She’s taken over your for you page, and she looks good doing it. Meet Tarayummy, a prominent figure in today’s social media landscape. She embraces authenticity as an Instagram model, YouTuber, and influencer. With a dynamic presence across various platforms, Tarayummy has garnered substantial recognition and a devoted following. Her ability to connect with her audience and provide interesting content has drawn a large following, solidifying her place as one of the most well-known and significant creators of her generation.
Recently gaining recognition on TikTok for her unapologetic lifestyle and fearless mindset, Tara is one of the most authentic influencers I’ve seen recently. She shares her life and her stories with humor and mirrors that friend that you love to FaceTime because she’s so fun. My most recent favorite video of hers was her updated makeup routine. While she showed you how to do her iconic look, she also rambled about how she usually just goes out and eats Taco Bell (drop the order!) and how she’s scared of taking off her makeup because she feels like “something is going to get her in the dark.” Her specialty is creating light hearted fun videos that make you laugh; a similar feeling that you would get when hanging out with a friend.
Growing up, I feel like all the influencers in the 2000’s space were these perfect model types of women, extravagant lifestyles that seemed so unachievable. Their life was perfect and the standard of what you wanted for your future — which is why I feel so many girls looked up to them. They were role models of being beautiful, clean, and thin. Like many girls in college, I watched all of the Victoria Secret model shows, YouTubers who loved a good morning routine, and every model on the cover of Elle. They seemed untouchable — a beautiful display of what I should be and look forward to as a young adult woman.
So, why are we seeing a sudden prominence from influencers like Tarayummy and Tana Mongeau? They’ve been around since the late 2010’s, yet are recently blowing up with success. The way I see it, people are gravitating towards influencers who seem more authentic. You don’t want to constantly see the standard of what people expect you to be — you want to see people who make you feel seen.
This new generation of influencers challenge the unrealistic standards set by the past, promoting a message of absolute confidence and self-acceptance. They’re relatable, and they seem just like us. They embrace being lazy, they swear and use the same slang. It’s the same behavior from any teenage girl, and that’s what makes it feel so special. They don’t try to be the best standard, and don’t pretend to be either. It’s about having fun in life and not restricting yourself. They seem real in all ways — even in their hardships.
Just like Tarayummy, Tana Mongeau also rose to fame by being authentic. She has been open about her struggles with mental health and drug addiction, using her platform to raise awareness and promote self-care. Her honesty and vulnerability have been rewarded with a dedicated fan base, fans who appreciate her authenticity and ability to connect with them on a personal level.
With all the difficulties of being a girl in today’s society, I feel as though it’s important to have people in the media like this. Ones who show it’s okay to sleep in your makeup sometimes, to party, and be young. We should live life to the fullest and as all those old Instagram sayings used to plaster on everything — YOLO!