Multi-hyphenate Lakithia Nicole discusses her new book, The Power of Partnering with God, reflecting on her ever-growing faith, physical and spiritual healing, and her journey to embracing her natural beauty.
Your book, The Power of Partnering with God: Becoming Your Best Self, explores spirituality and wellness. Can you describe your morning routine and how it has impacted your life?
My morning routine is very impactful because I start the day with prayer, worship, and reading my Word. It really sets the tone for my entire day—like, it causes me to be more focused, more patient, and it just settles things. I can tell the difference on days when I don’t start this way; I feel all over the place and chaotic. But when I pray and read my Word, it literally just sets the entire day in alignment for me. That’s how it affects my whole day.
In the book, you share your experience with an illness linked to breast implants. Can you talk about your journey from diagnosis to healing?
Yes, this situation is called breast implant illness (BII), and I’m grateful I survived it. Many women are misdiagnosed because doctors don’t always warn them about the risks when they go in for cosmetic surgery. Not every woman gets sick, but it happens. For me, the symptoms started instantly—I woke up from surgery feeling lost, like something was smothering me. That heaviness is a common symptom women describe, but for me, it wasn’t just the weight of the implants; my body was rejecting them. I got them in August 2018 and dealt with symptoms until I had them removed in January 2023. There were no good times during those five years—just constant sickness.
Can you share more about how the impact began?
Absolutely. I went into surgery feeling amazing and radiant. I remember looking in the mirror before surgery, and my doctor said, “Wow, you look vibrant and rejuvenated.” But when I woke up, I felt completely different—lost, smothered. The heaviness in my chest wasn’t just from the size of the implants; it was my body rejecting them.
This heaviness is a common symptom for women who get implants, but in my case, it was intense and persistent. Over the five years I had them, I dealt with recurring symptoms. It was physically and mentally draining, and honestly, there was no period where it was easy. It taught me the importance of listening to your body and advocating for yourself.
That’s horrible. Was getting breast implants your choice, or was it due to pressure from the industry?
It was absolutely my choice. I discuss this in the book. After I became vegan, I lost fatty tissue, including in my breasts. Unlike other areas, the chest doesn’t regain its shape easily. I wanted to maintain my form and confidence, so I chose implants based on that goal. My doctor recommended a size that would remain substantial despite weight changes. Unfortunately, it led to illness, but the decision wasn’t influenced by external pressure—it was about my body and my self-image at that time.
Do you believe natural bodies are making a comeback in mainstream culture?
Yes, now that I’ve removed the implants, I’m 100% natural. I feel like an advocate for embracing the body God gave you. I love my body in its natural state. When I had implants, they took my natural glow away.
Plastic surgery can sometimes take more than it gives. Many women look more beautiful naturally than surgically altered. I hope more women embrace this approach, and I’m fully committed to living naturally.
Who is the primary audience for your book?
The book is really for everyone. It’s about spirituality, health, wellness, and self-improvement. It’s for men, women, and anyone seeking to become their best self. Many people set goals at the start of the year and struggle to follow through. This book helps provide focus, practical steps, and spiritual guidance to achieve those goals.
It also addresses healing—breast implant illness, generational trauma, mental health, depression, and wholeness from the inside out. We all carry wounds, some inherited from family or society, and it’s essential to heal those and break cycles. That’s a major focus of the book.
As a new author, what’s been your biggest challenge in publishing?
The biggest challenge is finding the right team to help share it. Publishing is very different from music or acting. I recently hired a publicist, and with the right support, distributing the book is much easier. It’s about finding people who understand your vision.
I noticed you still have some secular music available on your website from early in your career. Is that intentional to show your transition?
Yes, it shows the transformation my life has undergone. I never hid my past, and my earlier music reflects where I was at that time. It demonstrates growth and how life changes when you allow God to work in your life. I want people to see the real journey.
Through Real Women Joined Together, what changes have you seen in global conversations about wellness and empowerment?
The organization emphasizes unity and collective empowerment. Women are coming together, supporting each other, and uplifting one another. In a culture that often promotes division, we focus on collaboration, mentorship, and empowerment. I’ve seen events and programs bring women together who might otherwise be isolated, and it’s powerful.
How does your gospel hip-hop single, “Praise the Lord,” reflect your growth as an artist?
The song reflects every aspect of my spiritual growth. Partnering with God has renewed my mind and helped me become the best version of myself. Writing “Praise the Lord” shares that transformation with the audience, and its success shows that people resonate with this journey.
Are you working on another project?
Yes, I’m releasing a devotional based on The Power of Partnering with God, along with a journal. I also have new films coming, including Love and Larceny, a TV series on Hulu and Tubi, and a new project where I’m performing martial arts. I’m currently training for that, and it’s going to be a completely new side of me for both the public and myself.
Be’n Original
