IN CONVERSATION WITH MATT STURNIOLO
interview by JANA LETONJA
Matt Sturniolo has grown up in front of millions of people. As one-third of the Sturniolo Triplets, he’s helped build one of the internet’s most passionate fan communities through humor, honesty, and conversations that feel more like hanging out with friends than watching creators online. Now, as he prepares to release his debut book, What Happened Yesterday, Matt is stepping into an even more personal chapter, sharing reflections on identity, family, anxiety, and what it means to come of age while the world is watching.
You’ve spent years sharing your life online. What made now feel like the right timeto tell your story in a book?
I can't tell you how many times I was told I was “too young to write a memoir” when I would talk to people about the book. But I don't believe in there being a perfect time for anything. If you feel passionate about something, you just have to create it. I could have waited until I was in my 50s to write a memoir, but I would have struggled to squeeze in so many pivotable years of my life. Now I'll just write about my 20s and 30s when I turn 40.
The title What Happened Yesterday is intriguing. Without giving too much away,what does it represent to you?
The title What Happened Yesterday actually has a double meaning. One of them I'll let you find out when you read. The one that I’ll share with you is that it’s an acronym for WHY. Everything I write about in this book is my “WHY” and the reason I am who I am. So, when I thought of the acronym, it just worked perfectly.
Your fans often say they feel like they “grew up” with you. Did writing this bookchange the way you look at your own journey?
Absolutely. Similar to social media, writing has given me a new way to learn about myself. When I was writing the book, I learned so much about the 11-year-old version of myself I was envisioning when writing about his journey. It's the same feeling of nostalgia I have when I watch a video of me at 17 years old in the car with my brothers. Writing, videos and pictures have always been something that makes me think about my journey in life and how beautiful it is that I get to share it with so many people.
You’ve always been refreshingly open about anxiety and mental health. Was itdifficult deciding how vulnerable to be on the page?
It was one of the easiest decisions I've ever made. I want to be open about mental health and sharing my own journey. I've always been the type to throw my whole life story onto someone the second I'm comfortable with them. This book feels like that.
I wanted to be as real and as honest as I could be. I knew exactly what moments I wanted to share in the book, but what moments I wanted to hold private for myself and my family. I feel confident in the balance. I'm going to pat myself on the back and say I think I did it perfectly.
How has your relationship with social media changed since the early days of theSturniolo Triplets?
There's been different ups and downs to my relationship with social media. I've been taking more breaks and giving myself more time off from it to learn about who I am without outside perspective. But the one thing that has always stayed consistent is coming to social media with passion and excitement for what I post and what I want to share with the world.
You and your brothers have built such a unique creative partnership. What haveNic and Chris taught you that you don’t think you’d have learned on your own?
The list is endless. I've learned the most lessons in life by being a triplet. From basic skills as kids, like learning to share if there's only two cookies left on the oven or learning to get along if it's not your turn with the video game remote. But as we grow together, they teach me every day that my dreams are possible, and to be confident in who I am and what I bring to the table.
The internet moves incredibly fast. How do you stay grounded when everythingaround you is constantly changing?
My family and my friends. Having a core group of people that consistently cheer me on is the biggest blessing. When you have such a support group in your life, the internet becomes background noise and a safe place you can go to rather than an overwhelming one.
Between sold-out tours, videos, brand collaborations, and now a book, what hasbeen the biggest learning curve in this new chapter of your career?
They all bring different challenges I've had to learn, but I'd say the most challenging has been learning to be the most confident and social version of myself. I've never been naturally outgoing or social, but my career on social media has helped me break out of my box so much. I never thought in a million years I would stand in front of a crowd confidently, and at this point, I have about 40 times. And once people get their hands on this book, it will give me a new lesson to learn and hopefully more found confidence. I'm so grateful for my job as it teaches me such important life lessons.
You’ve become a recognizable face in fashion as well. How has your personalstyle evolved, and what role does fashion play in expressing yourself?
Fashion is such a huge part of my day-to-day life, whether it's a full dress up suit and tie, or a silly shirt to wear around the house. I never cared about fashion in high school, but as I grew up and into myself, I've allowed myself to have more fun with it. My personal favorite way of expressing myself though fashion is shirts with sayings on them. You may not always know what I'm thinking but you can get a good idea from what my shirt says.
What do you hope readers take away after finishing What Happened Yesterday?
My biggest goal is for the reader to feel a human connection and find relatability. Life can feel so lonely at times, and it can feel like nobody understands you. Even though everyone lives their own life, at the end of the day, we are all humans who have the privilege to live life and get to learn from it while feeling every emotion.
You’ve accomplished so much before turning 25. What still feels like anunfinished dream?
Writing more and more everyday. This book felt like my introduction to professional writing and I'm hooked. It's safe to say I'll be writing a lot more for a long time. I'm addicted.
TEAM CREDITS:
photography NICOLAS STURNIOLO
