Achieng Agutu on Quieting Your Inner Critic & Finding Purpose

Summary

Naked Beauty Podcast: Achieng Agutu on Quieting Your Inner Critic & Finding Purpose

Host: Brooke DeVard
Guest: Achang A. Gutu
Release Date: April 28, 2025

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Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of Naked Beauty, host Brooke DeVard engages in an intimate conversation with Achang A. Gutu, a Kenyan-born creator, model, host, and self-proclaimed "confidence queen." Achang's journey from a conservative upbringing in Kenya to becoming a global influencer is a testament to her resilience and dedication to spreading positivity. With over a million followers on TikTok and nearly 900,000 on Instagram, Achang's influence continues to grow, inspiring countless individuals worldwide.

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Achang's Early Life and Cultural Background

Achang A. Gutu shares her upbringing in Kenya, highlighting the conservative values instilled by her family. Growing up, simplicity and modesty were paramount, emphasizing character over physical appearance.

[04:10] Achang A. Gutu: "I was raised very, very modest and humble, quote, unquote. And to not speak up and kind of just like, the smaller you are, the better."

She recounts a poignant memory of receiving compliments on her hairstyle from her cousins, which initially made her apprehensive about embracing her true self.

[05:00] Achang A. Gutu: "That was very telling of it, literally and figuratively, where I was just terrified to... take up space."

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Moving to the United States: Culture Shock and Identity

At the age of 16, Achang moved to Indiana, USA, marking a significant shift from her life in Kenya. The transition exposed her to a less diverse environment, leading to feelings of isolation and a struggle to fit in.

[12:27] Achang A. Gutu: "There was no one who looked like me or talked like me or had the same life experiences that I had."

Achang describes the emotional turmoil of trying to assimilate, including altering her appearance and behavior to gain acceptance, which led her to lose a sense of her true identity.

[13:47] Achang A. Gutu: "I think I was trying to fit in so bad. And I think that's when I was also just realizing I was losing myself."

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Building Confidence and Embracing Authenticity

Achang's journey toward self-acceptance and confidence began with her content creation in 2017. Initially secretive about her online presence, she gradually embraced her platform to share her passion for life and self-love.

[17:35] Achang A. Gutu: "It was months of talking and telling them, like, yes, I'm no longer going to be doing the job I was doing. This is my path."

Her host family's support played a crucial role in her transformation, allowing her the freedom to explore her identity without judgment.

[11:06] Achang A. Gutu: "Someone gave me the opportunity to have a choice. Like, I could decide."

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Skincare and Beauty Routine

Achang emphasizes the importance of skincare as a cornerstone of her confidence. Her extensive routine includes double cleansing, serums, creams, and mists that keep her skin glowing and healthy.

[29:08] Achang A. Gutu: "I have an extensive skincare routine."

She details her nightly routine, highlighting products like Kiehl's Stunning Oil Cleanser and Tatcha Indigo Cream, which contribute to her radiant complexion.

[30:24] Achang A. Gutu: "I always do a cleanse, a double cleanse... then I do the vino perfect serum."

Achang also shares how her passion for skincare has influenced her parents, encouraging them to adopt similar routines.

[33:04] Achang A. Gutu: "I think it's exciting for them to also just, like, experience that."

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Cosmetic Procedures: Enhancing Confidence

Achang openly discusses her decision to undergo cosmetic procedures, specifically dental enhancements, to boost her confidence. She reflects on the fears and societal pressures associated with such changes.

[39:23] Achang A. Gutu: "I was very afraid for a really long time because I felt like I was going to lose myself."

Achang's experience underscores the importance of making personal choices for self-improvement while staying true to one's identity.

[41:21] Achang A. Gutu: "If it makes you feel good and it's safe and it is good for yourself, then do it."

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Hair Journey: A Symbol of Freedom and Healing

Achang's relationship with her hair symbolizes her journey toward freedom and self-expression. She discusses the significance of shaving her head and the healing process associated with hair growth.

[43:49] Achang A. Gutu: "I have nothing on my head. You're just seeing me fully as I am."

Her experiences highlight the cultural and personal implications of hair for Black women, emphasizing the power of self-expression.

[44:01] Achang A. Gutu: "We are not a monolith. We could be whatever we want."

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Purpose and Inspiring Others

At the core of Achang's content creation is her desire to inspire others, particularly Black women, to embrace their confidence and live their best lives. She views her platform as a way to provide motivation and support to those who may be struggling with self-love and confidence.

[21:09] Achang A. Gutu: "I want to make people feel excited and happy about being alive... influencing the culture and making things shake."

Achang's mission is deeply personal, rooted in her own experiences of overcoming self-doubt and embracing her true self.

[21:30] Achang A. Gutu: "I felt like something completely changed in my life by being able to inspire someone to do something exciting with their life today."

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Overcoming the Inner Critic

A central theme of the episode is Achang's battle against her inner critic. She shares strategies for silencing negative self-talk and becoming one's own biggest supporter.

[25:44] Achang A. Gutu: "You have to kill your inner mean girl or inner mean boy... be your biggest hype woman."

Achang emphasizes the importance of self-encouragement and treating oneself with the same kindness one would offer a friend.

[27:19] Achang A. Gutu: "I am my biggest hype woman. You need to be your biggest hype person. That will completely change your life."

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Family and Relationships

Achang's bond with her family, particularly her parents, is a recurring subject. She speaks fondly of her mother’s influence and the support from her host family, which has been instrumental in her personal and professional growth.

[48:07] Achang A. Gutu: "I feel most beautiful when I am with my tribe."

Her relationship with her family underscores the importance of a supportive network in achieving personal success and maintaining one's sense of self.

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Conclusion

Achang A. Gutu's story is one of transformation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of self-love and purpose. From navigating cultural shifts and overcoming inner criticism to building a successful online presence, Achang exemplifies the power of authenticity and confidence. Her journey serves as an inspiration for listeners to embrace their true selves, quiet their inner critics, and pursue their passions with unwavering determination.

[48:07] Achang A. Gutu: "I feel most beautiful when I am with my tribe."

Brooke DeVard's conversation with Achang offers valuable insights into the intersection of beauty, self-care, and personal growth, making it a compelling listen for anyone seeking inspiration on their own journey to self-acceptance and purpose.

