We interviewed YouTuber Shannon Beveridge
DtL: Hi Shannon! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Shannon: I can definitely try! My names Shannon Beveridge, originally from Dallas, TX currently trying to survive in the big/beautiful city of Los Angeles. I’m a full time “YoutTuber” and coffee enthusiast.
DtL: Have you ever experienced bullying? If so what happened and how did you overcome it?
Shannon: I feel very fortunate to have avoided a lot of that nonsense both in my personal life and online presence. I mean don’t get me wrong, coming from the south and then going straight to a very conservative college, there were definitely some murmurs behind my back every now and again, but the important people in my life (aka my family and friends) were so supportive that I barely heard those whispers at all. I think that’s really the trick when it comes to bullying, to only value the opinions of the people around you who love you and truly care about you.
“I am very blessed to have an amazing family and also great friends who love me for all that I am, including gay”
DtL: What advice would you give to those that are being bullied?
Shannon: Keep your head up! Everything is temporary. There are so many good people in this world, don’t give up on that.
DtL: Do you have a coming out story? If so can you share it with us?
Shannon: I do have a coming out story! I’ve actually made two separate videos about it on my channel:
But basically in a nutshell I am very blessed to have an amazing family and also great friends who love me for all that I am, including gay.
DtL: What are the best and worst things about being a YouTube sensation?
Shannon: Oh my gosh… YouTube sensation is V generous. The best thing about having a channel is just being able to connect to so many people all over the world and spread a message that I needed to hear so desperately when I was younger. It’s funny because that message isn’t anything crazy, just that you can be yourself and life can be good. How simple?
The worst thing.. ah I don’t know. Honestly it’s kind of similar to the best thing. Feeling a responsibility to all those people you’re talking to every week. In a way, I sometimes feel like I’m their big sister or something, and I just never want to let them down.
DtL: If you could go back in time, what one thing would you tell your younger self?
Shannon: Lol could I just send you to my YouTube channel?! Lol kidding, kidding. I’d want to tell myself so much but if I had to get it down to just a short message.. “Believe it or not, everything is going to be okay.” I think that’s all I ever really needed to know.
“I’m just happy that I could make anyone feel even just the slightest bit better about who they are”
DtL: What has been your proudest moment so far?
Shannon: Oh jeez… thanks to my followers I feel like I have had so many moments to be proud of. I think that no matter what milestone I reach or nomination I receive or views I get, or any of that nonsense, the one thing I will always be most proud of is that I helped someone. If all of this ended tomorrow I’m just happy that I could make anyone feel even just the slightest bit better about who they are.
DtL: What does the future hold for Shannon?
Shannon: To quote my last answer… I very much so hope this doesn’t all end tomorrow lol. I love what I do and I hope to keep doing it for as long as people will tolerate my presence online. I hope this year I’ll get to tackle some bigger projects too, not sure what they will be yet or if I’m ready to give any spoilers but definitely stay tuned.
“Thank you to Ditch the Label for spreading such a positive message to the world 🙂 I’m all for it!”
DtL: What advice would you give to those who may be struggling to come to terms with their sexuality?
Shannon: Be patient with yourself. You don’t have to have it all figured out overnight. Be kind to yourself. There is nothing wrong with you. Be proud of yourself. You are so brave for being honest with yourself and trying to figure yourself out, it can be so hard.
DtL: Is there anything you would like to add?
Shannon: Just a thank you to Ditch the Label for spreading such a positive message to the world 🙂 I’m all for it!
