Suede Brooks

S U E D E B R O O K S

Suede Brooks was certain that she never wanted to be put into a box. Instead, she created her own box --- a self-made digital empire motivated by a passion for beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and a mission to empower others. As a model, YouTube creator, and digital influencer, Suede’s unique style and authentic content has attracted a loyal viewership from around the globe: using her expanding platform to not only share her life online, but to encourage confidence, self-love, and positivity in her audience. Today we had the opportunity to talk with Suede about her start as a digital creator, from an eleven year old YouTube enthusiast to a now seventeen year old boss in the making. Read our interview to learn more about our cover star and her journey in YouTube, modeling, and beyond.

interview by GISELLE MELENDRES @gisellelisabeth words by SUEDE BROOKS @suedebrooks

Suede Brooks for Issue 29 - The Self-Made Issue

Photography by @rileytaylor

Hi Suede, thanks for chatting with me today for Mad Sounds. To kick things off, what’s a typical day in the life for Suede Brooks?

Thank you so much for having me! I had so much fun shooting with Riley! A typical day in my life is hard to describe because I’m always waking up in a different location and traveling a lot, but usually I’ll wake up at around 9 AM, take my morning shower, and make my favorite smoothie to start my day. Sometimes I have meetings, shoots, or events to attend so depending on my schedule that day I’ll plan out when to get ready, etc. No matter what I try to set aside time to film for my YouTube Channel, where I share beauty and fashion tips with viewers around the world. I love having my viewers follow along during my everyday life, so whatever I’m doing, I’m usually documenting that through Instagram stories and Snapchat as I go about my day. My favorite meal is dinner so I’m always looking forward to that- and I tend to stay up until very late in the night because that’s when I like to edit my videos most!

You’re based in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas-- what do you like about living in both cities?

I have such a love for both cities but in such different ways. Los Angeles has allowed me to pursue my dreams, my goals and my career. As for Las Vegas, my mother and sister live there and every time I go back, I get to spend time quality time with them and see the people I grew up with, which allows me to be a ‘normal kid’ for a while… it’s definitely a nice break from the chaos of Los Angeles.

What are some of your favorite spots in Los Angeles?

I have so many! One of my favorite places to eat right now is Green Table, it’s vegan and so yummy. Some of my go-tos that are tried-and true classics include Zinque, Joan’s on 3rd, Toast, and Catch. I love being outdoors and any chance that I get to be outside, I’m there. I love hiking Runyon Canyon or a hike in Malibu is always great. I also love to shop on Melrose and Fairfax. Those are the two areas in LA where I get a lot of my style inspiration. It’s so vibrant and everyone has amazing style.

You’ve been on YouTube since 2013. Could you tell us a bit about how you first started? What made you want to start your own YouTube channel?

I started YouTube when I was 11 years old! I was severely bullied throughout middle school and I would sit in my room and watch young girls put on makeup on YouTube for hours on end, and one day I woke up and tried it. Somehow it worked out for me! I have such a passion for inspiring girls my age to look and feel their best at all times even when they’re at a low point in their life, because I’ve been there and there is always better ahead!

Your videos are based in lifestyle, fashion, and beauty related content, however, your videos delve into much deeper content than simply ‘lifestyle’. What message do you hope to evoke to your audience through your YouTube videos?

The one message I like to evoke to my audience is “If I can do it, you can”, and to convey a message of hope. This is something I feel very strongly about because I hit an all time low at 12 years old, was severely depressed, self conscious, and not comfortable in my own body. To have a chance to share my whole story with an audience is the most amazing feeling and makes me ecstatic because I feel like it enables me to relate to people on a very deep level, and hopefully help someone.

Having a such a large online presence comes with negatives at times, namely, hate comments and criticism online. How do you deal with hate?

