Bailey Spinn: Content Creator, Advocating Against Anti-Bullying, & VidCon

Interview by: Ezzah Rafique

Photographer: Dylan Lujano @dylanlujano

Hair: Kyle Hennessy @kylehennessyhair

Makeup: Anton Khachaturian @antonmakeup

Stylist: Mariposa @mariposabih

Thanks for doing this with us. Let’s start a bit on the basic side: introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Bailey Spinn and I’m a content creator as well as a musician! I grew up in Virginia with my family, and I was born on August 5th, 2002. I started making content in quarantine out of boredom, but soon it became my full-time job. I’ve always been in love with music, I played many instruments. I now play the electric guitar, and I love everything to do with music!

Do you remember the moment when your first few videos started going viral?

Yes! I remember one time specifically, I was hanging out with friends, and I said, “I don’t think these views are stopping.” I had seen large numbers before, but never so many in a row, and it was hard to believe. At that point, I was gaining 70k+ followers overnight, and I was blowing past my milestones. The growth didn’t stop, and I still find it hard to believe it really happened.

It’s really nice to see creators using their platform to advocate against anti-bullying. What would you say has been the best part of creating a safe space online?

I want to make people feel comfortable and confident in their own skin because it’s something I’ve always struggled with. I love that people tell me I’m their comfort creator, and they watch my videos when they need a little boost. I’ve impacted so many people just through a screen, which makes me so happy. I love when I meet fans and they tell me how much I mean to them. I’ve had people break down in tears from excitement, which makes me want to cry too. I adore making a positive impact on my fans!

What about the challenges, what have you dealt on your platform that has been the hardest?

I had a period of time where I felt stuck, I was out of ideas but hadn’t thought about trying to expand my content more. There have been points where I just wanted to give up because I couldn’t handle the pressure of getting a video out every single day. It’s hard to come up with new ideas every day, but I’ve learned to be more forgiving with myself. It’s okay to have off days; everyone does! I don’t usually get hate comments, but I have on specific videos, and those set me back too. I've been body-shamed online a lot, and it’s hard to deal with it when I’m not feeling the most confidence.

Who are some creators on TikTok that inspire you?

I am really inspired by Mikayla Nogueira and Kirsten Titus. I love how authentic they are to themselves, and they’re not afraid to be totally open with the audience. Showing your everyday life is so impressive to me; it’s not easy to vlog everything you’re doing. I’ve always admired how to open Mikayla has been with her fans about what’s happening in her life. Knowing that other creators struggle with mental health reassures me that I’m not alone. I love Kirsten's content because she’s hilarious and makes anything seem like a great time!

What advice do you have for anyone who has a hard time opening up to people about struggles that they are going through?

I would say to find small things you enjoy about your day and write them down. As simple as it sounds, looking forward to a few small things a day can make the bigger tasks less daunting. It could be something as small as having a cookie, but it really does help. Don’t try to force a conversation you aren’t comfortable with. If you aren’t ready to get help, it will be okay! You can also reach out to people who aren’t in your family, like mental health hotlines, because they are always there for you. Opening up can be difficult, but each day you work on yourself, it gets a little easier.

How was this past Vidcon for you and what was your experience there like?

VidCon this year was extremely fun! It was my first time going, so I didn’t know what to expect, but it was amazing. I got to meet so many amazing people and see other content creators I’ve always wanted to meet. It felt like a loving community of supporters, and everyone was so positive. There were so many activities and things for everyone to do, like a squishmallow claw machine!

Lastly, what advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell her to stop worrying so much about what other people think. I was always scared of being judged or disliked, but it’s really inevitable. Me not caring about judgment or hate has gotten me to the point where I am today! If I had given up when I started getting hate comments, I would not have the opportunities I have now. I would say to stay true to yourself and what you like because the right people will find it!