, each with its own collection of stories and lessons: Life, Culture, Social Media and Fame.
“I had a brainstorm session with myself and ended up with this strong list of topics and the strongest 24 topics ended up in the book,” Ajayi explained.
Each chapter focuses on a different issue and is identified by hilarious titles like, “When Baehood Goes Bad,” and “Your Facebook Is My Favorite Soap Opera,” which Ajayi admits are two parts of the book she enjoyed writing the most. However, don’t be mistaken, the book isn’t meant to harm feelings ― it aims to help people live their best lives. Ajayi even calls out herself in the book for being guilty of many of the condemnable actions she writes about.
“I’m judging myself throughout the book, too. I am judge-worthy,” she says before a slight chuckle. “This book was a manual for me, too!”
However, Ajayi explained that inspiration from the book actually came about from an unfortunate event. She said, years ago, a journalist had plagiarized three paragraphs of her work that had been flagged to her attention by her fans. In reaction, Ajayi tweeted out her anger and eventually received a response from the culprit who, she said, didn’t know that he should have given her credit for her work.
“In my head, I was like, ‘That’s the book I’m supposed to write,’” she said, after writing the tweet above. “It was a literal lightbulb moment... That’s what became I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual.”
Ajayi, who previously worked as a marketing and digital strategist, began blogging in 2003 and launched her popular blog, AwesomelyLuvvie.com, shortly after. She quickly amassed a significant following of readers by writing and sharing articles on anything she was compelled to write about, which included everything from juicy recaps of “Scandal” to thoughtful pieces on politics, fashion and music.
“’Scandal’ made a huge difference in my blog’s growth,” she explained. “[Readers] found me for my ‘Scandal’ recaps, but they stayed for my other things.”
The show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, has even shared Ajayi’s work multiple times on social media, including her support for the new book.
“[The book] is my blog on steroids,” Ajayi said. “It’s 240-pages of my voice in its true form and at it’s best.”
I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual is now available for purchase here.
And check out Ajayi recapping the moment she met Oprah and Ava Duvernay below:
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.