We were lucky to catch up with Michaella Bloom recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Michaella, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
As an artist sharing my work online, naturally I have encountered a lot of hate. I’ll never forget the first time I landed on the ‘wrong side of TikTok’ and thousands of hate comments started pouring in. Some were even in different languages — which, yes, I translated, only to realize… even they hated my work.
At first, I was overwhelmed. Sharing your art is deeply vulnerable, and being met with that kind of reaction made me super anxious. But after letting myself sit with it, I had this shift: art is supposed to make people feel SOMETHING. Sometimes that feeling is discomfort or even hate.
That experience was four years ago. Since then, I’ve come to fully accept that I’m not for everyone — and that is a beautiful thing. My art and my personality are polarizing. Some people love me, some people hate me — there’s no in between. But that polarization is actually what helps the right people find me. The ones who connect with my work— they’re the reason I keep showing up. I’ve learned to embrace the hate, because if I wasn’t creating something real, I’d be easy to ignore.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Right now, I’m pouring my energy into CLTR LAB, my culture-first creative lab, while expanding my work as an artist, creative director, and curator. I’m here to build movements that don’t just reflect culture, they shift it.
At CLTR LAB, we recently celebrated one year of working with Pinterest, collaborating with their social team to create and curate elevated, culturally relevant content that resonates with Gen Z Audiences across TikTok and Instagram. We’re also welcoming our newest client, Young Nails — I can’t share too much yet, but I’m incredibly excited for what we’re launching soon.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Intuitive decision-making, rejection, and grit.
As an entrepreneur, being able to make decisions quickly is essential — but learning to trust those decisions takes time. In the beginning, it’s normal to question yourself. That inner voice questioning your every move may be loud, but over time, as you build trust in your instincts, that voice softens. Don’t judge yourself for second-guessing — it’s all part of learning how to lead from intuition.
I’ve heard so many no’s throughout my career. Some stayed no’s, but others turned into not right now — and eventually, we need you NOW. Every rejection is a redirection. What’s truly for you can’t pass you. Don’t take it personally. Most of the time, it’s not even about you.
I’m not afraid to f*ck up. I’m not afraid to get scrappy. I’m definitely not afraid to look stupid — to me, that’s grit. I do think grit is predominantly innate, but it’s also something you can strengthen. How? By releasing the fear of what others will think and letting go of self-judgment. Your inner critic will always be the loudest, but you don’t have to listen!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I was given the freedom to explore ALL of my interests, as deeply or as briefly as I wanted. There was a moment I wanted to learn guitar, so I took a few lessons, but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. When I was four, I wanted to do ballet but was rejected from a class because I didn’t know what a plié was. That led me to gymnastics, which I pursued intensely for ten years.
To commit to gymnastics, I had to let go of two other passions, soccer and piano, because training consumed everything. I was dead set on going to the Olympics. That dream ended after witnessing too many injuries and feeling the mental toll. I knew it was time to walk away which was devastating at the time.
But through all of it, my parents never judged me. They supported every pivot and reinvention. They gave me space to follow my passions and evolve freely — and that permission shaped the way I create today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michaellaleebloom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaellaleebloom/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaella-lee-bloom-7a391781
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@malfyb
Image Credits
@danalaurengoldstein
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