Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Barnes.
Courtney, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m also known as Ms. Miami (@MsMiamiTV). I make captivating, and entertaining digital content to promote and advertise brands. I am an Instagram star, influencer, model, author, and entrepreneur. Some say adversity is the foundation upon which greatness is built. I learned this at an early age, and it has helped me in my adult life. Instead of letting a bad situation get the best of me, I overcame many obstacles to become the woman I am today. I was catapulted in fame when popular American rapper, Wale posted my picture on his social media pubicly body shaming me, in hopes to encourage other women to love their natural body instead of cosmetic enhancements. This kind of public humiliation has been constant since I became known. I have been seen all over blogs such as Worldstar Hip Hop, The Shade room, Baller Alert, and daily mail to name a few. I have been featured on the Dr. Oz Show, Telemundo ‘Suelta la Sopa”, Fox News.com, Complex Magazine, and Barcroft TV popular show ” Hooked on the Look” sharing my journey with illegal butt injections, my struggle with Body Dysmorphia, how I made peace with how I look, and the cruelty I endure on social media. The world knows me because of my “rear end” or my butt is extremely big, just to be clear. I have opened up my life struggles, and who I really am to raise awareness about the unknown and unsaid dangers of black market butt injections, and cosmetic surgery.
I have been made a name for myself long before social media. Being a poor college student, made me desperate enough to become an exotic dancer in my sophomore year in college. Back then, I worked at most of the popular strip clubs here in Miami and Tampa. During that time is also when I decided to transform my look by getting “butt shots” or illegal butt injections to achieve this “60” bum. Now, I am in a peculiar position because I am looking to remove the injections that I have had for over 10 years.
After ending my studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa Bay, I planned on a career in insurance sales. I jumped on the social media platform blitz and have amassed an impressive following. Setting the 9 to 5 aside, I transformed myself into what my heart demanded. I recently released my book ” I am Not my body, but I wanted a bigger butt”, which is available on my book website www.IAMNOTMYBODYbyCOURTNEYBARNES.com or on Amazon.
I also operate a podcast entitled Big Booty Problems Podcast, which is entertaining, and provocative Interview based podcast for entertainers, entrepreneurs, and everyday people. Tune in on iTunes, and all digital outlets.
The movement that I created focuses on “Inner Beauty” that aims to overcome self-imposed limitations and find freedom from our perceived imperfections. My journey and story have interested the 900,000 social media followers I have, and major networks that have featured my story. Most recently, Barcroft TV aired my story about me for the second time, and in just 30 days, it has over 10 Million views. I am so thankful for my supporters, and those tune in to understand what I am going through. My struggles are more than physical. They affect more than only my body. I am elated that I am able to show the world, that you do not have to be “perfect” to follow your dreams. I have made many mistakes in my life, and I talk about it all in my book. I believe so many of you, both young, and old could learn from my mistakes and benefit from how I perceive life. Even for those who admit to not wanting to look like me, I want them to at least say I motivate them to be themselves.
My aspirations are limitless, and my desire and persistence in pursuing a career as an on-air personality & mentor and coach are strong.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My claim to fame has not been glamorous, nor an easy road. I get lots of attention, but that attention also has caused me to be a target of an overwhelming amount of cyberbullying & body shaming. It seems the world feel its somehow my fault. The constant scrutiny over my looks and not focusing on the facts of the dangers of injections are my reasons for spearheading a movement to evoke change in body shaming.
I constantly fight not wanting to leave the house because of the fear of being judged and noticed. I have been seeking counseling because I have never felt this overwhelmed, undesirable and helpless. I try to mask the hurt and walk around like everything is ok, but the truth is I’m broken and I can’t heal. It feels like I can’t get past my mistakes no matter how hard I try because people keep reminding me of my flaws and mistakes every day. I just want to live my best life.
Please tell us about Ms. Miami TV.
I decided to seriously think of being an influencer when I realized that I am a “walking advertisement”. I could not avoid attention so I created a platform where I could earn money from the attention I gained and at the same support a business or brand that wanted the extra exposure. I shoot and edit promotional videos to market artist music, products, events, and brands. I am most proud of the fact that as an influencer, I am not only able to get my clients seen on social media, but I have been able to include a few of them in additional opportunities including press on blogs, features on tv and most recently a popular documentary that received over 1 million views on youtube in just two weeks.
I understand that choosing the best ways to promote Music, Business, and Services online can be challenging, so I help companies get exposed to a larger audience. My vision is to connect and enable brands thru advertisement to achieve their full potential.
My service is important because I generate excitement for business, brands, music artist upcoming events, and introduce my clients to new potential customers, help get them more looks.
What sets me apart from others who do what I do is the fact that I have been a trending topic for a long time, and my movement and message has crossed over language barriers, racial and geographic barriers. This was confirmed when I completed an interview special on Miami based American Spanish television network “Telemundo” show entitled Suelta la Sopa. I am known in cities and countries that I have never visited. I have supporters that do not even speak my language. I am so thankful and humbled.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Wow, it’s crazy that this is the toughest question. I am the oldest child of three girls, so I feel that I did not have as much of a childhood as I would have liked. But my favorite memory as a child is when is made the basketball team in middle school. Basketball was my first love. I learned how to play in middle in school by neighborhood friends and family. When I made the roster on the basketball team in 6th grade, that was the first time I felt like I was “enough” by another person standards. Trying out for the team was a nerve-wracking experience. It was the first time I felt anxiety, so being accepted on the team made me feel proud of my effort.
Pricing:
- Local Hosting / Guest Appearance fee (Tri-county) – $1,000 -You can now BOOK MS MIAMI FOR THESE TYPE OF EVENTS & ENGAGEMENTS: Public concerts, Corporate events, Meets and greets, club appearances, festivals, after parties, spoke modeling, TV appearances, acting roles, Interviews, Music Collaborations, Autograph signing. Fees are per hour.
- Product /Service Review- (fee varies) -fees as low as $200 – (I specialize in creating entertaining, eye-catching content and more with online audience. Book me NOW to get your company in front of my large engaged audience.)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MsMiamiTV.com
- Phone: 8139003722
- Email: Bookingmsmiami@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msmiamitv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/I-am-NOT-my-Body-2142826726045473/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMsmiami
Image Credit:
Barcroft TV (BLACK TOP), Mangelo Media (WHITE TOP)
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
