Yeah, you said she's so sweet like a rapper. Me like a lollipop. Lollipop, lollipop. What the fuck is up, everybody? Welcome back to Lick it Like a lollipop. This is actually the first episode that we're having back for the new season, for season four, and we are popping off with a guest, so I'm going to leave it as a rampage. Yeah, so we've got Gabby Benacquista and she is the owner of Tainted Angel, which you all probably know what it is because she did a Bunny XO collab.
And you know, our following is very intertwined with Bunny's following as well. So welcome, Gabby. How are you today? I'm good. Thank you guys so much for having me. Yeah. So this is your first interview. Yeah. Yeah. So for pop and cherries and doing doing all the new things. So you're an entrepreneur, you own a business, but I know that you have like evolved into this. So let's go back to like who you were pre tainted Angel, pre all of the changes I know you've
made in the last couple years. Like where are you from? Are you from Ohio? I am. So I'm originally from Columbus, OH and I moved to Tampa, FL five years ago and I lived there for four years. So I just moved back home to Ohio one year ago this January. So I've only been doing the whole entrepreneurship for one year. A little bit of background, I
came from a strip club. I was a bartender at a strip club and my best friend highlight, he was already very established here in Columbus. He had Holy Center was popping off and he had this idea that, you know, he wanted to start a female clothing brand, but obviously men have no idea how women's clothing fits or how to market it. And I just knew the money was amazing, don't get me wrong. Like that was something that I will never, ever take away from the club, But I had no future in it.
I know that there was a ceiling to it. And once him and I just started talking about that and, you know, I was 27, I was 2726 and bartending wasn't going down a good path. I was drinking a lot to cover up a lot. And it was easy. It was easily accessible too. And I was getting paid to do it. So at the same time it in my head it was OK. But once we started talking about like, this is just not what I have destined for me in life.
We he was like, you know, let's just just move home and just, he always says trust your boy. And he was like, move home and trust your boy. And here we are one year later, and it's been crazy a ride. And one of my things is like when you are in an industry where there's like a lot of drinking and drugs and stuff like that, especially like strip clubs, but even just like the restaurant and entertainment
business in general. How do you kind of separate yourself from the people who are wanting to like party and and be going down that road and be like, you know what, I'm actually going to go like do the entrepreneur and like the responsible, like go get my bag moment. So I had a very eye opening moment that happened for me. I have a 5 year old niece right now, think she was around three
years old at the time. And what really made me change my mind about what I was doing was when she started putting on my outfits and saying Gigi, I want to be like you. I want to go to work with Gigi and I'm like, that is not what I want my niece to remember. Gigi Bai is these, you know, outfits and coming home at 6:00 in the morning and sleeping until 4:00 PM like that was. So that was honestly what was like this is it that I I can't because I love her dearly.
She's like my own. So I was like, I can't do this. Like this is kind of embarrassing. So I know that you have a pretty big TikTok following and I know that you have went viral a few times for a couple videos. And I love that video where you're like, if you can go a few days without talking to me, never speak to me again or whatever. And I probably. Love that video because that was so real. Like I felt that so deeply. So you move back to Ohio?
What does Ohio have for you? Is your family there? Like, do you have a lot of friends there? And you said you grew up there, so is everyone? Is that like home and everyone's there? This is home. I always knew that even living in Florida, I knew this is not my home. I, you know, I tried it for four years and my mom always kept saying give it a year, give it a year because my family actually moved there. So my mom, my sister, my grandparents and my brother all live in Florida.
So I moved there and tried to, you know, do the family thing and live in Florida and it just wasn't for me. And I have aunts and cousins and grandparents here and my stepmom and stuff, they're here. But it, it mainly was I'm such a, my friends are my family type people type person.
And all of my friends were here. You know, I was traveling back and forth from Florida to Ohio probably twice a month just because this was where I was unplugging at from the strip club and this was where my my friends were. My fun was. And because it wasn't my commute in Florida was two hours. So when you asked Gem and I, how did I separate myself from the ones that were partying and you know, doing drugs and whatever I knew at the back of in the back
of my head after this shift? I have a 2 hour commute home so I knew when the lights are coming on at two AMI probably need to stop drinking around 11:30-ish because that commute is going to smack the shit out of me, let alone if we go to after hours or anything. I was getting home at 8:00 AM.
See, and I think the people who end up taking themselves out of those situations and end up building something for themselves, they're always the people who are like, no, I treated it like a job instead of treating it like my lifestyle. I went there, I clocked in, I did what I had to do.
