Meet Frankie! We met Frankie last summer in our Atlanta pop-up, and quickly connected on TikTok. We’ve been in touch ever since! Frankie is a multi-creative extraordinaire who, like many of us, grew up being taught restrictive beliefs about bodies and worth, and is doing the hard work to rewire their brain and see themselves with kindness instead of criticism. We hope you’ll stick around and read until the end of their feature, because it brings tears to our eyes!
Hi Frankie! Can you please introduce yourself?
Hi! I'm Frankie, and I use all pronouns. I'm based in the Metro Atlanta area, and I'm a video editor. Passion definitely isn't something I lack. My big three are all fire signs, after all! But if I had to sum up, I'm passionate about the experiences we have in this life and being part of communities that are working towards making the quality of life we all deserve a reality for everyone.
What messages did you receive growing up about bodies, beauty, identity, or worth? What have you had to unlearn/what do you reject now?
Oh, boy. This is actually something I was grieving just the other day. I was looking through old pictures and thinking, "Wow, this little girl spent her whole life believing she was too fat or too chubby, because that’s what she was told" when the reality is that she wasn't. Instead of simply enjoying each stage of her life, she was made to believe it was all her fault. The message I grew up with was that no one would ever want me if I stayed fat, and that I was pretty, but not as pretty as I could be if I were skinny. As an adult, I've had to completely rewire the way I think. I've had to reparent myself with a whole new set of beliefs rooted in self-worth rather than shame. It's still a journey, but learning to see myself with kindness instead of criticism has been one of the most important things I've ever done.
How has your relationship with style and getting dressed changed over time? What role does what you wear play in how you feel about yourself?
It's changed so much. When you truly believe you're not enough because of the way your body looks, you start trying to disappear. I genuinely believed it was offensive for people to see my body. I thought, "How dare I ruin someone's day by making them look at me?" Looking back now, it's heartbreaking that I carried that kind of shame. I didn't just hide myself, I hid my personality, too. I convinced myself I wasn't worthy of wearing the clothes I actually loved because I didn't have the body I thought I was supposed to have. I believed I had to earn the right to express myself. Then one day, I decided I was done asking for permission to exist. I gave myself that permission instead. I started wearing the clothes that made me feel like me, not the clothes I thought would make me the least noticeable. I realized my body isn't something I have to apologize for before I get to express myself. Clothes are so much more than fabric. We don't get the chance to introduce ourselves to everyone who sees us, so what we wear becomes a small way of saying, "This is who I am." It's one of the first ways we communicate our identity, our creativity, and our passion. I truly believe everyone deserves to present themselves authentically, to take up space without apology, and to be seen as the person they are; not as someone who's waiting until they're "good enough" to finally exist.
Where do you feel most like yourself these days, whether that’s in what you wear, what you create, or the spaces you’re part of?
I feel the most like myself when I'm creating, when I'm talking about the things that set my soul on fire, and honestly...every time I get a new tattoo. Creating has always been my way of expressing the things I can't always put into words. Usually, I don't start with a clear idea; I start with a feeling. There's something inside of me that wants to be shared, and I follow that feeling wherever it leads. Creating is my way of translating a part of myself that doesn't always have a voice and offering it to someone else in hopes that maybe they feel something from it too. I think that's why I love connecting with people so much. When I talk about the things I'm passionate about, I don't just want to share information; I want to connect. I want to have those conversations where we go beyond the surface and really see each other. Those moments where you feel understood, where you realize someone else feels the same things you do, are some of the most meaningful experiences we can have. And then there are my tattoos. I've wanted to be heavily tattooed since I was a little kid. When I imagined my future self, they were covered in tattoos. Every new tattoo feels like I'm becoming a little more recognizable to myself. Like I'm looking in the mirror and thinking, "There you are."
As a queer, non-binary Latinx creative who has lived in a bigger body, what has representation meant to you?
Representation means so much to me because it's something I didn't have growing up. I never really saw people like me in the media or even in the community I lived in, and I didn't realize how much that affected me until I got older. I truly believe representation shapes the way we see ourselves and what's possible for our lives. The people you surround yourself with and the stories you hear become proof of what's achievable. Without that, it's easy to feel like you're navigating everything alone or to believe that your dreams are unrealistic. Seeing someone who shares your experiences, your identity, or your way of thinking can completely change your perspective. It gives you hope. It reminds you that you're not alone and that the life you're imagining is actually possible. That's why continuing to find my community has been so important to me. Walking into spaces that align with my values and being around people who embrace authenticity has shown me that I’m not less than. I just needed to find the rooms where I’m valued.
