IN CONVERSATION WITH KRISTI HOWARD

interview by JANA LETONJA

Kristi Howard has become one of social media’s most relatable and entertaining voices, building a loyal audience of more than 3 million followers on TikTok through her unfiltered, humorous, and refreshingly honest content. Known for her viral Day in My Life and Get Ready With Me videos, Kristi blends beauty, lifestyle, comedy, and pop culture commentary in a way that feels both personal and wildly entertaining. Whether she’s sharing skincare favourites, reacting to reality TV chaos, or documenting everyday moments with humour and vulnerability, her content resonates with audiences who see their own lives reflected in hers. With a love for beauty, country music, and all things pop culture, Kristi has built a digital space that feels less like traditional influencer content and more like catching up with a friend — making her one of the most engaging creators in the current social media landscape.

Your content often feels like a conversation with a friend rather than traditional influencer content. How did you develop that authentic style?

I’ve always felt like I have a good intuition for people. I can usually clock someone’s energy pretty quickly, and I think audiences can do the same thing when they’re watching content online. People can tell when something feels forced or overly curated. Because of that, I’ve always tried to just show up exactly as I am. At the end of the day, my content isn’t meant to feel like influencer content, I’m an entertainer, baby.

You’ve built a massive following on TikTok. What do you think makes your content resonate so strongly with people?

I think a big part of it is that I overshare a lot of different parts of my life. There are so many different pockets of things I talk about, such as anxiety, beauty, pop culture, grief, mental health, and every time I open up about something new, it seems to reach another group of people who relate to that specific experience. Sometimes it’s something really small or random that people feel like no one else talks about and then suddenly thousands of people are saying “Wait, I thought I was the only one who did that.” The more specific and open you are, the more people end up seeing themselves in it.

Your videos often go viral. Why do you think audiences love those formats so much?

Different people connect with different types of content, which is why I’ve never tried to force myself into just one niche. My audience is actually pretty diverse. Some of my younger viewers love the PR unboxings and find that really exciting and inspiring. Women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s often tell me they love the chaotic “day in my life” vlogs because it reminds them of their daughters or even themselves at my age. People in their twenties might be more interested in beauty recommendations or lifestyle content, so I try to stay creative and make content for all those different pockets of my audience instead of boxing myself into one niche. My page is kind of like a chaotic mix of everything going on in my brain, and somehow, people seem to enjoy that.

Humour is such a big part of your content. Do you consciously approach social media like a form of comedy?

Not really, that’s just how I am as a person. Sometimes the best content comes from just leaning into how ridiculous life can be. I’ve always been the one in every group who’s making jokes or trying to make people laugh. I always somehow ended up being the “jokester” in the room growing up, and that energy naturally carries into my content because that’s just how I talk in real life. I’m not someone who takes myself too seriously, and most things in life feel funnier when you look at them that way.

Beauty and skincare are recurring themes in your videos. How did you first become passionate about that space?

Probably the same way a lot of people my age did, watching the original beauty creators on YouTube. I grew up loving that world. I started with makeup videos myself. I also just love being a girl. I can spend most of my time in sweats, completely rotting on the couch, but when I have somewhere to go, I love getting glammed up and going all out. I’m definitely someone who enjoys being extra when it comes to beauty.

With so many beauty products on the market, how do you decide what’s worth recommending to your audience?

Honestly, I just try things and give my genuine opinion. If I love something, I’ll say that. If I haven’t tried something yet, I'll be honest about that too. Sometimes I’ll tell people I just like the packaging but can’t speak on the formula yet. There are so many products coming out constantly that it’s impossible to keep up with everything. I’ve always been a drugstore girl at heart, so even though I get the opportunity to try high-end products now, I’m always honest about the fact that you don’t need expensive products to have a good routine. At the end of the day, my audience trusts me because they know I’m not pretending every product is life-changing.

Your content often feels very honest about everyday struggles and awkward moments. Do you think vulnerability is key to building an audience today?

I do. I think you can go viral and blow up, but you won’t ever have that close connection with your audience if you don't open up and get vulnerable. The internet is full of highlight reels, so when someone is open about the awkward or difficult parts of life, it stands out. Vulnerability makes people feel less alone.

Pop culture and reality TV seem to be big parts of your life. What shows or trends are you currently obsessed with?

I love anything Bravo. My dream is to not only be on Bravo, but I’d love to be a guest on WWHL. Lately, I’ve actually been really into media and television again in general. Social media ebbs and flows creatively, and the last few months, it hasn’t been hitting the same for me, so I’ve been consuming a lot more long-form entertainment instead. Reality TV, pop culture commentary, and media personalities have always inspired the way I talk online.

Social media can move incredibly fast. How do you stay creative without feeling pressure to constantly keep up with trends?

My brain is almost always a little cluttered, trying to keep up with everything. Social media moves so fast that it’s impossible for anyone to stay on top of every trend or moment happening online. I think creators put a lot of pressure on themselves to constantly be ahead of the curve, and that can get overwhelming. For me, the best content usually comes from just documenting whatever era of life I’m currently in. I get inspired by other creators, but instead of trying to copy trends exactly, I try to put my own spin on things or talk about what’s actually happening in my life at that moment, organically. I’ve learned that the most creative thing you can do online is stop trying to keep up and just be present in your own life.

You often talk about entering your 30s. How do you see that next chapter shaping your lifestyle or content?

My content will always evolve the same way my life does. Your priorities shift a lot in your late twenties and early thirties. I’m thinking more about long-term projects, building things outside of social media, and creating content that reflects where I am in life.

Do you ever take breaks from social media to reset creatively?

Honestly, no, but I should. I’m good at logging off social media, but I’m just not very good at turning my brain off from creating. When your job is also the place where you scroll for inspiration, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Ironically, I actually hate being on my phone. If I could just film content and never use my phone for its actual purpose, I probably would. When I’m travelling or spending time with someone or at an event, I’m never on it. It’s not hard for me to unplug from social media itself, but what’s harder is unplugging from the work side of it. I’m constantly filming, editing, or thinking about what I’m creating next.

Outside of TikTok, are there other creative projects you’d love to explore in the future?

I would really love to get into hosting. I love talking to people and yapping, but I’d want to do it in a way that feels entertaining and personality-driven rather than a traditional, serious interview format. I think there’s a lot of room for something more chaotic, funny, and conversational.

It’s also no secret that I would absolutely love to be on reality TV at some point. I’ve always loved the entertainment world, and I know it would be fun to let people see my personality from a different perspective, not just the version of me that I’m filming and editing myself.

Being based in Nashville right now also feels like a big opportunity creatively. There’s such a strong entertainment and music culture here, and I think there’s room to create things in the creator space that people might not expect from the South. At the end of the day, I just want to keep building something bigger than one platform and see how far my personality can take me in entertainment.

What’s something about your life that followers might be surprised to learn?

I spiral a little bit almost every day about things like time, what my next move should be and whether I’m making the right choices. From the outside, social media can make it seem like creators have everything figured out, but the reality is that most of us are just navigating life in real time like everyone else. I think a lot about where I’m going, what I’m building, and how I want my life to look long-term. I might look chaotic online, but a lot of that comes from someone who is constantly thinking about how to make the most of their time and opportunities.

TEAM CREDITS

talent KRISTI HOWARD
photography TOM REEVES
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA