Black Influencers Aren't Relatable and Don't Post Anymore | Jackie Aina 

maybe I’m a little biased but I don’t know very many content creators with a large audience that can have these types of conversations without facing backlash. I just wanted to say THANK YOU, all of you, for being here, accepting me for who I am, allowing me to be vulnerable and honest without judgment. I really thought I was going to have to filter tf out of the comments 😩 and I also appreciate you guys for keeping the comment section non-messy and free of name dropping. please let’s keep it that way 🙏🏾 you guys are awesome and a very very special part of my life in a way I’m not sure I can ever accurately express. (and I mean that in the most non-parasocial way😂😂) 🤎🤎🤎

People just love to associate “blackness” with struggle, and it’s exhausting. Why wouldn’t you want to see us in luxury and thriving

YES people always feel the need to humble black women when they can’t relate to their struggle no more. People hate seeing black women in luxury.

People need to stop equating black relatability to struggle and poverty. STOP IT.

I love the boundaries you set with your audience. One example is the amount of times iv seen people ask for “house/apt tours” and you stand firm to saying no. Your privacy and safe space is so important and I genuinely appreciate that you as a creator don’t give into that.

If I wanted to see somebody living a Walmart lifestyle, I'd record myself. I LIKE seeing the luxury; gives me ideas and things to strive for. It would be SAD to see someone working hard for years w/ nothing to show for it.

I'm 35 and I've changed careers at least 3 times. Why would it be different for content creators? You're allowed to want something different, want to do different things and CHANGE. You evolve and it's not your fault if people can't follow along.

I hate that there’s a negative connotation with back women and luxury as being flashy or bougie.

hey guys just friendly reminder I know I can’t control err’body but please keep it respectful in the comments and please don’t attack or go after anyone I used as an example in this video. not at all the point or the purpose of this video. I shared real life scenarios because I feel influencers perspectives are often missing from this conversation. thanks for being here and enjoy 🤎🤎

i hate the ‘losing relatability’ conversation because people want their favorite content creators to blow up but don’t want that newfound success to change their lifestyle solely so they can relate to them for their own enjoyment? it doesn’t make sense. i totally agree with what you were saying about this topic.

Jackie is still relatable to me. ❤️

As a dark skinned black creator you inspire me on levels you couldn’t imagine. I love Lavishly Jackie!! I live for your content. Keep shining and being you. Hope you be at your level one day. Wishing you continued happiness & success. Btw, I bite on a discord. I think that would be great! Whatever you decide on, I’ll be watching. ❤️

Black RU-vidrs are going where they are appreciated not tolerated and that’s okay!! ☕️ love you Jackie ❤️👑✨

Haters: Jackie is all bougie now Me: EXCUSE ME! Jackie’s always been bougie the only thing that’s changed is the the budget

Watching Jackie grow and expand into a beauty mogul is the very best part about her content. If y’all knew where she started and how she built all of this for herself, y’all would understand. Black women are the most hated, even the hardest working ones. If you’re mad she’s growing, maybe it’s time to do some internal reflection.

As a white woman in the south. I can’t “relate” to you on a base level. But I can still learn and appreciate you and what you do.

Jackie Aina is a GEM!!! Amazing video.

Jackie everything you said you honestly spoke truths. One thing that I loved you said was ‘be the influencer you want to see’. So many times people push this pressure for you to do things that they want to see when if they are really pressed about it they can actually do it. Can’t wait to see more your luxury lifestyle. It’s truly motivating 💕💕

I don’t know if it’s because I’m old enough to be your Auntie, Jackie, but I am always very proud of the black female influencers. I see that are buying their own beautiful homes as single women. They are traveling to exotic locations. I’m like a proud Auntie. I think you all have shown non-influencers how to be bosses. I want to thank you all for these videos. Keep doing YOU!!!

Authenticity over relatability is such a great way to put it. Almost everyone I subscribe to at this point is living a much different life than me, but I just genuinely enjoy them as a person so I watch their content.

When a black woman gives herself permission to do anything UPWARD, everyone gets offended, might as well go all the way UP! They’ll be mad regardless. 😅 So keep shining Jackie 🇳🇬 ✨🍂

Also I think that there has to be a way to say that someone who isn’t relatable to you anymore, is just a personal problem… there are creators I’ve followed for 5+ years whose content doesn’t necessarily resonate with me anymore and I’ve unfollowed. And that isn’t a them problem, sometimes you just out grow content as you change and grow as a person. It isn’t a creator’s responsibility to change or stop their growth just because their content doesn’t resonate with some followers anymore.

