Pop-Culturalist.com

If you’re one of the six hundred million users on TikTok, chances are you’ve come across Emma Norton. The rising young actress joined the platform last year as an outlet to express herself while the entertainment industry was shut down. Since then, she’s become a viral sensation with her original content showcasing her passion for dance, acting, music, and storytelling, and amassing over one hundred million likes.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Emma about her experience on TikTok and her creative process.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts and content creation?
Emma: I discovered it at a really young age. I have always been part of the dance, theater, and acting community. Theater was my first love, and it played an important part in why I love the arts.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Emma: It’s all the bold women like Lady Gaga and other pop artists that I listen to. Seeing these women being unapologetically themselves was so inspiring for me growing up. It definitely has influenced me as an artist.

PC: You were primarily focusing on your acting career when COVID-19 hit. Like many artists, you were forced to find new outlets to express your creativity. How did you initially discover TikTok? What was it about that platform that attracted you?
Emma: I’ve known about TikTok for some time before I decided to use it. In the summer of 2019, a lot of my friends were saying, “You should really use TikTok. You would do so well.” I rolled my eyes because I didn’t understand how unique the platform was. It wasn’t a silly app for kids. When I realized that it was an app for artists that’s when I decided to download it. I really wanted to grow myself on social media to support my acting.

PC: What is your process like when you’re working on a new piece of content? Is it ever a challenge to come up with these ideas?
Emma: My issue is actually narrowing them down! I have so many ideas that it becomes a jumbled Wonderland that I don’t know what to do with. [laughs] Coming up with these ideas and executing them is my favorite part. It is a really satisfying feeling to put in all that hard work and effort.

PC: If you had to pick your favorite content piece that you created, which would it be and why?
Emma: That’s such a difficult question. They’re all important to me. If I had to choose one, I think it’s the Harley Quinn videos that I’ve made. There was one that was based on a scene in the comics that I wrote and did myself that I loved.

PC: Your content reaches millions of people a day. Does that bring any added pressure?
Emma: I always forget that! I always look at my content from a personal perspective, and that allows me not to be manipulated by that pressure. I’ve seen that ruin so many content creators. I would hate to see something that I want so much be ruined by numbers and views.

PC: What has it meant to you that so many people have resonated with your content?
Emma: It means everything to me. I’ve put so many hours of work into this for the past year—all the blood, sweat, and tears. It’s all been worth it when I read messages from fans that say that I’ve inspired them to be themselves. That’s been so incredible.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Emma: This is surprising because a lot of my content is horror-based, but I am watching American Horror Story for the first time, which is so weird because everyone has told me to watch it. Either that or Umbrella Academy. I love so many shows, so it is hard to say.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Emma: Either Harry Potter, Clueless, or Wolf of Wall Street.

PC: Favorite book?
Emma: My favorite book has to be either Uglies, which is a phenomenal series, or The School for Good and Evil. That is also a phenomenal series. There are a lot of books I love by Brené Brown. They have helped and inspired me a lot.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Emma: I love theater. That is such a difficult question, but my favorite has to be Wicked. My bed frame actually has some music notes from “Defying Gravity”.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Emma: I listen to a wide variety of music. Maybe Lil Darkie? I like his music and it is literally screamo rap, which definitely helps me get out my stress.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Emma: I would be honored if Margot Robbie played me as an adult. I admire her work as an actress and person.

To keep up with Emma, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Photo Credit: Tim Schaeffer Photography // Hair & Make-Up: Allison Noelle Mesa