No hobby? No problem! Ariel’s here to help you find it!

We’ve all been there: You’re at a family party, talking with relatives you never see and they ask the most difficult question in the world: “So, what are you into these days?” If you’re anything like Baby Ariel once was, you’d probably rack your brain trying to come up with the right thing to say that’ll impress your family.

Truth is, for Ariel, who is the most-followed person on Musical.ly, it was a struggle to deal with the negative things people might think of her passion. “In the beginning, it bothered me because I felt judged by people who really didn’t know me and had no idea what other skills or talents I have,” Ariel explain to J-14. “But as time’s gone on, I’ve learned that you really have to believe in yourself.”

It may be hard to believe, but her early days as an influencer didn’t come easy to Ariel. “When I first started social media, I was uncomfortable in front of the camera,” she admits. But rather than give up at the first sign of difficulty she kept trying. “Over time, after filming more videos and trying new platforms, I gained the confidence I need to share my creativity online,” she shares.

Now, even when Ariel has people doubting her, she knows how to just shake it off. “Teens are so much more powerful than they’re given credit for,” she tells us. And how true is that? At only 16 years old, Ariel has over 19 million followers online, all because she gave a new hobby a try! “Social media has now become a platform for teens to share their passions, beliefs and creativity,” she explains to J-14. “They can be recognized from anywhere in the world.”

Thanks to her experience, Ariel values the importance of going after new passions, even if they’re intimidating. “If you never try anything, you’ll never know what you like or not,” she advises J-14 readers. “Don’t be afraid of not being good at a certain hobby, you can always improve.”

So if you’re thinking about becoming the next big influencer, or trying out for the football team, do it. “What matters is that you enjoy the holy and feel good about yourself while doing it,” Ariel shares. “You’ll always regret the things you didn’t do, so GO FOR IT!”

Interview and story by Toni Ferrigno. "Baby Ariel’s inspiring message: ‘Don’t be afraid of falling’" originally appeared in the July 2017 issue of J-14.

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