You’ve explored so many creative paths, from makeup and styling to photography, tech, and beyond. What has that journey taught you about yourself?
It's taught me to embrace the waves of life instead of constantly trying to swim against the current. For so long, I believed there was a "right" way to live because that's what we're taught. Everything feels so black and white, follow this path, do these things, and you'll be successful. But life isn't black and white. It's mostly gray. The more I've accepted that life is constantly changing, and that I'm constantly changing too, the easier it's become to move with those changes instead of resisting them. It's also taught me to stop trying to force myself into spaces that were never meant for me. I spent years listening to who I was supposed to be and how I was supposed to live. And whenever I stepped outside of that and something didn't work out, it felt like everyone was saying, "See? That's what happens when you don't follow the rules." So I'd go back and try to fit into that mold again, only to end up feeling disconnected from myself. Now I realize the lesson was never that I needed to try harder to fit in. The lesson is I’m not meant to. I'm not here to walk someone else's path; I’m here to forge my own.
What part of yourself are you making more room for right now?
Right now, I'm making more room to care for myself in a more intentional way. That has meant getting clearer on my boundaries and having the confidence to uphold them, which has helped me protect my time and energy. I've also been making more space for creative work because creating is when I feel most like myself. I've also been focusing on continuing to build community with people who share my values, people I admire, who inspire me to grow, and show me the life I dream of is actually possible. This has also included how I care for my body. I’ve been working out again, eating healthier, and allowing myself to rest. One of the biggest mindset shifts I've had is accepting that rest isn't the opposite of productivity; it's an essential part of it.
We met you at our Atlanta Pop-Up last summer! Do you remember what it felt like to walk into that space for the first time?
Yes!! The space was sooo warm!! You genuinely wanted to get to know me. I felt seen. I was so happy to see a space being curated for bigger bodies. One of the most common experiences we have being in bigger bodies is feeling invisible, and it's heartbreaking. We're people, just like everyone else, which means we all have the same fundamental needs; to be seen, to be heard, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs go unmet, the impact can be profound. No one deserves to feel unseen or less worthy because of the size of their body, their sexuality, or their gender identity. That's why this community and its message are so important to me. Viva Voce is more than just a community; it’s a catalyst for change. It creates a space where people feel valued, accepted, and reminded that they belong exactly as they are. That’s the kind of thing that changes lives.
What stood out to you about seeing brands, bodies, and stories centered in a space like Viva Voce?
The first thing is bravery. Starting a business is hard, but starting one that challenges societal norms takes an entirely different level of courage. Believing in your vision is one thing; sharing it with the world and standing behind it is another. I find that incredibly inspiring. The second is staying authentic. So much of what we consume today feels curated and enhanced. Between Photoshop, filters, perfect lighting, cosmetic procedures, and diet culture, it's easy to forget what real people actually look like. We've created beauty standards that aren't even attainable by the people we're comparing ourselves to. That's why Viva Voce is so important because it continues to highlight real people, real brands, real bodies.
You’ve been such a thoughtful supporter of Viva Voce online since then. What has made you feel so connected to this community?
I’ve been so happy to do so! I believe in it! The first thing was how I felt that day walking into that pop up, I think it’s rare to be met with such genuine energy like that. I’ll never forget it. Beyond that experience, I deeply believe in the importance of community. As human beings, we're not meant to do life alone. We all need support, encouragement, and spaces where we feel seen and accepted. I've seen first hand what that can do for someone. The more we create communities where people feel like they belong, the more we're able to share resources, uplift one another, and improve people's quality of life. We all deserve access to this.
If you could tell your younger self anything about their body, identity, or creativity, what would you want them to know?
There is nothing wrong with you. I know it feels really hard right now, but keep pushing and keep being yourself. The things that make you different are actually the very things that make you special. The right people will see that. You just have to keep allowing your light to shine so they have the chance to find you. I promise, it does get better.
If you had a megaphone and the whole world was listening, what message would you share?
I LOVE YOU. If you are feeling alone, unseen, or unloved, just know that, I see you, you are not alone, and you are loved because I love you. Just because you were born. Just because you’re you. Just because you breathe air. You are worthy of all of it! And if you ever need a reminder, come find me. I will be happy to do so, because we all deserve to be reminded of that.