Drew Afualo Says Making TikTok Videos Is What She Was Meant To Do

Drew Afualo’s rise to TikTok fame all started with her sharing personal dating stories with a relatively small audience. One of those TikToks unexpectedly went viral. In the video, Afualo shared “very specific red flags in men.” As it gained views, she also got a lot of comments, including “a whole barrage of hate from the men that felt very attacked,” Afualo said. Rather than let the hate discourage her, Afualo responded with the same humor she’s now known for.

“I was posting ten (videos) a day because I was responding to all the hate comments and laughing at them and doing exactly what it is I do now,” she explained. Afualo describes herself as an “incredibly confrontational person … Especially with disrespect.” Punching back at the commenters came naturally to her, and she never thought it would bring the attention it did. A lot of TikTok viewers, especially women, found her confidence and humor in the face of misogyny refreshing and inspiring, and she started gaining followers quickly. 

“They really liked how I was responding to it and how I was ‘mean back,'” Afualo said. At the same time, she was building a following; Afualo was sharing stories about her healthy relationship with her boyfriend. “Those two things moving at the same time showed, especially women, that you can be as outspoken as I am about bigotry … and still find a loving relationship with someone,” she said.