Meet Chandra Giambrone

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chandra Giambrone. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chandra, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

My family has always referred to me as the black sheep. I was unruly, a free spirit, with limitless dreams and a wild imagination. Despite having very supportive parents, I felt the need to run away from society’s cage of expectations. Being cast as different from the rest of my family drove me to work twice as hard, forging my own unique path. This led to my foray into the world of creative expression and visual arts.

During my academic career, my confidence was built up every time I displayed a work of art for critique, hoping for positive feedback, and sometimes receiving the opposite. I had to quickly learn how not to internalize others’ opinions and apply the feedback that made the most sense to me. I would dive into my research and really apply myself. Sometimes it would mean reworking a project, and other times it meant starting something completely new. For the most part, I was pretty confident, until I wasn’t.

My confidence was challenged when I initially converted to Islam and began wearing a hijab. Presenting as a hijab-wearing woman in an art space was a nearly impossible task. Artists dismissed me because I was primarily seen as religious, while some Muslims doubted the validity of my faith. I asked myself, “Would I ever be Muslim enough?” I remember men refusing to shake my hand at my own gallery opening, and questioning why. What initially insulted me became a recognition of power and respect. I came to realize that I was seeking community and support, only to later discover that it all resided within me and my unwavering faith. When you accept and value yourself fully, the opinions and expectations of others lose their power.

Through this journey of self-discovery and growth, I have come to realize that confidence is not just about believing in yourself, but also about taking action towards your goals and dreams. After getting married and becoming a mother, I felt like I had lost sight of who I really was. I avoided taking pictures because I no longer recognized the vibrant woman I used to be. Instead, I found myself caught in a cycle of sadness and self-pity. In quiet moments, I often thought about the dreams and ambitions of my younger self. Fifteen- year-old CJ would never let the opinions of others affect how she viewed her worth or place in any situation. It became clear to me that I needed to reconnect with that part of myself.

One day, during a conversation with my best friend, I expressed my frustrations about neglecting my well-being. She responded by acknowledging my awareness of the issue and then posed the question, “What are you going to do about it?”

At that point, I knew it was time to take action. I began by monitoring my internal dialogue and setting small, attainable goals. I engaged in activities that I could consistently maintain 99 percent of the time, such as going to the gym three times a week. The gym became my non negotiable, everything else was scheduled around it. I cut out eating out, hired a personal trainer, and nutrition coach. I also arranged personal time with my inner circle. You have to love yourself enough to keep the promises you make to yourself. Discipline is the highest form of self-love.

Now, of course, I am only human, so I make mistakes. I tried my hand at being a public speaker, an experience that really rattled my confidence. Speaking to people every day on my social media accounts came naturally, but getting on stage in front of an unfamiliar audience was a completely different animal. For the first time in my life, I felt nervous and scared. While I felt the experience was a failure, the end result became a teachable moment. I gathered notes, which allowed me to better prepare myself for future opportunities. You have to be comfortable with failing in order to be successful.

2017 CJ is not 2023 CJ, and 2023 CJ is nothing like 2025 CJ. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that every day is an opportunity to become a better human being. Your ability to grow your confidence depends on your willingness to shift your perspective and utilize self-awareness to make changes. You have to be committed to personal growth and recognize when you are standing in your own way. Set your boundaries, set your goals, and keep your circle small. When you establish, grow, and protect your confidence, you’ll notice all the nonsense, noise, and negativity will fade away.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Chandra Giambrone. I was born and raised in Queens, New York, by my Roman Catholic father and Greek Orthodox mother. My mother gave me wings to fly and brushes to paint; my father moved mountains, attended every dance recital, and taught me how to change a tire. Growing up in Queens helped me develop strong character and a sense of community. My experiences growing up in the most diverse borough opened my mind to see the world in a limitless way. I grew up watching “a dollar and a dream” stories manifest into reality every day; it was truly inspiring. It takes guts and heart to come to New York and build an empire from scratch. I knew from a young age that disadvantages don’t hold you back; they, in fact, push you forward, and that these setbacks foster innovation and creativity. As a descendant of immigrants, I embraced a mindset that emphasizes the belief that if one can dream it, one can be it.

