By: Angela Revels
For FSC sophomore Hannah Blake, performance doesn’t stop at the theater door, it goes into every corner of her life, including her growing presence on social media.
A double major in musical theater and communication with a concentration in advertising and public relations, Blake has found herself balancing two stages: one with bright lights and audiences and another with cameras and followers.
“I always posted on Instagram just for fun,” Blake said. “Back in high school, I loved making little posts, but when I came to college I realized it was something I could really enjoy doing more seriously.”
Blake began sharing “get ready with me” videos, outfit-of-the-day clips and campus content during her freshman year under her now-recognizable handle @hannahloveshotpink.
Her girly aesthetic and signature pink style quickly caught attention. One of her most-viewed videos, a “Get Ready With Me” from last fall, gained over 800,000 views, marking a turning point in her social media journey.
“That’s when I started getting more traction,” Blake said. “A lot of people on campus saw it and I kind of became a minor campus celebrity through that.”
As her follower count began to rise, brands began to notice. Blake started receiving offers for collaborations and product reviews. One of her favorite partnerships so far has been with Beachwaver, a haircare company that sent her a pink automatic curling iron and other beauty products.
“It was perfect for me,” Blake said. “It really fits my brand, it’s all about beauty, confidence and of course hot pink.”
But with increased attention also came unexpected challenges. Blake often finds herself mentioned on Yik Yak, an anonymous social platform used by students on campus.
“People do post about me a lot on there,” Blake said. “Sometimes it’s positive, sometimes it’s negative. But I try not to let the hate get to me.”
The online attention even spilled into real life during her freshman year when the custom hot pink handles on her car were stolen. Posts about it circulated on Yik Yak and other posts even mentioned her license plate. Students on Yik Yak began talking about taking her license plate and even offering others money to steal it, prompting her to take extra safety precautions.
“I got a dashcam after that,” Blake said. “It’s definitely made me more cautious, but I try to remind myself that most people wouldn’t actually do the things they say online.”
Despite these experiences, Blake remains focused on the positive side of her platform. “I love creating content,” Blake said. “It’s a way for my family and friends from back home to keep up with me and for me to connect with people who enjoy what I make.”
Outside of social media, Blake stays busy with her musical theater coursework and as a member of the Mocettes Dance Team. Although she hasn’t yet performed in a FSC production, she trains daily in singing, acting and dance, preparing for future performances.
“I’ve always been drawn to the stage,” Blake said. “I think that’s what also drew me to social media, both are performances in their own way.”
Originally from Texas, Blake chose FSC for its strong arts programs and proximity to Disney, which she describes as her “creative inspiration.” Last summer, she performed in a local production of Oklahoma! back home, posting “Get Ready With Me” videos from backstage to share her experiences with followers.
“It was so fun to have my two worlds collide,” Blake said. “I got to share what I was doing in my actual job, performing, with my passion for social media.”
As for what’s next, Blake plans to keep building her brand while staying true to herself.
“I want to take this as far as I can,” Blake said. “Social media is unpredictable, but I enjoy it and I’m going to keep doing what I love.”