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BULAWAYO digital darling Alyssa M Phiri is turning smiles into followers as her playful videos light up social media and pull in thousands of fans hungry for laughter and relatable vibes.
The rising content creator is steadily carving out a name for herself online, building an impressive digital footprint with 7,5K followers on Instagram, 4K on Facebook and a massive 59,4K on TikTok, where her audience is growing the fastest.
Her secret, she says, is keeping things fun, simple and real.
One of her most loved clips is a cheeky Valentine’s Day-themed video where she jokingly dances to a song mocking love on Valentine’s Day, playfully celebrating singlehood while showing off her energetic dance moves.
The light-hearted clip struck a chord with fans and reflects the kind of content that has made her popular.
Unlike creators who lean into heavy topics, Alyssa focuses on humour, playful dancing and everyday moments that keep her followers entertained. Many of her videos pull more than 15 000 likes, proof that her cheerful approach is hitting the right note.
“Beyond my online name, I’m just a girl from Bulawayo who believes in growth, women empowerment and self-belief,” she said.
Growing up in a strict household shaped her creative journey.
“I was very introverted and more of a camera girl. I had a wild imagination and not much to do, so I entertained myself by recording videos and editing them. It started as a hobby because I genuinely loved it.”
Her turning point came when she joined TikTok simply to keep up with friends.
“My small circle became obsessed with the app, so I opened an account just to keep up with them and from there things slowly grew into something bigger.”
But the path has not been without pressure.
She admits online criticism and expectations can be tough, especially when people expect influencers to show flashy lifestyles.
“People want me to portray an expensive life, but this is Bulawayo,” she said.
Still, the criticism only fuels her drive.
“Now I use it as motivation.”
Behind the scenes, Alyssa spends long hours planning, filming and editing while also investing in equipment and data.
For her, content creation is more than chasing trends.
She hopes her journey will inspire young people to believe in themselves and build something meaningful without losing who they are.
Online Reporter