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Lesbian Life: As a reality TV show star, what do you think of these reality shows where people are competing to have cosmetic surgery?

Tabatha Coffey (Sigh) I have a rough time with it, I really do. I wish I could lie to you and tell you that I thought it was really great. The things that bother me about it is, I think that acceptance and learning to be okay with yourself is a process that happens over time and it can change on a daily basis, especially with women, because we’re particularly hard on ourselves.

But when you’re young and maybe you are a little chubby or you haven’t turned into that swan yet. Or maybe you feel like your girlfriends are all perfect and fabulous and you’re like the ugly duckling. I’m not anti-cosmetic surgery at all, I think it just needs to be for the right reason.
Sometimes I listen to these shows and I hear people say, if I get my breasts done, if I get the fat sucked out of my behind, if I had my face done, I would be so happy. No you wouldn’t. You’d still be miserable. You’d just have bigger breasts and smaller thighs. If you don’t feel good about yourself, you’re still not going to feel good about yourself, even after all that surgery.

In your book, you mention a partner. Can you tell me anything about her?

We’ve been together nearly 13 years. It’s been a long time. I really didn’t get into that because my private life really is private and although she is amazingly supportive and caring, and had always been incredibly supportive of my career, whether it be with traveling or now with the television show, she really just doesn’t like the limelight.

And I totally respect that. Just because I’ve chosen this path, doesn’t mean I expect other people have to take the journey with me. I also respect our relationship and I want to keep that to myself. I feel like I’m pretty honest with everything else.

So, what’s next for you then?

Hopefully a season four,[of Tabatha’s Salon Takeover] that would be great. I’ve thought about another book. I hope it’s helpful to people. And I hope I answer some of the questions that prompted me to write it. You know people email me and ask me questions. I still have more stories that I could share. Especially going through the experience I just did with my mother. Maybe there’s another book in my future.

Was writing the book your decision, or were you approached by a publisher?

No, it was my decision. It really never ceases to amaze me the people who watch the show and the people who write to me. I get a lot of the obvious hair questions and I get a lot of young gay people wanting to come out, and some not so young and then I get the questions, “How did you get started so young?” and “Why are you so ballsy?” and “Why are you honest?” I just thought writing a book that could address some of those things, maybe it could help people. You know it’s okay to embrace your inner bitch, it’s okay to stand up for yourself, it’s okay to make some mistakes along the road.