Photos: Nick Dybel
Stylist & Creative Direction: Jyotisha Bridges
Hair: Sean Fears
Makeup: Juan Alan Tamez
At just 23, Brazilian powerhouse Camilla Araújo has transformed from Player 067 in MrBeast’s viral Squid Game recreation into a commanding force across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and beyond. But amidst that meteoric rise, she found herself in the spotlight for another reason—a public spat with socialite Alabama Barker Now, Camilla stands not just as a model, but an entrepreneur, and trendsetter, she has successfully diversified her career with projects ranging from fashion and fitness to a highly profitable venture on OnlyFans. She’s redefined what it means to be a bold creator who’s rewriting the rules on authenticity and empowerment.
Authentic, outspoken, and unafraid to be vulnerable, Camilla opened up about the pressure of living in the public eye. She shared how she handles love, criticism, and judgment in a world that often demands perfection.
Your Brazilian background shines through everything you do. How do you think your culture has influenced your confidence, sense of humor, and the way you tell stories online?
Brazilian culture is super expressive. It has an extroverted kind of social style. So I think that definitely helps in my confidence. We have dances like samba, which are very expressive, and it’s almost like a public show of exactly what embodies a woman.
Everything about Brazil is extroverted. We’re very connected with people in how we dress and in our sense of humor. I just think it’s such an embracing culture that it impacts and formulates exactly who you are as a person, especially if you’re surrounded by that growing up.
How did you get started in content creation? Was there a specific moment when you realized you were becoming a global “It Girl”?
I started content creation after Mr. Beast’s Squid Game video. I think the term “it girl” is kind of subjective to each person. I think everyone has the “it girl” factor, because I think it just means staying true to who you are.
It’s just about whether you’re bold enough to put yourself out there and how much confidence you have before allowing other people to judge you. I believe everyone’s an “it girl.” I don’t think I ever really truly think of myself as the “it girl,” more so someone who has a purpose and is trying to reach that.
Before turning 23, you had already built a digital empire. How did you manage to navigate sudden fame and viral success without losing your direction?
Staying connected with family and prioritizing people who truly know and love who I am keeps me grounded one hundred percent.
Nowadays, people confuse “influence” with “impact.” What’s your take on that, and why did you choose to focus on the long game?
The difference between impact and influence is that one of them moves with wanting a reaction, and the other moves with purpose. I think that anyone’s behavior as a human is to seek out their purpose. A lot of the time, society’s biggest issue is people not knowing their purpose, or they get lost in other people’s purpose.
I am fortunate and have been blessed to figure out my purpose at a really young age. I chase it every single day because that’s what I believe happiness comes from. Overall happiness is what motivates me to chase impact rather than influence.
Your presence on TikTok is massive. Is there a strategy behind your viral success, or does it all come together in creative chaos? What’s it like from the inside to constantly be on the algorithm’s radar?
Stressful, but exhilarating, is the best way I would describe that. In my opinion, it’s one of the most exciting things about the job. Constant change, mental stimulation, and trends that move so fast. I love being able to utilize my creativity to create trends.
Your appearance in MrBeast’s Squid Game recreation was a milestone. What did you learn from working on large-scale content like that?
Patience and emotional resilience. Squid Game was chaotic. There were 450 people, and it taught me how to work fast and efficiently under pressure while also having to put on this performance to make sure you get screen time. It was truly one of the most amazing experiences to have witnessed firsthand, and I think it’s incredible how he’s created an empire.
You’ve broken the traditional influencer mold by showing vulnerability, humor, and even your family. What does being authentic mean to you in an industry dominated by filters and curated perfection?
To lead with what’s true to you, what’s real and not perfect or polished. Choosing to tell your truth, even if knowing it could potentially cost you a brand deal or virality, public approval, or even money.
Your work on OnlyFans has been both disruptive and successful. How do you view the platform as a tool for empowerment rather than a limitation? What myths do you think still need to be challenged?
I think OnlyFans, regardless of the stigma, is just women’s empowerment or empowerment in general. It just allows you to take control of your own body, your image, and your entire brand. You have complete personal and creative power over what you put on your platform. In my opinion, I think it’s a form of feminism. I stand heavy on this, sexy does not mean stupid.
Women are successful, and OnlyFans is just a creative way to stand out from the millions of people that are also on the platform, which takes a lot of effort and creativity. If everyone were on that platform and able to become a millionaire, there would be no Sophie Rain, there would be no Camilla. It takes a lot of creativity and being extremely smart with marketing to become a millionaire. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
As an entrepreneur managing a podcast, fashion projects, fitness content, and other ventures, how do you approach diversifying your work, and what strategies do you use to balance creative expression with business objectives?
I would say make sure everything you do is focused on your overall mission and your intent, and make sure everything you do aligns with your goal.
You’re at the center of the public conversation, with your family, your partner, and your career all in the spotlight. How do you handle love, criticism, and judgment in an environment that often places extra pressure on young women?
Stay surrounded by people who truly love you. Filter out the noise around you, not your truth. The only person who can give other people’s criticism power is yourself. I try to remember to never allow them more power than I give my own thoughts and my own intentions.
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