Yesly Dimate Interview

Small-town girl turned big-apple goer, Yesly Dimate is the content creator you always hope to stumble across when flicking through your FYP. Not just for her comforting POVs and comedic sketches, but also her personal reflections on love, heartbreak and relationships.  But when Dimate first picked up her front-facing camera, she never would have guessed that her viewership would account for over five million people—if she did, a fair few of her videos would have ended up on private, she admits. 

Yet it is Dimate’s commitment to authenticity that has her pegged as one of the United States’ top creators—a role that she does not take lightly. A big platform beckons bigger responsibilities; a fact that not only forced Dimate to create a safe home for her community, but also one for herself. Whatever that looks like, her reason for creating content has remained constant: to make others happy. 

This manifested in more ways than one, with Dimate propelling from the confines of an iPhone to the big screen in the hopes of entertaining on a much larger scale. With eyes set firmly on a career in acting, she hopes to make a habit of turning her dreams a reality. And, having rubbed shoulders with the likes of Scarlett Johansson, attended Paris Fashion Week and established herself as an official New Yorker all within the last year, it would appear it’s not being broken anytime soon… 

LP: Hey Yesly! How has 2023 been treating you so far? 

YD: It’s been a whirlwind, a rollercoaster (pun intended). A lot of high moments and a couple of exhausting moments, but overall great. I went to Europe for the first time which was exciting and I am so happy in New York right now! It has been eventful, let’s put it that way. 

LP: Talk to me about your upbringing and how it has led you to where you are today. 

YD: The way I was brought up in Maryland (USA), is very different from the lifestyle I lead today. After my trip to Europe, I was talking to my mum and sister. They were saying how proud they are of me for how far I have come. I did a lot of moving around a lot when I was younger. I am very grateful and blessed to be where I am today. 

LP: Who has been the biggest inspiration to you professionally and personally—and why? 

YD: It is hard for me to pinpoint one single person who inspires me. I am inspired every day by a movie, a book or a person I've spoken to. For example, recently I worked with Scarlett Johansson and her company, The Outset. First and foremost, acting is my passion and I was so inspired by her presence, it reminded me of where I want to be someday. 

All my life my mum has been my inspiration, she is a strong woman and I dream of having that strength in my life. Professionally, even mutuals on TikTok doing the same thing as I do, are a great inspiration. The people closest to me are also great inspirations in my daily life. 

LP: You have amassed over 5M followers across socials. How do you begin to digest that many individuals following you along your journey? Does that come with any pressure knowing you are under such an expansive spotlight?

YD: Yes it does, of course. I don't know anyone who wouldn't be pressured having 5M people watching them. You take the time out of your day to share things: heartbreak, relationships, love. It's a hard pill to swallow. But, with this big platform comes great responsibility. I have been learning every day how to navigate that and give people a voice who may not feel that they are being heard. It's insane that more than five million people find me interesting to watch. It’s still surreal for me. 

LP: Your TikTok is filled with comedy moments, fashion inspiration and follows you along day to day. What is your opinion of TikTok and your presence on it? Is it a vice or virtue? 

YD: To me, it's a virtue. Not everyone will agree but for me, it has brought me a lot of great things, including love. I like to think of it as a diary for my life. I don't like to take it too seriously, I think that's the fun of it, it allows me to be myself. There is obviously a downside to it, but it gives me a chance to connect with people I may have not been able to otherwise. I have learned so much about different places, cultures, and ultimately myself. 

LP: Do you remember the first time you went viral? What went through your mind at that moment? 

YD: My first viral video is actually private now because it makes me cringe. I remember coming home from work (shoutout to Dunkin’ Donuts) and posting it before heading into the shower. When I came out and checked my phone, it had the most insane engagement and I was trying to wrap my head around how that many people had viewed something I posted. It was a little comedic video…if you know you know!

LP: What is one thing about the industry you work in that would surprise someone?

YD: One of the surprising things about it, that I haven’t openly shared, is how much anxiety comes with it. For me, my current environment is very different from how I grew up, so it has definitely been an adjustment. There’s a learning curve when it comes to meeting new people and I am fortunate enough that I have met a lot of other creators on the same journey. After speaking with them, I have learned that they experience the same kind of anxiety, which in turn settles my own a bit—knowing that we are experiencing similar things. 

I have also learned to come out of my shell. While I have anxiety, I am put in a place that forces me to socialise and it has brought me the most amazing friends and opportunities. You could say it has been a blessing in disguise. 

LP: What has been the biggest achievement and struggle so far for you?

YD: Today I get to say that I live in New York City. It might sound cheesy and not as big as other things I've done, but it has been a lifelong dream of mine to have a place here and call it home. I was recently invited to some really amazing fashion shows during Paris Fashion Week which was exciting for me, too. The biggest struggle is missing my cats when I have to travel!

LP: In the time that you have been a content creator, do you sense that the public attitude is changing towards that community? Has this manifested in any particular way for you personally?

YD: It has for sure. Content creation is a really beautiful thing because it has made our world more connected. We get to see other people who are having similar experiences to one another, and it has created this sense of community that spans across continents. 

I have friends who create clothing or put out art in the form of content and I have seen firsthand that it's a great way to express yourself. The platform provides them the opportunity to reach eyes they may have not been able to without social media.

LP: Main interests of yours include photography, beauty and fashion. How do you stay creatively fuelled when creating content around these pillars?

YD: My surroundings fuel me. Whether it be travelling to another city or my friends pulling me out for a night out, I find inspiration everywhere. This past summer, travelling was my biggest creative inspiration as I got to immerse myself in different cultures and new experiences. Don’t get me wrong, some days I wake up and want to do nothing, but for the most part I draw on the energy around me. 

LP: Have you always been confident in your personal style? 

YD: No. I am most confident in my sweatpants. However, I’m exploring my confidence every day when it comes to my style, and it definitely depends on how “main character” I’m feeling that day. I have discovered after travelling, that I tend to stick to basics and can go every day wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. 

LP: What is really important to you and your platform? What do you believe your “purpose” is in terms of your online presence?

YD: When I first started this journey, my main purpose was to make people happy and that is still true to this day. I always wanted to be the class clown and make people laugh. I want to bring joy in any way I can. That’s why I am so drawn to acting because it allows me to do that on a larger scale. 

LP: In what ways do you want to shake up the industry you’re in? Is there anything you would want to change?

YD: Not necessarily. My goal per se would be to always keep my platform a safe space. 

LP: You made the big move to NYC. What has this shift been like for you? 

YD: It is hard to pinpoint the shift because I was travelling to New York City all the time for work. Just the other day when I realised I didn't have to rush to the bus station to get on the 6 AM bus back to Maryland, was when it fully hit me. I am now a resident of New York City, and this is my new home. 

LP: What brings you the most joy? 

YD: Being home with my cats!

LP: Where do you wish to take your profession in the near future? 

YD: My first love is acting and that is what I hope to be doing in the near future. 

LP: What is one thing you would tell your younger self? 

YD: I wouldn't actually tell her anything, I think I would just give her a hug. 

LP: With so much excitement waiting for you in the imminent future, do you have any future goals you are hoping to achieve?

YD: I want to get my mum a home, it has been a goal of mine for a while. But also, A24…call me!