We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alonna Nicole. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alonna below.
Alonna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I started my acting career during Covid, in my 30’s. I was hosting Game Night for my best friend’s family, and one of the guests, who happened to be a talent agent, approached me afterwards and suggested I get into acting immediately.
I will admit, it’s something I always dreamed of but never in a million years did I believe I could actually do it. As a child, I took acting classes and was absolutely AWFUL. So, even though I felt in my bones, this is something I should be doing, I quickly fostered a new hobby and put the entertainment industry on the back burner.
My father was a News Producer, so I grew up on set and saw the inner workings what life behind the camera meant. I was obsessed with the anchors, and pretty much followed them around, but since I failed at acting classes, I never considered asking my father for help into Journalism.
I went to college for an Art Education degree, and in my junior year, I needed a work study job, to maintain my grant, so my Dad, who knew the head of the media department, was able to get me a job at my schools Television Network.
The two years I spent working at the tv station, honestly was my favorite part of college. I had so much fun, and something just felt right. I even considered changing my major to Mass Communication, but as a junior in college, there was no way I was about to start over. So even though, I knew I was graduating with a degree that I felt wasn’t right, I ignored the feeling and finished with a BFA.
It took me 10 years to start pursuing what I knew God put me here for. If I could go back in time, I would follow what was in my heart. Failure is the best lesson, and rather than facing that fear as a child, I ran to something that I knew wasn’t right for me.
One of my acting Coaches, Amy Lyndon, instilled in us that “It’s not the destination , it’s the journey”. I could be full of regret about my life decisions and not starting acting earlier, but God has a plan, and he was preparing me for my career as an actress/host.
I am now entering a new decade of life, clear headed and ready for whatever God has in store for me. I pray that includes hosting the Grammys & Oscars.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a professional celebrity troll. Since childhood something about the lives of celebrities appealed to me. I used to cut out magazines articles and collect them in one large binder. And my walls were covered with photos of celebrities.
I have appeared in quite a few commercials, as well as talk shows and most recently TMZ. My ultimate dream is to have a talk show dedicated to music and interviews. So as I await that prophecy to be fulfilled, in the interim, I started a Celebrity News Tiktok, which now has over 18,000 followers. I report the news from my biased perspective and I believe that is what separates me from other influencers in the same niche.
I report on everything from celebrity gossip to sports, (GO CELTICS) to politics. But overall, celebrity news is my primary content.
I have gone viral a few times, and have even been recognized in public as the “Breaking, Breaking news girl “ . Which by the way is a SURREAL experience!!!
I started social media, bc at the time, I had no professional host training. And without a journalism degree, it’s nearly impossible to get hired on as celebrity reporter, so never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that my TikTok would become so successful.
My favorite part about being a micro influencer is connecting with my followers. Nothing makes me happier than knowing there are fellow trolls out there.
Follow me @AsToldByAlonnaNicole
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My father died of Colon cancer 3 years ago. My life completely shattered and came to a standstill. There are days that I still can’t get out of bed. He was my everything. I was the definition of a “Daddy’s girl”. Even at my big age, we talked on the phone everyday, and at the time, my father was living in the Middle East, working for Al Jazzera.
I had just begun my acting and hosting career, a year before his passing. I had dreams of hosting the Grammy’s and my dad who always been my biggest influence and supporter in life, was going to be “my forever date”. So when that dream came to an end, 3 years ago, I was lost.
For 3 months, I didn’t act or work and even considered quitting the business. I didn’t want to be in this industry without him. Before passing, he would provide me with constructive criticism and so much insight, that, when he died, I had no idea how to navigate this life without him.
After years of therapy, I can now say his death is my motivation to complete what we started together. When I give my first red carpet interview, I know my dad will be right there with me, smiling and so proud, that I followed in his foot steps.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I started @astoldbyAlonnaNicole because I felt the world was lacking perspectives from real people. Not influencers or celebrities but from real people. I felt the urge to voice my opinions and surprisingly folks liked what I had to say.
My whole life I have been considered the fat, ugly, funny friend. So no one ever took me seriously, my opinions were usually laughed at or disregarded. So, to say, I was surprised by the amount of support I received is an understatement.
Even though celebrity blogging is an overcrowded space, I found my unique niche. And thats the best advice I can give anyone attempting to get into social media.
Do not be scared that, there are thousands of other popular influencers in that space, do what you feel is needed. You will be surprised at how many people flock to your page, as long as you are authentically yourself and passionate about your craft.
Understanding your product will help you understand your audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/astoldbyalonnanicole?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=ec0e57af-ab7c-482e-8908-333121c35372
- Instagram: @AstoldByAlonnaNicole
- Other: TikTok: @AsToldByAlonnaNicole
Image Credits
Headshot: Sean Kara