Lystra Adams has built a net worth between $1 million and $5 million. Her success story in reality television and entrepreneurship captivates many fans. This bold personality caught my attention after she joined The Real Housewives of Cheshire in 2020. Her transformation from model to business owner amazed me.
Her wealth has stayed stable over the last several years despite facing major business setbacks. The restaurant venture Boujee piled up over £3 million in debts. The business struggled with rent arrears and unpaid staff wages. Her modeling career remains her primary income source. She supplements this with television appearances and property investments.
This former Naomi Campbell lookalike's path to wealth creation fascinates many. In this piece, we'll explore her early life challenges, entrepreneurial ventures and smart investment decisions.
Early Life and the Start of Her Career
Lystra Adams' exceptional experience from a small Guyanese village to becoming a successful businesswoman shows the start of her wealth-building story. She built her path toward financial success well before her television fame and restaurant ventures. Her humble beginnings and unexpected chances shaped her future.
From Guyana to the UK: A new beginning
Lystra's early years were spent in the villages of Uitvlugt and Den Amstel on Guyana's West Bank of Demerara after her parents separated. She moved to Montserrat to live with her aunt, which led to her eventual migration to the United Kingdom.
A life-changing decision brought Lystra to Yorkshire, UK in 1997 at just 20 years old after a holiday romance. This bold move meant more than just changing locations – it became the foundation of her future wealth and success.
"Growing up as a little kid, I remember the first time I saw my cousins come in from the States on a plane," Lystra recalls. "I remember standing there thinking 'oh my god I'd love for one day to get on a plane.' Years later, I remember going to Dubai and having tears in my eyes, thinking about that little girl who once just dreamed of flying."
Modeling as a Naomi Campbell lookalike
A lucky twist in Lystra's early career came from her striking resemblance to supermodel Naomi Campbell. She had no idea who the prominent model was when she arrived in the UK, which left her confused about the attention she received.
"After I moved to UK, I was walking the street and people would come up to me and say 'oh my god you know who you look like?'" she explains. "I would be like 'no.' At that time I didn't know who Naomi Campbell was because I'd just come over."
A stranger's suggestion led Lystra to contact several lookalike agencies. "I think I rang about three or four look-alike agencies and all of them were like 'yes,'" she remembers. "I didn't know you could make money looking like someone."
This unexpected chance became her first major income stream. Model Bank modeling agency in Birmingham signed her, and she began appearing at events and functions. She arrived in stretch limousines and walked red carpets as the famous supermodel's doppelgänger.
Overcoming early challenges and bullying
Lystra faced considerable hardship before her modeling success. She endured relentless bullying during her school years in Montserrat due to her height and appearance.
"I was constantly bullied at school – I was always tall and used to tower above most of the older boys, let alone girls my age, and I wore these thick glasses," Lystra shares. The teasing became so severe that she suffered panic attacks before school.
One particular tormentor, who saw herself as the "top dog," called Lystra names like "freak" and "nerd" and got others to whisper behind her back. These seemingly minor incidents deeply affected her confidence during those formative years.
Notwithstanding that, these challenges ended up strengthening her character. "It was horrible and really knocked my confidence at the time, but looking back it has made me a stronger person – all I think now is look at me now!"
This resilience helped her build her modeling career, join reality television, and venture into business – all factors that contributed to her current net worth.
Reality TV Fame and Its Financial Impact
TV stardom changed everything for Lystra Adams' path to wealth. She started as a Naomi Campbell lookalike model, but her leap into reality television created new money-making opportunities that built her current net worth.
Joining The Real Housewives of Cheshire
Lystra's connection with The Real Housewives of Cheshire started before she became an official cast member. She showed up in cameo roles during the sixth, seventh, and ninth series. She made her official debut as a 'Housewife' in the third episode of the twelfth series in 2020.
She got her spot on the show through friends she already knew. "I've been to a few of their parties, they'd seen me before and it was just the right thing to do," Lystra said about getting cast. "They knew I wanted to go on it, as well". She was friends with co-star hairdressers Nick Malenko and Royston Blythe, who helped her meet the production team.
Lystra joined the show at 43 and brought fresh energy that struck a chord with viewers right away. Her eye-catching presence and glamorous style made her stand out from the rest of the cast.
How reality TV boosted her public profile
Lystra's public profile shot up after joining The Real Housewives of Cheshire. She was so popular on screen that she's stayed on for seven straight seasons. She also appeared in all three show specials: The Real Housewives of Cheshire: Real Housewives and the Menopause, The Real Housewives of Cheshire: Christmas Cruising, and The Real Housewives of Cheshire: Pride Special.