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Notable Quotes:

• Achang A. Gutu [04:10]: "I was raised very, very modest and humble, quote, unquote. And to not speak up and kind of just like, the smaller you are, the better."

• Achang A. Gutu [25:44]: "You have to kill your inner mean girl or inner mean boy... be your biggest hype woman."

• Achang A. Gutu [21:09]: "I want to make people feel excited and happy about being alive... influencing the culture and making things shake."

• Achang A. Gutu [43:49]: "We are not a monolith. We could be whatever we want."

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This episode of Naked Beauty provides a profound exploration of Achang A. Gutu's path to self-discovery and empowerment, offering listeners both inspiration and practical advice on overcoming internal barriers and embracing one’s true identity.

Transcript

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes. It's so crazy right now. Most incredibly.

[Brooke Devard]

Hi everyone. Welcome back to Naked Beauty. Hello, hello, it's Brooke Devard and you're listening to the Naked Beauty Podcast. I am joined by Achang A. Gutu, a creator, model, host and confidence queen. The Kenyan born star gained traction online when she started posting daily affirmation videos in 2024. Ah Cheng had her own spread in Sports Illustrated as a swim rookie. And this year she's back gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated swim issue. Those pictures looked gorgeous. You just hit a million followers on TikTok. Yes, you're almost at 900,000 on Instagram. But huge, huge global following. Achhang's influence is undeniable and her rise is confirmation that spreading positivity can really get you far.

[Achang A. Gutu]

It's your boy.

[Unknown]

We all have our rotation of bags, don't we? I've got a rotation of three bags right now that I switch on depending on what the day calls for. Some are bigger, perfect for snacks and all the baby essentials, while others are my cute little evening bags that I grab when I have a formal event out. But no matter which bag I'm carrying, there are two things that I always have with me. A great lip gloss and a great mascara. For me, having mascara in my bag is like a security blanket. I just feel better knowing it's there and I feel even better when it's on. Since I swap my bags daily, I've come up with a brilliant system to make sure that none of my essentials are ever missing from my bag. What I did was I created a tray for my closet and it's stocked with all of my go to bag essentials so that as I swap out bags, I just put in the essentials. My hand sanitizer, my lip gloss, and of course, my Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift mascara. It gives instant dramatic length and volume. So no matter which bag I grab, I know I have everything I need, including the perfect mascara.

There is truly so much to love about la, which is why today's episode is brought to you by Los Angeles tourism, food and drink, shopping and fashion, and just the pure nature and beauty of la. One of the things that I started doing the moment I moved here was integrating hikes into my morning routine. I wake up, I go to this gorgeous canyon and I just take in the nature around me. And it's so great to be surrounded by nature. But then you have this vibrant city here, an amazing restaurant scene, great cocktails, the shopping and fashion. Let's talk about Some of the best shops in la. If you've been into Maxfield, you know some of the most incredible high end designer you can find. H. Lorenzo has such an interesting curated buy. There's a Dover street market here. I mean, the LA fashion scene is honestly very underrated. And there's some very exciting things happening in the design community here. If interior design is more your thing, there are incredible furniture shops here. You can shop vintage, you can shop from contemporary designers. You really can shop your way through all of Los Angeles. And if you're someone who loves wellness and skin care, there are so many incredible spas and skincare destinations here in Los Angeles. There is so much to discover. Find more ways to love LA@discover LA.com we love LA. Let's get back into the episode.

[Brooke Devard]

Welcome to Naked Beauty.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Thank you so much. Prick. I'm so excited to be here.

[Brooke Devard]

I'm so excited to talk to you. I think, you know, this show is all about beauty and you to me are one of these people that, yes, you are physically gorgeous, you've got gorgeous features, a gorgeous body, but your spirit, I really feel like it's your spirit that makes you beautiful and makes people feel so attracted to you.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Thank you. I think. Well, girl, coming from you, you're the diva of the divas, you know, so that means a lot. Thank you so much. Yes, I really appreciate that.

[Brooke Devard]

I want to get into your whole story. I'm dying to go to Kenya. I have not spent time in Kenya. Girl. I know I need to be on the beaches. I just, I need to do the whole thing.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

I think it was Sabrina Elpa. She was telling me that, like, Kenya has the best beaches in the world.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And the best beaches, the best food, the best weather, the best people, the best everything. I think if you're going, let me know.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay, I will let you know.

[Achang A. Gutu]

So we can all go.

[Brooke Devard]

I will let you know.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

I'm always so curious to talk to black people who grew up in majority black countries about their experience with beauty growing up. And I also know that you moved to the Midwest in your formative years. But I want to hear about growing up in Kenya. Did you feel, feel beautiful? Was your beauty affirmed?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes. So I grew up in a very conservative family.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Where, you know, simplicity was closest to purity and closest to God.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And so I just never really. We never really focused on like the way, I wouldn't say the way you look, but like beauty, you know, it was kind of like the simplicity of who you are and your character that is what kind of, like was most reveled on?

[Brooke Devard]

Were you expected to be modest as well?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Very.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Very, very modest. And I tell this story all the time, which was when the first time I was moving to the U.S. it was the night before I left, and my mom took me to go do micro braids in my hair. And it kind of looked like yours, and it was gorgeous, and it was kind of like a little braid, and then it was like, let go of and kind of looked like. I don't know how to describe it, but just exactly the way your hair looks right now. And I had it up in a bun. And I was in my uncle's house in Nairobi, and my cousins were like, oh, my God, your hair looks stunning. We wanna see it, like, down. And I was terrified to, like, let my hair down because I thought it looked too much. And so when I let it go down, they were like, oh, my God, that hair looks so beautiful. You should wear it more like this when you're there. And I was like, I just think it looks, like, too much. And they were like, too much. Maybe just have your hair let, you know, just have let your hair down. And I think it was very telling of it, literally and figuratively, where I was just terrified to. To, like, kind of let go, let go and take up space and take up space. And so, yeah, I was raised very. To be very. Just, yeah, very modest and humble, quote, unquote. And to not speak up and kind of just like, the smaller you are, the better.

[Brooke Devard]

Interesting.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And so. And I think that's just cause of the community we're raised in. I think I also was with parents who wanted to be rebellious a little bit and wanted us to, you know, me and my brother, to kind of live different lives. And that's why they kind of like, pushed us out of the nest at 16 and 17 and said, Go, go out.

