Bella Poarch: Celebrating API Culture and Inspiring Others on TikTok

Bella Poarch, a US Navy Veteran and currently the third most followed TikTok creator worldwide, has gained immense popularity by sharing entertaining and engaging content every day. Originally from the Philippines, Bella discusses the influence of her culture on her life, stating that her culture has taught her to be strong, brave, and resilient. She believes that these traits are essential for navigating through life.

Bella actively celebrates the diversity and strength of the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community on TikTok. She promotes movies, books, creators, and more, aiming to highlight the achievements of the API community. Bella emphasizes that Asians in the entertainment industry are disrupters, going against the norms and expectations set by society. By sharing the work of these creators and entertainers, Bella celebrates their accomplishments.

API heritage holds great significance for Bella as it provides an opportunity to showcase Asian role models. Growing up, she lacked female Asian American creators or celebrities to look up to. By celebrating their heritage and promoting creators from their culture, Bella believes that it will inspire and provide role models for future generations. She considers this a crucial mission and feels honored to contribute to filling the void she once experienced.

The TikTok community has been a constant source of inspiration for Bella. During a difficult period in her life after leaving the Navy, TikTok lifted her spirits. She found a supportive community that encouraged her to be herself. Bella attributes her growth as a creator to this community and feels privileged to be recognized as an API Trailblazer.

Bella actively supports other creators within the API community and acknowledges the mutual support among them. She recently collaborated with Bretman Rock in Hawaii, creating YouTube videos and TikToks together. Additionally, Bella had the opportunity to work with Valkyrae, and their collaboration will be released in May. She finds it inspiring to witness the support and camaraderie among API creators.

In summary, Bella's journey on TikTok has been transformative. She has found a supportive community, embraced her culture, and aims to inspire others through her content. Bella actively promotes the achievements of the API community and believes in the importance of representation and role models for future generations. She is grateful for the inspiration she receives from the TikTok community and actively supports other creators within the API community.