Reesa Teesa knows a thing or two about starting over.
The TikTok star – who went viral for her 50-part series in February Who am I married to? in which she details how she dated, married and then divorced a man she called ‘Legion’, describing him as ‘a real pathological liar’ who cheated on her about everything – says life has been ‘totally different’ since she left her shared story.
“It was definitely a crazy, surreal journey… life is just completely different,” Reesa, 39, tells PEOPLE as one of the Makers of the year 2024. “You don’t realize how big social media is until you’re in New York City and people know who you are. It’s like, ‘Wow, the reach is way bigger than you could have imagined.’”
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Reesa Teesa reflects on the marital mess that sees ‘pathological liar’ going viral
Her experience with her ex-husband not only put her name in the headlines but also changed her perspective on love. Reesa says she’s “absolutely” open to love, but it’s “just going to take some time.”
“For me, I really want to date myself,” she continues. “I want to learn things about what I like and just answer for myself because I feel like I was in such a lost space before I met my ex-husband. That’s why I ended up getting involved in that relationship. I don’t want to repeat history.”
Related: TikToker Reesa Teesa shares new details about marital problems with ‘Pathological Liar’ from her viral series ‘Who TF Did I Marry’
“I don’t want to be a cynic. I don’t want to be bitter, and I don’t want to move too quickly because it feels like, ‘Oh, it’s been a long time. You have to move on and heal, but getting this story out there is part of the healing.”
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Admittedly, the social media star didn’t know how long her story would last until she started posting on TikTok. “I had no idea it would be fifty parts… I just decided to tell the story from beginning to end because I feel like you’re going to tell the story, you’re going to tell the whole story – the good, the bad and the embarrassing,” she explains.
Reesa’s inspiration for the series came from another TikTok where someone asked, “What’s the most excited thing your ex has ever done?” This prompted her to share one of many stories about her ex-husband.
“I talked about how my ex claimed his grandmother died of COVID, and a lot of people responded asking what happened and saying, ‘You need to tell the story,’” she recalls. “So literally that night I was like, ‘You know what?’”
Ten hours of TikTok later, Reesa explained how “exhausted” her marriage was. “When I got to Part 20, I said to myself, ‘Look, go ahead and put all the parts up; someone will watch it all, and maybe they’ll tell other people about it,’” she recalls. “Most people don’t watch 10 minutes of a TikTok, let alone 50 10-minute segments, so I was really surprised that it took off so well.”
From the popularity of her series came new opportunities, including a very special purchase in 2024. “Buying a house was such a highlight because I always wanted to be a homeowner,” says Reesa. “That whole thing about my ex-husband promising to buy me a house… I didn’t really explain in the series why that was such an emotional rollercoaster, but I grew up with a single mother on benefits and she worked away. So I’ve always wanted a house that’s mine, in my name. No one can tell me a year from now, “Hey, your rent is going up,” or anything like that. I just wanted something that was mine. So that was a personal triumph for me, buying a house.”
Antoine Stephenson
Reesa Teesa COTY
Looking ahead to 2025, Reesa is looking forward to more achievements beyond TikTok. “I’m working on a new book, so that’s important, and I’m excited to try out a podcast — not so much for myself, but as a way to give voice to a lot of other women and men who have stories that they want in a safe space I’m a believer in telling your story however you feel comfortable with someone you trust,” she tells PEOPLE.
The TikTok star is also looking forward to the TV adaptation of her story, brought to life by Natasha Rothwellbut says we’re a long way from seeing it on screen.
“We’re just at the beginning of all this… I’m a sponge, so I’m soaking it all up,” she explains.
Related: Natasha Rothwell Says She ‘Felt Like Twins’ Who am I married to?‘s Reesa Teesa when they first met (Exclusive)
More than anything, Reesa is excited to explore the world, continue healing, and “discover her peace.” “It sounds so corny, but do you remember that scene? Eat, pray, love Where Julia Roberts‘ character says, ‘I just want to be amazed by something’?” she asks. “There’s such a big world out there, and I want to see it. I want to discover and maintain my peace, regardless of what happens around me.”
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