I made my bag, I went home. And I think that it really shows to you your dedication to whether you were working, you're working for yourself, but you're working for somebody else too, when you're, you know, at a strip club or, or doing whatever. And so it really shows like your dedication to your hustle and to yourself to commit to the driving 2 hours there, two hours back, making the responsible choices to be like, Hey, I'm going to stop drinking at this
time and go home. So like, I'm not surprised that you end up building something for yourself out of that because that's like a lot of self-discipline and not a lot of people can do that. Thank you. I never looked at it like that. Thank you. Were you interested in dancing? Is that what like what put you in at the strip club? Or did you just know, hey, I can make money here and. So it honestly, I say it was
like a blessing in disguise. So I was working actually at a radio station in Tampa, FL and I plan to move back to Ohio one year prior than when I actually did. And so when I was planning this, you know, me and a girlfriend of mine, we were going to get an apartment together. We had it kicked out. My move date was already set. I put in my two weeks at the radio station, it was done and our move fell through. I ended up not moving, but then
I had no job. And I remember posting in this like group on Facebook for servers and bartenders in Florida. And I just was like, look, I'm looking for a job. Like this is what happened. I don't have experience in bartending, but I'm very quick to learn. And someone, my manager from the club actually found me on that page and reached out and was like, look, I'm willing to train you. It's in Orlando though. So are you willing to make that commute? Our girls make great money.
And I remember I went in there, interviewed with her and I was like, these girls are carrying around stacks of money, like not. And we're not, we're talking about a Monday night. Like it's not supposed to be like this in here. And these girls had, I mean, it was already nine. It was 9:00 at night. The club wasn't even popping like that. And they were already just stacked. And I was like, you know what, I got to do it.
I got to do it. Like I have 0 experience in bartending, but we're going to fake the funk on this and we're going to make it work. And that's exactly what I did. Did you know about like, saving your money at that time and like investing in things for yourself and putting things to the side, or were you just like throwing your dollar bills around? I was blowing money fast because it was coming in fast.
And from I went from, you know, getting $11.00 an hour at the radio station that I was literally just giving my paycheck back to just my car alone and gas and tolls because Florida has tolls. And so I was like, dude, this sucks. Like that sucks. So once I was bartending and Monday nights I was making $1000 and it's cash. Like I was able to pay cash on my car, no one could tell me anything. No one could tell me anything like I have money do.
You think that what I was going to say, do you think that sets you up for like an unrealistic expectation of like what reality is 'cause I know that my, in my life's like life span over the last 10 years, Like what I wanted at 20 to what I wanted at 30. Like we're very different things. And I look back and I'm like, maybe I should have saved some of that money or maybe I should have stayed home longer or whatever.
And I think that sometimes you get put into those industries where people can make money really quickly, especially the sex industry, only fans, things like that. And I just feel like sometimes it goes to people's head about what's possible and they, you know, create this lifestyle or this persona that is very fragile and not long lasting.
So do you like that it took a while for you to adjust to like where you're going now, where there is more consistency and you have to put in work and there's more playing the long game, You know what I mean? Like it's not an overnight thing. 1,000,000% It definitely set me up for an unrealistic expectation of just life. You know, I only, I worked at the bar for such a short amount of time, but I worked so many shifts, so I was able to make so much money in a short amount of
time. And I think that's even something that I still struggle with today. I mean, even a year into being an entrepreneur, I think I still find myself looking back at, you know, wow, you know, I used to make this or, you know, I still follow the girls, I'm still friends with all the bartenders there. So it's like I see their posts and I'm busting my ass, you
know, doing this. And don't get me wrong, I will never discredit bartenders at all because it is not an easy job, but pretty advantage is real in a bar. So, and I'm I'm not going to lie about that. So it's like the the work is different that I'm doing now and comparing it to I used to stand around and look pretty and bullshit drinks if I didn't know what I was making and I would
make great money. And now I'm really putting in the work and really busting my ass and making equal as money as much money 100% more in the long run savings wise. But it's like it definitely set me up and I do find myself still comparing what I used to make on a Monday.
So I feel like too, we've talked, sorry, we've talked in the past on here about like, you know, we're weren't raised to be able to know what to do with large amounts of money or even money that goes above just like our basic needs and having to break out of like generational trauma cycles of like finance and always being worried about lack.
And it's one of those topics too where like everybody has an opinion on it. So you either have people that are super frugal and they're like, don't spend any of your money at all and or you have the people that are like you only get one life, like blow everything that you have. And so it is hard to learn like how to self regulate and be like, OK, but I got all this money like I'm going to keep on making it then because look what I'm bringing in.
And just because you have like a peak success at A at a time and it's rolling in, doesn't mean that that's going to be a longevity. Do you feel with your business like there's been like, what's it called? Like peaks and valleys where you're like, yeah, it's fucking popping. And then you're like, oh, it's a little bit of a lull. And I got to like step up my marketing. Every drop has been completely
different. I will say I've been blessed since day one that there is, I'm not going to lie about that, I there is. We have had one drop in a year and we drop two to three times a month. We've had one drop that did not sell out. I am, I have been so blessed for that. And I feel like I'm at such an advantage as opposed to some other people that do really start, you know, a business from the absolute ground up. I will never say that I did
that. I came into this blessed with my best friend's, you know, networks and connections that he had and, and his fan base that he already grew for so many years. And then just adding a girl to it. I was just at such an advantage. And then put them in some clothing that they've been wanting for so many years. So I just, I feel like I was so blessed with this situation that I will never compare mine to someone that has really got it out the mud because I have not.
