Interview by Carol Wright | Photos Courtesy of Natalya Toryanski
Natalya Toryanski has taken the internet by storm with her videos that parody influencers idiosyncrasies. Toryanski talked to NYOTA about how she gets ideas for videos, being inspired by Emma Chamberlain, and not being afraid for people she knows to see her posts.
What made you want to start posting on TikTok? Did it start with the intention to see if you could build an audience or were you aiming to post something funny and things snowballed from there?
Since 2018, I’ve had a strong desire to create and post content that I find entertaining but it wasn’t until fall of 2022 that I finally brought myself to publish my content. I always knew that I could build an audience if only I had the courage to make my content public. Once I started posting a couple things every day, things began to snowball and posting became part of my daily routine. I’d finally made a habit of doing the thing that I’d always wanted to do.
To get ideas, are you often taking note of certain influencers behaviors as you scroll online?
Most of my inspiration comes from my daily experiences in the real world. I do, however, gain inspiration by scrolling on TikTok and I will often hear a topic that I immediately want to touch on. I do impressions on TikTok but I also create beauty, makeup, and hair care content as well as nutritional education, cooking videos, life advice, social and cultural commentary, day in my life, skit comedy and silly conversational videos. I’d say most of my inspiration is divinely inspired. I’ll be laying in bed at night and a viral video idea will spawn into my brain.
Your followers are truly tapped into your sense of humor. Why do you think your content has been resonating with people?
My followers are the best. The way that they riff off of my jokes so effortlessly makes me laugh so hard. There’s a sense of community between my followers and me because we’re in on the same inside jokes that reference my videos past – you just had to be there. My followers often tell me that I behave in the ways that they wish they could. I think that a lot of people live vicariously through my intensity when they can’t do so themselves. I just let it fly and people seem to be fascinated by that.
On the flip side there will always be people who might not get your humor, one example being some of the backlash after you poking fun of the bland influencer voice. How do you deal with online discourse and the ups and downs of having a large following?
Handling a massive influx of feedback isn’t an issue for me. I know that when I put my opinions and content out onto the internet for millions of people to watch and engage with, I am subjecting myself to scrutiny. I don’t mind. It’s a good thing to strike an emotional chord in your audience. Who wants to watch a creator who is agreeable, mild-mannered, and people-pleasing 100% of the time? I don’t.
When you were younger were you someone who was very into YouTubers and Vine influencers?
I was very into Vine when it came out in 2013. I wanted to be a Viner so badly but I was only 11 years old and the biggest creators on the app were an entire decade older than me with the resources to create strategically and consistently. So, I watched these Viners from afar as I navigated my way through 7th grade. I used to love the MAGCON boys, Princess Lauren, Tasia Alexis, and so many other iconic Viners. They really were trailblazers for short-form content and the subsequent birth of “the influencer.” It wasn’t until almost a decade after the birth of Vine that I assumed content creator status myself. I always knew I would take up social media, I just didn’t know when or on which platform. I also loved Emma Chamberlain’s YouTube channel circa 2018 and 2019. I was fascinated by her high energy and casual lack of concern with looking perfectly manicured. You best believe I was sporting the frizzy bun and brown sherpa jacket inspired by none other than Ms. Chamberlain.
In order to create your videos you obviously have to be very online and aware of trends and internet slang. How do you balance that with also taking breaks from your phone or having time not focused on social media?
I am definitely on my phone a lot because it’s my job. I try to post my content and then get off my phone until I want to post another piece of content. Post and go, post and go. I’m mindful of and try to avoid the endless scroll trap. Plus, scrolling endlessly leeches my creativity and energy that is swirling around in my brain. I don’t go on my phone for the first hour of the day. This way, I can begin the day clear-headed without being bombarded by a social media frenzy. It’s not only important, but absolutely essential to live in the real world.
With a potential TikTok ban on the horizon are you brainstorming other platforms to focus on and ways your content can grow and evolve?
I am actively growing my Instagram right now and I plan to branch out to other platforms! I will launch my highly requested podcast at some point which I’m extremely excited about! And I will no doubt pursue YouTube as well. You can’t go wrong with the classics!
What advice do you have for aspiring content creators?
I love answering this question. These are all pointers that I wish that someone would have told me years ago while I was consumed by hesitancy and blockages.
- Consistency is key. If you can’t be consistent with your content, and I mean posting 5-10 times a day on all platforms, then you’ll struggle to gain an audience’s loyal attendance.
- Don’t be afraid to upset people. Being polarizing is actually a strength when it comes to building a brand image or getting people to rally behind you. Someone somewhere is always gonna be mad so lean into controversy.
- You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. When an idea is good, that is, when it goes viral or receives a massive influx of positive feedback, make the same video 100 more times.
- When you get an idea, strike while the iron is hot. The passion of your idea dwindles the longer you dont act on it.
- Don’t take hate personally. Nothing is personal and these people don’t know you.
- Your desire has to outweigh your fear or concerns. You have to desire the goal more than you fear how your peers or strangers perceive you.
- Every single person you’ve ever known or have spoken to in your life will 100% see your content and if that truth is too difficult to accept, then social media isn’t the career path for you.
And have fun with it! All I ever want to do is entertain the masses, make people laugh, and have fun with my creations.