Scroll through Shantania Beckford’s Instagram profile and you would not think that this proud Jamaican immigrant was homeless for three years and undocumented for 15. The spirituality and positivity that she promotes on her page cuts through the noise of what she admits is a superficial industry (influencing), and this same energy radiates from her personality in person.
In our interview, Shantania responds to questions with honesty and level headedness that you might not expect from someone with such a large following; however, as you’ll read, Shantania refuses to let the pressures of fierce competition for influence get the better of her.
Here, she talks about sexuality and its many pigeonholes, getting into make-up as a means of survival, and why you shouldn’t overthink getting the big chop.
You became a content creator five years ago. How has the game changed from when you started?
Before, it was safer to express yourself and to be yourself. Now, I feel like we’re very censored and freedom of speech has changed. It’s also oversaturated, and everybody wants to be famous or in the public eye. I feel like people lose themselves much easier because it’s so hard to be authentic.
We’ve loved watching you blossom over the years. You’ve shared so much with your followers including your sexual orientation. Was this a difficult thing to do both personally and publicly?
It wasn’t difficult for me, because I’m made from love – I am love. I’m just living my life the way I want to live it because that feels right to me. I can defend myself and I will stand up to anyone who challenges me for what I choose to do with my life.
Are you a fan of terms like femme, lipstick or butch lesbian? And do you identify with any of them?
I think they’re all words that keep you in a box within a social construct. I don’t identify with them, but other people can use them if they want to. I’m just Shan, and I do what feels right for me.
Last year you went for your third big chop (BC) in 10 years. What makes you want to go through a big change with your hair?
At first, I was just bored with my hair. Then, I realised that I needed to get my hair back to good health. Stress really affects how your hair grows. I thought about getting dreads, but before that I need nice, healthy hair before I start my loc journey.
What advice would you give to someone considering the bc?
Don’t overthink it – just do it. The more you ponder it, the more you become anxious. The best things happen when you take risks. Buy a couple of wigs just in case you don’t like it, and remember that your hair will grow back eventually.
How did you get so damn good at make-up?
When I was homeless and undocumented, I couldn’t get a job so I was trying to figure out a way to make money. My friend asked me to do the make-up for a video shoot, and from there I started doing small jobs and got better at what I was doing. Once I got the confidence, I took it to YouTube.
Any tips you can share with your melanin-rich sisters?
Keep it simple. You can always add more if you need to, but simple make-up enhances your beauty more than it does when you’re packing it onto your face. You also can’t go wrong with the basics if you’re practising.
We’ve followed your spiritual journey through social media – what do you do every day to stay connected to your spirituality?
We are spiritual beings living the human experience. We’re always connected, but it’s about being aware. I’m aware of myself and other people, and I’m good at disassociating myself from my reality which helps with meditation. Spirituality allows you to have gifts, and I feel like my gifts are here to help others. Spirituality is an everyday practice, from how you walk and talk to how you think about yourself and how you view the world. Every little thing that you do should be done with awareness, and with peace and love in your heart.
Some people say that the world of influencing can be superficial. Do you agree?
It’s so superficial to the point where I can’t actually be around certain people. My spirituality has enabled me to make my own path and do my own thing. I don’t feel the need to be involved or make friends with everybody. I don’t feel like there are many people doing influencing the right way. They’re talking about their clothes or make-up, but how do they help people? I don’t see many influencers helping others, unless it’s for social media.
Tell us about your tattoos how old were you when you got your first one? Which is your fave and how do you care for your skin?
I was 18 and at college when I got my first tattoo, which was a group of butterflies on my shoulder. I drew it out, and during my lunch break I visited a guy who had a tattoo studio in his house. My favourite is the lion on my inner arm – it reminds me of my dad. I got it for him and it has blue eyes because that’s my aura colour. I dry brush my skin twice a week, and I use organic shower gels – my favourite at the moment contains manuka honey. I then use a scrub, followed by a dry skin oil all over.
What was it that got you through the tough times in your life?
I really kept my head down. I was worried about how people would perceive me, being from Jamaica and a poor background, and I didn’t want people to see me as this naughty girl who’s causing trouble. I had a lot of willpower and I had to get myself through a tough situation to make my mum proud and not let myself down. I had dreams about who I wanted to be in the future, and I just had to figure it out as I went.
Has there been anything notable you have discovered about yourself recently?
I’ve realised that I don’t need to use filters at all on social media. I’ve stopped using filters and editing my pictures, and I’ve learned how to embrace the more natural me. Previously when I posted Instagram stories, the first thing I would do was swipe to find a nice filter to enhance how I looked. Now, it’s different; I just press record straight away and post my real face.
There’s been a lot of talk about blackfishing in the entertainment world recently. What are your thoughts on it?
If a situation is genuinely a blackfish issue, then someone should talk about it with the person involved and tell them to get their ish together. But at the same time, I feel like people are trying to find a reason to be unhappy with someone else, even though it’s maybe their own lives that they are unhappy with. Frankly, we’re all influenced by urban black culture, and at the end of the day, people need to express themselves. We need to fight for ourselves to be who we want to be. I really don’t have time to sit here and be worried about a white girl who’s a little bit tanned and has a braid in her hair. People are bored in their lives, people are angry – so what do they do? Sadly, they’ll go on social media, find an issue and put their energy into that. What happens is they come away and they’re still in a bad mood. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break, and they become conditioned to be hateful people.
Follow @ShantaniaBeckord
CREDITS: Photography by Zek Snaps; Hair by Pashcanel Mitchell; Make-up by Natasha Wright; Styling by Mariamu Fundi; Assisted by Floella Agbinor