But it's, it's just been such a blessing. I mean, literally since day one, the, the love and the acceptance that I've gotten just from so many people that were strangers and now our family. It's just I'm, I'm, I've been blessed. I've been very blessed. And you know, something that's really cool about that is like when you do collaborate with people who inspire you and who make you feel seen and heard, I think things are just more successful. And I tell Gemini this a lot.
Like when you are trying to sell something like these coaches we'll talk about like spiritual coaches, they're trying to sell you something and they want these $5000 launches where they get ten people to pay three or $4000 or whatever. And you know, they're literally getting 20 to $30,000 in a month based on you needing their services or needing them.
But it seems, and it is very scammy because there is nothing that a spiritual mentor could do for me for four or $5000 in six weeks that's going to do anything for me. And we talk about that. And I think that you are coming in at this point in like that divine feminine energy where you can be more receptive and receiving other than being like in that scarcity. Oh my gosh, I've invested my last $1000 in this drop and it hasn't sold kind of thing.
So it's like, yeah, I think that's where that success comes in. It's because when we go in in a more nurtured state where there isn't fear and there isn't worry or concern about how am I going to pay my bills if I launch this or if I, you know, give give this promo package to whoever. Like this is costing me money. And a lot of people just don't realize that when it comes to business. Like how how much it takes to like really invest in your
dreams. And so it's wonderful to like have that support for you because a lot of people have amazing ideas and they will not bet on themselves. So sometimes we need that person, you know, in our life that's like, no, I got you. Like let me help you and you help me. And so I love that because that does come back to you because later you will be able to inspire someone with your story and be able to share that message that like it may not happen the way that you thought
it was going to happen. But I know you had mentioned that you would always thought you would make some type of clothing brand or always wanted to make a clothing brand. So what do you think is like your biggest manifestation that is happening right now with like what you wanted years ago to like now? Like what is the biggest manifestation that's happened that has like?
Honestly, I'm being seen like that is it sounds so small to people, but I knew that I always was destined for greater in this world. I didn't know what it was. I didn't know how I was going to get there. I I didn't know if I was ever going to get there. But I just knew from day one. And my grandma has always told me this, the way I am in front of like a camera and where I am in front of people and the way I can interact.
And I'm such an extrovert. I just knew I was, I had so much more like for life and, and for myself. So it's like the way that I can connect with women, not only just being who I am, having the story that I have, knowing that I can connect with them on so many levels, not only through a, a piece of clothing, but it is really, it's just, it's such an amazing feeling. Like I, I don't even know how to describe it. It really is.
I feel like too a piece of what's going to have you like be attracting other people's energy, not just now, but in the future too, is the fact that you're able to recognize where other people are assisting you along on your journey and you have loyalty and dedication to those people. And I don't know how many times that you've mentioned, you know, highlight well, you've, you've just done this interview for, you know, the last 20 minutes or whatever.
But you, you give so much acknowledgement and appreciation. And, you know, there are so many people in the world who they get assistance in all these various ways, whether it be, you know, friends, whatever. And then as soon as they're starting to get a piece of what they consider to be abundance or success, it's like, well, I put in all this work, so fuck you and forget where it is that they're coming from and the, and whatever.
And the fact that I, I want to say something too, as you were like, you know, I, I didn't start from the mud up and whatever like some other people did. But truly, even if you have somebody else who, who has a following or has connections or whatever, you are still having to sell yourself and still having to share your energy with people. So like, don't limit yourself
too. Because like you, just because somebody else had work in and connections, that doesn't automatically mean that people love you. I've met amazing people who have some. Thank coochie friend and I'm like no fuck your friend for real you're. Selling. Yourself too, for sure. For sure, I think the way you know, I I live with light, so I am seeing it first hand what it looks like when hard work pays off.
I mean, for God's sakes, like the plaques on the wall, they're not mine, but I have nothing to do with that. That is his. So it's I think just being a family on the wall and just being a chapter in, in this book of his that I I wish I was around for the 30 some years that, you know, he's been writing it, but I haven't just the three years that we have been friends.
The level of success that I've seen this man reach and he's not even at his fullest potential is really so inspiring and on many levels as being, you know, his business partner, as being his best friend, as just being, you know, he's really a mentor to me in many ways, even though he may give me shit in a different way that somebody else may. But it's really, it just shows me like you can get all this, like this is possible. He has a story himself that is completely different than mine.
