“LA Valley Girls” Reflect on Their Experience from Tonight’s Episode of Freeform’s “The Letter”

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]

On tonight’s episode of The Letter, four girls from the San Fernando Valley decided to put their friendship to the test when they wrote honest, anonymous letters to each other.

At the beginning of the episode, we met Jasmin, Michelle, Anna, and Shabby.  Jasmin is the life of the party, but her indecision and second guessing herself drives her friends crazy; Michelle is the lazy one of the group who doesn’t like to do any kind of work. Her friends feel her spoiled lifestyle is causing life to pass her by; Anna is the selfie queen who is obsessed with how many likes and follows she gets on social media, and won’t ever leave the house without being made up; Shabby refuses to share and finds it impossible to part with any of her belongings, including her favorite clothes from middle school.

They drew names and anonymously wrote to the selected person a letter outlining their opinion of what behavior or actions need to be changed. When each girl received their letter, they had to follow all of the letter’s instructions for one week. Anna has to take a makeup-less selfie and lock up her phone; Shabby has to get rid of half of her clothes; Michelle is forced to do some hard labor; and Jasmin is confronted with several choices, pushing her to make quick decisions on her own.

There were many bumps along the way, but each girl made it through the week of challenges. Check out our Q&As with Jasmin, Michelle, Anna, and Shabby to see how their experience was doing The Letter challenge.

Make sure to watch a new episode of The Letter every Tuesday @ 9PM ET/PT on Freeform.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video admin_label=”Video” src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2HzAito-0w” /][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#ffffff” show_divider=”off” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” hide_on_mobile=”on” /][et_pb_tabs admin_label=”Tabs” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [et_pb_tab title=”Shabby Khalili” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” tab_line_height=”2em” tab_line_height_tablet=”2em” tab_line_height_phone=”2em” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” body_line_height=”2em” body_line_height_tablet=”2em” body_line_height_phone=”2em”]

Celeb Secrets: As mentioned in the beginning of the episode, the four of you have been friends for a really long time. How hard was it to write the anonymous letter?

Shabby Khalili: “When writing this letter, hard is considered an understatement. Just writing ‘Dear Michelle’ was nerve wracking. The struggle was mad real, especially because this was probably the first time anyone has come clean and honest about how Michelle is perceived as. It was also hard enduring the fact someone was about to write something just as honest, to me.”

Celeb Secrets: Some of the challenges were really rough and made you come out of your comfort zone. What made you stick through the week?

Shabby Khalili: “My challenge was extremely tough and uncomfortable because I basically brought America into my comfort zone, meaning I made my bedroom and personal belongings very public. What made me stick through the week was when I was driving through the streets of skid row on my way to my destination, the Anne Douglas Center. As soon as I saw helpless homeless people with minimal clothing, or no [shoes], I told myself “If they can do it, there’s no way I can’t overcome this.””

Celeb Secrets: What did you take away from completing the challenges?

Shabby Khalili: “From my challenge I realized what an amazing feeling giving back is. Everyone should help anyway they can, because not only will that person in need feel grateful, you yourself will feel happy. I’m a huge believer of whatever energy you put out, is what you receive.”

Celeb Secrets: Did revealing who wrote the letters affect your friendship in any way moving forward?

Shabby Khalili: “Believe it or not, the revealing of who wrote the letter made me and Michelle’s relationship even stronger! I wanted to cry when I found out the person who wrote my letter was the person I called to come help me with all those boxes! She must have got a real kick out of that.”

Celeb Secrets: Have you been keeping up with your new decisions and outlooks, or have you found yourselves going back to your old ways once in a while?

Shabby Khalili: “Ask my friends, I share my clothes with no hesitation now! I share my food, and anything else that I know will bring a smile to someone’s face. Weeks after The Letter, I took three more bags of clothes to the Anne Douglas center! The streets of skid row [are] so saturated with homeless people, half my bags didn’t make it inside. I had so many people approach and beg me for what was inside my bag. Not only have I gone back and donated, but I’m collaborating with other people who are supportive and motivated to make changes towards this homeless epidemic. Sharing my experience and story has opened doors for future projects, for example, with an anonymous artist by the name of Skidrobot, who uses his art to create dialogue as a solution to extreme poverty. Also, with the clothing brand ‘Crime$’ whose goal is to shed light on what’s going on in communities. It’s sad to see homeless people who need to use the restroom just like us, don’t have toilets, or somewhere to sleep, it should almost be considered a “crime.” Because my perspective has changed, I’m extremely excited to apply myself to these outlets and I took the initiate to start a GoFundMe, found on my website shabbykhalili.com. All the proceeds will go towards food, water and clothing for the people of skid row. I’m looking forward to spread the message and make a difference one city at a time.” 

