Ana Saia, the vibrant force behind the “no sabo” movement, continues to captivate and inspire over 3 million followers across TikTok and Instagram with her magnetic charisma, razor-sharp wit, and unwavering commitment to authenticity. As a stunning, talented, and comical influencer, Ana is redefining what it means to embrace Mexican American heritage in the digital age.
Through candid discussions about language barriers, cultural clashes, and personal insecurities, Ana is empowering others to embrace their unique backgrounds with pride. As a vocal advocate for inclusivity, she challenges outdated notions of Latinx identity, championing the “no sabo” kids who navigate the intersection of multiple cultures.
Now, Ana Saia, the self-proclaimed “red-headed Latina,” is poised to conquer new frontiers in the worlds of acting and singing. Despite facing obstacles growing up, she is pursuing her passion with unwavering determination, inviting her followers to join her in celebrating resilience and pursuing dreams against all odds.
Even in the face of adversity, Ana remains unapologetically herself. Whether confronting hate comments or sharing personal struggles, she serves as a beacon of positivity and empowerment, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their imperfections and stand tall in the face of adversity.
Ana’s commitment to authenticity and advocacy resonates deeply, sparking conversations about language, culture, and belonging. From hilarious skits to heartfelt anecdotes, her content strikes a chord with a diverse audience seeking authenticity and connection.
In an exclusive interview with StarCentral Magazine, we caught up with Ana to gain insight into her extraordinary journey. Here’s what went down:
1. Your “no sabo” movement has garnered widespread attention and support. Can you share the inspiration behind this movement and what it means to you personally?
The inspiration behind the “no sabo” movement comes from a place of inclusivity. There are a lot of Latinos who feel like they can’t embrace their culture for either not knowing the language or being ridiculed as “not Latino enough”. I wanted to help those people not be afraid to embrace their Hispanic culture because it is an important part of who we are as individuals, regardless of our appearance or fluency in Spanish.
2. As a prominent influencer with over 3 million followers, how do you use your platform to advocate for inclusivity and challenge outdated stereotypes?
I often use my platform to advocate for inclusivity by sharing my own personal experiences within the culture, both good and bad. I prefer to use humor to show the absurdity of things people have told me, knowing that there are other people watching who have gone through similar situations.
3. You’ve been vocal about embracing your Mexican American heritage and navigating cultural identity. What advice do you have for others who may be struggling with similar challenges?
My advice to those struggling with cultural identity is to be proud of who you are. We live in a time where so many cultures are mixed and shared within families, making it hard to have a definitive cultural identity. It’s okay to have multiple cultures because not everyone is going to have the same cultural experiences. This is what makes every person unique and beautifully interesting.
4. Your journey into the world of acting and singing is incredibly inspiring. What motivated you to pursue these artistic endeavors, and what challenges have you faced along the way?
Since I was young, I’ve been drawn to music and many other artistic subjects. I loved the idea of getting lost in a movie or a song that could give you a completely different outlook on life. Lately, I have been trying to mix what I do online with what I hope to become one day by translating popular songs in Spanish or recreating a skit I made up of a telenovela. The challenge has been to keep going, be patient, and wait for my opportunity.
5. Despite obstacles growing up, you’ve remained determined to pursue your passions. How do you stay motivated and resilient in the face of adversity?
I stay motivated to pursue my passions and to stay resilient by knowing there is nothing else I’d rather be doing with my life. I work hard to prove that I’m capable of taking on challenges and give myself grace in the face of my failures. My parents have also been a big part of reminding me since I was young not to care what other people think of me because the only thing that matters is what I think of myself at the end of the day.
6. Your content on TikTok and Instagram resonates deeply with your audience, sparking important conversations about language, culture, and belonging. How do you approach creating content that is both entertaining and meaningful?
I try to create entertaining and meaningful content by drawing from my own experiences. I often use humor to learn new things, so when I create content, I try to make that a theme throughout my videos related to my Hispanic culture.
7. Can you tell us about a particularly memorable moment or interaction with a follower that has impacted you personally?
One memorable interaction with a follower happened while I was shopping at a store for some Halloween decorations, and I felt three little shadows following me through the aisles. When I turned around, these three kids’ eyes lit up, and they were excited but also very shy. I remember them coming up to me and asking first if I was who they thought I was, and then they told me how they were all learning Spanish from my videos. Their parents were with them of course and told me that they appreciate the videos I make because they want to keep Spanish alive in their household. I often think of this moment whenever I’m having a hard day online.
8. In your journey of self-discovery, what key lessons have you learned about authenticity and staying true to yourself?
Some key lessons I’ve learned about authenticity staying true to myself include living through my own experiences. I try to think of the videos I make as an extension of myself even if it’s only for a couple of seconds. If there’s videos that are trending but aren’t necessarily for me, then I avoid doing them. My most authentic self is when I share parts of myself that I love, including my Mexican culture, singing, acting, etc.
9. How do you handle negativity or hate comments on social media, and what advice do you have for others facing similar challenges?
I handle negativity online by not looking at it for the most part. I have had to learn that part of being online comes with not everyone liking you. The only person who has to like me is myself, and I’ve taken the time to learn to love myself through the good and bad times of my life. My advice to others facing it is to keep going if it’s what makes you happy and you’re not hurting anyone. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but that’s all they are, an opinion without knowing the full picture.
10. Looking ahead, what are your professional and personal aspirations for the future? How do you hope to continue making a positive impact through your work and advocacy efforts?
Looking ahead, I hope to be a professional actor and create content that reflects the journey. Personally, I hope to be at a point in my life where I’m able to support my parents and my own family. I aim to keep making a positive impact by continuing to share parts of my life and working towards a business that can advocate for others to want to learn Spanish.