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An Instagram celebrity, a huge fan of BTS and their awesome music, a liker of amazing American sitcoms and a young hardworking person with a positive outlook: these are just some of the characteristics that define Momina Ayub.
With thousands of followers on Instagram, Momina Ayub’s aim is to make “inspire people” and to make the days of her social media followers “a little bit better”.
Given her positive outlook in life, I wanted to find out more about her – including how it’s like being an Instagram celebrity while still at school, what’s the most positive part about being a social media celebrity and why she is so fond of the South Koran group BTS.
During the interview which is transcribed below, I also asked her what kind of challenges she faces as a female Instagram star. I asked this question because it is incredibly important to shine a light on the injustice faced by women and girls both online and in the real world.
Interview
Raza Hussain: What first motivated you to become an Instagram celebrity?
Momina Ayub: I used to watch all these amazing YouTubers, influencers and TikTokers etc. And I guess watching them made me realise that that was something I wanted to go for as well and so I did.
Raza Hussain: What’s the most positive part of being a young Instagram star?
Momina Ayub: I guess it’s the influence I have on people, younger AND older than me. It makes me happy to know that I can inspire people with what I do. If my content makes someone’s day even a little bit better, it’s an accomplishment for me.
Raza Hussain: As a female Instagram celebrity, what are some the challenges you face in terms of ‘nasty comments’, trolling and general online harassment?
Momina Ayub: The same as it is for every other female social media influencer: unnecessary judgement and hate regarding my looks, my weight, how I shouldn’t be doing all this because I’m a girl and other kinds of misogynistic comments.
Raza Hussain: And, how do you deal with this?
Momina Ayub: I stopped caring about the hate a long time ago lol I just delete or simply ignore all the negative comments.
Raza Hussain: How is it like being an Instagram star while you’re still at school?
Momina Ayub: It’s awesome haha. That’s all I can say.
Raza Hussain: You’re a huge fan of BTS. But how did you first discover them and their awesome music?
Momina Ayub: My 8 year old neighbour told me back in 2015, I think. But, I didn’t listen to her. Then in 2018, I was just going through my YouTube recommendations and boom – there it was.
Raza Hussain: What do you like most about BTS?
Momina Ayub: Their personalities and how genuine and caring they all are. Also the hard work and effort that they put in in every single thing that they do.
Raza Hussain: What are your top three favourite BTS songs?
Momina Ayub: MIC Drop, Boy With Luv and Magic Shop
Raza Hussain: If you had to recommend three sitcoms or TV shows to our readers which ones would you recommend?
Momina Ayub: Teen wolf, Friends, Brooklyn 99 and the Vampire Diaries (yes i know those are 4, but again, I couldn’t choose).
Raza Hussain: To end on a slightly lighter note, what advice would you like to give to young people in Pakistan and elsewhere during these troubling times?
Momina Ayub: Be nice to your friends, family and everyone else around you. Also, don’t stress yourself too much. Maybe try to take up some new hobbies. Try new stuff. And most importantly, pray to Allah to make this quarantine easy for all of us.
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Raza Hussain is an award-winning writer: the Extra-Mile winner of the News Quest Young Reporter Scheme 2014 and the recipient of the ‘Talent for Writing’ certificate by Young Writers. He was also awarded the ‘Prize for Outstanding achievement is Sociology‘. Twitter: @M_Raza5 | Instagram: @M.Raza.H
