Cliche Magazine Dec 2017/Jan 2018 | Page 43

rather be in my room alone
writing or dressing up than
spending time hanging with
other girls or playing sports.
Because of that, I started
getting bullied in the 7th
grade, which is around the
time I started my blog. For
me, blogging was an outlet
and became my “me” time
while I was failing out of high
school. I had an A in English
and Ds in every other class!
Once I began making money
from social media, I knew I
had latched onto something. Do you have any words of
advice for girls struggling
with their image?
Screw what people think
of you. If I had listened to
everyone who had said no to
me along the way, I wouldn’t
be where I am. People still
say no to me every hour
(seriously) and I never let it
get to me, whether it has to do
with my body or my career.
Don’t put too much pressure
on yourself. Do the best you
can and don’t worry about the
things you can’t control.
How did becoming an
influencer alter your life as
a writer?
Transitioning from a small
town chick to a so-called
“influencer” has truly changed
my life and the way I view
writing and business. Once
I started my nonprofit, I
realized that I have the power
to inspire young adults across
the globe and truly help
them feel more confident in
their bodies and follow their
dreams. I like to consider
my writing to be much more
soulful and from the heart
now, since I’m writing about
more life experiences than
fashion and style posts. What is it like making a
career out of your side
hustle?
It’s the most incredible and
terrifying feeling at the same
time! I am so blessed that I get
to work for myself, but that
also brings responsibilities
that I never thought I’d be
facing at my age. Follow your
dreams all the way. You never
know what your dreams may
turn into!
What made you want to
pursue fashion?
Fashion was a way for me
to express my personality
without having to talk to
people. I was so shy when I
was younger, and seriously
scared around boys, so I
used fashion as my form of
voice. I truly love finding new
fashion brands nowadays that
are startups and have similar
messages to mine: about
loving your body and being
your authentic self.
Who do you look to for
inspiration?
Lately, I’ve been incredibly
inspired by Demi Lovato. I
watched her documentary
and felt like I could relate in
so many ways. I also really
admire Elon Musk, G-Eazy,
and Halsey. My dad inspires
me a ton, too. I call him about
everything!
How has your blog
transitioned from a fashion
blog to a lifestyle blog for
teens and parents?
When I turned 16, I published
an article about my experience
as a model and the eating
disorder that stemmed from it.
When I published that article,
I got so many messages
from young girls and their
©Alexis Lopez
parents asking me for advice on
navigating body image issues
and bullying. My blog has grown
with me as I’ve gotten older, and
that means new issues and life
obstacles I have to face. I’d like to
be an advocate for young adults
on a range of topics, so that’s why
I like to consider the site lifestyle
for teens.
Tell me a little about your
podcast and how it identifies
all aspects of blogging versus
only the glamorous side.
I started This is Life Unfiltered,
my podcast, earlier this year,
because I started to feel like I’d
www.clichemag.com
lost my message with some of the
other opportunities I’d feature.
When I’m on TV and I am all
dressed up and have a full face of
makeup on, the pictures are great,
but how am I really inspiring
people by dressing up and looking
like someone completely opposite
to the person I wake up looking
like? On the podcast, I can talk
about everything with no shame.
I’m not being paid and it’s an
hour every week that I truly look
forward to. It’s definitely the most
raw and honest side of me that
anyone will ever see.
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