Meet Emily G Stephens | Influencer & Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily G Stephens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily G, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think the most important factor behind the success of growing my personal brand is remaining authentic. For so long in my life, I just wanted to be what other people wanted. This left me feeling empty and unsatisfied with who I was and what I was doing, because I was exhausted feeling never enough, trying to fit a mold I was never intended for. When you spend intentional time with yourself and learn who you are and what you love, you show up in places as authentically you, and you are able to accomplish what only YOU can! I think authenticity and creativity impact each other as well, and often when I feel the most successful, my creativity is rich and inspired, because I am showing up authentically.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I fell in love with theatre and performing arts when I was 8, so growing up, when I wasn’t doing theatre, I was watching it, and when I wasn’t watching it, I was listening to it. It’s always been a deep passion of mine, so junior year of high school when covid shook the world, I was at home when I should’ve been at school working on our musical. This caused me to search for other ways to make art and express myself, and after almost dying of boredom I gave in and downloaded TikTok.

I began making videos about my favorite movie, Mamma Mia, and those videos began to gain traction and go viral. As a high schooler, I deeply cared about how I was perceived and what others thought of me, so I thought this would be a silly hobby that I would erase any trace of before I started senior year in the fall. God had other plans.

I’ve always loved the fashion trends and music of the 1970’s and the energy and passion of the movies of Mamma Mia, but I didn’t realize that others around the world enjoyed them the way I did. The growth of my platforms has told me otherwise, and I have discovered a community of people that have shared with me how I have impacted them to find their style and confidence. I decided to take the insecurity that had shackled me for so long and turn it into a transformation that I documented so other people could take a part in it for themselves.

People from all over the world, who came for the shared interest and aesthetic, stayed for the strong community. In this digital age, it’s so easy to fall victim to comparison and loneliness, which is why I am proud to foster a safe and inclusive space on the internet.

Part time influencer and full time college student is not an easy task, and amidst classes during the day and 4 hour rehearsals at night, I have been able to grow and engage with my audience, as well as design my own sustainable backpack collection, and design my own shoe. Creativity and authenticity are core values of my personal brand, and are therefore pillars of my own business. As my community has been able to find their confidence, I have found mine.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well every magical outing starts with an overpriced iced drink from a tiny coffee shop, as I always say. I would take my best friend to get my favorite iced chai in Nashville, the cookie butter iced chai at Ladybird Taco.

Other parts of Nashville that I adore would be Turnip Green Creative Reuse. This is a crafting girls DREAM. It’s all donation based, so you can pay however much you want and they have every type of crafting supplies – from markers, pens, paper, party decor, yarn, sewing supplies and more. It’s a magical little place that is doing a lot of good in the world and I love it there.

Frothy Monkey is a popular spot but they have an incredible sandwich – the PMP. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.

Bagelshop is home to my favorite bagels in Nashville! So yummy.

If you’re looking for a place to dance (like my friends and I often are) we love 5 spot on Monday nights, and Casa Rosa on Fridays or Saturdays.

My home church is Way Church in East Nashville and I’ve met some of my best friends there. It’s a newer church and the community is so welcoming and special and I look forward to Sundays so much because of it.

Lucky Star Vintage has the best selection of authentic vintage in Nashville, and it’s within walking distance to Grimey’s, a famous record store where you’ll find your new favorite vinyls.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my friend Rachel Suddarth. She is a graphic designer based in Nashville, and not only does she inspire me creatively with her style and incredible work, she reminds me of the goodness of God and I feel blessed to be friends with someone who is such a walking light in the world.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilygstephens/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnd_X78Gu31gQglaXO7p2_Q

Image Credits
Lillie Redpath Photography
Sean Worth Studio
Siri Benrud Photography
Abigail Whitehurst Photography