Monét Nejon: crochet queen, stunning model and captivating storyteller; three phrases to describe the TikTok creator.
Monét has gone viral on TikTok, amassing over 3 million followers on the platform and 34k+ followers on Instagram, captivating audiences with their unique crochet creations and gripping stories.
I had the opportunity to chat with Monét Nejon in this exclusive The Teen Magazine interview about the TikTok star's career, their creative process, future plans, and everything in between.
As we spoke, Monét's infectious energy seemed to make the room, or at least the screen, glow brighter. This, along with their creative content and captivating stories, is surely the reason why she has captured the hearts of so many fans and followers.
Getting The Ball of Yarn Rolling
Monét gained interest in crochet from an early age. "I started crocheting when my grandmother taught me when I was about 7 or 8 years old." This hobby, which she said she "wasn't really into it when I was a kid" grew into much more, a steady passion, and a source for a business, as she grew older. "Three years ago now, I really got serious about it and [decided to] dedicate myself to it."
As for where Monét gets the inspiration for their art, she remarked that it can just be from about anywhere. "I really get inspired by the world. Just everything around me, whether that be a color, or just the way a tree is curved. Anything, could be [an] inspiration for me."
The 24-year-old model and crochet designer has a certain artistic flair she sprinkles into each aspect of her life. She always likes to ask herself "What can I make that's bigger than life?" and this philosophy reverberates through each way she carries herself, from the personality, the hair, the makeup, and the clothing, especially, she notes, she does everything to "work towards that goal."
When she gets an idea, she sketches it or writes it down right away. "I'm going to be honest, I'm not the best at drawing at all," she jokes, adding that their physical designs come out looking much better than the original sketches. Putting it down on paper allows them to have an overall idea and make sure she doesn't forget it.
Photo courtesy of Monét Nejon management
Challenges Overcome: Yarn-ing On
When asked what challenges Monét overcame as a content-creator and crochet designer, she did not hesitate to say that the most challenging thing has been for people to respect the craft and art of crochet. "I feel as though people don't respect it, [saying] 'that's what grandmas do! That's not an art.'" She stresses that people just brush it off as something anyone can do.
"The most challenging thing has been explaining why the craft is important, and serious, and why it's artistic and free, and just so amazing, [including] the community, just everything! I've been educating people on what crochet is, and the differences between knitting and crochet, all the little niche things [about it], and why it takes as long as it does to create an entire outfit, [...] it can't be done by machine!" she highlights this last point as she inserts a few more stitches into the Bop Bag she is crocheting on video call with me, which is currently available on Monét's shop.
Hooked on Their Crafts: Crocheting, Modelling, Storytelling
Monét is a person of many talents, projects and passions. Here is what she had to say specifically about crocheting, modelling and storytelling.
On Crocheting
"I just love the freedom of being able to create whatever comes to my head. Ever since I was a kid, I really wanted to be a content creator. I've always been [interested] in the arts and doing crafty stuff.
So I've always been able to use my hands and create something. I don't know what I would do without this job," she adds, laughing.
Throughout the interview, Monét discussed how important connections with others are to them, and crochet allows them to build a community. "I love it so much, it's the freedom, it's the liberty to create anything you want and to share it with other people."
Photo courtesy of Monét Nejon management
On Modelling
Monét shares that her mom has always loved taking pictures of them even though she was always anxious and camera-shy. "I was always an anxious kid, I did not like taking pictures." When she turned 18, Monét's mom convinced them to go to a modelling agency. "The way I bombed that interview! It was horrible, I was so embarrassed, I was stuttering [...] Then I went to the Ford Modeling Agency and they actually denied me [at first]."
After this initial rejection from the second agency, Monét "went off to go volunteer my time for 10 months to help hurricane survivors with Hurricanes Harvey, Erma, and Maria." As soon as she signed up to volunteer to do that, she revealed "Ford hit me up and they were like 'Hey, actually we do want you.'" In the end, the modeling agency patiently waited a year for the young model. "So I've been with them ever since," she concluded.
On Storytelling
Monét is a natural storyteller and is most well-known for her story-time TikToks, where she spins yarn on the iconic spindle. Even throughout our conversation, she seemed to have an undeniable passion and excitement for their crafts, and told it in such an expressive way that is impossible to translate into words on a screen.
I asked her how she comes up with her stories, to which she answered, "It's a lot of things! One, I have a really good memory. [About] 90 percent of the stories on my TikTok are 100 percent true, or based off of stuff that has happened to me."