I love how Jackie exemplifies Black opulence and luxury! She is goals and lavish living. She is realness and authenticity. She is business. She can get ratchet. I love it! Thank you for setting a bar!

it's the way she is reading a lot of these influencers. 🌚 but i think the way us "regular" black girls see these "rich" high class black girls should be inspiration, and never be an invitation to want to disregard their hard work bc they. look. like. us. it's not like they hide secrets on how to do it either, they always say "self care, self love." normalize celebrating each other and working to get their ourselves.✨

I am so happy for you and the life you have created. Black women deserve to live in comfort and luxury. It’s about time.

Listen, I've been LOVING the LavishlyJackie material/page. I love luxury, skincare, and overall beauty and really enjoy seeing you in this space. There aren't enough black content creators doing it. ❤️

I literally watched your whole video just for the message. I don't watch makeup tutorials, but your personality has always been a ray of sunshine. Thank you.

Your videos HARDLY ever come across my timeline. Your points about the algorithm are absolutely correct, this video specifically didn’t show up to me until literally today You’re one of my favorite creators, and I love listening to you, reading the comments from other black creators, and being educated. You all inspire me, keep being beautiful people ❤️

I love lavishly Jackie. People tend to try to "humble" black women. It's always "you're doing too much". Right now I'm not in the place where I can live my complete lavish life but I can say I added some extra fun money to my budget, you can't live your life to save and pay bills. So even if it's only $20 and a day to myself, I'll do it now even with the people saying "you're doing too much"

I don't like the "relatability" piece. It comes across as a misery loves company mindset, particularly when it comes to black women. Black women work really hard for their money and deserve nice things just like everyone else. Watching someone else glow-up in real time and be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor should be inspirational, and if it isn't, you need to check your self-esteem.

“Proving how relatable I am to someone is just not the hill I am willing to die on” 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. Everyone is different and has the right to shine in their own light and enjoy the fruit of their labor. Watching other people shine is so inspirational. It gives hope that one day I will shine bright too. It seems like an awkward position to be a trailblazer, normalizing RU-vid greatness and being transparent about how doors have opened for you will allow others to see what is possible in the future for them.

I love this video. Thank you for opening up on this topic and sharing your thoughts! As someone who has been affected by bias algorithms because of my body shape + size, I really resonated with some of the things you touched on. Whatever platform you’re on, I’ll be there to support! 🙌

A good example of growth is Patricia Bright. Her content grows with her. Let's cheer for black women success 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

Black women need softness and kindness the most 🥺

They’re so many black content creators that are still relatable that they can search up, but they rather complain about black women in luxury living luxurious lifestyles. It just seems like envy to be honest. You know, like that fake love. You can’t win.

She has "3.57 MILLION" subscribers... SHOW HER THE RESPECT THAT SHE'S EARNED AND DESERVES 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾❤❤💋🌹 And the fact millions of us are much more visually polished because of it! Thank you QUEEN.

*buys more of Jackie’s candles* FYI- My house smells so good, my neighbors ask me _outside_ what I’m burning. got ‘em all hooked. I’m a sales rep at this point 🤣

I personally love watching Black women in high places. It’s amazing and inspiring. The world makes it so easy to hate yourself, especially when you’re a Black woman, why wouldn’t you want to see people overcome that?

I love seeing WOC become successful. What doesn't hit for me is when it becomes "look at my stuff & I'm getting plastic surgery" and then "I need to be honest" follow up videos...don't get lost in the growth. I think too it's become about less consumerism & tiring of seeing the excess - my opinion ✌🏾

I think this conversation is so true. I’ve seen it in my own life. Once you become successful people stop relating to you and get “mad” at you for it. I also see some of my favorite influencers go on vacations, go shopping, or buy skincare/makeup for themselves and people hate on them because it’s not drugstore. Or relatable to them. If they had the money they would do it too! Why would you not ? You work to yes save but also buy things for yourself that you like ? I don’t see the problem with that. And I don’t see how it’s anyone else’s business.

