REPORT #9: How I convinced a corporation to buy a billboard of me naked in Soho

+ male BC might be here sooner than you can say “this fucks”

In today’s letter, I’m taking paid subs behind the scenes of exactly how I created my plotty campaign with Joe & the Juice and why it was so successful. Whether you're a creator, an entrepreneur, or just a bad b*tch, I hope these insights help you build your own empire.

Giveaway alert! This one is a self-care lover’s dream: full-sized and dreamy products from Kérastase, Amika, Elemis, Bobbie Brown, and other goodies (like a stunning pair of sunglasses).

To be entered to win, you must:

1. Subscribe to my Substack

2. Reply to the question, “favorite shows you’ve binged so far this year?” in the Chat

3. Be a US resident

I’ll be announcing the winner next week (6/13) in the Chat. So keep an eye on it 👀.

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Report ✨

READING: LFG: Male birth control is in the works! This Washington Post article discusses the (s)exciting developments in getting an FDA-approved BC gel on the market for men. And they don’t have to cry or scream about a painful insertion or pill; they have to apply a gel on their shoulder blades daily. It’s THAT simple. Think about a world in which men don’t have to give a BS excuse about not wanting to wear condoms. In the 1970s, researchers attempted to create male BC, but it ultimately had too severe of side effects (*world’s tiniest violin plays*).

Without getting into the nitty gritty, the gel contains both progesterone and testosterone, leading to a decrease in overall sperm count. The study’s results are promising, though it’s a matter of time and private funding to determine its true fate. While there’s no guarantee of the gel’s arrival on shelves, it’s long overdue for men to take ownership in safe sex. 

EATING: One of my good friends and absolute icon Ariana Maddix (and her best friend Katie Maloney), recently opened their West Hollywood-based sandwich shop, Something About Her. As if we don’t love these ladies enough, their sandwiches are named after Hollywood’s most iconic leading actresses. Think Drew, Kerry, Diane, Viola, Reese. After Ariana’s public breakup with Thou Who Shall Not Be Named, fans have defended and supported her ventures (including when I bought tickets to watch her fucking slay it in Chicago on Broadway.) When the restaurant opened a few weeks back, this NYT article explained how many fans came to not only eat good food–but take another stand against her ex by inserting themselves into the plot. I can’t wait until that wannabe drives by and sees the line around the block. 

Women are powerful forces, and we don’t put up with shitty male behavior. On my next trip to LA, I will definitely be stopping by to check it out (and stuffing my face into The Cameron). 

PROUD OF: This past weekend, Steph, one of my best friends from Duke, got married to the love of her life, Ollie. They initially were going to get married at Capitale, but the venue unexpectedly canceled months before the big day, so they were forced to look for other options. Clearly rejection is redirection because Gustavino’s was the perfect venue–  and it could not have been a more beautiful Saturday in the city. Also, they served a Chinese food buffet station DURING cocktail hour, and it was a huge hit.

The best thing that came out of my time at Duke was my friend group, Ships. We've been best friends since we were 18, and it's crazy to see how close my friend group (of 8!) has remained for the past 12 years. I think it’s because we are all confident, ambitious, and all have legitimate individual one-on-one friendships with each other outside of the group itself. I can’t even imagine where we will all be in ten years. If you want to be a boss bitch, surround yourself with boss bitch energy. The Queen of Confidence doesn’t fuck with “woe is me” friendship energy over here. 

OBSESSED WITH: 

1. When I love a jean, I LOVE a jean. Enter DL1961’s Demie Straight High Rise 31” Jeans in the North Beach wash. Beyond flattering, it’s the perfect shade of blue and fits like an absolute glove. Literally cannot and will not be taking them off my body this summer. 

2. These Aureum Serena Gold Textured Spiral earrings were named after yours truly, and they’re obviously one of my latest obsessions. Use my code for 20% off: SERENA20

3. We all need a clean white, hardware-free bag that doesn’t scream label whore, like this Mansur Gavriel Mini Candy Hobo Bag. If you don’t have a puppy, carry this new best friend along with you instead. 

The Serena Gold Textured Spiral earrings from Aureum

STREAMING: Dancing For The Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult (Netflix)

Although we've seen our fair share of cult documentaries, I'm still here for it. This twisted doc chronicles famous TikTok dancers and how a dirty talent manager enticed his impressionable clients-turned-victims into simultaneously joining his culty, LA-based “church.” It’s giving control, chaos, and a man who needs to be found guilty.

With the explosion of influencer culture, it’s so easy for greedy monsters to prey on innocent people who aspire for fame. I have heard countless horror stories where management took advantage of up-and-coming stars. It’s disgusting. Trust your gut, ask around, and do the research. 

Long story short: watch this docuseries when you're in the mood for something heavy.

TRAVELING: Fefe surprised me on a trip to Woodstock to celebrate our one-year anniversary. It was exactly what we needed: peace, quiet, phenomenal food, and each other’s company. I’ll be sharing a very detailed guide to the ultimate Woodstock weekend getaway in tomorrow’s *paid* newsletter.

In case you weren’t in the SFK universe last summer, I did the most iconic smoothie collab with Joe & The Juice. My naked body (+ two strategically placed smoothies) was on a billboard in Soho. Talk about a Hot Girl Summer. My “For The Plot” smoothie was available at 61 locations in the U.S. and quickly became the #1 smoothie on the menu. And it’s all thanks to fans like you.

So what’s the secret behind its success? Check out this BTS video on how this partnership came to be, the creative process, and my advice on how to deliver beyond expectations.