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You might think Ami Charlize already has enough on her plate: The British 16-year-old social media star—who started creating content when she was only 9 (!!!)—has followers into the multi-millions on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. When she isn't interviewing other Gen Z celebs for her podcast, "Ami Charlize Private Story," she's hosting fan events in London or serving looks as a PrettyLittleThing brand ambassador.

And as of today, she's adding author to her already-impressive resume with the release of her brand new memoir, My World.

Safe to say Ami's a busy bee, but she managed to squeeze us in for a chat between prepping for her book's debut and attending the numerous concerts on her cal (She went to *three* the same week of this interview!).

Girls' Life: What can we expect from your new book?

Ami Charlize: I've always wanted to write my own book. All the topics in there are so raw and real to me. I want to help other people, and there are so many young people who want to grow in the industry. If even one person gets help from it, that makes me happy. I also just want people to know I *am* normal. I think sometimes people get this misconception of, "Oh, she's so different from us," but I've still grown up like a normal teenage girl. I wanted this book to showcase all of that.

GL: What was it like growing up in the world of social media?

Ami: I feel like I'm still a little kid with it all. Having a young following at a young age is a lot of pressure, because obviously I'm growing up and learning. This is my first time living. I'm trying to do everything right because I know I've got to be a good example for everyone, but of course I'm gonna make mistakes. I think there can definitely be pressure, but I kind of enjoy the pressure.

GL: How has your content changed and evolved during all this time?

Ami: For a while, I was doing acting videos on TikTok. So I'd literally cry to my camera. It was ridiculous, but it was super fun! Old TikTok was a little different than how it is now, where you've got to hop on trends. It's great making your own trends, and I completely agree with everyone who is like, "Do what you want to do." But, at the same time, hopping on a trend is super important. I started doing "Get Ready With Me" videos, which I've been doing for ages now. I absolutely love doing them.

GL: How do you balance social media work with your regular life?

Ami: I think it's quite a fun balance. People expect it to be a lot, but the thing is, at my age now, all my friends are at college or school. So they'll be working throughout the day doing school, and then in the evenings we're all free, because, it's not a 9-to-5 at all. You'll wake up one day and be working from like 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or you'll get a day where you'll have one TikTok to film and that's it.

GL: Tell us what's on your vision board for the future.

Ami: I love where I am at the moment, but I know there's so much more I can be doing. One of my big goals is that I want to go on Strictly Come Dancing, which is massive in the UK. There's also something else coming that I'm really excited about, because I've always wanted to have my own business. Also, I think genuinely just being happy and healthy. I want a good support system around me at all times, so making sure I'm taking care of my friends and they're taking care of me is really important, too.

GL: Not gonna lie, we kinda want to raid your closet. What looks are you leaning into this summer?

Ami: I really want to go for more blush makeup. Sabrina Carpenter is the It Girl—I saw her live, and when I saw her makeup in person, I was like, "I want to be you!". I want to be over-blushed and cute.

As for outfits, I like jerseys at the moment. You know, like the football shirt kind of vibe? But I always say, whenever a trend comes out, I need to give it a month, and then I'll realize, do I love it or hate it? And then I go from there. I love my own style, but I also love incorporating things I see online and just trying them out.

GL: What's your biggest piece of advice for girls who watch your content—or who dream of being social media stars someday?

Ami: When I was younger, I was always in this loop of feeling so bad all the time. Looking back now, I wish I could just tell myself that it gets so much better. And of course, I have bad days still. But being out of that area of my life, it's like, you look back and you're like, "Oh, I wish I could just go back and give myself a hug. She needed it."

If you're interested in social media, be consistent and keep going at it. People give up too easily in this industry and people think it's so easy, but it takes a long time. Stay determined and you will see results. Some people get it in a week, some people get it in two years, but if you stay and stick at it, you've got more of a chance than everyone else.

Follow Ami on IG and check out her new book here!

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by Ava Slocum | 7/18/2024