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In an exclusive interview VENTS sat down with TikTok star Jennifer Kassir to spill the tea on her latest skincare line LA Bodies, creating viral TikTok’s and more!
Hey Jennifer. Welcome to VENTS! Before we kick off can you tell us a bit about your background?
I grew up in Los Angeles my whole life. Both my parents are from Lebanon, and I grew up speaking Arabic as my first language but then it switched over to English since I attended American schools. I went to a private catholic school from kindergarten until 9th grade and then switched to public school from 10-12th grade. I never really enjoyed uniforms and felt so limited because I always loved fashion. It was hard for people to see the real me. When I switched to public school, that’s when I was finally able to freely express myself and reconnected with myself on a whole other level and went hardcore with my passions like theater and even started up my YouTube channel again. Growing up, I faced many challenges and heartache I never talked about but overall, I was raised in a loving household and my parents were always supportive of what I do. I’d say we are typical Christian Arabs who always followed our traditions and roots. I went to cal state Northridge and graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies.
As a big TikTok creator, what do you enjoy creating?
I enjoy creating funny out of the ordinary videos to make people laugh and to show them unique things. I love making content with food, love telling stories and making fun skits, especially ones that break the fourth wall with the audience and allows them to interact and engage with me.
I love producing a variety of content, I’ve always been a multi hyphenate and never liked sticking to one thing. My goal is to entertain and uplift people, but I feel like there’s millions of ways to do this. So, I created three accounts doing different content that can target a wide range of demographics so that I don’t feel too limited. Basically, I found that mixing everything in one account wasn’t working and was confusing people.
Can you breakdown the three accounts? What can people expect from them?
I have my main Jennifer Kassir which shows people the real side of me so it’s lifestyle content. Then my Ms. Beanie account is a character I created that became very well-known online and offline as I tend to get public recognition often especially when wearing the beanie. She’s a girl that does things out of the ordinary and she’s, my alter ego. I’m more comfortable making crazy content as this character. Then I have my Arab Jenn account where I speak only Arabic and have grown massively popular all over the Middle East as my content trends outside of the TikTok app.
Do you get recognized from your TikTok accounts?
I do yes, I get recognized often by American Arabs here and it’s such a lovely feeling. The Arab side of me is also exaggerated and I make content that is controversial such as mixing weird food combos like strawberries and ketchup or telling strange stories. I make videos with my mom who also became a TikToker with half a million of her own followers. I find it’s so easy going viral making Arab related videos.
I also have gotten recognized many times for my Ms. Beanie account so kids will come up and ask for pictures and that it’s a very humbling experience that reminds me to keep pushing and never give up. Not that I do this for recognition but when people notice your work, it always feels good. It reminds me of why I started because sometimes I feel slowed down, so it fuels me.
That’s so cool. What’s your niche?
My niche is really “me” I’m my own niche, but I focus on comedy/entertainment for the theme and videos usually are story times, family content, skits, POV style videos, or food related videos.
My mom and I love making family content. In the Middle East, as females we are told to act classy all the time and act “normal”, but I wanted to challenge this stereotype to show that Arab females can indeed be different, and they should be. I never believed in following crowds. Overall, all my three accounts kind of go hand in hand. I love showing people all sides of who I am.
You are truly inspiring young women in the Arab community. We read that you recently competed in Miss Arab USA. Tell us about that experience.
Thank you, yes in July, I competed in the Miss Arab USA pageant representing Lebanon since, I’m Lebanese. It was a crazy experience. I reached the Top 5, as third runner up. The pageant was also a fundraising project, and I was able to raise a lot for the Arab American Organization. The organization helps women, children, orphans, homeless, and refugees. It’s nice to be able to make a difference.
Did you have to share a talent in the pageant? If so, what was it?
I did, yes. The pageant was in a traditional format. I sang my own original song called “Star.” A song telling people to not care what anyone thinks and to pursue your dreams.
Do you have other songs out?
Yes, I have a few singles released and two music videos. I am currently working on more music as well.
Aside from singing, do you act?
Absolutely! I am auditioning for several projects and attending acting and commercial classes. I’ve loved acting since I was a young girl and competed in acting competitions. I’ve done theater for a few years as well. I left trying to pursue acting at an early age, but I am trying to get back into it because I love the art of acting and getting to play different roles. It’s such an adrenaline rush. I find that I find myself more when I’m acting, and it helps me understand others more in real life.
How do you manage it all?
It’s challenging balancing several careers but I’m trying to take things one step at a time. I truly believe anything is possible and life is too long to just do one thing. It’s nice to explore especially in your youth and early 20s. I’m 23 and fired up! And it’s only the beginning.
Tell us about the new skincare line, LA Bodies.
My family and I are recently launched a skincare line called LA Bodies, and we are in the process of launching even more products. LA Bodies is manufactured here in Los Angeles. My father started his company long ago called Samson Pharmaceuticals and we manufacture cosmetics, supplements, OTCs, and hair care products. I decided to take over the skincare line. I worked with our team on rebranding and now we are expanding our efforts into marketing. I plan to use my creativity to grow the line.
What inspired the brand name. LA Bodies?
The name LA Bodies was inspired by Los Angeles, but specifically Hollywood. My father and I have always loved the entertainment industry. He stepped into it a while back but then left to pursue business. I created the slogan for LA Bodies “Step into Beauty, Be a Star.”
Our mission is to empower people, but specifically women to help them feel good, look good, and to encourage them to chase their dreams. We feel anyone can be a star if they set their minds to it. LA Bodies is for real women who deserve to shine, regardless of their career.
What’s up next for you?
I’m working on my first feature length film based on my TikTok character Ms. Beanie. It will be called Ms. Beanie: Two Birds, One Stone. The script is being written by my friend, who’s a top notch screenwriter, editor, and director. The story is created by me. It will be about the crazy friendship between me and my TikTok side-kick toy parrot Larry. In the movie, the parrot will be animated. It’s going to be a family friendly PG 13 comedy film with some underlying adult humor.
My demographic for Ms. Beanie is kids aged 8-13, but our goal is to kind of mature the character and develop her a bit more in this film.
How can people follow your journey?
People can follow me on Instagram or on TikTok: Jennifer Kassir , Ms. Beanie and Arab Jenn, YouTube Jennifer Kassir and Ms. Beanie. For LA Bodies visit: www.labodies.com