Reality TV turned Lystra from a local model into a national star. One publication noted her impact: "From high fashion to fiery rows, from drama to diva demands, Lystra Adams was born to be a reality television superstar". Her fashion choices caught everyone's attention. "I like bright colors and clothes that fit me very well. I'm quite curvy so I'm curvylicious and very glamorous and quite out there. There's always got to be a wow factor with me," she said.
The show gave her a platform to showcase her business ventures. Viewers watched her work on various projects, especially her restaurants. Series 13 featured segments about her business moves.
Sponsorships and brand collaborations
The Real Housewives of Cheshire opened doors to sponsorship deals and brand partnerships. Industry experts point out that "Reality television often comes with lucrative contracts, sponsorships, and opportunities for collaboration with brands". These partnerships became a big part of Lystra's income.
Her Instagram turned into "a perfect lookbook of her best fashion picks". This led to natural partnerships with fashion and beauty brands. She showed up at big events representing different brands, like the opening of KP Esthetics' new clinic with co-star Seema Malhotra.
Lystra joined OnlyFans recently, announcing it on Instagram with a promo video. This move shows how she's using her TV fame to make more money.
The show changed her whole business approach. One source said her role "goes beyond entertainment—it has served as a platform to showcase her business acumen, lifestyle, and outspoken personality". Her media exposure became one of her biggest assets, helping her build wealth through different income streams.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Business Moves
Lystra Adams built her name beyond modeling and TV, venturing into business with bold ideas that met both success and failure. Her journey as an entrepreneur shows her ambitious vision and the tough reality of running restaurants.
Boujee Restaurant: Vision and downfall
Lystra launched Boujee Restaurant and Bar in Liverpool ONE shopping mall during late 2020. She owned 20% of the business and served as its director and public face. The restaurant stood out with its all-pink theme designed to catch attention on Instagram. It featured striking elements like Barbie boxes, giant candy areas, and a pink convertible car.
The business grew quickly at first. A Manchester location opened on Bridge Street in May 2021. Lystra had big dreams: "We want to move fast, we want to have a Boujee in every city. We are probably looking next to Chester and to London".
The reality turned out differently. Boujee Restaurant and Bar Ltd racked up more than £3 million in debts before going into administration. The company couldn't overcome pandemic losses, higher supplier prices, and unpaid rent. Problems got worse when Liverpool staff walked out in July 2022 because they received only 40% of their wages.
Lystra stepped down as director on September 23, 2022. She explained: "In the last eight months things had taken a bumpy turn… Unfortunately mistakes were made along the way and it made the comeback nowhere near possible".
Investing in 202 Kitchen
Lystra's restaurant journey started before Boujee. She invested in 202 Kitchen, another pink-themed pop-up restaurant in Manchester on Bridge Street, as revealed on The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
She later decided to create something new: "Obviously here we had 202 first but then I decided I wanted to do my own thing so I'm no longer a part of that. I came up with Boujee because it represents something quite lush and opulent – it's very me!".
Varying her business portfolio
Lystra explored new opportunities after leaving Boujee. She launched "Cooking with Lystra" on TikTok, where she shares Caribbean recipes. This new venture came after fans loved watching her cook on Instagram and The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
"You ask I listen! I've made a cooking TikTok account because you all love my cooking stories," Lystra told her followers. This move showed her knack for finding new paths even after major setbacks.
Lystra's story shows remarkable bounce-back spirit in business. She didn't give up after Boujee's challenges but kept moving forward, using her past experiences to shape future ventures.
Property Investments and Passive Income
Lystra Adams built a substantial property portfolio while pursuing her modeling career and TV appearances. Her real estate investments show a more calculated approach to building wealth compared to her high-profile restaurant ventures.
Real estate as a long-term strategy
Lystra chose property investment as her quickest way to build lasting wealth. "My properties is you know I just turn over I just put my invest my money in into that definitely definitely you know that's my thing at the moment," she explained in an interview. Her strategy shows she understands how property values tend to rise over time. This gives her both rental income now and growth in the long run.
"I'm trying to make my money work for me definitely," Lystra noted. Her smart approach to generating passive income matches wealth-building principles that are 20 years old. Property investments create steady cash flow without needing constant hands-on work.
