Today we’d like to introduce you to Naimah Thompson.
Hi Naimah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Naimah Thompson, and I am the it Enby. I am a Black, fat, queer,
neurodivergent multidisciplinary artist. I was born and raised on the East Side of Atlanta.
I wear a lot of hats. I am a content creator, screenwriter, playwright, and actress. I’m better known for my elaborate makeup transformations. I am a tried and true DIY girly. From my makeup, hair, jewelry, and press on nails, I can do it all…for myself because I like collecting hobbies.
My journey in media began when I was in elementary school, I was apart of my school’s chorus after being influenced by Amber Riley in Glee. I was very connected to the arts clubs and organizations in school. Once in high school, I started to participate in theatre. I was almost every play that my school produced. We had to big budget. We brought what we had to stage.
I began to take theatre seriously when I was heckled on stage during my junior year. Because of my weight, a guy in the audience made a fart noise when I sat down. I broke down that day in front of my mom, and I kept asking “why am I treated so bad because I am fat?” with no reply.
From that day, I dedicated myself to create the representation that I lacked.
My current social media presence sits at on average I have 14 thousand followers, with my TikTok account sitting at 45 thousand followers with over 1 million likes.
I got to where I am today by just doing. My journey in the media space started with a need for validation. I wanted to feel real, and that I existed due to my intersectional identities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t been easy. As a person with intersectional identities, I face it all. Fatphobia, racism, ableism, and transphobia in real life and online.
The internet can be an incredibly powerful place. However, one of its pitfalls is that bullying and harassment can travel further out.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a content creator who specializes in commentary content on YouTube. I got my start with content from posting selfies and dance videos on Instagram when I was in high school. I eventually pivoted to TikTok during the pandemic which followed me on my beauty journey from makeup tutorials to developing my sense of style.
Some of my most viral posts are the videos that showcased my development through my teen years into early adulthood.
As time progressed I started using my platform for change. I made a video that currently sits at 305 thousand views about Clarence Thomas. It was a brief synopsis about his life. I posted that video shortly after affirmative action was taken away. To this day, people leave comments under that video.
That video made me shift. I did grow tired of posting beauty content. I felt boxed in, but not with politics. Everything is inherently political, especially in my life! I then posted a video about the state of the DRC, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how we now more than ever need to speak up about what’s going on. That video also took off in the algorithm.
I started receiving comments from Palestinian families in need to make videos on their behalf, and that I did or at least try. I have a dedicated playlist where each video was me advocating for nearly 80 families. It was a lot, and after some time I got overwhelmed.
I decided to step back from crowdfunding work to building my platform of YouTube. I started speaking my views and that took my channel off the ground. I dedicate that channel to discussing all of intersectional identities and their impacts on my social and mental wellbeing. The video that I’m the most proud of on YouTube is my “Hey Weird Black Girl” video that has nearly 50 thousand views. I expressed my thoughts about being a non-conventional Black girl, and it resonated with a lot of people.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Being the representation that I sought after as a child. I grew up with this feeling that I needed to be famous. The feeling came from feeling unseen by my mom. The thought was that if I was famous she would finally see me and give me her undivided attention.
I’m 24 now, and I have been through a lot over the course of my life. I feel as though my purpose here is to enjoy life in ways that were denied to my ancestors, but to also teach. My life is a testimony, and should be learned from. This is not to be taken as an ego trip, or narcissistic.
I try my hardest with every move I make in the industries I’m in to honor my inner child by doing the things I was restricted from doing as a child and achieving my childhood aspirations. I do this because there are plenty of children who wish to see themselves on the big screen and feel seen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://myspace4bunniionline.carrd.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bunnii.online/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCIoiCB5QjcuNZtB3syK42A
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bunnii.online?lang=en
Image Credits
@hannamiddphotos (for the feature photo)
