Welcome to our next helping of Stripped Back – Raw to the Core. Today we have the pleasure of stripping back the beautiful and inspiring founder of Burn the Night & IgniteXXXNews

Brenda Adiyiah

1: What is something you have done that you are really proud of?

I launched my own business early this year, under the brand name Burn the Night. I have worked on many other projects previously under various pseudonyms, but this is the first lifestyle brand / creative services platform I have created. So far, it’s received great feedback from adult industry members as well as the general public, along with some social engagement from a few prominent figures in music and fashion. It has a lot of potential, so I’m really excited about my new solo venture.

2: Where would you go in a time travel machine?

That’s difficult as there are several prominent moments in history I would love to have seen first hand and for different reasons. I would like to have the seen the earliest forming of human civilisation, where and how exactly our ancestry began. I’d love to have seen Ancient Egypt when it’s major cities, monuments, art and artefacts were brand new.

When I think about music, which is a big part of my life, I can’t imagine what it would be like to have seen Jimi Hendrix playing in the flesh, playing live in small London bar or watching Bob Marley perform to a crowd at an open air gig / festival. That would be something else!

3: What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

I’ve done quite a few things that quite a lot of people would think were insane. When I use to model, I’d frequently jump on trains and planes and travel alone to destinations to shoot with photographers I didn’t really know. When it came to all the ‘stranger danger’ don’t dos I pretty much did them all. I was always a risk taker, even as a teenager. I just wanted to get out there, explore different places and meet different kinds of people. I’ve experimented in many different ways in various aspects of my life. I feel like that’s given me a much broader prospective and understanding of what’s truly important. Plus I’ve always been free-spirited, so I feel very fortunate to have crafted a life that doesn’t feel limiting, I work how I wish to, where and with whom I wish to and live where I want to be. It did not come easily by any means, it took a lot of time and effort but it was definitely worth it.

4: What is your earliest memory?

My earliest memory is a very brief one. As a baby, I remember being in my mums arms in our first home, which was a high rise in South East London. I was looking out of the window and watching cars pass along the road, behind the park. Of course, I wouldn’t have known what they were at the time, I just remembered the scene.

5: What was your most intense dream?

It’s hard to pinpoint one in particular as I often have intense dreams, it’s usually my nightmares that are the most intense and have left a much stronger / longer-lasting impression. When I was around 15 years old, I use to dream a lot about being chased and killed by a hooded assailant, but I never saw who it was. I’d wake up before they actually killed me. I use to wake up with a jolt every time until one day I stopped having those dreams.

6: You can give one object (the same object) to everyone in the world, what is it and why?

I’d give them a small mirror that only showed who they were on the inside, or what they had become. If people saw their true reflection staring back at them, I think it would inspire a lot more people to believe in themselves and their abilities. As a result, it would lead to people achieving what they have only dreamt about. I also think it would help ground those who have lost sight of whats actually important, if they could actually see what they are becoming it might be enough of a shock to help them re-evaluate and take positive steps towards becoming more aligned with their true self and not what their ego, peer or societal pressure has dictated.

7: What is the stupidest thing that you did during the summer after leaving school?

I didn’t actually go out so much that summer as I was babysitting my sisters mostly, but I recall getting very drunk on neat vodka on one of the few days I actually got out of the house. Needless to say I’ve had many bad hangovers over the years thanks to vodka and yet it is still one of the few alcoholic drinks I can actually somewhat stomach!

8: What is your least favourite chore?

Hmm… to be honest I don’t really mind doing housework. I guess taking out the trash due to the smell and sometimes, lack of room in the outdoor bins.

9: If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

There’s a big list of places I plan to visit over the course of my life span. I really want to explore hot and exotic destinations like Aruba, Barbados, Madagascar, Zanzibar, the Maldives, Peru etc. The next few countries I’m likely to visit are Bali, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan and probably Canada or New Zealand.

10: What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be several things over the years; a ninja (not even joking!), a nurse, an actress, a dancer and finally a psychiatrist. I actually did go on to study dance and psychology but changed course after some years.

11:What is your favourite song/video that you always look back and reflect on and why?

Just the one? That’s impossible! To pick one, I’ve always loved Safe From Harm by Massive Attack, as I feel like it really summed up my feelings about my past, trying to get away from seemingly impossible situations and leaving toxic people and environments to go on in pursuit of a better, more fulfilling life as well as developing as a person, learning from past traumas and mistakes I had made and as well as learning more about how the world works and how rapidly it is changing.

12: What is your favourite song/video/ book that inspires you and why?

Pretty much everything that comes from Björk. I find her incredibly inspiring in terms of the melodies of her songs, the lyrical content, her singing style as well as her fashion styling and music videos. She’s very talented and is a creative by nature. I find people who push the limit of their creativity and that continue to experiment with their chosen art form to be inspiring. I suppose it’s another reason why I was always drawn to jazz music as a child. My dad use to listen to and play a lot of jazz, as he played guitar, so I found the intricate drum patterns, expressive brass, bass, guitar and overall soulful vibes really fascinating.

13:What was your first car and did you name it?

I don’t drive so maybe just skip this one?

14: Who is the most influential person in your life and why?

It would have to be my boyfriend; we are very similar in a lot of ways and yet different in others. Where we differ is where we really benefit from being around one another. Through his support and understanding I’ve been able to have the space and time to start to truly learn about what I want from life and to work on my personal development. He came at a time where I was pretty much losing faith in humanity, he showed me that there were still people in the world that use free-thought, that are compassionate and isn’t lost to their own selfishness and ego. If it wasn’t for that, I don’t think Burn the Night or myself as an individual would have the same focus that it does i.e. on helping all see their true worth and potential, encouraging others to be bold, creative and free-thinking.

15: If your closest friend was asked to describe you what would they say?

She’s a crazy llama lady, who loves white wine, chocolate and anime.

16:What encouraging advice would you give you 17 year old self?

Never accept anything less than what you truly deserve, and that means realigning your self perception.

17: What is your favourite item of clothing?

Probably my long, drape Killstar jumper. I also have some great summer wear and stunning lingerie from various brands.

18:What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

A bowl of gluten-free, chocolate Zaps cereal, not because I’m a hipster but because I have a wheat allergy.

19:Name a place you would never want to visit again and why?

Switzerland. Luckily, I was only there for a few days for a photoshoot back in 2010. I found it to be intolerant and only suited to those who happen to be white and wealthy. I really didn’t enjoy it, it was dull and I found that a lot of the residents were ultra conservative, close-minded and racially prejudiced.

20: If you could fix one problem with the world what would it be?

If I could, I’d eradicate greed and the warped sense of entitlement. If you took those two factors away, you’d have a great basis to start making some real positive changes in the world. Whilst greed continues to engulf everything, there can never be equality.

Brenda and her team offer Digital Marketing, Project Management, PR, Journalism, Digital Retouching and more please visit her site BurntheNight or follow @iBurntheNight and @IgniteXXXNews over on Twitter.

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