And all odds were against him as well. So it's like it really, I'm living in somebody's bubble that is showing me on a daily like this is possible for anyone. And, you know, I think that's what's really cool about like, life whenever we just go out there and live it and take risks. Cuz you could have been like, no, I'm going to stay in Florida and save some more money and I'll be home in six months. And then he had this conversation with someone else and they're walking into that
space. You know, it's like so many people sleep on their blessings because when the door is open, they're afraid to go through it. And then later they will be crying about the door because it closed or they've missed that opportunity. And that's what I always love about connecting with people on a podcast is every time you start a podcast or you talk about your podcast, people are like, I'm going to start a podcast, I'm going to do a podcast. Got a good idea for a podcast?
And it's just like when a person's heavily tattooed and people want to talk to you about tattoos, you know, like people like to use other people's success to like quote UN quote, inspire them. But really, like, I think the most beautiful thing about creativity is you never know what's going to open up for you, like when you're expressing yourself. And the one thing I want to say, and I know that this has been said before, but the whole holy center line, the quality is crazy.
And I really do want some Tain and Angel pants, but I'm afraid that the jacket size and the pants size like them being the same wouldn't like work for me. So I've been waiting to like go to the store in Columbus in a couple months when I go up there for the Jelly show. But like the quality just of the holy center stuff because I have some of it, the sweats and stuff, it's insane. Like it is insane. Like it is unmatched to what we're getting as like fast
fashion or like whatever. Like this should it is wild. And I loved like highlights business model about like giving away stickers because I've always done that. I give away stickers to everyone because like, I want you to stick this to your car or, or your door or on a bar or whatever. And so that's something that we've done for the podcast is like we're constantly giving away stickers and like promoting that.
And I think, you know, highlight has like started in, you know, one air arena, which was like music and stuff. And then he's just like sprinkled that shit around in so many ways. So he is very inspirational. And I'm really glad that, you know, he was able to connect us because, you know, I at first was like, not sure if you all were together. And I know everyone layer this out. Her and highlight are not together. You all, we know that you all. They're not. Together, not together, but
everyone thinks that. And I think that really just, like, is a testament to your bond, like your energy and chemistry together. So Gemini has recently been going viral on TikTok and is getting like thousands of followers a day and like, just really popping her shit. And yeah, she's like, really been growing and putting in all this effort. And that's another person. Like to say, like, hard work pays off is like, you never know when your hard work's going to pay off.
Like and I know like you did that Bunny collab and that I couldn't even get on there. Like I couldn't get on there to order one and then I missed the pre-order somehow. I don't know how, it just didn't tell me I think, but I get your emails and it was like sold out quick and I was like that. Shit went so crazy. I mean, we already had high hopes for it, you know, Anything we knew that we were going to do with Bunny was going to be out of this world, but that shit
went crazy. Like I, it wouldn't, it was the funniest thing because that week light was out of town and our brand manager Jackie was out of town. So, and we are just, we're a three man band over here. So fulfillment, design, everything is US three. So I had all these damn orders coming in. My computer was freezing up and every time I was getting closer to like I only had, you know, 70 orders left.
I think I was at 70 orders left for an hour because they just kept coming in like it was crazy. But that was, I can't even describe the feeling of seeing that drop go so crazy like that after just doing this for one year. That was something that people dream about doing years into entrepreneurship and going back to being so blessed with lights, connections and networks. That was one that came from him that I have been so blessed to.
To have been able to do that with Bunny and it was just amazing from day one to the end of it and I'm so excited if we do some more. Yeah. Do you have other things that you're wanting to like branch into? Like I know that you have this clothing line that you're doing together. Are there other things that you want to do independently or are you really about the like two man, three man brand right now and just like pumping that out? So that has been what I've been
focusing on for the last year. But after having, you know, some conversations with my brand manager that, you know, I do have separate following on TikTok that is completely different than what my following with Tainted is. That was something that I want to now that, you know, Tainted is now established and doing amazing and we're in a great
flow with that one. Now I kind of want to shift energy and focus on and my following and expanding who I am and not only doing the brand awareness for Tainted, but doing my own brand awareness. And so I have some few things coming up this week. And you know, your guys's podcast. This is just there's so many blessings coming from all different directions. That is, is for me and tainted will always come with me.
But it's, you know, it's Gabby. It's not you're the girl from the photo shoots or you're the girl from the pictures. You know, like it's me. And I do want to say like yours, marketing is great, like the marketing for your drop today. Did something drop today? Yeah, it's gonna. Be on Thursday it. Looks so good. And me and Gemina, you know, we live so far apart, like she lives in Idaho and like we don't ever get to do any good
marketing. So like that's kind of our goal is to like step that up, you know, because it is hard. We're both running separate businesses, then we're trying to run a business together from across the country. So, you know, I can imagine like how much ground that you all can truly cover, especially like I know that you set up your merch and handle all the merch on tour.
