Conversations with Ilana Reid

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilana Reid.

Hi Ilana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, creativity has always been a part of who I am. My grandmother Janice inspired my love for beauty, fashion, and self expression. She was always dressed beautifully with her makeup, lipstick, nails, and hair done, and she encouraged me to embrace my femininity, draw my own clothing designs, and never be afraid to be myself. She taught me that expressing yourself confidently is something to be proud of, and that lesson has stayed with me throughout my life.

At the same time, gaming became another creative outlet that shaped who I am today. I grew up playing games such as IMVU, Meez, Barbie games, dress-up games, Bratz games like Rock Angelz and Forever Diamondz, The Urbz: Sims in the City, and especially The Sims 1, 2, and 3. I was drawn to games that allowed me to customize characters, explore fashion, makeup, hairstyles, and create my own stories.

I also grew up watching shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, Project Runway, and America’s Next Top Model, which inspired my love for creativity, self-expression, individuality, and confidence. These experiences shaped my passion for creating worlds, designing characters, and sharing stories which eventually became the foundation of my journey as a gaming creator as well.

Those games and shows became a safe space while I was growing up. I experienced bullying and was often criticized for my kinky hair, full lips, my love of makeup, and for simply being “too much.” Every time I tried to fit in, I stood out anyway. Eventually, I realized I didn’t need to fit into someone else’s space I could create my own.

My modeling journey began when my sister, Azia, asked me to model for one of her high school photography projects multiple times. That experience introduced me to being in front of the camera and sparked a passion that continued to grow alongside my love for beauty and fashion.

In 2018, I lost my grandmother just one year before graduating high school. Losing her left a space in my heart that will never truly be filled, but instead of letting that pain define me, I chose to turn pain into passion. Beauty, fashion, modeling, gaming, and content creation became ways for me to heal while carrying forward everything she taught me.

I started sharing my journey on Instagram while I was in high school and middle school, and in 2020 I began creating content on TikTok. I shared makeup tutorials, hair tutorials, outfit hauls, and behind-the-scenes moments from my modeling experiences. Later, I launched my gaming brand, Goldpeaking in 2022, where I streamed for hours, replayed the childhood games that shaped me, and built a community around them. Replaying those games on TikTok Live, Twitch, and YouTube became a way to reconnect with my inner child and relive the memories that first inspired my creativity.

As my platforms grew, I had the opportunity to work with brands, including a collaboration with Dark & Lovely in 2024 on my gaming channel, along with other partnerships. Those experiences showed me that I don’t have to choose between my passions. Modeling, beauty, gaming, and content creation are all pieces of the same story.

Today, I use my platforms to encourage people to embrace who they are unapologetically. I want others to know that they don’t have to shrink themselves to be accepted. If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that the things that once made you feel different can become your greatest strengths. Every time I tried to fit in, I stood out, so I stopped trying to fit in and decided to build a community where people could feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to express themselves freely. That’s the legacy I hope to continue building.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road definitely hasn’t always been smooth. Along the way, I’ve experienced difficult moments that tested my strength, including being in a car accident with my mother in 2019, dealing with criticism, bullying, and moments where I felt discouraged by the negativity around me.

However, I’ve learned that challenges are often where growth happens. I’ve always tried to find the positive side of difficult experiences instead of allowing them to define me or stop me from pursuing my dreams. Those moments pushed me to become more creative, to continue exploring my passions in gaming, modeling, makeup, and content creation, and to become a stronger version of myself.

I’ve experienced betrayal and situations that were truly life-changing, but I’ve learned the importance of protecting my peace, maintaining my confidence, and continuing to move forward. Those challenges have shaped who I am today and have motivated me to keep creating, inspiring others, and building the future I envision for myself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a gaming, beauty, and lifestyle content creator, model, and creative storyteller. I create content centered around nostalgia, self-expression, and creativity, with a special love for life simulation games like The Sims, along with childhood favorites like Barbie, Bratz, IMVU, Meez, and Nintendo gamecube games. Gaming has always been more than entertainment for me it’s been a creative outlet where I can design characters, experiment with fashion and makeup, tell stories, and reconnect with the parts of my childhood that shaped who I am.

Outside of gaming, I also create beauty, makeup, fashion, and lifestyle content. I’ve always loved expressing myself creatively, whether that’s through modeling, trying new makeup looks, styling outfits, or sharing pieces of my everyday life. For me, creativity isn’t limited to one category it’s something that connects everything I do.

What I’m most proud of is staying true to myself while continuing to grow. Over the years, I’ve faced challenges that could have caused me to give up, but instead, they’ve motivated me to keep creating and sharing my passions with others. I’m proud that I’ve built a platform where people can enjoy nostalgic gaming, celebrate creativity, and feel inspired to embrace what makes them unique.

I believe what sets me apart is my ability to blend multiple creative passions into one authentic brand. Whether I’m streaming a childhood game, creating a makeup look, modeling, or sharing my personal journey, everything I create comes from a genuine place. I want people to feel like they’re growing alongside me, rediscovering their own creativity, and remembering that it’s never too late to reconnect with the things that bring them joy.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to start before you feel ready. Don’t wait until you have the perfect camera, the perfect setup, or thousands of followers. I started with what I had and learned as I went. Every video, stream, and post taught me something new.

I also encourage creators to stay true to themselves instead of chasing every trend. The internet is always changing, but authenticity will always stand out. Create content that genuinely excites you because people can tell when you’re passionate about what you’re sharing.

Most importantly, don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Growth takes time, and success rarely happens overnight. There will be setbacks, moments of self-doubt, and times when you feel like giving up, but those moments don’t define your future. Keep learning, keep improving, and trust that consistency will pay off. I wish I had known that it’s okay to grow at your own pace and that every experience both the wins and the challenges is helping shape the creator you’re becoming.

Pricing:

• Brand partnerships: Custom pricing available upon request
• Sponsored content: Custom pricing available upon request
• UGC content creation: Custom pricing available upon request
• YouTube, TikTok & Instagram collaborations: Custom pricing available upon request

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/lovelonni
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelonni
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089063824679#
• Twitter: https://x.com/Goldpeaking
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Goldpeaking and https://www.youtube.com/@lovelonni
• Other: https://beacons.ai/goldpeaking