Celeb Secrets: Your challenge was really eye opening for us. How was that experience going to the women’s shelter — did you get to meet any of the women you gave clothes to?

Shabby Khalili: “I couldn’t have asked for a better challenge, as silly as that sounds. It took me out my comfort zone and really showed me how simply giving back can make a world of a difference. Going to the shelter, I met so many lovely, brave and strong women who were willing to share the most heart breaking stories with me. Hearing their stories of how they went from having everything to nothing made me feel blind to the fact of what’s going on outside my world. I ended up offering one of the ladies my earrings, because she liked them. I couldn’t believe she said no, because “it wouldn’t be fair to the other women.” That’s when I realized, these women who have significantly less items than me, have more heart, and that’s priceless. Whether it’s $1 or $100 they understand the concept of sharing and consider others. I told myself I need to come back and bring as much clothes, shoes, jewelry and miscellaneous objects as possible. No amount of things in my closet will feel as satisfying as giving a helping hand to someone who needs it.”

[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Jasmin Danialian” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” tab_line_height=”2em” tab_line_height_tablet=”2em” tab_line_height_phone=”2em” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” body_line_height=”2em” body_line_height_tablet=”2em” body_line_height_phone=”2em”]

Celeb Secrets: As mentioned in the beginning of the episode, the four of you have been friends for a really long time. How hard was it to write the anonymous letter?

Jasmin Danialian: “It was extremely hard writing the letter. I think Anna was truly the last name I wanted to pick. I was so afraid of hurting her feelings and so afraid of how she would take it. All I was hoping for was for her to know deep down, this was coming from a good place. My letter to her definitely stated things that Shabby, Michelle, and I always thought about her but never had the guts to say! I was also sitting there on the other side of the pen and paper nervous about what these girls had in store for me.” 

Celeb Secrets: Some of the challenges were really rough and made you come out of your comfort zone. What made you stick through the week?

Jasmin Danialian: “I have to say out of all the challenges, I think I definitely had it the easiest!! *evil laugh* Although it was dreadful having Anna and Michelle pick out ridiculously bright outfits for me, I had a little fun doing it with them. The outfits were so out of my comfort zone and so not me. Not my style at all. (Apparently I have no style. Ha ha.). What really made me stick through the week was truly just having the support of my best friends. I’m such an indecisive person. They really helped me realize how long I was taking to make such a simple decision! I’m grateful they pushed me out of my comfort zone and supported me in letting me make my own decision. I’m grateful for how patient they are with me.”

Celeb Secrets: What did you take away from completing the challenges?

Jasmin Danialian: “What I took away from completing my challenge is that life is just too short to be taking so long making a decision. It really made me aware of my habit and how it was holding me back in life. Literally, if I had to make a decision between two movies to go watch, by the time I decided on the movie- it was over! It also made me realize that even though I love wearing black all the time, I can incorporate a little jazz and color by accessorizing! I’m obsessed with figuring how I can spice up my all black outfits now.”

Celeb Secrets: Did revealing who wrote the letters affect your friendship in any way moving forward?

Jasmin Danialian: “I was SO surprised finding out who wrote my letter! My initial guess was Shabby or Michelle. I couldn’t believe Anna wrote my letter!! And to think that she’s standing there picking out these outfits for me…It was actually amazing because we both ended up writing each other’s letters and the outcome could not have been better. We are so much closer. We laugh about this experience we had together. We joke about it. We tease one another. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”

Celeb Secrets: Have you been keeping up with your new decisions and outlooks, or have you found yourselves going back to your old ways once in a while?

Jasmin Danialian: “I honestly do find myself going back to my old indecisive habits at times, but I am surrounded by so much support that it makes it so much easier for me to bounce back up again. My friends are always giving me the two options of where to eat, what to do, or what to wear, and I’m the one stuck making the decision. I have learned to love it. It’s helped me grow so much. It has helped me gain control over my life and even my emotions. I think that I was always afraid of being the one to make the decision because I would be held responsible and accountable if someone else involved was not happy with the outcome of my decision. Sometimes, circumstances in life knock you down a little and you feel like you lose your voice. This has helped me realize that I can’t please everyone. My voice matters. My wants matter. It’s okay to make a decision that’s right for you sometimes. I encourage everyone to find that voice within themselves and not be afraid to state your opinion on something! Be confident. Be happy. All is well in the world. And if you really can’t decide- always choose ice cream!”

Celeb Secrets: At the end of the episode (although you were wearing black), we saw that you were a little more welcoming to color in your wardrobe. Where do you pull fashion inspiration from?

