Married at 28, divorcing at 29 — how I learned to own the narrative
At 28, I thought I was building the life I’d always dreamed of. I got engaged, shared it with my audience, and then brought them along on the journey. Over 10 million people watched my “Get Married With Me” video across my platforms. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, magnified by the fact that I had built this level of trust and connection with my community.
But a year later, I wasn’t preparing for another celebration. I was preparing for a divorce. The person I had married misrepresented who they were on nearly every level. Behind the curated moments and public smiles was a predatory relationship.
I took what could have been my deepest humiliation and turned it into a story of resilience. I launched my “Married at 28. Divorcing at 29” TikTok series. I wasn’t sensationalizing my heartbreak. Instead, I was reclaiming the narrative and processing what had happened to me in the most honest way possible.
Here’s why I decided to share my experience and how the experience shaped my career as an influencer.
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Choosing to Go Public
When your life unravels on a stage that big, silence feels tempting. Hiding feels safe. But, silence doesn’t set you free. Truth does.
I decided to go public about my divorce because, as a creator who prides herself on authenticity, I don’t believe in only sharing the good and hiding the bad. My audience saw my engagement, my wedding prep, and even the most intimate moments leading up to the big day. To omit the ending would have felt dishonest.
Authenticity is what has helped me secure brand partnerships, and I view it as my duty to show the full spectrum of my story. What I’ve found is that the best brands don’t shy away from what’s real. Instead, they embrace it. In fact, many of the opportunities that have come my way have been from brands drawn to my unfiltered storytelling.
When I announced my divorce, I didn’t do it in a breakdown video. I did it in partnership with OSEA – a skincare brand I genuinely love. The tagline was simple: “Glowing Through Divorce.” In my campaign with OSEA, I was able to weave my real-life journey into the promotion of their products.
These are the collaborations that resonate most, because they aren’t manufactured. They are born out of alignment. When they recognize that authenticity sells, brands are rewarded for their honesty with audience trust.
My partnership with OSEA wasn’t just marketing. It was a declaration.
I was showing my audience that even in the middle of betrayal, deception, and pain, I could choose light. …read more
Source:: HubSpot Blog
