Nowadays, social media is most often used as a platform for promoting one’s brand. Whether it’s a company, a famous celeb or an aspiring musician, actor, writer, etc., we’re always in the know of their on-going projects. For regular, around the way folks, however, sites like Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram are used for sharing every day moments in their lives—whether they’re good moments or bad. And, sometimes, something as simple as that has a way of drawing a crowd.
Case in point: Abigail “Aggy Abby” Silva. The 23-year-old East Newark, N.J. native took up social media as a way to vent a bit during her time in the military. With her camera phone in-hand, Abby reported on the goings-on in her life—at times touching upon delicate subjects like miscarriages, abusive relationships and even her parents’ past issues with alcohol. The half Colombian, half Portuguese girl was an open book, and the public gradually gravitated towards her.
Aggy Abby has since amassed hundreds of thousands of followers across all social media platforms, which has opened up doors for hosting gigs, features with major media outlets and even paved the way for her own self-titled clothing line. ’LLERO caught up with the social media star to talk about her early days on social media, her advice on how to take your social media game up a notch without giving away too much of yourself, her future plans, dating, and why tattooed guys are so irresistible to her.
‘LL: How did the idea to make your videos on social media come about?
Aggy: It started back in 2013, and I was in the military on my way of processing out. I like to speak my mind, and when I was in the military, I didn’t really have too many people to talk to, so when they came out with the ability to make videos on Instagram, I was like, “Okay, well, f-ck it. I’m just going to speak my mind on Instagram.” Anything that would happen in my life, anything that I was going through, I just felt like reporting it, and that was just my way of expressing myself until I got back home to Jersey. I just wanted to report my life—[even] if it was a minor struggle like my car bumper falling off—I would show that. The numbers of followers never really meant anything to me. It was more like I appreciated the love, so I just continued doing what I was doing. The love that I was getting was different. People started treating me different. Back in the day, it was still new for people to [use] Instagram like that. Now, a lot of people are doing it, but back in those days it was rare. People would want to act like it was a big, huge deal, and I would want to humble them. I would tell them that, “Yes, I have 750,000 followers but I don’t have $750,000. I have a nine-to-five.” I wanted to make it known that I still lived a real life.
‘LL: Speaking of a nine-to-five, what do you do when you’re not speaking to your followers online?
Aggy: Well, I’m like 24/7 on Twitter. If not, it’ll be on Instagram, I’ll comment back here and there when I have some time. My job is pretty much that and hosting. That’s how I make my money. Also, through my website, I have my own clothing line. It’s more like I’m living life and documenting it as I go. If I’m not reporting it, it’s probably because I can’t or it’s because I’m not doing anything worth showing.
‘LL: Once you began generating a following, what was the next step?
Aggy: I was just going with the flow with everything. I was just taking opportunities as they were coming to me. Some things I had to say no to just because it didn’t feel right, it wasn’t genuine, or it wasn’t in my lane. Then, there were things that I pursued and began working towards it. I really do take opportunities as they come because you never know what will pop off.
‘LL: How would one go about building a larger than life presence such as yours on social media?
Aggy: I’ve seen people blow up, but they take the easy route, the ingenuous route. I know the reasons why they’re doing it. With me it takes a lot longer because I try to be genuine about it. I deleted my Instagram, which had about 750,000 followers last year. I’ve only had this page for about a year now. And, it’s basically that what I wanted to do was just document my life and keep it real. Show them the rawness. Show them that you can live this Instagram fame and get money, but at the end of the day, you still come home to family and live a regular life. Everybody’s human at the end of the day. No matter how many followers you have, everybody still bleeds the same type of blood.
‘LL: Where would you like to take this entire experience some day?
Aggy: Some type of positive platform, because what I do, and what I’ve been doing for the past few years, is showing my struggle and showing that I’m not going to stop at anything. People are seeing my biggest ups and my biggest downs. I’ve documented it through Snapchat and Instagram, and I want people to be motivated by that and not stop at nothing. I want to take it to a positive platform where I can help people.
Aggy’s thoughts on Latino men, a great first date and proper ink after the jump…
‘LL: Being that this is a website dedicated to the modern Latino man, what do you like best about Latino men?