Types of properties she invested in
Lystra's investment portfolio has "prestigious properties". Her holdings spread across England, which shows how she varies her market choices.
She's "currently working on some over here", that indicates her growing real estate interests. She stays private about details, stating "I'm probably not going to give too much away". Her property choices match her personal brand's upscale feel.
How property added to her net worth
Lystra's property portfolio substantially strengthens her financial position as a "successful real estate investor". Her real estate investments provide steady rental income and potential growth, unlike her restaurant venture that piled up debt.
The property market stays more stable than restaurant operations. This makes these investments the life-blood of her millionaire status. Lystra created financial security by varying income beyond modeling and TV appearances. This helps protect her wealth whatever happens with other business ventures.
Public Persona and Influence on Her Wealth
Lystra's financial success story stems from her eye-catching style and confident persona. People know her as the "Queen of Instagram", and her carefully developed image gets more and thus encourages more income opportunities that add to her worth.
Fashion, style, and social media presence
Lystra's fashion choices mirror her bold personality. She loves bright colors and well-fitted outfits that show off her curvy figure. "I like bright colors and clothes that fit me very well. I'm curvylicious and very glamorous and quite out there," she explains. Her signature style shines through pieces like a Barbie pink Moschino suit with a matching hat by milliner Sally Sharpe.
Lystra's authenticity sets her apart. She doesn't chase trends because "Lystra keeps it Lystra!". Her unique style philosophy has caught many Caribbean women's attention, who follow her online and love her "outfit of the day" mini videos.
Speaking engagements and advocacy
Lystra stays true to herself whatever the environment. "If you follow her videos you will notice she has a tongue piercing. I think it's fabulous to stay true to you, even if you are in an environment where everyone else is prim and proper," notes one observer. This genuine approach improves her impact at public appearances.
How her brand accelerates business opportunities
Lystra's personal brand directly flows into her business ventures. She launched "Lashes By Lystra," a cosmetics brand selling false eyelashes after leaving Boujee. She created "Cooking with Lystra," a TikTok account featuring Caribbean recipes.
"You ask I listen! I've made a cooking TikTok account because you all love my cooking stories," she told her followers. This shows how she knows to monetize different aspects of her identity. She maintains her glamorous image while proving she "gets her hands dirty" in the kitchen despite her "long nails".
Conclusion
Lystra Adams' story shows how resilience and smart wealth-building can lead to success. Her trip from a small Guyanese village to millionaire status showed she knew how to utilize her unique assets. She capitalized on her resemblance to Naomi Campbell, TV exposure, and her distinctive personal brand. Maybe even more importantly, she created multiple income streams instead of depending on just one source.
Her property investments are the foundations of her financial stability. Her restaurant Boujee faced most important challenges and ended up with £3 million in debt, but her real estate portfolio still provides steady passive income that keeps her millionaire status intact. This smart financial planning helped her survive business setbacks that could have ruined someone with fewer diverse assets.
Lystra's story also teaches us about staying true to yourself while adapting to change. She keeps her bold, distinctive style whatever the situation, yet knows when to make necessary changes. After Boujee failed, she quickly started new ventures like "Cooking with Lystra" and "Lashes by Lystra" instead of hiding from the public eye. Her social media presence keeps creating new opportunities.
People might see her story as one about glamor and TV fame, but it reveals a calculated approach to building lasting wealth. She turned early hardships and bullying into determination. Unexpected modeling opportunities became lasting business ventures, and TV exposure created multiple income streams. Without doubt, Lystra Adams wrote her own success story through persistence, strategic thinking, and steadfast dedication – qualities that will likely keep growing her wealth over the coming years.
FAQs
Q1. What is Lystra Adams' primary source of income?
Lystra Adams' main source of income is her modeling career, supplemented by her television appearances and property investments.
Q2. How did Lystra Adams start her career in the UK?
Lystra began her career in the UK as a Naomi Campbell lookalike, signing with modeling agencies and appearing at events impersonating the famous supermodel.
Q3. What challenges did Lystra Adams face in her business ventures?
Lystra's restaurant venture, Boujee, faced significant challenges, accumulating over £3 million in debts before collapsing into administration.
Q4. How has Lystra Adams diversified her income streams?
Lystra has diversified her income through reality TV appearances, property investments, brand collaborations, and launching her own cosmetics and cooking-related ventures.
Q5. What is Lystra Adams' approach to property investment?
Lystra focuses on investing in prestigious properties throughout England as a long-term strategy for wealth accumulation and passive income generation.
