We had the good fortune of connecting with Mandy Brooke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mandy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is literally not giving a single f*ck. Early in my entertainment career, I REALLY cared what people thought. I constantly fit myself into boxes to appease Nashville music execs and publishers. I thought if I could be palatable, I would succeed. But the moment I embraced who I truly was was the exact moment I found my audience! I leaned into my originality and trusted my instincts. And millions of views later, I am steadily building a career that is 100% my own. See, life is extremely short, and if we waste it waiting on others to validate us, we’ll be waiting forever. I aim to validate myself. I stay in my own lane. I don’t compare myself to others. And I trust that whatever magic I have inside my weird mind will manifest into the reality I desire. So far, it’s been working!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what attracts people to my content is my honesty and relatability. I tend to say (or sing!) what people are too embarrassed to say out loud. Whether it be about aging in our 30’s and having to buy orthopedic shoes, or sharing dating fails, I’m just brutally honest, and I’m not afraid to make fun of myself!

It definitely wasn’t easy getting here! I spent years hustling in Nashville as a songwriter playing shows, working service jobs, building websites, and auditioning for acting parts. But every struggle and setback taught me what I needed to know for this era of my life. When I went viral for the first time last summer and my online presence began growing, I had the groundwork in place to know roughly what to do to capitalize on my growth. And if I didn’t know, I figured it the f*ck out.

The hardest lesson I’ve learned in entertainment is that no one is gonna save you. No one is coming to give you a major label contract and solve your problems. No manager or agent is gonna sign you simply because you’re talented. You have to work, b*tch. You gotta put yourself out there. You gotta learn social media even if you don’t want to. You have to be scrappy and hustle. The internet has given us the power to create our own careers, and if you wait for someone to help you, you’re wasting your potential. Stop making excuses and start doing. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be YOU.

My one goal with my career is to lift the vibrations of the world. We live in a time of immense hate and discord. And I want to be the beacon of unhinged hope that brings a smile on someone’s face on their darkest day. Singing about taters on Thanksgiving isn’t gonna change the world, but it will make someone laugh! And I trust that that ripple of good will spread to others around them, and so on. My goal isn’t to change the world, it’s to bring a little light in it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Two words: ESPRESSO MARTINI.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this Shoutout interview to my parents, especially my Mom. Mom’s brash and funny commentary on my weird antics has become a favorite amongst my followers. But make no mistake; she is the most supportive person in my life. She has always encouraged me to be my most authentic self, and is the first to watch all my videos. I often hear her listening to my songs, laughing in the other room, lovingly saying, “Jesus, Mandy what am I gonna do with you?” – A sentence I have heard about 300,000 times since I was 2. The most fulfilling moments in my career so far wasn’t being on the TODAY show or landing big brand deals… it’s the quiet moments on my front porch when my parents say they’re proud of me. Even in my 30’s, it’s still the fuel I need to keep pushing forward.

Website: www.MandyBrooke.com

Instagram: @MandyBrookeOfficial

Facebook: @MandyBrookeOfficial

Youtube: @MandyBrookeOfficial

Other: Mandy’s Original Podcast; “Broken Bitches Guide” available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Buzzsprout and more!

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