[Brooke Devard]

Go live.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Like, there's something better for you out there. And I think they. They knew that the community we're living in at that point would not get us to where we are right now.

[Brooke Devard]

Interesting. Who were your beauty icons growing up? Like, who did you look at and what year were you born in?

[Achang A. Gutu]

I was born in 96.

[Brooke Devard]

96? Yes. Okay. So by the time you were, like, I don't know, 10 and, like, aware of what was going on? It was what, like, 2006? Like, who did you look at and think, like, oh, I want to be like her when I'm older?

[Achang A. Gutu]

It was a lot of people in my family. I really was. And I'm still very obsessed with my mother.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, your mom and dad are so fat, by the way. So you see them on your TikTok. They're so cool.

[Achang A. Gutu]

They're so cool. I really was and still am very obsessed with my mom and the way she carries herself, and she has such a powerful story of how she got to where she is.

[Brooke Devard]

What's your story?

[Achang A. Gutu]

My mom kind of, like, has a little bit of the same story as me, but she was raised in a conservative family as well. She was the oldest. I'm the youngest. I'm the baby. I have princess tendencies. Shout out to my parents for treating me like that. But my mom was the oldest and kind of had to fend for her siblings, and she was not living in a. In a great living situation and comes from very, very humble beginnings. And there was a point in her life exactly when she was 16, which is exactly when I left Kenya to come to the U.S. but when she was 16, she was like, something has to change, and I need to leave this space. And so she ran away from home, and she took whoever could make it with her, and she ran away to the city and kind of just like, started her life there and lived many years.

[Brooke Devard]

What did she do for work?

[Achang A. Gutu]

She worked at hotels, like, really fancy hotels, as, like, a cook and a waiter and, you know, kind of like the staff around the hotels, and did that for a really long time. And she was about to actually leave the country, which. Mom, I don't even know if you. I'm telling you, T. But she was about to leave the country with somebody. But then she was like, oh, my God, if I leave, who's gonna take care of my siblings and my family and all these things? So she left where she was and went back to Kisumu, which is now the home where she was from. And she worked at a college high school there as the equivalent of a lunch lady. And my father at the time was this, like, young guy who was just, like, living his best life and was there as a soccer coach.

[Brooke Devard]

Oh.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And he would bring his team, like, on certain days to come and eat, and everybody would be like, oh, Ms. Ann, Ms. Ann, Mr. Gutrie is here. All these things. And they kind of became friends like that and, you know, dated and got married, and here we are.

[Brooke Devard]

Here we are. I love it.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

Now, moving to the Midwest, I'm sure that was a culture shock, girl.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Like, my only experience of the US Was, like, Disney Channel and, like, High School Musical.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay, so what were you expecting versus what it was? Giving.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I was expecting seeing jocks to be dancing on the tables, people to be bursting out of music. I was like, honey, this is America. This is the US like, what do you mean? Like, I'm at lunch, Nobody's putting their head in the game or whatever. Nothing. It was kind of disappointing. But, you know, I had only had an experience of the US through television. And so my very first time coming here, I was very excited. I was very, very, very excited. My parents were a little afraid because I'm the youngest, I'm the last born, and they're the only girl. And so they had a lot of pushback from the community, from my family, saying, like, why would you let this baby, this child, go to another country? For what? Like, you know, you can keep her here and take care of her, and she can go to school and be close to you. And my parents were like, no. They just. They really did believe there was something better out there for me than what I was experiencing. And it's true.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And so when I moved to Indiana, the first few weeks were just kind of, like, euphoria. Like, I was just so excited to be there. I had. This is my first time away from my family. I'm in a different country. I'm experiencing new things and new people, new food, new fashion, new ways of life. Like, it was just so exciting for me. It was like, freedom. Like, I could do anything. And I live with an amazing host family who were our family friends in Kenya who moved to the US I actually moved back with them.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And I lived with an amazing host family and my host mom, Eden, who. Who passed two years ago.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Achang A. Gutu]

She was such a fabulous woman and someone who really helped me get out of my shell. And, like, from the simplest thing of when we went out to eat, she would say, like, you can order for yourself. I'm not gonna order for you. Like, you can. You can say what you want and you can get it. Or, you know, she would give me, like, you know, $100 and say, like, you can decide how you wanna use this money. You can save some, you can use some, you can donate. You can put it in type. You. You have choices. And I think that was so huge for me because somebody gave me the opportunity to have a choice. Like, I could decide.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And so those first few weeks felt like, that. Like, I have. I have all this freedom, and I have a choice, and I can do all these things with myself. And then reality kind of, like, started to set in. Where I was like, you're far away from your family.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

This is not your home. This is not the food you eat. This is not the life you're used to living. And it kind of.

[Brooke Devard]

And I would imagine Indiana's not very diverse.

[Achang A. Gutu]

It's not so.

[Brooke Devard]

Because I'm always so interested. I think high school is such a pivotal time for coming into yourself, figuring out your own beauty, your own identity. And when you go from a place like Kenya, where you see blackness all around, to a place like Indiana, where I'm sure you were one of very few, it must have been a big shift.

[Achang A. Gutu]

It was a big shift. And, like, for, like, people would say, like, oh, you have an accent. And I'm like, no, you have an accent.

[Brooke Devard]

Right.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Or, like. Or how I dressed or what I ate or, you know, kind of like the life experiences I had was not the same as them. And I remember just trying to fit in because there was no one who looked like me or talked like me or had the same life experiences that I had. And sort of, like, the homesickness started to kind of, like, really, really fall in, like, probably two months into trying to figure out how I fit in here or who I am. Like, am I speaking weird? Like, why are people telling me I speak weird? Or why are people saying, like, that's not what you're supposed to be wearing, or that's not how you're supposed to be eating, or that's not what you're supposed to be talking, like, and, as in, it was tough. And the thing is that then I was now just at the people around me for some kind of acceptance. And so if that meant, like, you know, I would only straighten my hair, regardless of how crispy and burnt it was, I would do that. Or that I would wear a foundation color that was not the same color as me, or I would do my. My nails a certain way or wear my outfits a certain way just so I could feel seen or, like, feel respected and not feel like an outcast or. Yeah. Just. Just unseen. Because I, you know, I was 16.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And. Oh, to be 16. And I think it was my host mother who was like, just realize, like, noticing that I was changing in a way that she had not seen me before because we had been really good family friends in Kenya, so she had experienced my life in Kenya and the next year in my life in the US and there was one time I came home and I said, I ain't gonna do that. And she said, no, it's not you. And she said, oh, my God. Like, oh, my little Kenyan girl, she's getting lost. And I was like, she said that to me. And I was like, honestly, yeah, I guess you're right. Like, I think I was trying to fit in so bad. And I think that's when I was also just realizing I was losing myself. Like, I wasn't myself. I would talk to my parents and they would be just. So they wouldn't feel me. They could hear me but not feel me. And my parents were, like, so afraid for a long time. I would always talk to my host mom and be like, is she okay? What's happening?