Okay but Auntie Jackie looks amazing. So so good. Her skin is absolutely stunning. Her candles are SMASHING. Her spirit is something that's needed in this world.

In a perfect world people would just unfollow and ignore people they don’t like. Nope! Instead they become obsessed with them. It’s the weirdest thing. It’s like they can’t not watch them and they gotta hit that thumbs down. Weird af.

Jackie... Miss Aina.... Sis... People are willfully ignorant. I'm slowing learning to accept that you can't win. This reminder is going to fly over so many heads. But imagine how much better off people would be if everyone could just respect the accomplishments of others and be genuinely happy about their growth, perhaps even seeing it as inspiration.

This was relatable to life in general. Boundaries, accountability and understanding are all a part of growing up. I adore how this woman grows and shares with us so eloquently and authentically. 💛

Hello Jackie! I'm a pale ass Asian girl who is in a totally different tax bracket than you. But does that stop me from watching you and enjoying your content? No. Never. I love your personality, your attitude, your perspective on life, and the things that you value. Which is women supporting women and reminding women to TREAT YOURSELF. Not with money, but with time and self care. You're a part of my journey in growing to be a more confident woman in her own skin. Sending much love!

YES! It's truly irritating when people try to do the whole "humble yourself" when it comes to Black women. Likeee why?? Alsooo, you look gorgeous af!

Really enjoyed this video. As a small black creator seeing the OGs blow up and achieve more is inspiring but also hard when the algorithm just isn't in your favor.

Your voice is so necessary, valued and appreciated in this space - Ase!

If elected politicians were held to the same ridiculous standards as content creators, the world would be a far better place. Congratulations on all of your success Jackie. You are still one of the best teachers on the platform for the cosmetically inept, (like me).

I love lavishly Jackie . It really makes me feel motivated to be able to do the same glamorous things 😌 and yeah representation matters especially for dark skinned black women

Girl, preach!!!!! I’ve been following you on and off for several years and I always felt you kept it real. Being authentic wherever you are at a given point in your life is being true to yourself and if people can’t deal, that’s their problem. Why some people expect people to stay exactly the same over years is ridiculous. You go get your success and keep being true to yourself!

In this context the relatability thing is about money, plain and simple. It's just a safe way to say that your jealous of someone without saying it out directly. Also, people need to stop telling others to humble themselves once they acquire more wealth than them! One of the definitions of humble is to lower in dignity or importance. So people need to lower their importance to make others feel comfortable? Cool, cool, cool.🙄

Such a great video Jackie. So many points resonated sooooo hard lol. Loved the talk🙌🏽

Black influencers get swagger jacked and give up. It's sad how black content creators are treated. Bless you all & NEVER GIVE UP!❣💕💕

Too many audience members feel entitled to influencers and celebrities as if these human beings are inanimate objects they can own. They don't see how weird, unhealthy and creepy it is. It's like they think they own the success, decisions and lives of complete strangers. I see folks dehumanizing people because they're "successful" or "rich" or "in the public eye" so they asked for it and it's okay. Like come on. Y'all know better. Who raised you? ANYWAYS Lavishly Jackie is such a fun, calming insta. It sits right in my spirit to see Jackie (and Denis) enjoying the fruits of their labour. Discord would be a fun time tbh.

This video was everything!! The points were perfectly put.

It’s been amazing to see you continue to grow and succeed. It’s so inspirational esp for those who have watched you since almost the beginning to see where you started on RU-vid and what you’ve built since. I always have said to people “the higher you climb, the more lonely it gets”. It may feel like a bad thing but it’s not because not everyone will want to see you succeed and thrive so only allow space for those cheering you on your way to the top.

I still find that those who lose relatability become more of an inspiration /goals for me. Sure, their budget doesnt match mine anymore but they show me black living luxuriously and i am still here for that!

Jackie, You are truly a motivation! I’m starting my journey as a black female gamer on RU-vid and one of the things I want to always keep is my authenticity. I definitely agree with healthy boundaries. You need to protect your sanity. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. Keep glowing and growing 💕

I enjoy you being you. This whole relatable thing to me has been the downfall of many. I subscribe to watch your journey and be in community. Being "relatable" for Black woman to me has been used to "humble" the women making career progress. I live for lavishly Jackie. It is great for me to see brown and dark skin Black women living. Boundaries for followers and influencers are key.

omg EYE influenced Lavishly Jackie?!?! 🥺💗 I just KNOW you have taste! in bags and luxury items, you have rare pieces that I would love to see! so happy you made that page. when you film yourself doing makeup in your closet on Instagram Stories, I’m looking at your bag collection in the background everytime 🤣❤️‍🔥

Your RU-vid videos have evolved like 5 times and I’ve loved every era. I’m so looking forward to what you have in store for us!