Let's talk about that. So for those listening and know who Doobie is, Doobie and Highlight are kind of like a duo and that's where the plaques on the behind the scenes are on the wall. And you all just went to Canada. Tell us about that. We did. So we did. We were out in Canada for 12 days. We we visited Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. It was beautiful, very beautiful. We're actually going to go back in July and hit Toronto and Montreal, but so, yeah, so we go
on tour. We did a tour from September to after Thanksgiving this past year and we went all over the United States and, you know, we are driving, we're flying some. But yeah, so I because we have, you know, Tainted Angel is a sister brand to Holy Sinner. And of course, Holy Sinner and Batshit Crazy go on the road on tour. Tainted is right along there with it. And I'm running the merch booth. I'm selling it and I'm busting
ass. And but it's so much fun to me because it's kind of like a merch and greet. I kind of make a a joke out of it because there's so many people that I get to meet that do follow me on Instagram or follow highlight and they know me, you know, just from his page. So when I'm getting to put names with faces and getting to meet people that I have been talking on, you know, to on Instagram that I've never met them, but we talked, that has been so much fun.
And that was been that's a journey on its its own. I've met so many people in so many places that I probably would have never chose to go, but tour took me there and it it's been it was amazing. Tour was just great. So many memories were made. I love that. You feel about people who know you because of social media, but then you meet them in real life and you're like, I don't fucking
know shit about you. Because like I met, we were out of the concert and I get a message and I and someones like, oh, are you sitting at the bar right now? Like with your husband, like ordering a soda? And I'm like. What the fuck? And she's like. Me and my husband have a table like you can come sit with us, whatever. And so we go over there and it was cool. But like she knew all this info about me and was like, how's the kids? What's going on with the podcast
and stuff? And I'm like, you know, like, how do you how do you feel about that? Is it an adjustment period? Do you get used to like, people know everything about you and you're just like I OK. There was a huge adjustment that was something that, you know, light kind of had to not brace me for. But tell me, you know, like, yes, you have been choosing, you know, the content that you put out there for your followers to see. But now this is different.
Like we're a family and the good, the bad, the ugly is all going to be out there. And but honestly, I have yet to run into any instances that I was like, you know what, maybe I should start drawing back on what I share on social media. I've yet to run into anything like that. And there was, I remember there was one time on tour, I forget where we are at and somebody asked me a very specific question and it was something that I didn't even post.
So that was why it kind of threw me for a loop. It was actually something light posted. And it was, I mean, months prior to what that show was. So I, he posts so much shit about me that I forget about the content he posts. And somebody came up and asked me what very specific question. And I looked at him and at first like I had to kind of like my face probably said a lot more than what my mouth did, but I was like, and he was like highlight posted, you know, a couple months ago you were.
And I was like, ah, I'm so sorry. Yeah, you're right. And so there is a few times that I have to check myself, like damn you. There's a lot out there that people probably know a lot about me. Like you said, know a lot more about me than I do then, but I like it. I I actually, I really like it because like it goes back to I'm being seen, you know, I'm not just at the bar. I was selling my body. I was selling my looks and then a drink came with it and not selling my body.
That probably sounds terrible, but the outfits that we wore, yeah, they got to choose what bartender they wanted to order their drink from. But so it's just, it's nice that people are actually, like, falling in love with me, like they are learning me. And that is the most rewarding feeling of, of all of this is that I am being accepted into this family. And it really is a family.
Yeah. It it really is a family because like that's the only like it's so weird how it all connects in like this big scale for me because like the Bunny thing is completely separate from like knowing highlight and all of them. And then like some of the other people involved, like it's so weird how everyone connects and like we. All got some back roads. Yeah, And then like, I'll randomly be at a show and like, highlight will walk in or someone random will walk in and
I'm like, what the fuck? Like this is just so random. And, you know, it's like a really big family because it spans over so many artists. And I think it really starts with like Yelawolf at the top of like the trickle, you know, and it trickles down to everyone else that's in the list. But I guess now Jelly might be like for most new people, like
above yellow wolf. But like, it all kind of started, I feel like, in the South American arena somewhere, like the whole family, like trickling down. But do you have anybody from your past? Like, this is one thing I've noticed. Like, the more successful I get, it's people from the past wanting to come back in your life and either gain access to you or let you know you're really not that special. You really ain't the shit I know you think you are.
Like, I have a lot of people that want to try to come in and humble me and be like, yeah, I remember when you used to smoke cigarette butts off the ground. I did. But here I am now. Had that is. No, I, I Honestly, I've had the opposite and that's because I've expected what you have experienced and the fact that I'm experiencing something different. I'm almost like, what's the catch?
Like is it fake or you know, like I have so many people that I went to high school with that I wouldn't say bullied me, but definitely looked down on me and then now all of a sudden are like sharing everything and Oh my God girl, love you. Like so beautiful. Remember that one time when I'm like I do, but I don't think I remember it like you remember it. So I think that's like a lot of things that I'm like there's a lot of people that I don't think
y'all remember our connection. Like I remember our connection and that's where I've been like I got to kind of remind some people like especially like not exes recently, but when this all first popped off, yeah, I had to remind y'all. I had to remind a few were no wasn't going to happen then and it definitely isn't going to happen now.
