The incredible 20-year-old streamer, TikToker, model, fashion designer, and CEO Zack Lugo @zacklugo_, who has a cumulative community of twelve million followers across his social media platforms, talks with Vanity Teen about how he started his career, how is his new life in Los Angeles like, and his future projects as a model and content creator.
Keep on reading to find out more about the talented Zack Lugo!
“There is so much hate in this world, and I want everyone to remember that hating is not cute. We should all spread love.”
Zack Lugo
Zack Lugo, from his beginnings to his ambitions and future plans
Vanity Teen: You are a streamer, TikToker, model, fashion designer, and CEO and you are just 20 years old. That’s really impressive! How and when did you start doing so many things and what motivated you? What’s your personal story?
Zack Lugo: Being in Idaho, there was never much to do. I had three different jobs at the time to stay busy and make some money. When TikTok came around, I started doing it for fun with friends. I always watched YouTube over TV and that helped me grow my love for content creation. Since I could remember, I had a dream of starting my own clothing line and that was in the back of my head as I grew my following.
VT: I guess you began creating TikToks simply for fun as everyone else on the platform but you started growing a huge fanbase. When did you start gaining so many followers and how did that make you feel? What is it like having a cumulative 12-Million followers across your social media platforms?
ZL: I never had that one viral video as some people had, it was just a constant growth over time. I started out posting 8+ times per day and seeing what worked.
VT: Being all of the aforementioned at your age makes me think because I cannot get my head around your incredible talent. What’s your day-to-day life like especially now that you’ve moved to LA?
ZL: Busy is all I can say. I do a lot of streaming on Whatnot opening Pokémon cards and on top of that, I have brand deals, photoshoots, cover shoots, and auditions. Every day is different but exciting! I can’t wait for you all to see what I have coming soon.
VT: This might be a tough question, but which job do you enjoy doing the most: steaming, modeling, designing clothes, or creating content?
ZL: Streaming is a passion for me, it is something that makes me happy, but I also love each one of my jobs. Each one of them is exciting in its own way. I have been doing a lot of in-studio modeling shoots which I enjoy a ton.
VT: Speaking of designing, you have your own streetwear clothing line named Runway Kid Apparel. The first item launched is a split T-shirt with a half short sleeve and half long sleeve with the saying ‘Hate Is Ugly’ on the chest. What made you create your own brand and what message does it have? What’s your style and what other pieces will you be creating for the brand?
ZL: The Split Tee is my signature and I wear a lot of them. The saying ‘Hate Is Ugly’ is something I live by. There is so much hate in this world, and I want everyone to remember that hating is not cute. We should all spread love. I have another line coming in the fall that is based on another saying that I love. More details will be coming soon!
VT: Which are your main goals as a model and content creator? What would you like to achieve?
ZL: I would say that my main goal is to continue to do what makes me happy. I would love to have a partnership with Ethika and a billboard with BOSS one day. As we develop my modeling career, it would be cool to do more international travel for work. The biggest things for me are making an impact and spreading love to my fans as I grow.
VT: You usually talk about fashion trends on your social platforms but you also share skateboarding tricks, Pokémon card unboxing on Twitch, and humorous videos with your girlfriend Emma Brooks McAllister. Where does your passion for skateboarding and Pokemon come from? Is it easy for you to create humorous videos?
ZL: I have been skateboarding for fifteen years. There is nothing to do in Idaho so I taught myself how to skateboard in my basement. It is something I will always continue to do and will make a part of my career. I played Pokémon as a child and got back into it about a year ago. It brings new excitement to my day-to-day life.
VT: To conclude, what are you looking forward to the most this year? And what does the future hold for you? Could you tell us your ambitions, dreams yet to accomplish, and your life goals?
ZL: I am really excited to see what comes next. Modeling and acting have been exciting me a lot lately. I am also focusing on growing my Pokémon business and releasing a new clothing drop.
Talent Zack Lugo @zacklugo_ photographed by Dylan Perlot @dylanperlot, wardrobe stylist Sky JT Naval @sky_is_dlimit, grooming by Diane Dusting @didusting. Exclusive interview for Vanity Teen online in conversation with Adrian Gomis @adriange_