Aggy: I guess what I like about Latino men is that I can relate being a Latina.
‘LL: What do you like least about Latino men?
Aggy: [Laughs.] Oh, my God! Well, I feel like the majority are so possessive and insecure. Well, that’s from my experience. I wouldn’t say that they’re all like that, but some are possessive and insecure, jealous, and they’re very catty to me. That’s just from my experience, though, and that’s just a few. That’s what I’ve gotten. That’s what I’ve seen in some Latinos.
‘LL: Our site’s name, ‘LLERO, is a short form of saying “Caballero.” In your opinion what do you think makes a man a ‘LLERO?
Aggy: I would say caring and respect. To be a gentleman you have to have the utmost respect, and just be caring, like look out for others. It doesn’t always have to be towards a woman—it can also be towards a man. Caring for everybody.
‘LL: What’s some advice you’d offer the men out there who are looking to land a lady like you?
Aggy: Respect is number one. I’m very big on respect. I like being cared for. I like a man who works hard. I don’t really go for looks, to be honest. If you look at my resume of my exes, there are all different types of bodies, skin tones, and just looks. I just really go for what’s on the inside. I want a good personality, very outgoing, funny. Not awkward. I don’t like shy guys at all. I like a guy that’s very confident. And, some people will be a little too cocky or too full of themselves. I would say to just be a friend before anything. You always have to be friends before you get into a relationship. I feel like that’s the healthiest way. Also, don’t be too up on her. You need to be yourself, and be confident and respectful.
‘LL: What’s some advice that you would give someone who shares too much of their relationship online?
Aggy: Speaking from my past experiences, I would honestly say just cherish the moments that you have together. Don’t be so quick to grab your phone and document it. That takes away the genuineness, and it just takes away the time of it. I’m just more like soaking up the moment. I would just say, keep your love life personal as much as you can. Being that my life is documented, I still show that we’re good, like we’ll be singing in the car, but I don’t share our personal moments. I like to cherish that myself.
‘LL: We see you have a pretty sick tattoo arm sleeve going on. Do you prefer your men tattooed?
Aggy: Yes! I love tattoos!
‘LL: What is it about a man with tattoos that you love so much?
Aggy: I just feel like it looks manlier to me. It depends, though, because I’ve seen some grown men looking great, and when you get up close and really look at their tattoos, it’s like a basketball or stars, you know, all that corny, meaningless sh-t. That’s a turnoff. You can tell that they just got it to get it. I like the meaningful ones. The ones that really look like art. That’s what really attracts me.
‘LL: What’s a perfect first date for you?
Aggy: I’m not going to lie. I really don’t go on dates, surprisingly enough. The guys that I’ve been with, we were friends before anything, so it was never like we just met and we went on a date. It was always more like we’ve been cool. I’m not really too into fancy places or stuff like that. I don’t really care. I’ll just be like, “Yeah, let’s go to Applebee’s or something.” I’ve been to fancy places, and the food is never worth the price. I’d rather get a two for twenty because it tastes good. I honestly don’t know what the perfect date would be. I’m very simple. Food definitely has to be involved. Some good soda, because I don’t drink. I don’t know [laughs].
‘LL: What are you currently working on that our readers should look out for?
Aggy: I’m working on my clothing line to put out better merch, and I’m also working on something that I can’t really talk about quite yet, but my supporters will definitely be excited.
‘LL: What advice do you have for someone who’s looking to make some of the same career moves that you’ve made?
Aggy: There are no instructions to this sh-t. It just has to truly come to you, because I never asked for any of this at all. I was just living my life, and God blessed me with the audience of supporters that I have. I would just say be yourself, follow your dreams, and don’t reach for fame—reach for success. It’s about being successful. It’s about being happy. Don’t try to be like me. Follow your own path. Do whatever makes you happy. If it genuinely makes you happy, then do it. Work hard. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Just work, because that’s what it takes, to be honest.
For more on Aggy Abby, visit:
Snapchat: AGGYABBY
Instagram: aggyabby
Twitter: @aggy___
Facebook: aggyabby