So I love that I. Love that because I think that Jim and I, me living apart, have had people try to come in and like get between US and like wedge in there and be like, did you know this happened over here or like, you know, just making up things. And we've went through that like big time Gemini. Like this time last year was
like snakes in the grass. I mean, people paying us for mentorship and like paying to be a part of our communities and then like completely poaching or taking clients, starting their own business. And like we are a promotion zone. We want everyone to promote themselves. Like, we love when people talk about what they're passionate about, but it would be like at the expense of like our character and Jim and I like that was traumatic, what we were going through there for a while,
like. So like we've had those experiences, right where you have people who latch on to you because they see that you're starting to get successful with something. And there's there's this thing where people kind of put you on a pedestal because they think that you are higher at something than they are or you have something that they want to obtain. And especially when it comes to like spirituality things, I think that people tend to look at us as like these, like
perfect, like healed beings. And the 2nd that, you know, you're especially if you're going into mentorship with somebody or, or whatever, you are seeing that like we're on our own healing journey. And the way that, you know, Rampage and I choose to do mentorship is like sharing the real things that we're going through in life. And our, you know, ceremonies and things are like, these are the things that we're really linguists. So we're going to go through it as a collective.
And some people just can't handle seeing that people that they were looking up to are just regular, normal, everyday people and they want to tear that down. But then, you know, those are people that we encounter after we're starting to like develop ourselves and have like quote, UN quote, like successes with
things. But then on the counterpart of that, we both have had, you know, people who come in from the past and they're like, Hey, you know, just a reminder of like, I remember when you know, you for me specifically recently, I remember when you guys were having to rent out an office building to live in because you guys like couldn't get approved on, you know, houses or whatever.
And it's just so like, it's so crazy how people can weaponize your past as a way of like, yeah, I'm still down here. But remember when you were down here too, instead of being like, oh, shit, you were here where I am right now. And look, you've done all this work to get here. That's so influential. And that's something that I want to do is like, people can almost make where you started from an excuse to stay where they are and use that as like keep
themselves down. And I support people wherever they are in life, but I never support you making yourself small because at some point somebody else was small. And so you feel that that's justified. Like you should be spreading your fucking wings and having all of the successes. Yeah, for sure. I think something that I I really stayed true to myself with was I've always been honest. I have never, I mean from the jump from three years ago when I had a BBLI have stayed so honest about that.
That is, you know, that is something that will always stay on my page because I never want to be one of those females that lied about how I got here or saying this shit is natural and making other people feel like, you know, that they weren't born looking like this neither the hell was I? This shit costs a lot. So it's like, I think. The real thing that I appreciate myself doing is just, I've
always been honest. Always from the moment that I was even deciding to get surgery to deciding if I wanted to share my, my journey with many people because that is something that I knew I was going to get criticized for. And you know it. It was like, I'm so happy that I stayed honest with everyone and I'm so honest to this day. And because it was like you either love me or you hate me.
There's it's a very easy option. You it, you can only go, you have a 5050 chance, you know, so which one are you going to choose? And that is something that I mean, even to this day, like I going through mental health problems that it shit is so real. And I'm never one to sit here and act like this shit is great. No, I was, I just did a photo shoot last week and cried for four hours before that photo shoot. But I was honest about it, you know, like because I, I'm honest
with my people. Like you're not alone. I I'm going to therapy too. I just refilled my antidepressants. How about you? Like this shit is real and I'm honest with it and I never want to make people feel like I'm superior to them and any other in any possible way, whether that is looks that I will always tell my girls, you like my lips, here's my doctor you like my body, here's my doctor. This is how much I paid. I will never gatekeep that shit cuz it's like you can be here
too. And that's, you know, that's something I find myself always saying to people, which I need to get out of it when they're like, you're so pretty and I'm like, you could be too. It's just a price. You could be too, you know, and it said that said they're like, where do you love your lips? They're so beautiful. You could have them like for the price of 700 to syringe like this shit is go buy it. It's if you took this away from me, I'm sure life would be completely different.
But I, you know, I invested in myself in multiple ways and now doing it, you know, mentally. So I love that. I didn't know that you had gotten a VVL, but I always knew that in those pants that you're, you were looking juicy. I'm like, damn. Like she fills those pants out. I'm like, and I see that you said you wore a medium and I'm like, could I wear a medium or do I need a large? Cuz I don't know. And I'm like, that fits so well and they're so form fitting that I'm like, I want it to be
perfect. So we're definitely coming to the store and. Please do we put everything in the store. Every time we drop, we put it put it in the store. So we would love to come check out the store. It's just a, it's a dope vibe regardless. I mean the electric chair in there from the paintings that Laney did on the walls, like the vibes there are just it's so much fun. It's a lot of fun every time I go in there.