[Brooke Devard]

So I'm so curious. This jump from growing up in a family where modesty was such a value and you were kind of meant to take up less space, then going to the US feeling like an outcast, feeling different, trying to fit into the phenomenon that you are now, which your brand is all about. Standing out, being yourself, taking up space. What has that journey been? And when did the content creation come into it?

[Achang A. Gutu]

It's been tough. I'm not gonna lie. It's been. It's been hard. I think we. Well, Kenyan culture is not Kelly Kasha. But like, yeah, most Kenyan people are like, what will somebody say? Like, if I took, you know, as a parent, like, if I took you to the best schools and did all these things and you end up posting on Instagram, what will people say? And I think that's what my parents were kind of trying to deal with, and I was trying to deal with too, that I would disappoint my parents. And I felt like I've always been this person, I've been the. I was the rebellious child. You know, my older brother was always so straight laced and had everything set, you know, straight. A student, head boy, did the best things. And I was kind of just like hanging out and chilling. And I was like, I was like, you know, even though my parents are like, you have to be so modest, I would, like, get to school and, like, roll off my skirt and, you know, roll up my sleeves and let, you know, like, try and, like, do a little hair thing. Even though, like, I knew somebody was going to say something, I would be like, I was afraid to, like, express that version of myself. I think I had always been, like, loud and strong willed. And I think it was society and the people in my life being like, you can't be that. You have to be this kind of person. You have to be soft spoken and you can't be loud and you can't express yourself in these ways. I think I'd always been like that and just been in a place that suppressed me. And when I came to the US and kind of had the opportunity where I was, like, with somebody who I really respected and loved, my host mom, when she gave me the opportunity to say, you can order for yourself. You can decide what you want to wear, you can decide when you want to go to bed, you can decide what you want to eat and all these things. I think it was just like me being like, woo, girl, I'm free. You know, it was just me kind of like now fully living in my essence. And I think that was hard for my parents because it felt like unlike who they knew I was. And it felt like to them that I was steering away from the things that. And the values that they had instilled in me all these years.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And it took a long time.

[Brooke Devard]

And when did the content creation begin?

[Achang A. Gutu]

The content creation began in 2017. I did not tell anyone. I did not tell my family.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

My brother, who is one of my biggest supporters and my. One of my favorite people in the world, started seeing me on Instagram posting about my favorite lip gloss. And he was like, girl, what are you doing? What are you doing? People gonna see you. What are people gonna think? And he started seeing it. I was not telling anyone. Like, honestly, I was like, even trying to block some of my family members being like, don't even follow me. Don't even see me. And my parents are not big social media people. And so I was just able to kind of, like, live that part of my life and still, you know, do my work as an admissions counselor and all these things and just have them see that and not see the social media work I was doing. And so in 2017, it started, and I kind of just like, continue to, like, post about my love for life and affinity for living and the things that, like, brought me joy. And so then when it started to come up was when I was in grad school in Boston in 2019. The school that I was at was like, oh, we see your pop in on Instagram. What's going on there? I was like, just living my life. And then people in our community started seeing me and following me and started talking to my parents about it and say, hey, Mr. Gutu, seeing Ache Angutu. Is that your daughter? That's my daughter. What do you know about her? Oh, she's posting online. She's telling us to be confident. She's. She's telling us to do this. She's telling us what outfit she's wearing. You've not seen her? My parents call me.

[Brooke Devard]

Oh my gosh.

[Achang A. Gutu]

We took you to the US to study. What is this thing we're hearing about you being online telling people to live their best life? You should be living your best life at that school. So when that started happening, it was kind of like where I was also coming to a crossroads where I was like, should I continue with corporate America and continue with what I'm doing, or should I go full time with social media? And it was months of talking and telling them, like, yeah, I'm no longer going to be doing the job I was doing. This is my path, this is my path. I really want to focus on this. And it was terrifying for them for a long time because they were like, instagram can disappear tomorrow and then you're jobless. And that was scary for me. But I just, I think at that point in my life I was already going through my own like self confidence and self love journey and feeling like my parents have already lived their lives and they're living it already. And I think they were trying to kind of dictate what I needed to do and what I could do and couldn't do. And I just, I was exhausting. I wasn't happy, I didn't feel fulfilled, I didn't feel excited about anything. And honestly, when I did it, the only person I told was my brother. And I told them months later, after I switched my visa to my current visa right now, and they were just, they didn't miss anything.

[Brooke Devard]

They said, okay, and now you, I know you've taken them to five star hotels and resorts and they, they've seen the fruits of your labor. So I'm sure now they're like, it's, it's paid off.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Oh no, now it's definitely paid off. My very first check, I sent it all to them and my dad was like, okay, good. Very excited. But I think right now they're just, after they've like seen me living this life and kind of like doing what I'm doing. I'm so happy with what I do. I love my platform so much. I love what I do. I love that I can connect with such amazing iconic people like you and share spaces with people I've only look up to. And so I think that's special and that I can inspire people to do something exciting with their lives.

[Brooke Devard]

I was going to ask that because as I hear you talking, I think what's clear is you had to have the confidence to build the life that you wanted to have and that you're living your dream right now. Why is it important to you to inspire other people? Like, why has kind of the queen of confidence been the angle that you've really kind of built your social media audience around?

