From digital creation to personal evolution, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Scarlett, a visionary artist whose work transcends pixels and screens. In this exclusive interview, we dive into her creative process, inspirations, and what fuels her journey in the virtual and artistic spaces.
This interview took place during my recent Self-Love 2025 (show & tell) Virtual Event. Please enjoy her wonderful insights below.
You’ve been in the virtual space for a while, from IMVU to Second Life. How has your journey evolved over the years?
When I look back, I realize I was very private and closed off, even with friends. I kept certain experiences to myself. Over the years, I’ve learned to be more open and share more about my experiences and emotions without the fear of appearing less than. I think many of us get caught up in the narratives of others’ "perfect lives," which can unknowingly make us question our own.
What inspired you to become a content creator, virtual model, and editor?
I've always enjoyed expressing myself visually. For those who don’t know, my zodiac sign is Cancer, and we’re often portrayed as the emotional sign. There’s some truth to that—many of my emotions come out in tears, whether from anger or happiness. It often makes it difficult to express myself verbally, so I discovered that it’s easier for me to share my emotions through photos. When I saw the stories others told through their photos, I thought, “Wow, I want to do that. I want to convey emotions and stories through my own photos.”
How do you want people to feel when they see and experience your work?
I want them to feel a sense of vulnerability and emotion, and whenever possible, a sense of positivity.
Your content has such a unique touch—where do you draw inspiration from?
It depends on the photo. As a blogger, we often face strict deadlines, so for those photos, I draw inspiration from Pinterest boards I’ve collected over time. When I have more freedom, the way an outfit or makeup comes together often inspires the shot. Other times, it’s moments I’ve shared with friends or my hubby. It can also come from a conversation, something my hubby said, or a song I’m currently into. On rare occasions, when I feel inspired to share a story, it draws from my childhood.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your virtual life so far?
The most rewarding moment, as cliché as it might sound, has been the friendships I’ve made and the people I continue to surround myself with. Some of my friends have known me for over a decade, and others embraced me when I was a SL newbie. They've welcomed me into their circles and made me feel part of something they cherish and have grown. Currently, I’m part of Sage & Crystals Magazine, and I’m so grateful for that opportunity. They welcomed me even though I was new to SL and outside their circle. These people have become my friends and family—supportive both in SL and RL.
Another rewarding moment was being accepted by popular stores as a blogger, despite initially being told "No" because I didn’t have prior experience or the required number of followers. They believed in me based on my photos. It was an important achievement when I was doubting myself as a new blogger. Lastly, seeing my content used by Second Life on their platforms, especially the image from my first blog sponsored by the first store that accepted me, was incredibly rewarding.
How do you stay motivated to keep creating, especially in such a dynamic digital world?
The honest answer is, I don’t always stay motivated. Behind the content everyone sees, there are moments where I lose my motivation. I hope this answer helps others feel seen because maintaining motivation is challenging. It’s something that ebbs and flows, often affected by what’s going on around or within us. When I feel unmotivated, I remind myself that my followers don’t notice my self-doubt unless I tell them. Sometimes, the content I put the least work into ends up being the most relatable or liked by my followers. I remind myself that the value of my work isn't determined by how much effort I put into it, but by how others connect with it. When I am motivated, I ask myself, “Does this image mean something to me? Do I relate to it?” That’s what matters.
If you could describe your creative style in three words, what would they be?
This is always a tough question for me because I feel like my style is all over the place. But for the sake of the interview—and because it’s you, Linda—I’d say my style is Bright, Divine Feminine, and Romantic. One of my friends also argued that I should add "Magic" to the list, but that would make it four!
What legacy do you hope to leave in the virtual fashion and content creation industry?
This is a heavy question, as we all want to be remembered by those close to us or around us. I hope that when people think of me, they’re inspired to show kindness to one another, to pursue their passions the way I pursued mine, and to practice self-love. I hope my photos, quotes, and stories inspire others to do the same.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself through this journey?
I’ve learned how to come out of my shell and continue loving myself while sharing the stories and experiences that make me feel vulnerable. I've realized that the value I see in myself negates any negative comments that might come my way. What I believe about myself shapes my reality.
Do you ever experience creative blocks? If so, how do you overcome them?
Yes, I definitely do. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t always stay motivated, and when I hit a creative block, I dive deeper into my vulnerability. I start by writing a short story or caption, which often transitions into an image. These stories are usually about my childhood, the way I saw the world as a child or my mother. When I finish the story and image, I’m more focused on how vulnerable the process made me feel than on the finished product itself. Sharing the story with my hubby helps me push past my doubts, as he always reminds me how beautiful my work is. Once I share the photo and story, I see how others relate to it, and I’m reminded how powerful vulnerability can be.
As a woman in this space, what does women’s empowerment mean to you?
In this space, women’s empowerment means not viewing or treating each other as competition, but as extensions of who we, as women, are capable of being. Empowering one another can be as simple as telling someone where you bought an item, reposting blogger searches, or sharing an app or program you use for your work. I share more than just what I wear; I also share my skin, head, and body in my blogs, hoping to inspire others to support the women around them.
How do you use your platform to inspire or uplift others? And how can women continue to empower each other?
I try to post positive quotes, stories, or affirmations that encourage self-love without dimming others' light. You can be confident and say you’re the best without putting anyone else down. I practice what I preach by leaving kind comments or likes without expecting anything in return.
