IN CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTINA KIRKMAN

interview by JANA LETONJA

Christina Kirkman has built her career on emotional honesty, turning humor, vulnerability, and lived experience into connection across platforms. From her early days on ‘All That’ to her candid podcast ‘Life’s a Joke’, she has emerged as a defining voice for a generation navigating identity, self-worth, and reinvention. Her capsule collaboration with cult-favorite streetwear brand Boys Lie extends that storytelling into fashion, transforming shared emotional truths into wearable statements rooted in empowerment, resilience, and community.

This capsule feels deeply personal. What made Boys Lie the right partner for you?

I vividly remember times when I would save up my money for a Boys Lie drop. In fact, a few years back I had a neighbor who knew I was a massive fan and had texted me that they were having a sale. I tracked that damn package every single day before it arrived. All of that to say, I have been a massive fan of the brand for so long. I have always resonated with the tone behind the brand. It unapologetically lives in that space between humor and heartbreak. It lets you be hot and hurt at the same time, and validates romantic struggles without taking away your power.

How did your conversations with Tori and Leah shape the emotional foundation of the collection?

I actually first met Tori and Leah when I was a guest on their podcast. I was fan-girling when they had reached out and asked me to come on. Of course, as a close follower of them and their brand, I always knew we had similar vibes and tastes, but it wasn’t until after we finished that episode that I really understood how great our chemistry was. As soon as the episode ended, I looked at them and said “Hey, no pressure, but it’s a dream of mine to one day do a collection with you guys.” Literally hours later, they had sent me mockups of the pieces. It was one of those collaborations where everyone was already speaking the same language. The excitement, trust and creative chemistry was immediate.

Boys Lie is known for turning feelings into statements. How do you see fashion as a vehicle for emotional expression?

In my opinion, fashion is one of the coolest ways to externalize emotions. Fashion gives feelings a voice. It reflects where you are, but it can also help you step into where you’re going. It’s also my personal favorite way to experiment.

What does it mean to wear your story rather than just style it?

I think it’s very easy to get caught up in trends. And don’t get me wrong, I love trends. But when you have the chance to blend fashion with your own personal story, it feels so much more intentional. It gives context to your style and allows you to express a chapter that you’re in, instead of just following what’s next.

How do you hope people feel when they put on a piece from this capsule?

Transparently, I just want you to feel like a bad bitch. Boys Lie has always been about owning your story, and I hope the “Life’s A Joke” reminder finds you when you need it most.

This collaboration feels like an extension of your voice rather than a traditional brand deal. Why was that important to you?

“Life’s A Joke” has been a part of my story since I was a kid. What started as my dad’s business name growing up, grew into a mindset that got me through Hollywood rejection, career setbacks, disappointment and shaping how I approach comedy and life. Having the chance to bring other people into that, through my podcast and this collection, is wildly meaningful. 

Your audience connects with your honesty. How do you decide what parts of your story to share publicly?

I would argue that both content creation and acting are individual sports more often than they are team sports. You spend a lot of time alone. Filming alone, processing alone, reacting in real time alone. Because of this, it’s very easy to get lost in your own head. Although every day is different, I have learned the importance of listening to your own gut and not getting caught up in the noise. The line between being transparent and oversharing is simply boundaries. Once you learn how to implement them, you can seamlessly let people in and be honest while still protecting the parts of you that need to be inaccessible in order to continue to be creative.

How do you reclaim your narrative in an internet culture that loves to define people quickly?

My entire life people have always tried to place me in a box. I’ve lost so much of my peace trying to prove people wrong. At this stage of my life, all I can do is show up as myself. I’m not here to prove people wrong or combat any narratives. I’m just here to entertain those who will have me. All the other stuff is just noise. 

With such massive reach on TikTok, how do you stay grounded in intention rather than metrics?

I wish I could say the metrics don’t ever phase me, but the reality is they are a huge part of our job. Sometimes numbers are great, sometimes numbers are trash. After many crash-outs, I’ve learned that this will always ebb and flow. The biggest mindset shift for me has been separating performance from quality. If I post something I’m genuinely proud of and it doesn’t land, I try not to let the numbers rewrite my original perception of the work.

What responsibility do you feel as a tastemaker for Gen Z and millennials? 

Honestly, I’ve learned so much from Gen Z. Growing up as a millennial, the stakes on the internet always felt higher. The permanence of it added unnecessary pressure to be perfectly curated and crafted. Gen Z has shifted that. They’re much more comfortable sharing the raw moments, the in-betweens, and the unpolished parts, and I really admire that.

My responsibility feels less about telling people who to be and more about reminding them to advocate for themselves and to be confident in their worth, while also being honest about what it actually takes to get there. Confidence isn’t a straight line, and I want to normalize that the journey can be messy, inconsistent, and still meaningful.

What does this collaboration represent for you creatively at this point in your life?

Alignment. Total alignment. I’ve always been an all-or-nothing person. I’ve never been interested in doing things just because. I care too deeply for that. Early on, when you’re working towards something, you sometimes have to play the game a little to prove yourself. But I’m at a point now where I can put my energy into what genuinely excites me, projects that wake me up, challenge me, and feel creatively fulfilling. This collaboration feels like that alignment in practice, working with people who understand my voice and allow me to show up fully as myself. You have no idea how grateful I am for that.

Are there other mediums you’re excited to explore next?

I’m really excited to re-enter the acting space and return to traditional comedy. At one point, the grind chipped away at my spark, and I stepped back when I realized I needed distance to protect what I loved about it in the first place. I’m grateful I listened to that instinct and found other ways to entertain and grow creatively. Now, with clarity and confidence, I feel genuinely inspired to come back and I have a clearer sense of who I am and what I want to say.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography DAMETREUS WARD 
makeup ASHLEY SIMMONS 
hair DUSTIN BAKER 
styling TORI ROBINSON