[Achang A. Gutu]

I think it's because I lived a life where I didn't feel good about myself. I did not feel excited about waking up. I did not feel happy. And that was exhausting. And I know there's people out there who have felt the way I felt. And if I had someone like me to kind of just motivate me or just tell me, like, girl, you can do it, or just like, this. This doesn't have to be the life that you live. This doesn't have to be the end all. Like, they. There is more beautiful days, there's more life. There's more exciting things that can happen in your journey. Like, that would have completely changed my life, and I think I had to be that for myself and something I always talk about with my parents and my family's purpose. And I, for a long time, was looking for some kind of purpose for myself and that if my purpose in this journey of life is to help someone or make someone feel good and excited about doing something exciting with their wild, beautiful life, and why not? And I think that's something that I, like, brings me joy. I want to. Sorry, I'm getting really emotional.

[Brooke Devard]

No, I mean, you are living your purpose, and you are helping so many people in ways that you probably don't even comprehend or maybe you do comprehend, and that's why you are getting emotional.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yeah. And I think that for me, it's all about purpose. I really want to make people feel something, especially black women. I want black women to feel the world and feel excited and feel happy about being alive and making a difference and influencing the culture and making things shake and move and shake status quo and make history. You know, I think there's so much potential out there, and for me, that's what it is. I want to do this because I want people to feel that.

[Brooke Devard]

Like.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Because I felt it. And, you know, my journey is still growing. And, like, it's just. I always say it's just the beginning for me, because I think I'm just on the just like, the. What. What thing? What is that?

[Brooke Devard]

The pinnacle, the peak.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Peak, yes, yes. Of what could be happening with my journey and my. And my brand. The people I could see and. And touch and reach and people's lives. I could change. I'm like, I'm not. I'M not, you know, Gandhi. Okay. But I feel like if I can make someone feel excited about doing something with their lives today, I think that's, that's where it's coming from.

[Brooke Devard]

We feel it. We feel it. We, we see you in Sports Illustrated and we're cheering you on. And when we see you in these rooms and with these opportunities, it is like you are doing it for more than just yourself. You are representing for black women in such a powerful way.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Thank you.

[Brooke Devard]

And you know, I can't remember, it was some interview that someone was asking you about, like, oh, you're so confident. And your response was like, you're like, well, why, why wouldn't I be confident? Look at me. You know, and it's like, that's how we should all feel, honestly.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Because I think people wonder why I feel like that. Like, why not?

[Brooke Devard]

Why not?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Like, why not? Like, what is the option then for me to not feel like that? Like, that is not an option for me. My. Like, I only want to experience life to the fullest. I fully understand that I have one life. Like, we don't get a redo. We don't get a second chance. This is it.

[Brooke Devard]

This is it.

[Achang A. Gutu]

This is it. Like, and I fully understand that, like, if I do something, I do it to the max. I do it to the best girl. If, if I'm on a, on a first class flight, I am making sure I'm experiencing everything. Okay. If I'm here with you, like, I'm making sure that I am experiencing everything. If I am indulging in like food, I'm making sure I'm experiencing everything. If I'm living my life, I'm making sure I'm experiencing everything. There is no other option apart from that for me.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And I really want people to feel that because you have, like, you truly have one life. You live every day and you die once.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. And for people that are struggling with self love or confidence, what tips for people that are just listening to this and they're like, I want to be on your level of confidence. Where can they start?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Good question. I would probably say you have to kill your inner mean girl or inner mean boy, whatever it is. You have to kill that version of yourself inside of you.

[Brooke Devard]

That self critical voice that a lot of people have.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes. It is the one thing that held me back from a lot of the things that I was doing.

[Brooke Devard]

What did the voice say to you?

[Achang A. Gutu]

You can't do that? Or I feel like a lot of my criticism was like, how did you even get Here. Like, what are you even doing here? Or, like, that is so weird and embarrassing and cringy. And I feel like, for me, I think I had to push past that so much. Like, I walk in downtown Brooklyn in a face mask. I go shopping at Chanel and Ferragamo in a face mask, and I don't care, you know? Like, and the thing is that, like, for me, it's like, this is what's good. I need to do my skincare. I also want to shop. I also need to go get some groceries also. Like, that's just, like, the way I'm living, right? But then there would be a part of me if I did not end that version of myself. I'd be like, girl, that person is looking at you and thinking you're so weird and embarrassing. That is so cringy. Or, like, if I was in a space where I was, like, feeling like, oh, this is so cool. I'm here, there'll be, like, an inner voice being like, how did you even get here? Like, what did you even do? Like, these other people around you are so much better. Like, what are you doing here? And I had to fully, fully remove that version of myself.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I am my biggest hype woman. And I think that is. Is what you need to do. You need to exterminate your inner critic, and you need to be your biggest hype woman, hype person. That will completely change your life.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Like, people, like, if I pose myself in a bikini, like, even when I. When they posted me for Sports Illustrated, people are like, oh, yeah, but she has stretch marks and her FUPA is big. Whatever. And her stomach is big. And. And, like.

[Brooke Devard]

And I'm in Sports Illustrated.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And I'm in Sports Illustrated, and I look good, and I feel good, and my skin is glowing, baby. And I'm in Bermuda, living my best life. Like, this is exciting for me, right? Like, I think the reason I say bestie all the time is because I want people to. To understand how you can also talk to yourself as your own friend. I'm my own bestie. I would never talk to my best friend in a bad way. Like, I will call you out and call you in, but if somebody. If you come in and you're like, I just don't even feel good, and I don't look beautiful, you are the baddest bitch I know. You are gorgeous. You're fantastic. And you need to speak to yourself like that. Like, and I think there's a sweet spot of, like, trying to just pull yourself out of the Miry Clay and bring yourself up. You deserve it. Really, really, really deserve good things.

[Brooke Devard]

I love that. Speaking to yourself like your own best friend like, that is so beautiful. Yes. Now you skin. We got a little bit into skin care, and we need to really get into it because skin is skinning. It is glowing just the way your skin reflects light. I always say that the sign of healthy skin is when it reflects light. It's just glow. Like, your skin is amazing.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Thank you.

[Brooke Devard]

So I need to know before we even get into the nightly and daily skincare routine, what are the treatments you're doing? What are the, like, special things that you do for your skin?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Okay. So I don't do so many special things.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Skin. I don't know. I think I have a. I have an extensive skincare routine.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Unknown]

That's how I am.

[Brooke Devard]

I'm. More. People ask me about lasers and Botox and I'm like, I'm. I'm not doing all that crazy stuff. But not that that's crazy. People do whatever you want.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

But for me, I feel like skincare is really my realm where I do the most.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I'm obsessed with skincare.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay. Same.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I feel so, like, even today, I'm not doing too much with skincare. I just did, like, an under eye and a blush. I don't know how I'm looking at the camera.