Jasmin Danialian: “My girls are my inspiration! I literally drag Michelle, Anna and Shabby to the mall with me every time I go. I love how they have taught me to keep my sense of style and be me, just add a little jazz to it. After all, my name is Jazzzmin ;)” 

[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Michelle Michaeli” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” tab_line_height=”2em” tab_line_height_tablet=”2em” tab_line_height_phone=”2em” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” body_line_height=”2em” body_line_height_tablet=”2em” body_line_height_phone=”2em”]

Celeb Secrets: As mentioned in the beginning of the episode, the four of you have been friends for a really long time. How hard was it to write the anonymous letter?

Michelle Michaeli: “All my life I always had a hard time being able to confront someone, especially when it came down to one of my best friends. So writing this letter, especially to Shabby, made me cringe. I would sit down and start writing and quickly erase everything because I didn’t know how to approach it. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings in any way because I care for her and only want the best.”

Celeb Secrets: Some of the challenges were really rough and made you come out of your comfort zone. What made you stick through the week? What did you take away from completing the challenges?

Michelle Michaeli: “I think my challenge was the most difficult out of all of us. Waking up for me was the worst thing anyone could make me do. Not only that, but getting up that early and having to do hard labor work made me realize what people will do just to make a living. I stuck through the week putting myself in their shoes and really being able to see a side I never thought I’d see. I also wanted to prove my friends wrong that I could do it.”

Celeb Secrets: Did revealing who wrote the letters affect your friendship in any way moving forward?

Michelle Michaeli: “When it was revealed that Shabby wrote my letter, at first I was so mad that this is what she thought of me. But I realized that she only wants the best for me. We all have such a strong bond that could never be broken but only get better.” 

Celeb Secrets: Have you been keeping up with your new decisions and outlooks, or have you found yourselves going back to your old ways once in a while?

Michelle Michaeli: “Believe it or not, I actually have stuck with my new decisions and outlooks. I started working for a medical company, waking up early and being productive with my day. Sometimes I do get lazy, but I definitely have changed and [am] so happy I have the support from my friends to stick to it” 

Celeb Secrets: What do you enjoy doing when you have a full day? Any hot spots you like to go to around LA?

Michelle Michaeli: “When I have a full day, I honestly like to relax and just catch up on ME time. I’ll go to the gym, grab lunch with friends, or even just check out the mall [to] see if they have anything I’d like. Some hot spots in LA I would definitely say are Kushiyu in Tarzana for lunch or dinner (they have great sushi), Runyon Canyon if you love to hike and Argyle in Hollywood if we’re trying to have a girls night out at the club. ;)”

[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Anna Tatishvili” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” tab_line_height=”2em” tab_line_height_tablet=”2em” tab_line_height_phone=”2em” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” body_line_height=”2em” body_line_height_tablet=”2em” body_line_height_phone=”2em”]

Celeb Secrets: As mentioned in the beginning of the episode, the four of you have been friends for a really long time. How hard was it to write the anonymous letter?

Anna Tatishvili: “It was tough writing this letter to [any] of them because I did not want to come off in a mean, tough way, but I really wanted for them to become a better version of them[selves], so I realized if we really are the strong four best friends that we are, then something like this shouldn’t affect our friendship.”

Celeb Secrets: Some of the challenges were really rough and made you come out of your comfort zone. What made you stick through the week?

Anna Tatishvili: “I am not the type to give up, especially when it is something that my friends thought was a problem about me. So I did everything in my power to continue with this challenge as much as I did not want to just to prove to them that I can change and I can become better.” 

Celeb Secrets: What did you take away from completing the challenges?

Anna Tatishvili: “From this challenge I learned to pay more attention to the people that are surrounding me and to love my whole self before I could love anyone else.”

Celeb Secrets: Did revealing who wrote the letters affect your friendship in any way moving forward?

Anna Tatishvili: “It did not affect our friendship in any way, it was more like an eye-opening experience with us and actually made us bond and learn more about each other.”

Celeb Secrets: Have you been keeping up with your new decisions and outlooks, or have you found yourselves going back to your old ways once in a while?

Anna Tatishvili: “I’ve been more present with the real world than I usually would be, but of course I still check my social media and text my friends throughout the day, but I definitely limit it more than I usually would.”

Celeb Secrets: Tell us what it was like not having a phone for a week. 

Anna Tatishvili: “Having no phone or getting on any social media was pretty tough because this was the longest I’ve ever gone without it, because I’m constantly checking my Instagram and texting a bunch of friends. Even if this is our generation now, this was a good way for me to realize that life is more than just social media and posting pictures up.”

[/et_pb_tab] [/et_pb_tabs][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]