"My life has been pretty crazy. I have some brothers, I mostly do stories [about] them... My life is crazy but I'm not doing the craziness, stuff [just] happens around me," she jokes. "I have a really good memory, it's not just me, my mom [also] has a good memory... she remembers stuff from kindergarten, [...] it's in the genes."
Delivery is just as important as substance in the narration of stories. "It's a role, it's a character. Some stories are definitely an overexaggeration of life. A lot of my stories are from the perspective of a kid and I feel like, as a kid, I thought everything was grander than life. And I just like to retell them from that kid's perspective with the words and stuff to really articulate how grand I thought everything was." The anticipation and bubbly energy common among children which she communicates through the stories is infectious and is probably one of the many reasons why followers love Monét's content.
"But I also do like to write stories as well. I used to write a lot when I was in school, I won a couple [of] competitions for journal entries and things like that. I was in the newspaper too. I've always been a storyteller." Although Monét's teachers encouraged them to do something with their writing, she never really brought it to the next level until now. "Here I am on TikTok, literally doing that without intending to. This wasn't really what I thought I'd be doing but I am so happy to be doing it."
Unravelling Future Plans
"I have so many dreams," she declares, smiling. One of these dreams, related to her crochet business, is to open a small pop-up "along the beach somewhere with workers that are from all walks of life: the disabled, convicted felons, women in need, etc. I really have always been passionate about helping people, so I'm trying to figure out ways of how to use my platform to help others as well."
She continues, saying "I would love to continue designing for more celebrities, like Doja Cat or Megan The Stallion. Content-creation wise, I don't want to stop, I just want to keep outdoing myself," and keep making each post better than the last. In regards to modelling, Monét says "I definitely want to keep doing that, maybe get signed to a few more agencies. I just want to be a superstar!"
Some Advice...
Monét was very straight-to-the-point when asked about what advice she had for someone who hasn't yet found their passion.
"Try everything that you like. There is no limit to what you are capable of doing besides your own mind." She acknowledges that she felt the same way throughout her life, discouraged and overwhelmed at the idea that a single choice that would alter their entire life. "In high school, they really pushed 'what are you [going to] do with your life?' And I was just like 'I don't know! There are so many things I like to do so I don't know what to do!' I feel like society really pushes the narrative of [having] to pick one thing to do for the rest of your life and that is the furthest thing from the truth."
She continues, saying "life is too long and beautiful to just pick one thing to do and that is it. With all the young people out there, it is the perfect time to explore all your passions and dreams, and if they don't work out, you can always try again later. Keep going! You [have to] try everything to see what you like. It's trial and error."
Finally, she concludes with, "You can't let people get to you, you have to be authentic to yourself. And you [have to] shine, no matter how gloomy the day is, you've got to keep going and keep moving forward."
10 Quick Qs
As always, here is a quick fire round of 10 fun questions to get to know Monét even better!
1. What is a distinct childhood memory you have?
I remember when I was kicked out of the water park on my 8th birthday, but I did have a blast! And after we got kicked out, we went to Chuck E. Cheese.
2. Describe your personality in a colour.
Bright, fluorescent orange
3. Favourite song to dance to?
Anything by Megan Thee Stallion
4. What is your go-to comfort food?
Mexican street tacos. I can always eat a Mexican street taco.
5. Favourite crochet piece you’ve created?
The Willow dress (the dress intended for Willow Smith)
6. What 3 things would you bring to a deserted island?
First, chapstick... I cannot live without chapstick! The other two things... I [would] bring to keep me entertained, [since] there's already stuff [on] the island... I would bring a DVD player, as well, like one of those portable ones, with "Avatar: The Last Airbender" seasons 1-4 on it.
7. Would you rather have the ability to see events 10 years in the past or 10 years in the future?
I feel like I already have a good memory, so I would say in the future, that would be lit!
8. If you could say one sentence to your past self, what would it be?
Past self: Keep going, and stop crying, it is okay!
Future self: Hey! I hope everything we went through, all the trials and tribulations, was worth it for the future that we have now.
9. Which book or movie impacted you the most growing up?
I really connect to this book (also a movie) called Tuck Everlasting. There was a part of the book where they live forever and, as a kid, I found it so sad that anybody would want to live so long where you'd see everybody pass away. It made me really value and appreciate life as a kid, and do more kind things, and I'm not going to live forever.
10. What is one thing you've always wanted to do but have been too afraid to try?
Going out of the country and travelling alone! I want to go to the South of France... it is absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous from the pictures I've seen and I want to see it for myself!
Keep up with Monét!
Keep following Monét on her crochet journey and listen to her story-times on Instagram @coolithink, TikTok @mochipssss, Youtube @Mochips and her website.