[Brooke Devard]

You look great.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Thank you, baby. You look great. But I'm so obsessed with skincare. That is, like, where I feel the most confident.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And it was. My skincare was kind of also where I started to, like, really look at myself and look at my face as I actually used to be kind of afraid to look at my face.

[Brooke Devard]

Interesting.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Like, for long periods of time. And when I do my skincare now, I really indulge in it. I think it was because, like, with culture, it was like, if you look at yourself too much, you're so vain. And so I was actually, like, afraid to look at my face for a long time until I got into skincare.

[Brooke Devard]

Interesting. And right now, take me through the current nighttime routine.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Okay. So I always do a cleanse, a double cleanse, an oil cleanse from Kiehl's Stunning. And then I also do the fenty. I can't even think of the name right now, but the fenty cleanser.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Which I really love. And I feel like it just does a good pore cleanse.

[Brooke Devard]

And it's double cleansing. Is life changing. Like, you just need. If you wear makeup, if you wear sunscreen, you need to double Cleanse.

[Achang A. Gutu]

You have to.

[Brooke Devard]

You have to.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And I feel like people don't think that you need to do that.

[Brooke Devard]

You need to.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And by double cleanse, it's not like, wash your face twice. It's an oil cleanser, oil cleanser.

[Brooke Devard]

And then you can do a foam cleanser, a gel cleanser, a cream cleanser. I love a foam. I love an oil. I like an oil or a balm followed by a foam cleanser.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Ooh. I've not done a bomb. I've only done an oil. But I feel like the foam is like the. The action is already happening.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. Yes. Okay, so your skin is clean, then what?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Skin is clean. And then I would go in with the vino perfect from.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay. The girls love this serum. I need to get into it. I know.

[Achang A. Gutu]

You have to. Effective immediately.

[Brooke Devard]

I know, I know.

[Achang A. Gutu]

It is so delicious. It has your skin looking plump and juicy. And I love my. I want my skin to feel like that when I'm going to bed. I want to look like a rotisserie chicken. Like, really just basted. Basted.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Like a good Thanksgiving turkey. I really want that. Actually, actually, wait, before that, I go with Dr. Dennis Gro Alpha Daily peels. The red version.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

The highest.

[Brooke Devard]

The high strength. You're doing that nightly.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I'm not nightly. Like, every other night.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay. I do love those. I think those peels. Like, when I was noticing a little texture on my forehead the other day, I brought. I brought out the extra strength. She's gone in two days.

[Achang A. Gutu]

She's so good.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Achang A. Gutu]

So good. So I do the extra strength, but you can build it up. Don't start with the extra strength.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Long. She's going to have you feeling crazy. But I do that. And then I do the vino perfect. And then I go in with the Tatcha indigo cream.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And she has me just.

[Brooke Devard]

Oh.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Drenched, gorgeous. Delicious. I would normally go in with an oil. The Ole Hendrickson oil is perfect. And then I also, on top of that, I put on the Tatcha dewy mist.

[Brooke Devard]

I love a mist at night. It's just like, bring that moisture back in.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Bring the moisture back in.

[Brooke Devard]

And in between skincare steps, it's nice to re. Moisten your face.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Oh, my God. I didn't even know.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. Cause it's kind of just like rehydrates everything.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I love that because sometimes I do it at the beginning, the end, or sometimes I just do it at the end, but I just want to look glowy and glossy.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yeah. My. Like, my dad loves it. My parents are also getting into skincare right now.

[Brooke Devard]

I need to see that content.

[Achang A. Gutu]

No, I really will. I think they're feeling a little nervous because my parents skin is amazing.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Achang A. Gutu]

They do not even use that much. And they're like, my mom is always, like, aching. You know, I've just been beautiful for a long time, so I don't know if I need this. I'm like, mommy, you don't need it, but you can have it. But then I had to write down a list because my mom, I guess my parents, I just love them. But my mother, I had brought her. What was it? It was a sunscreen from Sol de Janeiro.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And how. She wasn't reading it. She was using it as deodorant. I said, mommy, please. She was using it as a spray because she was saying, actually, when I use this one, it's good just for a little bit. And then when I'm done in the middle of the day, it's not working. I mean, because it's sunscreen. But I just, I think it's exciting for them to also just, like, experience that. And my parents are just, like, so, like, I just love that they're opening up themselves to, like, all these fun new things.

[Brooke Devard]

Like, I feel like you just opened up for me. A good Mother's Day gift, if you're. Or Father's Day, if your parents aren't into skincare, build them a routine. But write down the order of everything. Like, be like, here is like the cleanser. The more like, that would be a nice gift.

[Achang A. Gutu]

It is such a fabulous gift. And my parents started getting into it because they would always. When I was. I did a little bit of a sabbatical, like, two years ago in Kenya, and I was there for a few months. And the best time for us to be, like, chatting was at night. And it was when I'm doing my skincare and my parents would say, oh, you're doing how many of those, how many products are you using? All these things? And they would be just so into it. But then that was exciting for them that they could also just, like, see what I'm doing and, like, see what they could do. And I think it's actually a really beautiful gift, honestly.

[Brooke Devard]

Daytime, what's your go to sunscreen?

[Achang A. Gutu]

I use black girl sunscreen.

[Brooke Devard]

Or the matte or the, the OG formula.

[Achang A. Gutu]

The OG formula.

[Brooke Devard]

Dewy, glowy.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I I so I love a matte skincare. I love a glowy skincare and a matte makeup look.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. I I We're on the Same exact page. Okay. Go to makeup products for, like, an everyday casual glam.

[Achang A. Gutu]

An everyday casual clam. I would probably do. What am I loving right now? My lips always have to be glossy, so I'm using the top Cools. Slick South Gorgeous.

[Brooke Devard]

Love her.

[Achang A. Gutu]

She is a lip treatment. But also I use it as a gloss.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I would also do. What do I use?

[Brooke Devard]

Your lashes are so beautiful. Like, they're so curled and perfect.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Thanks. I. Oh, my God. My favorite mascara is the milk makeup mascara.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

She is stunning.

[Brooke Devard]

The one in the gray tier, the.