Honestly, I understand about the relatablilty thing. I've been watching Jackie for a long time. I haven't always agreed with her perspectives throughout the years, but honestly I still like her. I like how genuine she is, she is herself, smart, bold, business savvy & she has a lot to offer. I don't have to relate to everything to appreciate her and respect her.

This is soo true… its like people will say oh “shes making money now so shes doing too much” cos this influencer is unboxing a prada shoe. But this is the same influencer that use to film her unboxing for zara. Relatability had definitely been focussed more in financial status now

I am LOVING LavishlyJackie! To see a black woman enjoying luxurious things brings me joy and motivates me to reach that same level. Why be relatable when you can be aspirational? Keep doing great things and don’t let the haters get you down.

Every week someone is trying to come for Jackie who literally taught all us black girls how to do make up. It’s giving jealousy 🥴 I love you Jackie. You’ve grown so much. Ive been watching you since I was 13. Keep being you💜

I’ve been watching you since 2010. I’ve watched you grow in an amazing way. No changed noticed in you as a person ( I don’t know you) 😊but in your life yes. You have grown in many ways. Very proud of your growth and your success! Wishing you continued success 🥰

One thing about Miss. Jackie Aina is she’s going to apply the pressure WHILE creating conversations that are overlooked and tip toe’d around. That’s how you KNOW miss ma’am is going places BEYOND RU-vid. Too good for this space, as she said ✨💓

I don’t want to take for granted the amount of emotional work behind the scenes that is necessary to be able to articulate such complex issues in such a clear way. Inspiring is to put it lightly. Thank you 💓

I’m only 25 minutes into this video and I feel like this video is all about giving people Grace to be human make mistakes and grow from them! It’s actually kind of refreshing I love the conversation 🥰

This video is the reason why I love your content. Your transparency and honesty is refreshing and needed. To me, it doesn’t seem worth it to become a content creator, opening your life to so much scrutiny. The squeeze isn’t worth the juice for me personally. However, I fully support Black women who strike out and choose to do it. Seeing us thrive is a joy even despite the risks you mentioned.

I definitely believe this conversation transcends even RU-vid just successful black women in general are automatically put in categories it’s so unfortunate instead of celebrating it’s so dog eat dog especially if you don’t have it!!! And the gag is it’s going to change again! Hang in there!

I hate it when people say "You signed up for this!" No, they didn't. They are allowed to set down their boundaries and react to unhealthy/toxic attention. They are human beings and do not owe strangers a damn thing.

Brava, Jackie!!! It's high time these conversations were had in public spaces. Honestly the way some influencers are treated makes me wonder why ANYBODY continues to do this. My hat is off to all y'all.

I love what you said here: "why can't you just be the influencer that you want to see.. if you wanna see, why not do it" love this.

I appreciated your perspective on this. RU-vid in someway creates a false sense of intimacy between subscribers and creators. The “community” is real but false. Real, in that people can genuinely connect with what you’re creating - false in that the content isn’t always representative of the creator as a whole. Fame and the fight for economic survival creates another level. Sharing and oversharing or conversely under sharing are a delicate balance. Fame and public recognition unfortunately removes some level of privacy. Intimacy without responsibility creates abuse. And then there is growth. There are honestly some influencers I don’t follow anymore because I’m interested in other things. And that’s okay. It’s also okay if someone changes directions. I do think that given many influencers benefit from their audiences economically -there is a certain level of honesty and responsibility that it requires. It also requires understanding for the consumers or content - to realize the benefits and limitations of the form. I enjoy the luxury lifestyle videos, and I’m no where near a luxury budget. TheChicMaven is doing it!

BLOCK 👏🏾 THEM 👏🏾 JACKIE 👏🏾

Loveeee this video

I just love how honest and straight forward you are.. it’s time for sugar coating things to be over..people are so judgmental and so sensitive about everything it’s time for more people to speak up

JACKIE! this video is the TRUTH.

