"Genuinfluencer" Alla Liang is all About Keeping Things Real

Here in Beijing, and around the world, becoming an online influencer is, and has been on the rise. This massive industry continues to grow, change, thrive, and evolve, and to some people becoming an influencer is just like any other job, clock in and clock out. But for others it might eventually consume them, their alter-ego becoming their full personality. Of course, there are all different types of influencers, and many in-betweens from a more moderate level, to the more extreme and excessive, but one thing that is for sure, this new online industry is not going anywhere, and is here to stay.

Recently I watched a Documentary, FYRE: The Greatest Party that Never Happened, and though it was an old story, one thing about it struck me. I was surprised that for such a huge international festival, most of the blame for the botched event was placed on influencers; they were blamed for hyping the doomed event in order to make a quick buck. Thankfully not all influencers are just in it for the quick buck. Called “Genuinfluencers” (Genuine + Influencer), these people are making waves in influencer circles, and can be described as individuals who want to influence others to do good rather than simply buy products. This includes giving to charity and other good causes.

I happened to meet someone I’d term a Genunifuencer named Alla Liang. Hailing from Belarus, she came to China almost eight years ago and is heavily involved in Beijing’s art community. She’s also a model, and has been keeping up a beauty blog for the past five years. Alla has even been featured on the show Asian Boss.

How did you become an influencer?
I've always been fascinated with make-up and cosplay since I was 14. When TikTok came out, I decided I wanted to share this passion that I had with others, and knew that this might be a way that I could take something that I loved and help others learn to do this too. I didn’t expect it at all, but suddenly I became popular so fast.

Why did you continue? Was it because of this new gained popularity?
I don't know, I just continued to do what I liked to do. If others like it, that is great, and I am happy to share with others; but I never began doing this for fame or popularity, I am the most ordinary person you can imagine. For me, this was always just a way for me to reflect my creativity.

How are you different from other influencers and beauty bloggers?
Even though at one time I had almost four million followers on China’s Tik Tok (Douyin),
I never was focused on the numbers; I always just want to share my passion and creativity with others and use this as a way to express my creativity.

I have met very famous bloggers at events, and I noticed how they all evaluate one another according to the number of followers/subscribers. If you have 10 million, people have a big smile to meet you; but if you are an aspiring blogger, maybe they won't even talk to you. But thankfully not everyone is like that! I am also familiar with very famous and influential people, who are also simple and kind people. Maybe they also realize they don't need to prove anything to others.

Does your involvement in Beijing's art world translate in any way to what you do as an influencer?
Yes. I think my makeup art can encourage people to think outside the box. I think that my art allows people in Beijing and around the world to see that art is not only done on paper. In this case, my face is the canvas.

What things do you do that you think define you as a genuinfluencer and how does it set you apart from influencers in general?
I do not know everyone, so I can't say how different I am from others. But I can say that because of my upbringing and life growing up poor in a small country, this has made me want to always remain genuine.

Money and popularity change some people, but for myself, I always try to remain grounded and remember where I came from. I always remember the person who my mother taught me to be despite money or popularity. When I meet someone, I never say” hi! I’m a popular tiktoker”, i usually just say-I’m a make up artist, this all. I don’t like attention to much, I  mostly enjoy the simple life.

What’s sort of dreams are you chasing?
My dream is to start my own brand. I also often dream and imagine to create a way to unite people of influence, and together establish a fund to help the poor children and families in China and in Belarus. This is my biggest dream. Children are our future.

Another dream is to study and better understand psychology, especially child psychology. Childhood is the most crucial time in a person’s life, and this period is the time that the foundation for their future is laid. I hope to design a program that can help these children.

What advice would you give to aspiring genuinfluencers?
Take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Early in my career, I worked too much, and my health was seriously damaged, now I have a problem with my neck, so I seldom do videos compared to before. I also try my best to value every moment in my life, and know that this is more important than work. In life there are some things you can't buy with money, so no matter how much money you have, time is priceless.

Are there any rules that you live by when vlogging?
Never never never lie to people! I have done advertising on my account, but I always try the products first. I won’t risk ruining the confidence of my subscribers, so I refuse representing bad products. They trust me and I have no right to deceive others. I have had to refuse very famous cosmetic brands several times because of poor quality. These brands got very angry and have never worked with me again. But I was honest, and I don't regret it. I could have made a lot of money, but I could never suggest something I wouldn’t want to buy myself.

READ: Beijing Fashion Icon Joss Zhan: From the IT World to Beijing Barbie

Images courtesy of Alla Liang