Dancer, model, actress, singer, fashion designer, YouTube megastar and a social media sensation with over 28 million followers – is there anything this multi-talent can’t do?
Hello, Tessa, congrats on your first MAXIM cover. How do you feel?
Thank you! I feel great, I’m super excited for everyone to see the photos. It’s my first time shooting in my new L*SPACE collection, which released on September 15. I love how these pieces make me feel – empowered, strong and beautiful – I can’t wait for my followers to wear them and embody these same traits.
Tell us about more about your LSPACE collection.
I love getting creative and designing pieces that are stylish, unique, and fit perfectly. Developing my own swim line with LSPACE was a dream come true, and it was the perfect chance to connect with my followers and give them insight into how I style looks and curate wardrobe choices. Moving from swim to my athletic-inspired collection was such a fun transition, too – it really shows all different sides of my hobbies and my personality. I love swimwear and this collection means so much to me, but fitness and health is also such an important part of my life.
You look gorgeous. When do you feel sexy?
Thank you! I feel my sexiest when I’m dancing – knowing how to move my body makes me feel sexy for sure.
What is your best asset?
Physically, I’d say my smile is my best asset. Otherwise, I’d say my optimism.
Give us a little more background about yourself and your life story so far.
I grew up in California, U.S.A. with three sisters and I danced all my life. I always wanted to act and perform. So, I started posting on YouTube to help out with those dreams and ended up falling in love with creating videos as well. Since then, I’ve just been exploring my love for fashion and art and new ways to be creative.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
Probably how much of a homebody I am. I’m very outgoing once I’m out but I’m going to stay home eight out of ten times.
You started dancing at the age of two. How did you get into it?
My mum and grandma both taught me dancing when I was growing up, so it was definitely because of them. Dancing is super therapeutic to me and I also love the community of it. It means so much to me to have something I was given by my mum and grandma that no-one can take away from me – it’s my sanity, my safe place. The fact that it’s a part of what got me to where I am now in my career, too, I feel really grateful and like they’re always with me.
You’re a dancer, model, actress, singer, social media sensation and YouTube star. Is there anything you can’t do?
Respond to text messages in a timely manner.
Which of these jobs do you love the most?
I just had a really great experience filming a movie called The Honey Girls, so right now acting – but it’s always changing. I’ve also really enjoyed designing. Collaborating with L*SPACE opened my eyes to a new passion of mine and I loved getting creative and showing more of my personal style.
You have 17.9+ million Instagram followers, 5.8 million+ on TikTok, almost 4 million+ YouTube subscribers and more elsewhere…
It’s somewhere around 28 million now. I still pinch myself about this. I love each and every one of them!
How do you keep audiences coming back for more?
To answer honestly, I’m not completely sure! I try to just be myself. I’m fans of so many different creators for so many different reasons, who I presume are also just being themselves, and they affect my day-to-day greatly. To have people also follow me back, and the fact that I might have the same effect on others, makes me feel good.
Would you ever date one of your social media followers?
Hard to say, but I wouldn’t rule someone out because of it.
What do you look for in a man?
Someone I just like to spend time with and laugh with. Ambition and kindness, too.
How can a man win his way to your heart?
I can’t just give away the secrets to my heart like that – just be yourself and if it clicks it clicks.
Describe your ideal date.
A beach picnic with an exciting adventure afterwards.
What have you learned about men over the years?
Honestly, I’ve learned a lot of things about men over the years. Some good things and some bad. But I’ve learned that each person in my life has taught me something, and if you look really hard, there’s some pretty great guys out there.
What’s one thing men should always remember about women?
To be respectful. I mean, we should all be respectful to each other regardless of our gender. We are still fighting every day for our equal rights – it’d be great to see more men helping us do that.
Have you ever been to Australia?
I have not been to Australia, I’ve been wanting to visit forever, but I have watched Love Island Australia if that counts?
What’s next for you?
I’m super excited to be going to New York Fashion Week this month and launching my new collection with L*SPACE – it’s going to be a fan favourite, it’s so fun, flirty and not only do you look good wearing it but you feel good, too. There’s something for everyone! I’m also working on some exciting projects I can’t mention just yet, but stick around and you’ll find out!
STATUS UPDATE
NAME: Tessa Brooks
BORN: April 5, 1999
HOME TOWN: Fresno, California U.S.A.
CURRENTLY LIVES: Los Angeles, California U.S.A.
FIVE WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Caring, loyal, passionate, easy-going, kind.”
HOBBIES: “Painting, guitar, swimming.”
GO-TO DRINK: “Aperol Spritz.”
LIFE MOTTO: “Glass half full.”
SNAPCHAT: @Tessa-brooks
TWITTER/TIKTOK/INSTAGRAM: @tessabrooks
Photography by TYLER KENNY & ADAM FRANZINO
Interview by SANTI PINTADO
Wardrobe by L*SPACE
Hair by KENNEDY TRISLER
Make-up by HAILEY HOFF
Styling by BRANDON NICHOLAS
Videography by ARIE ABRAHAM
Assistant AHMED MOUHAMED
Location THE NIGHTFALL GROUP
For the full article grab the October 2022 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