Thank you for having this conversation 💗 I cannot stop staring at your eye makeup ugh! 😍 I really appreciate your perspectives here and I really look up to you with your approach to boundaries online. I want to keep certain things private and separate from the online space and it’s really unfortunate to feel guilty for it! Thank you for the healthy reminder to filter comments when needed 🙏🏼

I loved everything you had to say. I’m not a content creator so I can’t say I’ve experienced these exact things, but I was the only black girl in my friend group, and the moment I became successful I lost a lot of friends for “thinking I’m all that”. It’s sad how much implicit bias is associated with success even coming from the most “woke” non black people.

Your authenticity is relatable as hell and it’s also something that makes others uncomfortable when they aren’t sure of who they are! You are a rare gem on here Jackie!

I used to get talked about simply because I mind my business and doing well in life. I felt conscious to always make sure I wasn’t “showing off”. When you created lavishlyjackie, it made me comfortable with being successful, being my authentic self and not care about anyone’s opinion. I love nice things and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I started a RU-vid channel and Instagram page showing my luxurious side. It’s inspiring to see what you have been able to achieve 💕 Keep it coming 👏🏾👏🏾

Jackie you have moved from relatable to aspirational 🙌🏾 I come to you’re page when I’m feeling down or I feel like giving up and I see how you’ve spent 11 years on RU-vid and you’ve made it! Your definitely on every black woman’s moodboard as a stable of luxury. Not that you have live up to that standard but continue to elevate! ❤️

Watching Jackie while folding my laundry ❤

Jackie, YOU mean so much to me and I don’t even know you😂. You are the reason I finally found beauty products that worked for me as a dark skin girl when I was only 15 years old. I’m 23 now….. and so, please continue to do what you like to do because that’s when you shine the most. I love you very much, and want to see you happy! SIDENOTE: yes, I love a good discord!

This energy is so beautiful to see from an OG black RU-vidr who’s always stayed true to herself. I loved this video and I learned a lot from your perspective. Always rooting for you Jackie, keep being real, achieving everything god has intended for you and doing it with such authenticity, grace, and beauty.

I can say from experience when my mom upgraded up her life, even family members were not happy for her. Close family members started to I guess you could say think or feel like she was better than them when she never said or expressed that everything Jackie said I 100% agree with because it’s just the truth.

Thank you Jackie. I’ve been rocking with you since Lil Pumpkin 05 All I can say is keep doing you keep giving us something to be proud of. Girl to be honest your makeup game is on point and that is why I watch and will continue to do so PERIOD

Emphasis on dark skin because it matters✨ thank you for this vlog Jackie it was really insightful

I hate this rhetoric of when black creators more especially improve their financial stability and they have better financial means people start saying that they stopped being relatable. My thing is no one would work their butt of for a decade just to stay on the same financial, emotional, mental, spiritual and physical plane like... people grow and as they do, they change and there's nothing wrong with that.

I really find the “glow up” that I have seen with influencers VERY inspiring. My aim is to grow with my faves. Thanks for sharing this Jackie, a real eye opener 👌🏾

Open all the cans of worms!! These are important topics and I’m so grateful there are creators such as yourself who still talk about them and bring them to light 👏🏼♥️

Honestly I love seeing black people truly enjoying and living in luxury! It makes me happy and it’s something I aspire to experience for myself and my family. It may not be relatable now but when I get there, it will be such a wonderful experience to actually live it and see it in real life. Love you girl!!! Keep doing what you’re doing!!!!

People are growing…re-evaluating…expanding. They are also transitioning there branding, everyone is human and people have goals. They don’t have to share them with us! I love to see everyone’s journey! Thank you for this!

I love when Jackie has something to say and is excited to say it. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Discord is amazing!!!! You can even create specific chat rooms and do a bunch of cool stuff with it. You should totally start a server! Thanks for sharing this video Jackie! I feel like it’s so nice to watch someone who has boundaries as I find it really hard to set them for myself. Modeling that behavior is really important imho.

100% I'm here because I adore watching *you* I went through a makeup youtube phase and you were one of the creators I found and I still watch years later (on a second account) because you're always you and you say what needs to be said.

I love seeing other black woman living the luxury they deserve and the fact that people get MAD over it really boggles my mind