It’s a new month, which means my “Women Who Inspire Me” is back!
Since the start of the new year I’ve been writing about a woman each month who has somehow impacted, changed, or inspired me in some way, shape, or form. In case you guys forgot why I decided to start this up, it’s because I feel that women don’t get the full credit they deserve. I know that men do great things as well, but society is much harder and has higher standards of women than they do for men, and that’s a fact.
This month, I’ve decided to write about Erika Costell. You might know Erika from her iconic YouTube channel, being on Team 10, or the beautiful model that she is! I’ve looked up to Erika for quite some time now, and I thought it’d be great to give a little insight on why I have the love, respect, and admiration for her that I do. Many online trolls like to say I like or promote Team 10 because I want to be on it, but that’s not the case whatsoever. The love and support I show to them is a mutual thing they do for me, and many people don’t realize that.
I’ve always kind of related to Erika and her story as whole. In videos and interviews, Erika has opened up about how she worked her ass off throughout life to get to where she is now, and continues to do so to this day. Erika had a dream in high school and now she’s making it happen, something I think is beyond incredible. I think a lot of people think she got to where she is by joining Team 10 or just getting lucky, but that’s not the case at all. Erika’s been working at what she’s doing now for so long and I can’t applaud her enough for making her dreams into a reality. People are so quick to judge her as a person- calling her a snake bitch, making fun of her looks, her personality, etc., yet they’ve never even met her to make those assumptions about her.
The way people talk about her truly disgusts me, but the thing that irks me the most is that even a grown “man” can do so. I find it really brave and courageous of Erika to continue to do what she does and share personal experiences to help others like myself know they aren’t alone and that you should always express who you are, regardless of what people think. The fact that Erika continues to make her videos and be her full authentic self without letting the opinions of others bring her down inspires me on a whole other level.
She’s used (and continues to use) her platform, voice, and resources to speak on topics that she feels matter, something not many influencers or public figures do a lot of today because they’re afraid they’ll lose views or followers for speaking their opinions. People are quick to come for Erika about the tiniest of things, yet the people they try and compare her to have yet to do any good deed without publicly wanting recognition for it. Erika’s done multiple things on the down low or kept things private until after the fact to help people and to work with people/things that are close to heart, not looking for attention or public appreciation after doing so.
Erika is only in her twenties and is already on track to conquer the world. Her looks are beyond incredible, but her soul and heart are even more beautiful. She is a strong, powerful, authentic, and beautiful woman who will never stop doing what she loves. People can bring up numbers or views to compare her to others, but I’ll take a kind and compassionate woman over one who uses and bashes others names for fame and publicity any day.
Thank you for being the incredible woman that you are Erika, I adore you more than you know and truly wish you the best forever. I hope you never stop being who you are and I hope you never stop smiling, you truly are a beautiful soul. Thank you for making the world a better place, my love to you always. xox
XO DIVA D 