Becoming McKenzi Brooke: Growing Up Online, Finding Her Voice & Turning Pressure Into Purpose
Description
McKenzi Brooke has spent most of her life in front of a camera — but who is she outside the viral videos? The TikTok star, dancer, actor, and storyteller joins Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good Podcast to talk about growing up online, separating her real identity from her internet persona, navigating pressure at a young age, and turning criticism into fuel.
From her close bond with her family to the creative honesty behind her music, McKenzi opens up about the parts of her life people don't see — and what it really means to stay grounded when millions are watching.
McKenzi Brooke is one of TikTok's biggest breakout creators — a dancer, actor, musician, and storyteller who built a massive following by being relatable, creative, and unapologetically herself. But behind the viral moments is someone who has been performing since childhood, learning how to grow up while the internet watched.
In this episode of the For Good Podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with McKenzi for a raw, thoughtful conversation about identity, pressure, confidence, and the power of knowing who you are beyond the screen.
McKenzi opens up about what it's really like to grow up in the public eye, how she separates her real personality from the one people assume she has online, and why she still considers herself "just a normal girl with weird quirks" despite millions of fans.
They go deep into:
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Growing up online and learning to stay authentic while the world watches
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Finding her voice beyond dance — from acting to storytelling to writing music
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Using heartbreak and friendships as creative fuel in her songwriting
(yes… she thanks her exes for the inspiration) -
The support system that keeps her grounded — especially her brother and her mom
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How to handle comparison, hate, and pressure as a young creator ("Haterade is Powerade" might be the best quote of the episode)
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Why being underestimated became her superpower
McKenzi also shares the moment she was invited to the United Nations for women's empowerment — and what it felt like to be the youngest person in the room.
This episode is a reminder that the internet doesn't always show the full story — and that staying grounded starts with knowing yourself first.
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