The dream that burst: "My economy is in shambles"
Anna Book sacrificed herself for her family
PLEASURE
Anna Book was stumblingly close to fulfilling the dream of her own reality series.
Had to say no at the last minute - because of the family
- It was my dream but I couldn’t expose my family to it right then, she says.
Anna Nominated - Lost to Wahlgren
Anna Toledano Book, was nominated for the Crystal in the TV Personality of the Year category for her participation in "Biggest loser VIP". Winners were Pernilla Wahlgren, and Bianca Ingrosso, who have their own reality series "Wahlgren's world".
- It was probably difficult for the jury. I feel like I really was worth the price. Just like everyone else nominated in the category. But it was Pernilla and Bianca's year and I'm so happy for them, she says.
A dream coming true
An own reality series has long been high on Anna Toledano Books' list of dreams, and after the win in "Biggest loser VIP, the dream wase close to come true.
- For nine years I’ve been dreaming and fighting for my own reality series for nine years. All of a sudden I was standing there with the email: "We’re on, let’s go!".
Anna surrounded by other nominees for the Kristallen award.
"So much that happened around me"
But everything spun fast that autumn and the singer felt that she was not really keeping up. The timing was not right either.
- There was so much going on around me and my family during this time, so I had to think a few more laps and came to the conclusion that the family must come first. It was my dream but at that time I couldn’t expose my family to this. So I had to say no. And it hurt a little.
It's important to stand up for yourself and follow your heart.
- My Achilles' heel has been that throughout my life I wanted people to like me. That has become much tougher today. I have also realized my own value in another way and that it must feel right for myself in the first place. If it’s written in the stars for me to have my own reality show, then the opportunity will come again.
However, not following the dream had consequences for her and her family.
- It was devastating for my economy to say no. But money is not everything.
Persuaded Daughter to join the cast of “The Farm VIP”
A small consolation is that Anna’s dotter and flatmate, Felicia, 27, instead got to take part in the Swedish reality show The Farm VIP. Entering the reality show was not a given for Felicia, but she was persuaded to join by her mother, Anna Toledano Book.
- I wouldn’t give 5 cents for being a public figure, I just don’t care for it. I have seen what all the attention and celebrity has cost my mother at times. But I love "The Farm" and after a bit of persuasion, I said yes,
Felicia was not completely unknown to the Swedish public however, as her ex boyfriend was the winner of “Biggest Loser VIP”, Hristors Adoniadis.
She has also previously applied to Idol 2015.
"Tougher than expected"
As a loyal viewer, Felicia thought she knew what was waiting for the her.
- I understood that it would be a challenge but it was much tougher than expected. There was no water, no toilet and when it got pitch black in the evening I thought I’d never persevere for five weeks.
Met celebrates but got evacuated
There Felicia met celebrities like ”Lets’ Dance”- Sigrid, and legendary wrestler
Frank Andersson.
- We meant a lot to each other in the house and he became a great security for me. We went through a lot together, you will see in the program. It's so sad he's no more,
she says.
Frank got evacuated from the house for health reasons two days after filming began and Felicia followed suit. Although the injury in itself wasn't hindering a return Felicia's hemoglobin levels were so low the doctors was surprised she could stand up and niether of them was allowed to return to the show.
- It may seem a little strange me and Frank got so close after such a short time, but we went in the same day and were in the hospital in Värnamo together. And so we got very, very close to each other. It was also me who helped him home after the hospital stay.
Frank died shortly after.