So do you feel like on TikTok they're getting to know the more like natural vulnerable side of you? Because you said that you're following is different. And I've watched some of your content over there. And I mean, I feel like you're just more open over there. You're just like talking way more.
You're like, I know you've talked just like about a lot of stuff like dating and just like how people act and things that people do. And I think I'm going to start content of just airing out my DMS, like just airing out because my following was real spiritually driven. And now it's kind of evolved that I just don't have the same content. I just don't.
And now my views are so low because my following wants this old version of me. And I feel like MGK when he switched genres and everyone was so salty, but this man literally had a #1 record and album and like did the damn fucking thing, got little Wayne on the beat and everything. So I'm like, I just feel like that. I feel like I'm going through the change where it's like my contents evolving and I just don't really know who I am.
So do you feel like you're getting more vulnerable side of you on TikTok versus like put together Chrissy Princess Poppinership over here on Instagram and then on TikTok? Is like my alter ego like that is that's G Benny and then you get Gabby on Instagram like that and I I definitely relate with what you say about the changing of your content and the views. I feel that a million percent like when I present myself like cute and let's vlog and you know, let's give them what they
want. Those views are nothing. But then if I get on there and I talk shit and just I mean, and it's, that's literally what it is. It's car Chronicles of talking shit 'cause in my car, in my head, I'm talking shit in my car 90% of the time that I'm driving. So I'm just throwing that phone up there on the mount and I'm like, Oh, this is relatable. I had a damn video go viral about women getting the thong
cuts in their ass crack. Women know what we're talking about when that thong goes so far in your ass crack and you get that cut at the top. I made a video about that on some late night shit and it went viral. So I'm like, how does the dumbest shit go viral? But then these things that I'm like really planning out my content, planning out my vlogs and we're editing, we're putting transitions and putting time into this.
Y'all, y'all can't look at this. I'm like, you know what, on TikTok I give the people what they want. Y'all want me to talk shit? We're going to talk shit. Yes, I love it. So at the end of every episode, Gemini pulls a human design card. I saw her shuffling. Are you going to pull the card? I was or I am, and I was going to say it's like I have a so TikTok for me, TikTok. I can figure out the algorithm of TikTok and I'm like, OK, you, these are the kinds of videos
that you want to push. And every so often they'll latch on to a certain type of video that I'll I'll post. And so right now this video went viral of I was in a fucking moo moo at home and I was talking about like having witchy friends and snacks and being gluten free. And so that shit popped off. And so, and now what I'm finding is that anytime that I make a video about those topics, fucking views. Hundreds of thousands of views were pushing and we're getting, you know, whatever.
And so but then when I have my filler contents in there, it's like that doesn't get pushed and it doesn't get as many views. And so I'm trying to find my happy medium of like, I don't want to just be like the thick witchy bitch with snacks and crystals because like I have a whole other personality outside of that. But also my website is booked. Like you guys are bringing me money. You're signing on to Patreon. So I'm like, there's so many other things that I want to share.
But what I, what I struggle with growing is my fucking Instagram. And I think one, I'm really not consistent on Instagram, but two, Instagram isn't like your videos and your personality. Instagram is how do you look in a still photo? And you know, how are you aesthetically laying out your page and how's your branding? And so that is my, I'm just putting out into the universe that like I, I've got the TikTok
thing that I'm that's going. But what I really want to learn and master is that Instagram, because as much as people say it's a dying platform, it's not a dying platform for people who know how to utilize it. And rampage just got me on Snapchat. And so now all these people from like TikTok and stuff are following my link and are DM ING me on Snapchat. And it's incredible how many people just like want you to see them and just like respond and
be their friend. Like they just are like Oh my gosh, I love your videos and I feel so seen. And it's crazy how you can build so much authentic love and support with people by just connecting. And I wish that more people made themselves available to be personal and connect. Yep, I agree with you a million percent. There has been so many family members that we have gained that are mean, are loyal to their absolute core and it has all started over.
Yeah, them commenting and just, you know, responding to a video and being like, this was so funny. And I respond like thanks babe, like hope you're having a great day. That little response has now gotten me a loyal family member for life because that is exactly why I explain our family. I mean it. We they are for life first. So I agree with you a million percent and that is, I mean, it's hard. I agree with you. Like my following is on TikTok.
So that is something that just these last six to eight months is I'm trying to learn the Instagram thing because it's different. If you got the TikTok thing, it's not the Instagram thing. And that little boost post has been my absolute best friend and you know, doing collabs with people on their posts and when we're doing collabs with Tainted, you know, Bunny posting me and stuff that has helped me
so much. But myself, I agree with you a million that that has been hard for me still to this day. I mean, I'll look at my personal following. I have 11.7 how am I only getting 100 likes on a photo? Like I'm not getting it. I'm not getting it, you know? Like I know how 11.7 how are 60 seeing my story?
