We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mattie Newlin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mattie below.

Mattie, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Looking back, I wish I had started my creative career sooner, but at the same time, I can’t change the past, and I try to remind myself that in your 20s, you’re still figuring out life. It’s the time when you’re navigating adulthood for the first time—learning who you are, figuring out what you really want, and trying different things. I graduated with a degree in Film and TV in 2022, and back then, my passion was all about directing. I loved creating all sorts of films—music videos, fashion films, documentaries—and that excitement for directing pushed me forward.

But after college, I found myself feeling stuck. I was applying for PA jobs, but I just wasn’t motivated. It started feeling like a chore, and the film industry wasn’t the 9-to-5 job I had imagined—it was unpredictable. It was hard to stay focused on something that didn’t light me up the way I expected.

Then, in the summer of 2023, I rediscovered my passion for content creation and marketing. I started a YouTube channel back in high school, posting fashion and comedy videos. Unfortunately, I was bullied back then, and I quit during my junior year in 2017. But returning to it in 2023 was a completely different experience. I had grown, matured, and became more confident in myself. It felt so nostalgic and liberating to jump back into something that had once brought me so much joy, and this time, I was ready for it.

Now, I’ve built a following of 6k on social media and have had reels go viral (the highest is at 11.6 million), and I’ve had the chance to collaborate with incredible brands like Prada, Valentino, and Mugler. Looking back, if I had started sooner, I might have felt more prepared and would have a bigger following now, but starting later allowed me to really understand myself and build the confidence I needed to truly pursue what I loved.

I’m grateful for how everything unfolded. Sure, I wish I’d started sooner, but I’m proud of where I am now and the journey I’ve had. It’s taught me that timing is everything, and I wouldn’t change the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up in New York City and am currently based in Brooklyn. My story is incredibly emotional, and I’m beyond thankful for the life I have. I was adopted from China, where I was found on the side of the road due to the One-Child Policy. I was taken to an orphanage where you would stay there until the age of 7, and then live with a foster family and start working in a factory. The head of the orphanage wanted more for me. He made an empowering move and transferred me to a different orphanage, which ultimately led to my international adoption. My mom always reminds me that I “charmed my way out of China before I could walk or talk,” so I can do anything.

Growing up, I developed a love for films and fashion, and I was always drawn to visual arts. I spent countless hours watching old Hollywood films from a young age and visiting museums that transported me to different eras. I eventually pursued my passion for storytelling at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I studied directing. Music videos, documentaries, horror films, fashion films – I loved them all!

After school, I transitioned from directing to content creation, and it felt like going back to my YouTube roots. I started collaborating with brands, creating engaging videos, and entertaining people with short-form, relatable content. Now, I work as a content creator for various companies, helping them grow their audiences through strategic, fun, and authentic marketing.

I’ve had a pretty diverse career journey, from fashion and skincare to Web3 and private blockchains, and I always bring my Gen Z humor and relatability to every project. What sets me apart is my versatility. Whether it’s producing a deeply emotional documentary, empowering women through powerful storytelling, or acting in comedic videos that make people laugh while doom scrolling, I can handle it all.

What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come, from an orphanage in China to building a career where I get to share my creativity with the world. I feel like I have a purpose being here in New York with this amazing life, it’s truly a miracle. My goal is to create content that resonates, entertains, and connects with people on a personal level, while helping brands amplify their message in an authentic way.

I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that I’m here to bring not just creativity but also a genuine passion for the work I do. I always strive to create content that’s not only engaging but meaningful and real. I’m a storyteller.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand about my journey is how much art and creativity shape our daily lives, even when we don’t always recognize it. People often make fun of fields like communication marketing, acting, or even influencers, but they don’t realize that everything they enjoy—whether it’s movies, ads, or social media content—is a form of art. Without creativity, the world would be dull and uninspiring. Everything from the brands we love to the shows we watch exists because someone took the time to put their artistic vision into it. Another struggle that non-creatives don’t understand is the work timeline with creatives and the juggle of different roles. For example, as i’m working on content creation for numerous companies, I also have an acting manager for tv series and commercials, as well as finishing up a short animated film that I plan to submit to film festivals. This doesn’t apply to ALL creatives, but I know most in our 20s want to experiment and explore everything.

As a content creator, one of the biggest challenges is finding a unique niche that feels authentic while still being appealing to others. There’s also the struggle of maintaining a balance between sharing enough to connect with an audience and keeping parts of your personal life private. I don’t do talking videos, and I don’t feel the need to share every detail of my family or friendships with my followers, like some creators do, for example. But at the same time, I know people want to relate to you, so it’s a tough line to walk.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

A fun fact about my journey is that my account actually started as a Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez fan page—back when I had about 500-600 followers, though I can’t really remember the exact number since it was so long ago. As I got older, my love for fashion and modeling took over, so I started posting outfit pics in college and I loved posing! I really enjoyed having photoshoots with friends and photographers. That’s when I started seeing my following grow. After college, I got into posting reels, and that’s when I found my groove. I wanted to create content that was comedic and relatable—something that people could connect with.

One of the most special moments for me was when I was doing YouTube in high school. A follower recognized me and came up to me one day when I was walking on the street and asked for a picture, and I was honestly so emotional. That moment really showed me how powerful it is to inspire others and to make people feel like they belong. My goal has always been to be welcoming, entertaining, and to make people’s day a little bit better through my content.

For anyone just starting to build a social media presence, my advice is to be authentic and stay consistent. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or compare yourself to others, but your uniqueness and kindness is what will make you stand out. Focus on building a community that vibes with you, not just numbers. And remember, it’s about connecting with people, not just creating content.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattie.newlin/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattie-newlin-83067b1b6/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattienewlin

Image Credits

Ally Wei, Erin Krueger, Tatum Tran, Cheng Gong