For many Generation Z teens gaining a large social media following or becoming 'TikTok famous' would be fairly high up their bucket list. For TikTok star Kayla Patterson, this has become a reality.
Since joining TikTok in 2018, the 17-year-old has accumulated an impressive 2.1 million followers. Even if you are not an avid viewer of her videos yet, then you will almost certainly have seen her viral lip-sync and POV videos on your For You page.
In this interview, we got the opportunity to ask Kayla about this sensational surge to stardom, and we also found out about her exciting plans for the future.
Rise To Fame
Despite now being known by millions around the world, her TikTok career began more privately. “When I started TikTok I never told anyone. My parents, siblings, and friends had no idea what I was doing — and I planned to keep it that way.”
“My friends then found my account on TikTok, and my mom was curious as to why my Instagram was growing so quickly, so I fessed up and told my mom. She was confused at first but in the end, she was super proud of me. When I started to make money, we told my dad, and he was proud of me as well. They still don’t know how social media works, but they are very happy for me.”
Photo: @thekaylapatterson Instagram
The last three years, she tells us, have been a life-changing journey that has literally taken her across the country: from a content house in Las Vegas, to sunny Miami — where she currently resides with her best friends, whom she has met through social media.
“My life has changed drastically since I joined TikTok. If I didn’t join TikTok, I would still be at home going into my senior year with little to no friends. I am so thankful for TikTok because it's given me so many opportunities and so many new friends. ”
Succeeding with a social media career is not an easy task, but Kayla's big break finally came after being asked to join the Society Las Vegas content house — a move that resulted in her having to quickly adjust to an adult lifestyle. “When I moved I learned that I had to survive on my own. I had to feed myself, clothe myself, and financially take care of myself. It was me transitioning from a teen to an adult when I knew I had to start taking my social media job seriously.”
A Message Of Positivity
For all the joys of social media, criticism and hate can make it a cruel place. Kayla, rather philosophically, says that she has found ways to deal with the negativity. “When I get negative comments I usually don’t care, or I try not to. I know that it is super easy for someone to send a hurtful message and not deal with the consequences. I know my self-worth and I know that when people comment these hurtful things, they may have no one, so I choose to ignore it and move on with life.”
Kayla also tells us that it is this message of positivity that she hopes to convey to her fans through her videos.
“The message I hope to convey to my fans through my videos is positivity. Life gets hard sometimes, but you have to push through, have fun and learn how to laugh about it. I believe that every negative that happens in life gives back a positive. When something bad happens you have to look forward and wait for the good.”
Life Outside of TikTok
“I usually spend my free time at the pool or scrolling through TikTok for ideas,” she tells us, “I love swimming, tanning, and hanging out with my friends by the pool.”
Role Models
Everyone has a role model: an idyllic aspiration of who you want to become, someone who is there to inspire and motivate you through the toughest times. For Kayla, she bestows this duty upon two very special people. “My biggest role models are my parents. They are such hardworking and strong people. They are my drive to keep working hard every day and to keep being positive. I hope to be as patient and loving as they are one day.”
Photo: @thekaylapatterson Instagram
Everything Happens For A Reason
In a whirlwind of fame, it can be difficult for social media influencers to remain grounded, but not Kayla. We asked her what values she embraces to remain level-headed. “I value honesty the most. Honesty is so important, it is a sign of respect and how other people view you.
Without honesty, there is no trust and without trust, there is no respect. It is most important to be honest to yourself. When you are honest with yourself, you accept who you are.”
Photo by Estuard Guinea
As her life has changed so quickly, we were intrigued to ask Kayla what advice she would give to her younger self knowing what she knows now.
“The advice I would give to my younger self is that everything happens for a reason. Life is all one big giant lesson, you learn new things every day. People come and go from your life, and you learn how to deal with it.”
Aspirations For The Future
Although Kayla has already achieved so much, she wants to make it clear that she is not finished yet: there are plenty more exciting plans and aspirations that she has for the future, proving that this star may burn brighter still.
“My aspiration for the future is to be an actress. I’ve always loved how movies made people feel: the excitement, the adrenaline, and the sadness. I’ve always watched behind the scenes and wished I could be there. In 5 years from now, I hope to be a famous actress.”
Photo by Estuard Guinea
10 Quick Q's With Kayla
1. Besides your own, which TikTok account would you recommend people check out?
I would recommend people check out Lizzo's account, her page is full of body positivity
2. What is your favorite comfort movie?
A Marvel or Iron Man movie
3. Which food could you not live without?
I could not live without Chick-Fil-A
Photo by Estuard Guinea
4. Which song are you listening to on repeat right now?
Feeling Whitney by Post Malone
5. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Not to trust anyone until they earn it
6. If you could go to any country in the world, where would you go?
I would love to go to Japan
7. What is the first thing you do after waking up in the morning?
Grab a cup of sweet tea
8. What would your friends say is your worst habit?
Sleeping in too late
Photo: @thekaylapatterson Instagram
9. Favourite subject in high school?
History
10. What is your signature fashion item?
My gold chains
Keep Up With Kayla
Thanks for the interview, Kayla! Be sure to check out @thekaylapatterson on TikTok and Instagram. You can also subscribe to her YouTube channel.
