What are you up today?
I'm here at the Bernal Heights street fair. I brought this art piece that I made with my friends — we're part of an all-female art collective called the StreetHeart Collective. It's called Kaleidosoul — it's like a walk-in kaleidoscope. We used all sustainable materials, and it's basically a fun space! We normally go to more adult festivals, but when the kids get to be in it, it's really awesome.
What's something that's interest recently?
Style-wise, Afropunk is like the sickest. It's super raw and I really appreciate the non-conventional aspect of it. It's very in your face — like, this is how it is.
Who do you look up to?
I'd say icon-wise, Frida Kahlo. She's the most badass artist that I've seen. Her attitude and everything is so important to me! That kind of refusal to let anyone tell you what's legit and what's not.
What advice would you give your ten-years-younger self?
I would be like 15...I'd say don't cry about grades and don't worry about college because everything's going to be OK! That period in my life was just so much...I went to Lowell — you have to test in and it's very competitive and cutthroat, so I would just say, don't trip on grades or college.
![“Fuck you, [Embassy Suites]. I’m livid,” Mazzalai Nguyen writes in her post...](/sites/default/files/styles/profile/public/images/article/2019-02/mom-pumps-in-lobby.png?itok=qHu3zjGM "“Fuck you, [Embassy Suites]. I’m livid,” Mazzalai Nguyen writes in her post...")
