Welcome to Renegades, a series spotlighting Asian Pacific leaders and creatives who are carving their own paths and defying stereotypes along the way.
This week, we chatted with content creator, women’s rights advocate, podcast host and author, best known as TikTok’s “Crusader for Women”, Drew Afualo. From her hilariously witty content to her no-BS approach to shoveling misogyny out of the TikTok app via viral takedowns, Drew takes female empowerment to new levels and has established herself as a preeminent feminist leader of her generation with an audience of over nine million of social media. Drew’s new book LOUD: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve publishes July 30th and is available for pre-order now at drew-afualo.com.
What did you want to be when you were growing up, and how does that compare to what you do today?
I think I always wanted to be in entertainment as a child, but wasn’t sure what vehicle would lead me there! I just knew I wanted to make people happy in an entertaining environment.
Your content on TikTok, especially your viral takedowns of misogyny, has garnered significant attention. How do you navigate and handle criticism, and what advice would you give to others facing similar challenges in the digital space?
I try to remind myself why I’m doing it & who it benefits. I am constantly reminding myself that people deserve to know when they’ve said something bigoted or upsetting, and I along with so many others, deserve to stand up for ourselves! I would remind other creators to hold that close as well.
Your distinctive high-pitched laugh has become a recognizable part of your TikTok persona. How did you discover this unique aspect of your expression, and how do you feel it contributes to your overall message of empowerment?
My laugh & humor overall are arguably the most Samoan traits about me, and I’m happy to say the laugh especially isn’t specific to me. It reminds me of all my loved ones & family which makes it extra special to me. I think it serves as a reminder to my audience that we are more than capable of laughing in the face of bullying & can make sure it doesn’t affect how we feel about ourselves.
Hosting both The Comment Section and Two Idiot Girls podcasts, you've ventured into the world of podcasting. How do you approach the medium differently from your TikTok content, and what kind of conversations or topics do you find most fulfilling to explore in the podcast format?
The podcasts were such natural segues from my short form content because I can talk for hours about things I’m passionate about (obviously). So naturally, the longer medium helped aide me in that journey. The conversations I love having span from the downright silly to serious, and I think that’s the beauty of my podcasts. We can talk about something as serious as intersectional feminism as well as the jobs we hated in college, and it will always be led with love & laughter.
As a prominent figure advocating for women's rights, your impact extends beyond social media into mainstream media events like the Academy Awards. How do you balance your online activism with your role as a red-carpet correspondent, and what challenges or opportunities does this dual role present?
I think the balance isn’t nearly as difficult to maintain because my activism isn’t superficial. It is an essential and vital part of my moral fiber & who I am. I am so convicted in who I am and what I believe, which I believe presents a level of authenticity that everyone can relate to (whether they’re in the industry or just a consumer). I think the only challenge would be to remind myself that who I am is why I got here in the first place. I shouldn’t have to dim myself or shrink down in order to get opportunities in the industry, and so far it’s worked very well which I’m grateful for.
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In your upcoming book, LOUD: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve, what inspired you to share your experiences and insights in a long-form format? Can you provide a glimpse into the themes or messages readers can expect from your book?
My family and team inspired me to entertain the idea of putting out a book, and the belief that Questlove, Auwa & FSG have placed in me has truly led me to also believe that my words are worthy enough to be in print. I like to categorize it as a self-help book of sorts. The general themes are decentering men to give yourself the full and unabashed confidence you deserve in order to attain the life you want and, more importantly, deserve.
Growing up in a Samoan family, how has your cultural background influenced your approach to content creation and advocacy? Are there specific values or lessons from your upbringing that play a significant role in shaping your work today?
I don’t know if there are specific themes that have influenced my content creation, but I think my humor has been greatly influenced by my culture. We love to make fun of each other in a silly way, and it definitely helped me develop thick skin.
What are you currently working on that’s exciting you the most?
I’m so excited about the release of my book LOUD on July 30th andI can’t wait for everyone to have it! I also have a couple other exciting things I’m working on in tv & film. Overall, a very rewarding & exciting year ahead!
