Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Mykell.
Hi Shay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always had an artistic spirit and energy about me to create and escape through artistry. I began dancing as a younger boy and then transitioned into other outlets that truly turned into entertaining and bringing visuals to an audience. I gained my skill in visual directing and captivating media platforms by studying and practicing the art of being an influencer – content creator and delivering a bright, loud, and colorful personality attached to my content creation. I developed a base following that turned into what I call personal success. It wasn’t always the easiest journey. I am in recovery from a battle with addiction. I practice a program and truly dedicate myself to a more positive, and healthy mental space that’s so important to me.
I want people to know that battling the disease of addiction is not impossible & there is a road to recovery that is available but you have to be willing. I had to be willing. With pouring my energy and time into my content creations it transformed into a 50k + following on TikTok & a niche for creating caricatures and curating my content around pop culture and the following of current & past iconic moments in pop culture history that include the likings of The Kardashian’s – iconic movies like Clueless & Mean Girls. I also created a merchandise line by the name of BeTrueBeYou a line based on being your most authentic self, rooted in my own personal journey of being an openly gay young man and a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I felt being true – and being you is the best way to live! I also developed a startup media company with my partner Tre’ Every – MICHAEL MEDIA as a freelance opportunity to build clientele – shape future creators and share the immense knowledge I have with other creators. What’s the point of having things if you can’t share them with others?
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?
I struggled with an addiction in the past and will always have my disease trying to know at my door and take me down. I use to say I was cursed, but it’s not a curse it’s my own personal path that my higher power has set for me. I am very spiritual and have a spiritual relationship with a higher power that has pulled me through the darkness of addiction and how life can just life you!
I have 10 months sober, clean from drinking and using substances, and now seeing my true self I am coming into has shown me the awareness that I was not able to see – which goes as far as not using the true talents that I was given, and allowing that darkness to manifest itself and that almost defeated me. My program and mental health are very important to me – it’s the foundation of my success, my strength, and sharing this message with others is my way of giving it back – after losing my mom who struggled with addiction within my first 90 days which are the most intense 3 months of early sobriety – and seeing that I used my tools that were given to me from therapy to reaching out and using my art to express my feelings and where I’m at in my life is what I can attribute to still being sober. After my mom’s death as well it opened my eyes to see how truly serious this disease is and how serious my willingness must be to practice my program and truly work my program. Once I began to get out of my own way and learn to be kind to myself – it opened up a new lane to travel down that wasn’t necessarily easier but it made more sense & I was able to deal with life on life’s terms.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I possess 50k+ followers and over 7 million collective personal views on TikTok, I am MOST known for my Kardashian skits and I go by my social media personality name. SHAY MYKELL with my videos that have gone viral on multiple social media platforms and gained sponsorship opportunities with the clothing brand EMMIOL and promoting their clothes within my skits on TikTok and other social media platforms. I have effectively established techniques to captivate and engage an audience, applying these techniques to help other creatives build a foundation and social media presence with innovative ideas. I work for a media production house that goes by the name “MEDIA ROW” where we create original & authentic content for clients and artists to help them better navigate their place within the entertainment industry.
Working alongside Christina Tegbe Funke, creative visionary, founder, and CEO of 54 Thrones, out of production house I delivered the 2020 holiday promo campaign which was featured across the Company’s website and social media platforms. With Michael Media, a side venture started with my partner, Tre ‘Every, I spearheaded the custom creation of a virtual lookbook featuring seasonal fashions for clients. Developed within the promo video, the viewer experienced each article of clothing animated within its frame, in various settings, and within a storyline. Providing a real-life sensation, with the visual impact of the movement and flow of the fabric and the fit on the physique of a model figure, further enticed the viewer towards making a purchase.
Videography and photography settings were multi-faceted, from personal baby showers to local photography sessions, with our creative direction to the freelance “gigs” from behind the scenes and into the editing rooms.
Projects were finalized to completion using Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro, per the client’s request. I also possess robust experience with writing treatments for the reality-based television series “The Throne”. Through the study of the art of engaging an audience for social media growth, and following the success of the 54 THRONES campaign, I successfully ventured into creating personal content for TikTok and solidified a strong following. With an in-depth knowledge and understanding of algorithms, I have successfully helped clients grow an authentic following that reigns true within their specific brand. Currently, I possess 50k+ followers and over 7 million collective personal views on TikTok, I am MOST known for my Kardashian skits and I go by my social media personality name. SHAY MYKELL with my videos that have gone viral on multiple social media platforms and gained sponsorship opportunities with the clothing brand EMMIOL and promoting their clothes within my skits on TikTok and other social media platforms. I have effectively established techniques to captivate and engage an audience, applying these techniques to help other creatives build a foundation and social media presence with innovative ideas.
I work for a media production house that goes by the name “MEDIA ROW” where we create original & authentic content for clients and artists to help them better navigate their place within the entertainment industry.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I like to go by the principles of life that my program teaches me and there are 12 of them but I think the ones I practice in life the most would be….. Honesty, love, and service. When I am able to be of service to others and give back what’s been given to me my success is more authentic, more true, and more powerful and it resonates more with others.
Love is another one because, to simply put, love heals all; and honesty. Well, you have to be honest whether it’s with a team member who’s not delivering at that potential you know they can or the family member who’s harming themselves within an addiction, and to be openly honest because you care – genuinely care! And business-wise honesty goes further because I believe that when you are truthful upfront you.
Won’t have to waste energy trying to create other stories to keep up with being dishonest when you could have used that energy to grow your art more, create a healthy workspace for yourself and others, and most importantly be honest with yourself allows you to be your most authentic & true self back into my motto in life which is to be true and be you!
Contact Info:
- Tiktok: tiktok.com/@shaymykell
- Instagram: instagram.com/shaymykell
- Youtube:www.youtube.com/@shaymykell651
Image Credits
Tre’ Every, TreShaun, and Leonardo Iman
