“So You’re Not Pretty. So What?” The Viral Video That Connected a Community
Sarah of @horriblemeanbadwoman is Encouraging Women to Become The Worst Possible Version of Themselves
Image: A cozy selfie of Sarah in a black felt hat and a checkered blue and cream scarf. Next to the selfie is a screenshot of her viral video “maybe you’re not pretty, so what?”
Feminist content creator and comedian Sarah is giving women tips and advice to become the worst possible version of themselves, and they’re lining up to put her methods to practice.
With her following across social media growing to over 140,000 on TikTok and 300,000 on Instagram, Sarah’s @horriblemeanbadwoman content is resonating with an audience ready to turn their anger into action.
Frankly, we’re obsessed with the way Sarah brings into conversation the often unspoken feelings we’ve wrestled with, simply starting off a life changing discussion with the disarming word “maybe”.
White Rabbit Social had the pleasure of asking Sarah questions about her content, life, and feminism.
Why did you start creating content, and when?
“I was late to the TikTok party and even later to Instagram, only in the last 6 months or so.
In the beginning I had no plans to make content, but the algorithm kept putting feminist content in front of me and I kept finding I had something to add to those conversations, so I started hitting the record button and doing it.
Soon I found out that I had a knack for putting words to things that women already know but might struggle to describe, and that women found value in that.
Validating women's experiences and the fact that they're part of a rigged game rather than just personal misfortune is basic feminist consciousness raising, and doing my small part to continue that tradition is something I find very rewarding.”
Which of your videos resonated the most with the women in your audience, and why do you think that is?
“Definitely "Maybe You're Not Pretty. So What?".
That video is easily my most viral to date, and I think it's because beauty and self-esteem are pressing issues for a lot of women around the world.
Our worth is constantly tied to our appearance, and sometimes body-positive messaging can fail to challenge that.
I think that video resonated with a lot of women because being free from the obligation to be beautiful and desirable in the first place sounds more like liberation than arguing that we can all be beautiful does.
I'm far from the first person to say any of this, but that video was a first point of contact with these ideas for a lot of women who are exhausted by the topic of beauty and found relief in a conversation about how we can decentre it.”
What outspoken feminists inspire your work?
“I'm not an especially well-read person and actually haven't consumed a lot of feminist theory, but I've had the good fortune to rub shoulders with smarter and braver women than me who have challenged my thinking and shaped some of my ideas.
The outspoken feminists who've influenced and inspired me the most have been women in my own life who persistently do the right thing, confront the difficult conversations, and name the things that need to be named.
These are women who have the guts to stand up for themselves and other women in everyday life and get punished for it, and they're often unsung heroes who don't have a claim to fame.
There are feminist content creators I respect and admire, but it's women in my life who I've seen being outspoken on a day-to-day basis and resolutely refusing to hate themselves who've left the most lasting impression on me.”
Your comment section is filled with women who resonate. Have you had the opportunity to connect with like minded women in person, and if so, where have you found them?
“Connecting with like-minded women has been a huge perk of being a content creator.
I have met some new friends in person through what I do online, and more who I hope to have a cuppa with in person one day.
I know women who resonate with my content find community in my comments but can feel isolated from like-minded social connection in everyday life, and I always hope that they'll use my corner of the internet as an opportunity to find kindred spirits who are local to them and keep building community offline.
Before I was a content creator, some of my most enduring friendships were sparked through involvement in local grassroots activism, so if you're the type of person to put yourself out there for a cause, that can help you find your people.”
You provide transcripts often for your content, and speak about your experience with disability. How does this impact your activism?
“Making accessibility a priority in my approach to content creation was one of the best things I ever did and I highly recommend it to all content creators.
Making it possible for more and more people to engage with our content is something to get excited about, because it means being able to connect with more people, and that's what we want as creators!
The way I caption and transcribe my videos definitely does increase the time and effort involved in content creation, which is a juggling act for me because I'm affected by disability of my own.
But once you really embrace the attitude that this is simply what it takes to make the content, it becomes second nature.
If I don't have time to make my content accessible, then I don't have time to make the content, full stop.”
If there’s one thing you want women seeing your content to take away from it, it’s:
“If you're being told that you're a horrible, mean, bad woman, then there's a good chance you're not complying with the system that exists to exploit you for the benefit of men, well done!
Remember that whatever you're going through, other women are going through it too, and it's by talking with other women that we find the words to name what's happening to us, and the strength to resist it.
It’s easier to be a horrible, mean, bad woman when other women are backing you up.”
Anything else you’d like to add?
“Making content and running my mouth on the internet has been the most interesting plot twist of my life. It’s given me the opportunity to try new things, flex my creativity, and discover things about myself that I didn’t know before.
The most rewarding part of it has been finding out that I have something to offer women who are going through it, and while we do have a lot of fun and get quite silly, this is work that I hold close to my heart and take very seriously.
If you get handed the opportunity to do something useful to your community, that’s something to make the most of.”
