Daily Inspiration: Meet Genesis Hayes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Genesis Hayes.

Hi Genesis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Art has always been a constant in my life. If there was anything creative around me, I wanted my hands in it. In school, they would call me a “triple threat” because I loved to sing, act, and dance. Although I was very introverted, expressing myself through creativity is what I did best. I started by singing at church and on choirs at school, but those did not give me the creative freedom I desired. I delved into writing music and recording short videos on my iPod touch. I used to wake up at 5am just to watch the MTV music videos before school and dream to be like the artists I saw on TV.

I competed in endless talent shows, award shows, and showcases. As I grew older, I picked up new skills like playing instruments, modeling, makeup artistry, photography, and writing. I wanted to do everything! And I didn’t want to have to choose. Once I graduated high school, my dream was to become an actress but I really did not know where to start. I tried higher education and It just did not work out for me. Eventually, I delved into the world of social media. I started off doing comedy videos. I am always making jokes with friends and one day, I just pressed record. I even did stand up comedy during his time at a few colleges. Comedy was a way to make people smile and lift their spirits. Then, I started sharing my modeling journey on Instagram. I shared what my experience was like being a plus-size model in the industry. So many people were relating to the content and told me my story inspired them. That was the goal. I continued sharing my experiences on Youtube and built a community there.

Eventually, Tiktok was developed, and I used the platform to make short, cute videos to make someone smile. I had no idea the app would grow as we see it today. I have been on the platform for two years now and it is my largest community. Creating content for Tiktok has opened a lot of doors for me. From there, I have been able to dive into influencer marketing by doing brand deals and sponsored content. I love sharing all of my favorite products with my audience and showing them how it can fit into their routine. I realize that my content speaks to a lot of women from diverse backgrounds who can relate to my content and figure out what brands work best for them. I will never stop creating! It is by the grace of God that I get to do what I love. I am continuing to pursue all of my passions simultaneously, and it has been a blessing.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I did not grow up in an environment that cultivated my creativity. Unfortunately, I had a lot of adult responsibilities as a child which made me mature very quickly. My family structure was non-existent and I had very little support. Creative arts usually have little to no funding already, so due to my lack of support, I am self-taught in a lot of areas. I also dealt with major losses in my family and I went to a new school almost every year of my life. Throughout my journey, I’ve had my fair share of heartbreak, grief, and struggles that I had to push through. I did not have a stable friend group or anyone to trust.

I truly had to be self-motivated and driven to get where I am today. Maintaining a full-time content creator career is not an easy feat. I had to make many sacrifices physically, socially, and mentally. Time management and organization has been key, although sometimes I still struggle with it. The main reason I do what I do today is because I do not want anyone to feel the pain and depression that I have gone through. I want to motivate others to tap into their highest self. My message is to embrace confidence and remember that self-love is the best love!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Digital Content Creator and Visual Artist. These are very umbrella terms because I do a lot of different types of work. With social media, I create content for Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube, my Blog, Pinterest, Patreon, and my Podcast. My niches are plus-size fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and travel. Some of my other creative work includes modeling, acting, singing, dancing, cooking, painting, and selling items on Depop. I use my social platforms to also promote these endeavors as well. I try to show others that you can truly chase your dreams in every way!

I am an overall creative freelancer. I try to seek out as many opportunities as I can. I recently have been focusing more on my acting career and just completed some more acting studio classes. I love all of my passions equally so it can be hard to focus on one at a time. I am mostly known for my plus-size modeling work and sharing messages of body positivity across all platforms. By breaking down society’s beauty standards and stigmas, I have built a positive community that supports and uplifts one another.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The entertainment industry as a whole has changed greatly due to social media. I truly do believe that you can develop a brand through authenticity and creating content. Nowadays, there are many influencers who are even more popular than celebrities! These creators are shaping the youth of today. More than ever, I have seen influencers invited to prestigious celebrity events like Award shows and the Met Gala. Their level of success is accessible by “normal people”, although it does take an enormous amount of work.

Over the next 5-10 years, I believe the industry will also diversify and we will see new creators emerge. I am excited for the representation and inclusivity I am seeing develop in the industry, and I will continue being a part of this journey. I understand that I play a pivotal role in representing black women, plus-size women, and just women as a whole. We must fight any discrimination or corruption present in the industry. When we align ourselves in unity, we are unstoppable! I am already seeing some major shifts in the industry, and I am so excited for where we are headed!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.genesishayes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genhayes/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/genesishayes
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@genhayes/

Image Credits:
Marcellus Mcintosh Frezz Ngami Nayo A Photography Mesus Studios Ion Images Steve Bennett People in this city Photography