TikTokIn honour of Pride month, we're profiling the best and brightest of TikTok's LGBTQIA+ community in our TikTok Creator Spotlight series in June so be sure to stay tuned and follow all the action at #ForYourPride.
This week we're meeting Onyinye, better known as @scarysappho - the ultimate source for all your style and makeup needs! From cool crochet bags and dramatic eyes to their signature #BlackVampire #DarkCottagecore look, Onyinye shares their creativity with their 63.4k followers. Want to know how to match your ear cuffs to your eye makeup or copy their striking silver brows ? Onyinye has you covered with their creative fashion and beauty tutorials.
But Onyinye's content isn't all must-have dresses, leather corsets and incredible eyeliner - they tackle taboos and bust myths about what it is like being a black non-binary lesbian in today's world. From opening up about their autism experience to inspiring us to talk more about our mental health, to educating us on pronouns and even sharing the cute ins and out of their daily relationship with their partner, Onyinye is raising awareness and kick starting more open conversations about gender, race, relationships and diversity in the TikTok community - and we can't get enough of it!
We were lucky enough to chat to Onyinye about their TikTok journey and find out what Pride means to them...
What does Pride month mean to you?
Pride month to me means visibility. It serves as a reminder to me of how far we’ve come and our duty to help the most marginalised in our community.
What do you love most about TikTok?
What I love most about TikTok is the potential reach. Your video is able to reach thousands or even millions of people who may not have ever seen your content before. It means you’re constantly discovering new people and new ideas.
Why is TikTok right for your content?
Tiktok is right for my content because my content is usually short. I like to show my outfits and makeup or just have a little video of me and my girlfriend. I like being able to just share little clips of joy with other people. It doesn’t require any pretending, I can just come as I am.
What is your favourite effect or challenge?
My favourite effect is the green screen. I tend to use it when there’s like a challenge where you post pictures that correlate to the lyrics of the sound. I also really loved the [as] challenge because I could tell it really pushed people and I enjoyed seeing all the creative videos people made from it.
What is your goal on TikTok?
My goal on TikTok is to reach anyone who’s in a position I was in about a year ago. Feeling trapped and like they can’t be themselves. Feeling so terrified and alone all the time. I would have done anything to see anyone like me out there showing me that I could have the happiness I so desperately wanted. Anyone showing me that I could get through all that I have so far and still be okay. Anyone showing me that I could make the impossible decisions I have. I want to be that for as many people as possible. My content may seem trivial but I know it’ll mean everything to the right people.
What else or who else is on your TikTok For You feed?
My For You feed mainly consists of black and POC queer people because that’s the content I interact with the most. I love being surrounded by people with similar experiences to me, it makes me feel so much less alone.
What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?
My favourite TikTok I have made is [below] just a series of clips at various stages of me running away/leaving home. I think it’s my favourite because it represented a huge turning point in my life. It was a moment I knew was coming for years and it was just filled with so much emotion - good and bad. I rewatch it often.
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