What profession were you in before you started creating content, and when did you decide to take the plunge?
I was actually in high school. I had gone my entire life up until then suppressing my feminine side. But during the lockdown, when I was isolated from relatives and school bullies, I took the chance to do what I liked and posted it online.
When you started content creation, did you ever think you’d grow so much?
I guess I did. I wouldn’t say I was ever an overnight sensation or a lucky story. Everything was calculated and planned out in my mind; I knew what I was doing and what I wanted from the start. I was, however, still a teenager, so I had a lot of learning and growing to do, besides just on social media, and that was the part I didn’t expect—the personal growth that came from all this.
Any tips for budding creators? How is it different now than it was when you first started?
BE YOURSELF!!! Read that as many times as you need to and stick to it because your personhood is all that you have in this world at the end of the day. Foster and nurture your authenticity, and don’t be afraid of letting who you are shine through your content. These days, it’s harder with the rise in online trolling and bullying that’s come after excessive red pill content and podcasts. But always remember, only people who have less going on in their lives than you will ever choose to hate and troll; those with ambitions are too busy trying to level up to even consider pulling others down
You can’t take long breaks from the internet, and no matter how you feel, you have to show up regularly. Do you sometimes feel under pressure to be consistent and post content regularly?
I think the first step is remembering that this is a job, and as much as I may enjoy aspects of it, earning a livelihood was always my first priority. That’s how I look at it—you don’t feel like doing your job some days, but you gotta do what you gotta do. It’s all about finding a balance so nothing results in burnout or a breakdown.
What was the defining moment for you?
I remember having a discussion with a dear friend and senior in this industry, Sushant Divgikar. They told me to always remember, “It’s not luck; you have worked for the things you have today.” That statement put things into perspective for me because I grew up with severe imposter syndrome. Realizing that I have created my life and that I control it—and not the other way around—was a comforting feeling.
How is content creation different from other professions? What are the perks and challenges?
Given that it is a business, it comes with all the risks of any business and then some. However, it definitely gives you scope to meet demands and adjust to changes more quickly than other businesses since you are the product or the direct producer of it. If viewers’ demands or algorithms change, you can adapt faster than most businesses. That’s a perk, but it can also be draining because, as with any kind of public figure, content creators are under immense pressure to always say and do the right thing. A lot of us are made role models in situations we never asked to be role models in, and that can be tiring to keep up with
Tell us about the ups and downs you’ve experienced before you got this far.
Given that this is a relatively new field of work, and I don’t come from a family with a creative background, I had to figure things out as I went. I was naive, so I ended up in exploitative situations where I was severely underpaid, or my content was used and circulated without my consent. But that’s life—you learn as you go, and all those times are now just silly stories to look back and learn from.
What’s next for you?
I have a lot of personal development to do, especially regarding my medical transition and other aspects of my life. I am excited to level up in my personal life and also be able to share that journey with my audience.