HER LOVE IS BLUE: STORYTELLING WITH BRITTANY GRAY
by Dorian Randall
IG @shebbookin
Relocating back down South last year reminds me of the rich culture that oftentimes gets overlooked for the region’s torrid history. Yes, the evidence of the slave economy and regressive politics still takes the day, but there are prisms of hope that still shine brightly all over this land called the Deep South. I’m a Mississippi girl at heart, but one city in particular’s got me wondering if it should be my next move, especially with a certain influencer putting a spotlight on all the good things it has to offer.
NOLA. The Big Easy. The Crescent City. Whatever you want to call it, New Orleans has always been a breeding ground for creativity. From lilting jazz melodies to vibrant art markets to a community that has thrived after a natural disaster, the city has given the world limitless talent, including Brittany Gray, a.k.a. @BondyBlue.
The influencer and digital creator is a lifelong storyteller with a unique blend of creativity and humor that can only be born and bred in this gem of the South.
The LSU and Clark Atlanta alumna initially got her start behind the camera as a photojournalist and editor at a local news station, where she refined the editing skills that now lend themselves well to her short-form content. After constantly working on tough stories that highlighted the worst news, Gray wanted to bring a brighter shade of blue to people’s lives. In 2011, during the height of female cast-led reality show popularity, she started uploading funny recaps of The Real Housewives of Atlanta on YouTube to provide some much-needed levity for her audience, and for herself. She now has 128k subscribers on the platform to date.
“I just want people to feel good,” Gray said during an interview with Cue the Culture last year.
Gray has since branched out into Instagram, where she boasts nearly 50k followers, to share her takes on all things pop culture and current events. But she’s never lost sight of the power and influence of the Big Easy, never missing an opportunity to shout out the city that gave birth to her.
“I love being a tourist in my own hometown…. I love us,” she said.
Highlighting the food, music, and events like the French Quarter Festival, Gray believes in the power of her hometown’s vibes. After all, it’s where she first learned the art of storytelling as a child with a burgeoning passion for acting. But with her impact on the rise across social media, Gray sees herself as an all-around entertainer. And she is just that, moving from featuring on live streams with other digital creators, like Chris C. Diggs (@CDiggi1) and Tasha K, to hosting her own podcast called Ooh Ladies First Panel with her friends and fellow digital creators Necey Dixon and JamiThatsMe. Gray is forming her own path in the overcrowded landscape of the influencer economy. She’s even dipping her toe into stand-up comedy.
“I’m doing my research, going to different spots and sussing out the vibes,” she added with a chuckle.
There’s nothing like being a girl raised in the South. That’s for sure for this community-oriented New Orleanian.
After learning more about this award-winning storyteller and content creator, one thing is clear—I need to get back to her storied city. It’s been years since my last visit, but now I know I missed something.
Or maybe… I just didn’t know what to look for.
If I’m lucky, I’ll run into her and finally ask the questions that history books never answered.
And then, like any proper visitor, I’ll ask the real question—
Girl, where can I get the best Sazerac?
