Think of a colour, any colour? “Pink” beams Imani Evans. Can’t say we’re at all surprised, as the 33-year-old model, influencer and reality TV star (having most recently appeared on ITV’s Tempting Fortune) documented to her 150,000 followers the transformation of her dressing room to a Barbie pink. “Your environment really makes a difference to how you feel. My dressing room used to be plain white, and I just got to a point where I felt bored, so I just thought to myself, why don’t I create the dream dressing room that I’ve always wanted?,” she explains via our Zoom call. “It changed everything. Everyone should have a lot more fun with their environment and their décor.”
Whereas some influencers take on a different persona for the camera, what you see is what you get with Evans. Sky high vibes. She was just as chirpy speaking to us as she is in her Instagram videos, where she promotes hair and body positivity, having fun with fashion, and lessons in self-worth.
During our chat, she demonstrates just that. In between style musings and product recommendations, she talks about her difficult battles with teen insecurities, how she protects her mental health in the public eye, and why she welcomes deep conversations with her female followers in her DMs. What becomes clear is that, beneath the pink, the polish and the platform is a woman truly aware of her influence—and determined to use it well.
Your bright pink dressing room is almost as famous as you – what is it about the colour pink that speaks to you?
Pink is playful, and I’m all about being in spaces that feel fun and positive. Your environment really makes a difference to how you feel. My dressing room used to be plain white, and I just got to a point where I felt really, really bored, so I just thought to myself, why don’t I create the dream dressing room that I’ve always wanted? It changed everything. And it made me realise that, as human beings, I think we follow rules a little bit too much, even including decor in our houses. Everyone should have a lot more fun with their environment and their decor. All of our houses don’t have to look the same. You get the most out of life when you’re enjoying it and being playful, and what is more playful than getting dressed in a pink custom dressing room?
As someone who dresses so colourfully and expressively, what does your winter wardrobe look like?
Regardless of season, no one is ever going to stop me from wearing colour! Accessories are really big for me, and I love boots, coats and knitwear. Layer up and don’t be afraid to experiment – that’s what fashion is all about.
How do you keep your hair healthy and hydrated during the colder months?
I have a very serious ritual that I stick to all year round, which is going to the sauna regularly. I scream about this all the time, because I need everyone to know that the sauna has the answer to many problems. If your hair is dry, go to the sauna. If your skin’s dull, go to the sauna. If your boyfriend’s annoying, you turn off your phone and go and relax in the sauna. I go every two weeks, but I wish it was more. The reason why the sauna helps your hair so much is because it opens the follicles and it allows your products to penetrate and work deeper. I have been doing it since I was 16, and I’m going to do it until I’m 100.
Skin can also take a hit in winter! How do you keep your glow going strong?
I have been using the Clean Greens Superfood Oil by The Glowcery every single day for the past four years, and it is the best thing that has ever happened to my skin. I’m glowing 24/7. Whenever I go on a shoot, the makeup artist is always asking, “what is your skincare routine?” It’s a vegan superfood serum. So it’s very, very healthy.
And also, I’m eating very healthy. I’m a vegetarian, so in the last few years, I’ve taken my diet so much more seriously than I ever have in my entire life. I’m very committed to drinking water and eating as many whole foods as I can.
When it comes to skin, a lot of people want magic products, but I think it actually comes down to your energy. When you’re a happier soul, I think it can really show on the outside. I try to stay away from stress. I try to minimise drama. So not only is my skin glowing, I genuinely think that glowing from the inside really shows.
One thing that comes across in your videos is your big, positive energy. How do you keep this up even on days where you feel less motivated?
Every single human on Earth has those days where you’re just not really feeling your best. I think it’s very natural. It’s important not to be too hard on yourself, and treat yourself kindly. If I am having a day where I’m not feeling up to it, then I just allow myself to take time to watch TV or go to the spa or just cook a healthy meal. I’m very good at paying attention to what I need, and whatever I need is a priority to me. I’m a big believer in resting as well. I think that everyone should prioritise that, because there’s nothing worse than burnout.
Reality TV can come with a lot of pressure and scrutiny. How do you protect your mental health in the public eye?
The most important thing that you can ever do in life is work on your confidence, because when you’re truly self assured and happy with who you are, outside pressures and scrutiny don’t really stick. It’s all about liking yourself first, and then if other people find a way to bond with you as well, that’s a very beautiful plus – but it shouldn’t be the be all and end all. You shouldn’t make decisions for your life based on what other people think.
Where did your confidence come from?
It’s how I was raised by my mum. She taught me to be self assured, to know who I am, and to never forget that, regardless of what others say or think. But also, I just think if you’re letting outside pressure stress you out all the time, how are you going to have fun in life? Life’s about being joyful, smiling, enjoying time with friends and family – and I think sometimes we forget that.
When do you feel your most confident?
I feel my most confident when my Afro is at its fullest and bounciest and healthiest. Afro hair in itself is a natural wonder – that’s how I see it. And even though I’ve had natural hair my whole life, it never fails to amaze me. So when I have my big Afro, I feel good, I feel excited, because I love my hair. The bigger the hair, the more confident I feel.
