TikTok Star Drew Afualo Taking Break From Platform Over Mental Health: “I Need To Protect Myself Too Because I Matter Too”

deadline.com:

Drew Afualo is taking a break from TikTok for mental health reasons. The social media influencer known for calling out misogynists on digital platforms announced she would be taking some time off, making it clear she was not deleting her account. “All content posted moving forward will be promotional, pre recorded or an ad.

I love u. Take care of each other. Ill see u soon,” Afualo wrote in the caption of her TikTok video announcing her break from the platform on Tuesday, December 10 where she has over 8 million followers.

Afualo built a platform for herself and has been featured on Forbes Under 30 Summit for being a leader and a changemaker. In a recent video, the social media star opened up about her viral stardom being “very violent” due to the “very particular niche” she gained a following in, saying she has been weathering “the storm for three-plus years” now. “This break that I’m taking right now is not because of vitriol.

And I want to make that very clear,” she said. “This isn’t because of hate I receive from bigots or misogynists of the many people that don’t like me on the app because of what I do, which is trying to fight for other marginalized groups.” Afualo noted that her validation doesn’t come from men but from her external accomplishments.