I converted to Islam as a young teen. My earlier artwork, sculptures, videos, and performances bridged my life as an “All-American girl” and Muslim woman together, forcing the two worlds to coexist in a safe space, open to criticism and interpretation. Growing up, I was labeled a dreamer by supporters and “delusional” by the naysayers. The dreamer in me had visions of spaces for people like me that didn’t exist, while the artist in me was able to draw them into reality. I was a post-internet kid; 2006 CJ was lost in hours of coding, developing Xanga banners, and curating the perfect MySpace page. I always had a deep understanding that the internet would become a space to openly create, connect, and grow an online presence.

The platforms I loved using soon fell off with the rise of Facebook and Instagram in 2010. During this time, I was fully committed to creating physical artworks and visual media in my provided studio. I graduated from SUNY Purchase, Conservatory of the Arts in 2015 and married my husband that same year.

Subhan and I were blessed with our children, Saleem and Ava, by 2017. Both children were accepted by a talent agency in New York City and modeled for major campaigns. I remember carrying strollers up and down the subway stairs just to give my children their chance to shine. Saleem was a natural on camera, and Ava’s love for fashion was clear very early on. Having two children under two was rough. I was fighting to survive the monotony of motherhood; between the endless sea of toys, dishes, never-ending laundry, and with adding “momager” to the mix there was no time or space to paint and create. I truly missed the endless hours of making in my studio, so my husband knocked a wall down to make a studio space in the house just for me.

This time I wasn’t repurposing everyday building materials and party supplies; I was documenting our family’s fashion moments. I never anticipated that the skills I learned at art school would be so relevant in the realm of social media, particularly in creating TikToks and Reels.

Long before matching mommy-and-me outfits were a trend, I collaborated with small, woman-owned Etsy shops. A few viral posts later, I thought, why not create a mommy-and-me line for the South Asian community? At the time, there was no such thing as mommy-and-me shalwar kameez brand, so I sent money to Pakistan to source a few outfits. I shared a few looks with my then 10,000 followers and quickly became an iconic mommy-and-me duo globally.

My art was once about cultural and religious identity; now my art is about bridging cultures and diversity through my social media platforms. My social media presence has garnered the attention of larger brands like FashionNova x NovaKids, Disney, Emirates, Club Med, American Dream Mall, Prime Hydration, Mattel, and National University.

As of 2025, my online community has grown to half a million followers across the globe. @Cee_jae_gee grew into a mini-brand that attracts like-minded individuals and brands to collaborate through partnerships and ads.

TikTok is on the verge of being banned in the United States, which will affect creators like myself and interfere with billions of users’ income. As sad as I would be to lose access to the app, I am eager to see the internet’s response. Will another app soon emerge? The internet and its creators are resilient. I mean, who else could face an ever-changing algorithm daily? I love that my platform has the ability to inspire, uplift, and spread love, but now that the children are getting older, I am most excited for my return to the art world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

EMBRACE YOUR CREATIVITY

In my youth, I frequently disassembled toys, furniture, and electronic devices. My curiosity about the mechanics of various objects remains strong. I possess an enduring desire to explore the inner workings of things. Creativity allows us to unlock innovative solutions to everyday problems. The more effectively you can problem-solve, the more valuable you become to yourself and others.

EXPERIENCE BEFORE INFLUENCE

I started my social media journey as @cee_jae_gee to share my experiences, not to become an influencer. If you want to find your true self or develop a unique personal style, get off the internet. In this day and age of social media, it’s common to see the same styles and trends. Travel more, watch old films, study different eras, make a family tree, visit museums, take a photography class, or learn how to knit.

Immersing yourself in a hobby will help you develop your own taste; you’ll quickly understand why you love or dislike something. When you invest in yourself, pouring into your hobbies and interests, you radiate a truth that attracts and inspires others. Then you can decide if you want to come back to the internet and share; it’s your decision.

IT’S YOU VERSUS YOU

Always take responsibility for your emotions and actions.​​ Think before you speak and think twice before you act. When you realize you are the only one in your own way, you will realize it has always been you versus you, and that you have to win every time. When you are discouraged or want to fall into the trap of self-pity, prepare to lock in and work harder.

Always leave people, places and things better than you found them,

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The QURAN

Every test has a purpose and every pain has an end. Hardship is temporary.

Your requests are always delayed not denied.

The Quran strongly emphasizes justice, compassion, and righteousness when exercising power.
Power is a responsibility from God.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Emron Photography.

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