Would you say you have a ‘thick skin’? And if so, how did you develop it?
This is really interesting, because I think when you’re a confident person, people assume that you have a very thick skin. But I wouldn’t say that I have a thick skin; I’m actually really sensitive. But what I do have is a high self image and a deep knowing that I deserve to be treated how I treat others – and that’s with kindness. So anything less than that, I shield myself from. I’m just a softie who’s willing to stick up for myself.
You have a really close relationship with your mum. What are your favourite things to do together?
My mum actually introduced me to the sauna at 16 years old; she got me my first health club membership at Bannatyne, where they had saunas and steamrooms. All my 16-year-old friends were going out, and I was like, “sorry, I’m not coming. I’m going to the spa”. So my mum actually introduced me to self care, and now it’s one of our big passions – going to the sauna together.
I think I’ve learned a lot about rest from my mum. She was a very hard worker, and still is, but she found a good balance. She would be out making money, working on several businesses, but then I’d also see her lie on the sofa for several hours at a time. From her, I learned how to be soft, but also strong.
As someone who talks about fashion, beauty and empowerment in your content, what message do you hope your followers take away from your platform?
I want women to know that it’s perfectly okay to live confidently and joyfully. Life can be so heavy, but when people watch my content, I want them to feel light. I want them to smile. I want them to feel inspired. I want them to follow their heart’s desires. So if you want to paint your dressing room pink, you should absolutely do that. If you want to go on solo trips, you should absolutely do that. I want people to understand that there doesn’t need to be strict rules in life, because I’ve personally always rejected rigid rules. It just doesn’t work for me. I love people, seeing me live freely and joyfully the way that I do and thinking, you know what? I can actually wear my natural hair and a big Afro if I want to. I can wear six-inch white platform heels on a Wednesday, if I want to. I just want to encourage people to live freely and joyfully.
Your content also champions body positivity. Was there ever a time where you weren’t so body confident, and how did you overcome it?
Absolutely. I used to have body image issues, just like most people have dealt with. As a teenager, I was very self conscious about my boobs. I’m a 32HH. At the age of 14, I was already wearing my mum’s bras, and I was very self conscious about it. I used to wrap a towel around myself in the sauna, because I’d be paranoid that people were looking or talking about me.
On top of that, I also had an obsession with Bio-Oil, because I have stretch marks on my legs, and I was convinced that the oil would get rid of them. It got so bad that I was waiting outside of Boots like an addict, waiting for them to open so I could go and buy several bottles whenever it was on offer. I would drench myself in this stuff to the point where it was seeping through my clothes.
Then – I think it was a gradual thing – I started to really look at how I was treating myself. I was acting like my natural body was an issue, and I thought about how sad it was that I was treating myself so harshly. My natural skin, my natural boobs – I hated them so much that I was petrified of people seeing them. It got to a point where I said I am not doing this anymore. I think it’s really important to take time to sit with yourself, because you can have an awakening, and that’s exactly what I had. I just started rebelling against my own negativity, and then everything changed. All of a sudden, I was finding this confidence in myself. Now, I can’t get my legs out enough. I wear the shortest skirts on the planet, even though the stretch marks haven’t disappeared. They’re very much still there, but I’m not ashamed of them anymore.
And the cleavage is always out, as I’m sure you can see on the socials! As women, especially, we have got to stop being so harsh on ourselves. We have all the advice for the women in our lives that we love: our mums, our best friends, our sisters. But are we doing it for ourselves? I had to sit with myself, go through the awakening, and honestly, I have never, ever looked back. I’m at a point now in life where I love my body and I want other people to feel that way as well.
How do your followers respond to your radical self-love?
I receive so many beautiful messages from women all over the world telling me, “I love the fact that you wear your natural hair. It makes me feel like I can wear mine. I love the fact that you embrace your natural boobs. I love the fact that you’re so confident in how you dress”. I think we all need to support each other, because we’re all humans going through the exact same thing.
I’ve made so many online friends. Sometimes my DMs are like therapy sessions, and I welcome it every time. I’ve got a lot of time for my audience, and I love just encouraging them. I want to see all women living joyfully and freely. So as much as I can help with that, I absolutely will.
Finally, what’s next for you in 2026?
I’m finally putting my loud voice to very good use, and I’m going to presenting school. I don’t usually like studying, which is one reason why I’ve avoided presenting school for so long. I’m really pushing myself out of my comfort zone, but I’m excited. I think sometimes it’s healthy to switch things up. I’m going to sit down and behave myself and listen to my course leader!
Above, clockwise from top left: H&M Earrings, £19.99; KITRI Coat, £265; FENDI Baguette Mini, £1650; RUSSELL & BROMLEY Boots, £550
Watch our interview with Imani Evans
CREDITS: Photography by Kosher Osei-Yaw; Hair by Valerie Asamoah; Make-up by Natasha Wright; Styling by Nicola Wright; Art directing by Jemima Cousins