Yeah, that's so real because the other day Viking Barbie put me on her story and has millions, like 3 point something millions and she was, she just basically said she was like, look, this one probably wouldn't translate as well as if your tits were out. Like if your boobs were out, I'm going to get you follower. She was like, but you know me just putting something genuine out here. She was like, I have a lot of thirsty guys on here.
She was like, so it may or may not translate to like because I'm literally like followers away from 10K now, like just one or two away. And it has been so hard to get over this last 100 followers, like harder than any other transition or cycle. And the thing about Instagram is when they started selling the check marks, they only promote the people who are buying the check mark. And I'm not against the check mark, but I don't want to put my government name out there for a check mark.
Like, let me buy it. I'll tell you what my name is. And then let's not tell the world. How about that? No, like for my personal safety, let's not tell the world. But at the same time, like the way that Instagram is set up is it is play to it's pay to play. And that's what sucks because I will get hundreds of, you know, views on a story and like you said, 50 likes on a post.
And I've noticed that a lot, even with people with big followings have said that like Instagram will not let you grow right now. Like they're not promoting growth. People would use their platform more if there was a more explorable for you feed, right? Like the algorithm on Tiktok has a really good system. But what I've learned is that the last couple of years, if you don't do what Tiktok wants you to do, then they do not get.
Washed out. Yeah, that's what they've done to me. They're like used to go live for like 10 hours a week and now you don't do that. You're going to get 2 interviews like you're in and you know, Gemini out of the blue, she can't even go live, but she's going viral. Like it makes no sense. It's like they don't really want us to use their platforms. Yep, I agree. I say the same thing 'cause I'm like, I'll put in, I'll get good sounds, I'll get, I'll get it on
point. You know, my voice overs are hidden and I'm like 100 views like I'm not understanding it. And then I'll play, I'll do a video with absolutely no sound, no viral sound, no nothing. And I'm just talking shit and that it just goes viral. I'm like, I don't, I don't understand. I tell my brand manager all the time, Jackie, I don't get it. I don't get it. And I I get mad. I still to this day get mad.
And it does defer me from wanting to use TikTok because that shit's not easy to make videos on that. Like there's so many tedious things to it and you know, hitting it right on the time. And God forbid you're connected to a Bluetooth, you're going to be delayed on the actual sound. Like, there's so many things with it that it's like, once you finally get that video, you're so excited to post it.
Well, you just posted AT2O clock in the afternoon, so Tik Tok's going to throw that one under the rug so no one else sees that when they get off work. And it's like, God, I don't want to use you. I'd rather just put $10 on this post on Instagram and call it a day and know it's going to do great. Like but like you said, pay to play. Yeah, yeah, Jim and I do you want to pull our. I did. I pulled it. We got card 16 for Transcendence. We got a little Ocean.
Here. The sign is Gemini, the gift is fluidity, and the shadow is indifference. When you dive deeply into your talent with enthusiasm and unbreakable passion, your gift has the ability to break you open in the right ways. At the lower levels of this frequency, you build skill and talent surrounding your craft. From there, you obtain mastery and then ultimately transcend the process altogether. To transcend is to be one with life. You are both the instrument and
the conductor. You become versatile, fluid, and fully await. The energy of indifference keeps us locked in a cycle of endless excuse. Whether you've convinced yourself that this time isn't quite that time isn't quite on your side, or you're not exactly where you need to be to get going, the shadow seeps in. When you're not fully applying yourself in thought, word and
action. You have the potential to reach great heights with your extraordinary and unique talent, if only you'll let yourself get out of your own way. Indifference keeps you from breaking out-of-the-box and living, and that's so on point. That. Is so on point. I just started therapy Monday last Monday to help me with those things getting out of
myself. You know, and what you were saying earlier about TikTok is maybe that means that you need to do less trendy content and you need to just talk. And I've always wanted like my dream is to be like stitch this with XYZ experience and like me be the one that's at the beginning. Like what I'm saying, like stitch this with your worst dating or whatever. And honestly, I, I think that's possible on TikTok with anything
that's relatable, right? Like anything like what's the conspiracy theory that you believe that's not real, but it's real? Like that one went everywhere. Like that sound made it over to, to freaking Instagram. Like that sound was everywhere. And if we've noticed anything, like all it takes is that one moment your sound, your song, your video, and next thing you know, you know you have a whole new set of eyes on you. So what's a message that you want to leave your following everyone with?
Everyone that's going to listen to this interview? What's a message that you want to leave them with? Stay true to who you are. Don't forget, you are going to go through so much shit in life and there are going to be so many people that are going to try and mold you from many directions. But stay true to who you are. Do not forget who you are and your core values and you will go so far in this world and be happy. You'll be so happy. I love you. Thank you so much, Gabby, for being here.
We are so excited to have you on our podcast. So everyone will have all of her links in the description. We'll have her website. We're also updating our website. So there's a lot of changes that will be happening on our website. We think we're going to like feature our guest on the website for a couple months as well. So you all tap in and we will see you all next time in Candyland.