In Her Campus’ series Next Question, we rapid-fire interview emerging Gen Z talent about what it’s like to rule over the internet. This month, model and content creator Madeline Ford is in the hot seat to answer our burning questions.
If you’re on the beauty and fashion side of TikTok, you’ve likely come across Madeline Ford. She’s one of the many content creators who’s been able to grow her following and make a career out of posting on TikTok, which she started doing back in 2019. Since then, Ford’s TikTok has grown to over 2 million followers thanks to her wide range of content consisting of fashion, makeup, hair, and relatable storytime videos.
Along with her growing TikTok career, Ford’s also a model. She began modeling in 2014, but has since taken a step back from it to focus on social media. “TikTok has become my main source of income, just because modeling is so inconsistent and takes so much work. I also have to leave my house for modeling, which I don’t love to do,” Ford says in an exclusive interview with Her Campus. “I think I’m really privileged because with a social media presence, I kinda get to be picky about the modeling jobs I take. If they fly me somewhere cool or it’s a big campaign or something, I’ll do it as opposed to just e-commerce shoots I used to do before.”
It’s been four years since Ford posted her first TikTok, and she still shares content constantly. Though it may be a struggle to come up with content ideas for some, Ford doesn’t have that issue. “My content is very inspired by my everyday life. I talk a lot about my mental health… I think I’m just very honest about everything that I’m going through, which makes it a lot easier to live with content.” She adds, ”It’s really important for me to relate to people or inspire them in some way, whether it’s young women or related to mental health or sexuality or whatever it is. As long as I have that theme throughout my videos, I still feel morally on the right path, so I don’t fall down the rabbit hole of trying to make money or get a bunch of followers.” Ford notes that watching a lot of TikTok also inspires her content. She names Alix Earle — and her “GRWM” videos — and Victoria Paris as some of her inspirations.
While many enjoy Ford’s content and often find things in her life they can relate to, she often faces trolls and online negativity just like many other content creators. “Honestly, I’m not that good at taking hate comments or negativity. I’m a very intense person, so once TikTok started going well, I kind of put all my eggs into one basket and it was unhealthy for me,” she says. Over time, Ford found a way to manage the negativity. “I’ve been working a lot on my self-confidence in therapy. Music exposure therapy and my therapist really helps,” she says. Ford also credits a lot of her self-confidence to improv classes since “you have to be so brave to go on stage and be silly.”
With a career on TikTok, it can be easy to get wrapped up in posting content, but thanks to Ford’s extra-curricular activities and hobbies, she’s able to stick to a schedule. “It’s good for me to have something like my improv classes and acting. I’m kinda forced into a schedule a little bit — a big part of my week is I have a lot of classes and I’ll go to the gym and do pilates and stuff like that,” she says.
Having shared content for four years, it’s safe to say that Ford knows a thing or two about content creation. So much so that she offers a piece of advice for aspiring content creators: “[Don’t] lose the fun in it,” she says. “[Content creation] becomes so unhealthy and it’s easy for you to sacrifice who you are. If you just want to make videos that are going to perform well and get you brand deals, I feel like a lot of people fall down that rabbit hole and then it’s not fun anymore.”
These responses have been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
I get an iced coffee with extra oat milk and two pumps of butter pecan. I get one every single day.
What’s your favorite season?
Summer. I get seasonal depression. I love the sun and warmth.
You’re a huge Taylor Swift fan. What Taylor Swift song describes where you’re at in your life right now?
“Mirrorball” just really describes me as a person. I just did my Spotify Wrapped, too, and one of my top songs was “King of My Heart.” Whenever I have a crush on someone, I listen to it on repeat.
What are some hair and makeup products you can’t live without?
I love the Saie Super Glow. It just makes you shiny. I love to be super dewy. I also love eyebrow gel and eyebrow dye. As for hair products, I love Living Proof Dry Shampoo. I don’t wash my hair very often, so I need a lot of dry shampoo. I also love the dae Prickly Pear Hair Oil. Anything that makes me shiny and smell good, I love.
Describe yourself in five words.
Generous, self-aware, ambitious, passionate, and romantic.
What are some ways that you practice self-care?
Therapy is such a big one. Also journaling. I do a lot of journaling in my Notes app on my phone. It sounds superficial, but my skin care routine is a big one. Listening to music. I also love positive affirmations.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?
My No. 1 fashion inspiration is Devon Lee Carlson. She, her sister, and her mom started Wildflower Phone Cases. She’s the coolest girl ever to me. I just think her fashion is so silly and effortless and chic. I’m also inspired by Pinterest boards. It’s just a vibe and a fun way to express yourself.
What are you manifesting for 2024?
I am manifesting an acting role. There’s one I don’t want to speak into the universe yet, but I took a lot of acting classes during the SAG-AFTRA strike. I wanna take acting more seriously this year. As for something non-career-based: traveling. I’ve never been to Europe. I would love to go to Switzerland or Ireland or somewhere with big hills or castles that would make it seem like a princess would live there.