[Achang A. Gutu]

One in the gray tube. And she just has your lashes looking absolutely, like, elongated and fabulous and great. I don't even curl them. They just. They just do their work. And then for a concealer, I use the serum concealer from Lancome.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

She is makeup and she is skincare.

[Brooke Devard]

Love it.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I love, love, love, love her blush blush. I use the one size. Is it called Cheek Clever. That's what it's called.

[Brooke Devard]

I can't remember all these spicy names.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I know these spicy names, but it is a gorgeous color that looks so good on dark skin. And I think it is beautiful. It's pink and beautiful and stunning. Get it? And then top that off with the Charlotte Tilbury setting spray. And then on top of that one size until dawn and you're set. And I'm sad. I don't like. And if I'm doing like an everyday, I don't do a full face.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, you don't need it. You don't need it now.

[Achang A. Gutu]

When?

[Brooke Devard]

Which product are you going to come out with? Like, I'm ready.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I'm ready to tell me because. Okay.

[Brooke Devard]

They buy anything from you?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Anything.

[Brooke Devard]

Honestly, fragrance would be tea.

[Achang A. Gutu]

A fragrance would be so delicious. But also champagne.

[Brooke Devard]

Ooh, yes. You are always having your champagne moment.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I love a good, gorgeous glass of champagne. Yeah. And honestly, maybe champagne and some skincare champagne and some so fragrance. I feel like I love smelling good. I love things that taste great. I love things that look good. And I feel like I also know things that look good, taste good, and feel good.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. Okay. And earlier, before we got on the mic, you were saying that you love the naked beauty fragrance your mom took. And knowing that your mother is a woman of high standards, I'm so thrilled that you love the fragrance. So what are your other fragrances that you love? What are Chang's? Go to fragrances.

[Achang A. Gutu]

So Maison Francaise. Cartizo has a fabulous oud, a satin oud that is so delicious. I love Jackie Aina's. Hard to get okay, and then listen, listen, girls, let me tell you a little concoction I've had. I've had the naked beauty with a fragrance from. By Rosie Jane.

[Brooke Devard]

Oh, the. By Rosie Jane.

[Achang A. Gutu]

By Rosie Jane called Missy.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And put those two together.

[Brooke Devard]

Really? Okay, wait, what are the notes of the By Rosie Jane?

[Achang A. Gutu]

It is fruity. It is. Has a little, like, floral, like, fragrance to it, but it is super fruity. It feels like you're truly on vacation. Feels just. It's very indulgent.

[Brooke Devard]

I love that.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And that's what I have layered with this fragrance right here. And, baby, you. It feels like, what. What. What vocation would I say, like, you are in? Baby, you are in Barbados on the beach, smelling good, skin good, eating a mango, dipping it in the water, like Rihanna. It is stunning.

[Brooke Devard]

And you were, by the way, just hanging out with Rihanna on vacation.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I just hang out with Rihanna, and it was stunning.

[Brooke Devard]

How. How is she to just to hang out with? Like, she seems so cool.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Her aura is actually insane, I think. I love. I. My favorite thing is powerful women. I love powerful women. And as soon as she walked in, like, she is who she is, but just the way she interacts with people, the way she moves and works the room is so insane.

[Brooke Devard]

It is.

[Achang A. Gutu]

She was like, I just love talking to her. I loved hanging with her. Like, honestly, that's my best friend at this point. That's my bestie. I really, really had a good time with her. She's fabulous.

[Brooke Devard]

What's your go to date night fragrance?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Oh, babe. I would probably say I like an oud. I love, like, a mask fragrance because I love power. And so I think I would probably just go with the, like, a satin oud and just keep it as that. Honestly.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I love an oud fragrance.

[Brooke Devard]

Love it.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

You've been very open about cosmetic procedures. Like your teeth.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

Which you went to Turkey. I always say Turkey. I'm like, my home country Turkey. I like. I claim Turkey is mine. But you went to Istanbul and you got your teeth, which they look so beautiful, by the way. I'm always like, obviously with all things, there's a spectrum of good and bad. And the bad can, like, make you feel scared. Like, oh, my gosh. I like, this is such a permanent thing. I want my teeth to look really good. How did you find the right people to work on your gorgeous smile?

[Achang A. Gutu]

So I had been thinking about doing my smile for a really, really, really long time.

[Brooke Devard]

And these are called, like, give me the exact length. Are these veneers top and bottom?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Top and bottom.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay. So full.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I got the full.

[Brooke Devard]

The full thing done.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Okay. And I was really afraid for a really long time because I felt like I was going to lose myself. Because my smile was very unique, and it was very much who I was. And that's how my family knew me, and that's how I knew myself. Like, when I looked in the mirror, like, I was like, yeah, that's me. But there was also a part of me that felt like I would feel more confident if I made this change for myself. And I think something I was, you know, afraid of for a while was like, what would people think? Or what would people say? Or people will say, I don't love. I didn't love myself enough and decided to do this. But, you know, I think it got to a point in my life where I was like, babe, you gotta do some things for yourself, okay? And if it makes you feel good and makes you feel like you are living your best life and makes you feel super confident, do that for you. And people will adjust. And if they don't, that has everything to do with you and nothing to do with me. Diva. And so I did a lot of research for many, many, many years until I decided to do this. And I found this place called Prime Dental. And, you know, I talked to them for months. Honestly, actually, I talked to them for, like, a year and a half, like, being like, what do you mean? Like, what am I going to do? I don't want my teeth to look at this. I don't want to feel like this. So it took a long time.

[Brooke Devard]

And clarif you a paying customer or was there, like, a brand deal?

[Achang A. Gutu]

A brand deal.

[Brooke Devard]

A brand deal. But you felt as if they gave you the kind of care that they would give. And, like, did you feel like, okay, I'm getting VIP treatment because they're doing.

[Achang A. Gutu]

This brand deal, as in that too? Yeah, okay, that too. But, like, there was some of my other friends who had gone there and had had a great experience.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay, but.