What advice would you give to aspiring creators looking to make an impact?
Keep going, even when you have self-doubts. Remind yourself that you can be your own worst critic, but there’s someone out there who will be inspired by your work.
Do you believe in the power of collaboration? If so, how has it shaped your journey?
Yes, I absolutely believe in collaboration. It has allowed me to connect and reconnect with like-minded individuals. I’m currently part of Sage & Crystals Magazine, which is a collective of like-minded people collaborating to create a magazine filled with positivity and ways to enrich your SL journey.
Who are some creators or individuals who inspire you in the virtual or real world?
In the real world, my mother inspires me. She had a tough upbringing and learned to read and write as an adult. Despite the challenges, she had to be strong and independent. Now, she does things she didn’t have the chance to do as a child or adult, like going out with friends and doing self-care. I don’t aspire to be as strong as her because that strength was forced upon her, but I do aspire to have her courage and use it to break the generational trauma she overcame. In the virtual world, my friends inspire me. I’m a close witness to their struggles, victories, and growth, and it’s truly inspiring to see them succeed in their goals.
In the real world, my mother inspires me. She had a tough upbringing and learned to read and write as an adult. Despite the challenges, she had to be strong and independent. Now, she does things she didn’t have the chance to do as a child or adult, like going out with friends and doing self-care. I don’t aspire to be as strong as her because that strength was forced upon her, but I do aspire to have her courage and use it to break the generational trauma she overcame. In the virtual world, my friends inspire me. I’m a close witness to their struggles, victories, and growth, and it’s truly inspiring to see them succeed in their goals.
You exude such light and positivity—how do you maintain this energy?
Thank you! I hope to continue exuding light and positivity. That said, I don’t maintain it 24/7. It’s unrealistic to always be positive in a world that constantly reminds us of its challenges. But I’m self-aware enough to know that what I put out in the world impacts others. If I’m feeling down, I go to a friend or my hubby and let them know how I feel. I get it out of my system and check in with them to make sure they’re in the mental space to support me. We never know what others are going through, so I try not to overwhelm my followers with negativity.
Do you have any personal wellness or mindfulness routines, like meditation or self-care?
Yes! My wellness routine involves reading and writing. I love reading books while sipping warm tea—chamomile, chai, or matcha. I also dream of writing a fiction book someday, so I stepped out of my comfort zone and created a website to share the short stories I’ve kept in my Google Docs.
What role does self-love play in your creative process and daily life?
Self-love is one of the main pillars of my creative process and daily life. There was a time when I struggled with self-love, especially as a teenager, but I promised myself that I would say, see, or read "I love myself" until I believed it. Now, it’s a daily reminder.
How do you handle challenges or setbacks while maintaining your passion?
I’m honest with myself about what I can handle during challenging times. Sometimes that means asking for extensions or taking a day off to recharge. A little space to breathe can offer the clarity needed to overcome setbacks. Having supportive people around me also helps tremendously.
If you could share one message with the world about creativity, empowerment, and authenticity, what would it be?
My message would be: Believe in who you are, not who you think everyone else wants you to be.
Lastly, what inspired this image? It resonated deeply with me, and I believe many others feel the same.
The inspiration behind my photo:
I’ve been focusing a lot on healing my inner child. By sharing my childhood stories, becoming someone little me would be proud of, and giving myself the material things she dreamt of having—like rain boots (this is actually the inspiration behind one of my captions). I was raised by a single mother, who’s my idol. She made sure we had a good education, clothes on our backs, food on our plates, and a roof over our heads. But rain boots were never part of the list. I remember seeing them in shows and movies and dreaming of one day having them, so I could jump in puddles without ending up with wet socks and shoes. Because I definitely jumped in puddles anyway, haha.
As an adult, I bought myself the rain boots little me would have chosen—pink glitter rain boots. At first, I felt a bit childish wearing them, especially when I saw other adults wearing yellow or neutral-colored ones. But I’m lucky to work in a field surrounded by children, and their excitement over my rain boots reminded me that my inner child would have been just as thrilled. So now, I look forward to rainy days.
This made me realize it’s not just about me healing my inner child; it’s about allowing her to heal me too. One day, I was biking home after a rough day at work, and just as luck would have it, it started pouring. I had a choice: be miserable and soaked or view the moment through my inner child’s eyes. I wasn’t cold, I was safe, and I wasn’t going to get scolded by my mom, haha. I was going to get home, take a warm bath, and drink some tea. So I let my inner child guide me, rather than the other way around. It completely changed my perspective on the situation, and I was able to enjoy the rest of my bike ride home. It became a unique memory, one that my inner child would have been overjoyed to experience. She didn’t get to, but I did, and that allowed me to turn it into a positive memory.
This photo represents my inner child nurturing me, helping me flourish, and allowing me to see the world through her eyes. Things that might seem like the end of the world to an adult can become memorable moments for my inner child. The world just looks different through the eyes of a child, full of possibilities. That’s why it’s so important for me to remember that.
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I hope you all enjoyed her insightful interview above. Please always remember to prioritize your self-love and self-care. Never leave yourself without, and always know that you deserve the same love and compassion that you so freely give to others.
xo,
Linda Bella
This interview has been slightly edited for clarity, with the intention of making it more accessible to a broader audience, especially those who may not be familiar with the Second Life platform. Rest assured, the words and sentiments shared remain true to their original form and the essence of the conversation is preserved.
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