Meet Drew Afualo: Empowering Women and Marginalized Groups on TikTok

Drew Afualo, also known as @drewafualo on TikTok, is a popular influencer who uses her platform to advocate for women and marginalized groups. With her no-nonsense and humor-driven approach, she empowers people to stand up against misogyny and bigotry.

Representing the Samoan People

Being part of the API community holds great significance for Drew. Growing up, she didn't see many Polynesian representatives in the media, especially women. However, now that she has a platform, she can represent the Samoan people and make their voices heard.

Inspiration from the TikTok Community

Drew finds inspiration from the TikTok community itself. She is motivated by their courage and bravery, which encourages her to create content and stand up for those who are bullied on the app. She feels honored to be a source of inspiration and to offer encouragement through her uplifting content.

Addressing Fatphobia

One of Drew's favorite TikTok videos tackles the issue of fatphobia. She is dedicated to combating this issue and raising awareness about it.

Refusing to be Silent

Drew started making reply videos after witnessing the unfair treatment of women who are held to impossible standards when it comes to disrespect. In today's society, there is an expectation for women to remain silent and take the high road, but Drew refuses to be silent. She shows up, speaks up, and supports other females and marginalized groups. This is why many people are drawn to her videos, as they see her breaking away from the norm and not tolerating blatant disrespect.

Advice for Dealing with Misogyny and Bigotry Online

For young people who encounter misogyny or bigotry online and are unsure how to respond, Drew advises them to remember that the negativity they receive is a reflection of the person spreading it, not themselves. It's important to create an environment where they are not living in fear of hate or rejection. Drew handles negativity in her own specific way, but she suggests utilizing the block and report buttons to take control of the negativity.

Mom's Advice

The best piece of advice Drew has ever received was from her mom. She was told that no matter what she does in life, there will always be haters and difficult people. It's important to come to terms with this and release the pressure of being perfect or afraid to pursue one's passions. Being oneself and expressing oneself freely is key, as the only person who can hold oneself back is oneself.