Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Dilyer Stevens.
Please tell us something about yourself.
I am 16 years old, a social media influencer with over 20,000 followers on Instagram, and I have a YouTube channel.
I love music, and I plan on releasing some soon! I’ve always been bullied since I was very young, and overcoming that was really hard and traumatic, but I kept fighting for me, and here I am! Better than ever!
How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey.
Right now I am inspiring people, I was always bullied, and I was “that kid” that was out of what society wants you to be, I had a lazy eye, a disorder where your eyes don’t look at the same direction at the same time, and I was going through real depression, I had my eye surgery last year in July, the best decision I could’ve ever made, I posted an announcement about my surgery on Instagram, which helped a lot of people go for the surgery, and to inspire them to overcome their insecurities
Who are your role models?
My number one role model has to be Bryce Xavier. In 2018, my friend said, “You look like Bryce Xavier,” so I searched about him, and I followed Instagram. Bryce would always post “Today’s Message,” and I remember that time, I was looking for a doctor to operate my eyes. But all the doctors said I would be like this forever.
I was so tired of looking for one, that day I told my mom I was tired of looking for doctors now over a year. But on the same day, he posted, “Don’t give up, you’re closer than yesterday, keep going for what you want.” It almost felt like he was talking to me. I never felt so motivated, and that’s what I did, I kept looking for the doctor until I found him! If Bryce didn’t help me with that message, I don’t know where I would be. So, I owe him all my support for being an amazing inspiration in music, fashion, and personality. I hope I can talk to him one day and thank him for being amazing!
What inspires you?
Literally, anything inspires me. I feel like anything can inspire you as long as you’re open-minded and free to let anything in. I remember when Bryce said his song “fall in love again” was inspired by lasagna! Well, yes, that’s what I’m talking about! Taking inspiration from everything.
Please tell us about what you do.
Well, I’ve been an influencer trying to inspire people at the moment. I want to keep inspiring people to follow their dreams because I never thought mine would become real. And I still have lots and lots of dreams to get! That was just the begging! I’ll soon release my music, and the first funds I get, I’ll dedicate them to people suffering bullying as I did! The people who have serious mental health issues and can’t afford a psychologist, I know many people like that, and honestly, I feel bad! And I want to help!
What’s your most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience must definitely be performing at school for the first time. I love music, and performing was just amazing. Well, it was not that good, I was really nervous. But, my friends were there, giving me hype, and it was honestly the best feeling I’ve ever felt in my entire life, I can say! The other time I felt like this was when I woke up from my eye surgery feeling pain, but knowing I was cured and I wouldn’t be bullied at school and on social media ever again!
Which social media channels work best for promoting your work? What exactly do you do on the social media channel that makes it work for you?
Well, Instagram definitely promotes me the most! Instagram is one of the biggest social media ever! There are a lot of people right there! And whenever I need to promote something, I just pay the promotion on Instagram! And my picture becomes an ad for everyone to see!
What’s your greatest fear?
I would say, losing the ones I love the most. I’ve struggled so much with fake friends that would later stab me in the back and talk bad about me, and it takes me so much to trust someone. Right now, I feel like I know who my real ones are, my family! Losing my family is something I don’t want to think of because they’re the ones that show me real love! Always!
Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
I wish I understood that hate is everywhere, I had to stop my YouTube channel because I was being bullied so much because of my eyes! And I wish I realized before that, people will always hate on you even if you’re doing something amazing! There are so many opportunities I left because I was afraid of my haters!
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
I never let anyone put me down anymore, and I feel like that’s what made me keep going and come so far. I kept fighting to where I wanted to get, and I still am and closed my ears to people’s opinions. Working as an artist is very hard because you live to hear people’s opinions. You depend on people to say “I liked your video, I liked your song, I liked your looks,” trust me that’s the hardest job ever! No wonder why so many famous people are so depressed!
What keeps you going when things get tough?
Whenever I am feeling down, I remember there is a huge fan base of more than 20,000 people supporting me no matter what! And that’s the best feeling ever. I know whenever I feel alone, I can just go to my DMs and find fans that love me and what to talk to me and help me! Having people love what you do is truly amazing! There is no better feeling!
Any message for our readers.
Keep going! Put that work on! No matter what, keep going, I am the living proof that dreams come true, never give up, just because someone said you wouldn’t make it, there will always be people trying to put you down, but you are a king! Keep grinding
How can people connect with you?
You can connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. I am always there to interact with my fans, always! They’re the best thing ever!