From viral videos to global stages, Lele Pons shares how authenticity, culture, and passion have shaped her entrepreneurial journey.
Your career has spanned from viral videos to music, hosting, and beyond. What has driven your evolution as a creator and entrepreneur?
My passion for content creation has driven me to evolve. I started making videos when it was not something popular, and the word “content creator” didn’t exist. There was no money or fame compared to today, so those who started on Vine did it because they had fun making videos without getting anything in return. There were no other motives in 2013 except to create for oneself.
Was there a specific moment when you realized your voice could shape culture and represent the Latino community on a global stage?
There was never a specific moment, because all moments led me to another that made a bigger impact than the other. From being the first influencer to make it to the global Top 50 charts on Spotify with a Latin song to being one of the first and only Spanish-speaking creators to be invited to the White House to help Michelle Obama with a campaign, every opportunity mattered.
You’ve collaborated with major brands and launched your own products. What have you learned about building something that truly resonates with your audience?
I learned that if it resonates with you, then it will resonate with the audience! People are smart, and they know what is authentic. They follow everyone for different reasons. Use the reason why they follow you and build the brand. Be true to yourself, because people catch on to it.
As a Latina entrepreneur and content creator partnering with different brands, what challenges have you faced, and how do you turn them into opportunities?
The challenges I faced have been finding a balance between what my Latin audience likes versus my English one — the language, the jokes, and more. There has to be a balance. That’s why I use physical comedy and music for my videos, so it’s more international and everyone can understand.
You recently became a mom! How has pregnancy shifted your perspective on your work, your purpose, or even the kind of content you want to create?
Being a mom has definitely given me an even bigger purpose to work and give a better life to my baby. She is a huge motivation. However, on the content side, I want to continue the maternity and mom content as myself while not involving my baby in the videos. I just want to talk about my experience as a first-time mom.
What kind of traditions or values from your own upbringing do you hope to pass down to your child?
I hope my baby becomes whatever she wants, because I became something that nobody was at the time — a Viner and content creator.
What parts of your culture make you feel most connected to your identity, and how do you keep those traditions alive in your day-to-day life?
My passion, dedication, and energy that come from the Latin culture are part of my identity.
How important is representation in the media to you, and how do you hope your journey inspires the next generation of Latinas?
I hope that I can help people break boundaries, not be afraid to get rejected, and have the strength to keep going until they achieve even more than their goals.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to young Hispanics who want to chase big dreams while staying true to who they are?
Some advice I have for them is that not everyone is going to like you. The more successful and special you are, the more people are going to envy you and judge you. You have something they don’t have, which is you and yourself. That’s how you know you made it. Be worried when they stop talking about you.
How do you decide which brands to collaborate with? What makes something feel authentic to you and your culture?
I choose my brands based on whether I truly use the product or not — if I believe in it and if it’s something I would buy. I put myself in the shoes of those following me.