I get this question all the time and there’s no recipe for learning how to deal with hate. When I first started YouTube I would receive hate comments all the time and from the start I just laughed at them because at the end of the day, I had one goal and dream and that was to help young girls around the world and nothing was going to stop me. I still get criticism to this day on everything I do but I have just come to the conclusion that you’re not going to always make EVERYONE happy. If you focus on your goals, keeping yourself and your loved ones happy, and being a good person, the hate can’t get to you as much, so that’s what I do.

What advice would you give an aspiring content creator hoping to have a successful YouTube channel like your own?

One piece of advice would be to always be yourself and not mimic or copy someone just because they are doing well. This is something that took me a while to learn because I would see all these creators blowing up out of nowhere but all their content was the same and I didn’t want to be put in a box - I wanted to create my own box. I stuck to my guns and stayed true to myself, my vision, and my style and I think that has paid off and resulted in an authenticity in my content that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

I didn’t want to be put in a box- I wanted to create my own box. I stuck to my guns and stayed true to myself, my vision, and my style and I think that has paid off and resulted in an authenticity in my content that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Modeling is another huge part of your daily life and career. When did you first discover your passion for modeling?

This passion has always been with me ever since I watched the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show when I was 8 years old. I didn’t start taking it very seriously until I was about 15-- that was when my YouTube channel really took off and everything was happening at once. I had always dreamed of doing worldwide campaigns and driving down the street and seeing my face in windows and billboards etc. and the fact that I get to live my dream every day is the most surreal thing to me to this day, and I’m very grateful.

When did you first recognize that modeling was a potential career path for yourself?

I first recognized this deep passion when I signed with one of the biggest modeling agencies when I was 16 as a model and influencer. Once this happened, I set my mind to actually tapping into the opportunity and taking advantage of my height (which I had hated growing up) and running with it.

What is your favorite and least favorite thing about the modeling industry?

My favorite part of the industry is constantly being surrounded by inspiring young girls that do exactly what I do, and I love learning about the industry from the strong, powerful men and women I get to meet. My least favorite thing about the industry is definitely the competitiveness that comes along with it. This is one thing I struggle with to this day— thinking you’re not beautiful enough, skinny enough, etc.

What’s your biggest tip or piece of advice for someone wanting to pursue modeling?

Definitely to have tunnel vision with it. There are so many people who pursue it, and remaining yourself and not changing for anyone is definitely a challenge— but if you can keep that and run with it, that’s all you need.

Self-love is a topic that many people struggle with, especially growing up in a digital era where it’s easy to compare yourself to others that you see online. What is your advice for learning to love yourself and embrace who you are?

At the end of the day, all you have is yourself, so get comfortable with it and accept and love yourself! Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone has something special and amazing to bring to the table in this life, but if you’re too busy doubting yourself or not giving yourself the love that you and everyone deserves, it’s going to be tough to fulfill your potential and contribute something great.

What was one of your proudest or most memorable milestones in both your modeling career and YouTube career thus far?

Walking at New York Fashion Week was extremely memorable on the modeling side, and working directly with YouTube and brands as an expert on content creation has made me really proud on the digital side of things—to be tapped to advise such big companies is such an honor!

You have such a unique fashion sense and eye for style--what inspires your personal style? Who are some of your style inspirations?

I think my friends and the street style and culture in LA are what inspire me most. At the end of the day though, my style is definitely my own and it’s important to me that it stays that way. When I get dressed there is no formula and I just lean into what I’m feeling, which is what makes it unique I think. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like an outfit will come together but when I’m done it somehow works- so I’ve learned to trust myself! In terms of people who inspire me, I look up to a lot stylists- I’m loving Maeve Reilly right now.

Describe yourself in three words:Gregarious, loving, ambitious.

What’s one thing you’re excited for now?

Turning 18! My birthday is in February and I’m so excited for the event itself and everything it signifies both personally and professionally

KEEP UP WTIH SUEDE: Instagram/Twitter: @suedebrooks / YouTube: youtube.com/suedebrooks