[Achang A. Gutu]

And they were paying customers, and, like, that's important. Fabulous, fabulous experience. And so, you know, when I was like, okay, I'm going to do this, it was. I did it for my birthday. It was my first year. I did a solo trip. Yes, ever. Because I always love celebrating myself. I wanna celebrate with people. And so I was, like, really terrified to do this big procedure for my own birthday as a gift. And so, you know, when that happened, I talked about it. There was a little bit of pushback from people being like. Because people were sending Me crazy things. Like, I was like, babe, I'm just getting my teeth done. Like, I'm not like, taking over, like a country or something like that. I'm just going to Turkey to get my deep den. And I'm glad I did it. I feel happier. I feel like I've always been confident, but I feel like, even more confident right now. And I think when it comes to cosmetic surgery, I speak heavily about loving yourself as you are, but also talk about, like, if it will make you feel good, then do it. If it makes you feel good and it's safe and it is good for yourself, then do it. And I think, like, going back to the beginning of the conversation where I was talking about, like, you have one life and you do not get a redo. And if that's what makes you feel good, maybe do it.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. Then also to your point about not worrying what other people think, like you were thinking, oh, what are people gonna say? I've branded myself this way. It's like you have to kind of quiet those voices and think, what do I want?

[Achang A. Gutu]

What do you want? Honestly? And I think you should always put yourself first.

[Brooke Devard]

Always put yourself first.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Always. Sometimes my dad says this to me. Sometimes my dad says this to me all the time. He's like, girl, it's all about you. Achieve. It's all about you. And so figure out what that means for you and how you want to live that part of your life.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. You were also telling me we were just at the sacred event.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes. Oh, my God. Also, first of all, Brooke looked heavenly. You looked insane. That was an outfit diva. You looked so good.

[Brooke Devard]

Thank you. Thank you. You looked beautiful as well.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Thank you.

[Brooke Devard]

But you were saying that when you started growing your hair and doing like. Because when most people saw you, we met you, you're beautiful and bald. And that was a big part of like your. The way you showed up and self express.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

And you said people gave you pushback when you started rocking hair.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

That's surprising to me because I would think that, I don't know, as women, I feel like we have the ultimate permission slip to always change it up. Who expects us to stay the same all the time?

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes. You know, people were like, you know, even till this day, anytime I change my hair, they're like, so you're not going to cut your hair? Or why are you showing up? Why aren't you repping for bald black women and all those things? And the thing is that I'm still the very same. The best. The bad is the One and only. You know what I mean? I'm still her with just a few edges. And there's nothing wrong about that. And I think the thing is that as women, we are not. Especially as black women, we're not a monolith. We could be whatever we want. Okay, babe, I could shave my hair today and grow my hair tomorrow. And, like, for me, I had seen this video on TikTok of this lady who came up with a plant, and she said, you see this plant? I'm gonna cut it. And she cut it, and she says, and I bet you she's gonna grow back and better. And she brings back the plant a year after. And the plant is, like, grown so beautifully, like, even more than it was. And for me, I feel like I have so much. And especially for black women, I think we have such interesting relationships with our hair. I cut off my hair many years ago because I felt like I needed to let go of a part of me that was connected to my locks, and I needed to feel some kind of freedom and liberty and not feel like I was hiding behind hair. And that's why I did that. And I feel like that really fulfilled a part of my life where I could just be free. You're seeing me the way I am. I have nothing on my head. You're just seeing me fully as I am. And I feel like for right now, when I'm growing my hair, it feels kind of healing. Like, it's been so beautiful to go into, like, a hair salon or for somebody to come to my house and do my hair and talk to them and talk about, like, oh, this is what you can do to grow your hair and all these things. And when I was in Kenya, my mom came and she sat with me the whole day. She took off work and sat with me the whole day as I did my hair. And it was so beautiful and just felt like a little healing to me, because that's what my mom would do when I was younger, and she just didn't want to leave my side. And she would sit there and talk to me, and she would be like, you know, she'd sit in front of me, and I'd have my legs on her, and she'd like massaging my legs, or she'd be like, what do you want to eat? And those moments were so beautiful and healing to me. And so just I needed that. And so that's what I'm associating, growth in hair, you know, and hair, like, right now. And I think it's interesting that people Feel the way they feel about me growing my hair. And I think that just has to do with their own traumas. And I think that's what I've had to learn as a creator, that sometimes if someone comes onto your page and throws a tantrum, it must have to do with things that are going on in their life and not you.

[Brooke Devard]

Absolutely, Absolutely.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

It's been so beautiful to get to know you better, to hear from you. Also just to hear how close you are with your family. As a mom, listening to you speak about your parents makes me feel so emotional because I'm realizing how much of what I'm saying to my kids, what I'm encouraging them to do, how much that's going to change their life trajectory. Yeah. Just even creating, like, hair memories. I spent a lot of time doing my son's hair and my daughter's too young now, but, yeah, just. It's really beautiful to hear that relationship you have with your parents.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Honestly, that's really beautiful. Thank you. And, like, honestly, Brooke, to give you your flowers. Honestly, thank you so much for creating spaces like this for people. The. I think the very first time I think I really interacted with you was at an event in la. At an Instagram event.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Achang A. Gutu]

Yes. And that was really, really special for me. And you spoke so much life into me, and you were like, you don't even understand what you're about to do.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Achang A. Gutu]

You don't even know how big you're going to get. And I remember we even did a video. And I just want to say thank you so much. It is exciting that there's women like you that exist, and it's exciting that you have created such beautiful spaces for people to come and say their stories and speak. And you're just fabulous and gorgeous and more life to live in.

[Brooke Devard]

Thank you so much.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I love you so much.

[Brooke Devard]

Well, I have to ask you my final question that I ask everyone who comes on Naked Beauty, which is, when do you feel most beautiful?

[Achang A. Gutu]

I would say I think I feel. I don't know. I think I always feel beautiful.

[Brooke Devard]

I don't know if these are a time of day, a setting, a setting feel like.

[Achang A. Gutu]

I think I feel most beautiful when I'm around people who know me and especially my family. Yes. I'm very, very, very in love with my family. There have been such pillars for me and people who have really made me who I am today. I am because they are. And it's exciting to be with people like that. So I'd say I feel like most beautiful when I am with my tribe.

[Brooke Devard]

I love that I'm upset. Thank you so much. Hang we will continue to see your ascent and cheer you on every step of the way.

[Unknown]

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[Achang A. Gutu]

ACAST powers the world's best podcasts. Here's a show that we recommend.

[Danny Pellegrino]

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[Achang A. Gutu]

ACAST helps creators launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere. Acast.com.