If life gave spoilers about what the future would be like, certainly many people would not believe what was yet to come. This is exactly the story of model and influencer Flávia Charallo and her partner Alex Mapeli. The woman from Guaxupé has always been passionate about communication and dreamed of being a journalist, but her reality was quite different. During her school years she was bullied and became a more shy girl. To put an end to that situation and follow her dreams, she moved to São Paulo and started taking courses in theater and modeling.
As usual, things never work out the first time and Flávia fails the model test. But she didn’t give up until she was approved. To have company in her new life away from home, the redhead started producing content for social networks and that’s when her career took off. In addition to being very successful as a lifestyle, beauty, entertainment and fitness influencer, Flávia also gained her life partner through the internet. Seven years into a relationship of much love and complicity with Alex Mapeli, the two built dreams and a family together. Along with the engagement came a lot of content and adventures around the world.
Alex Mapeli, born in the capital of São Paulo, is 25 years old and is the face of the generation of the future. Intelligent, handsome, humorous and charismatic, he conquered the catwalks and social networks. With so many professions in the world and such specific functions in different areas, who would have thought that this generation would be able to invent another one. Influencers or content creators have shown that they are here to stay and that their work is very valid. In the profession for almost 10 years, Alex knows the challenges well and has already established himself as a content creator.
Before working on social networks, the native of São Paulo was already a model and walked the catwalks of New York. To share his day-to-day work as a model, he started posting photos and videos without pretension. His profile gained such proportions that it ended up becoming his main work. Currently, Alex focuses on producing content about lifestyle, travel, fashion and entertainment. His fashion career is about to take a new turn, he is set to launch his own clothing brand soon. Alongside his fiancée Flávia Charallo, Alex entertains more than 7 million followers on Instagram. Together, Flávia and Alex entertain and conquer their audience with a lot of humor, love and charisma, transmitting kindness and joy in their content. Check out the interview!
How did you meet and what led you to become digital influencers?
We met at the opening of a store, where the 2 of us were hired by the same person to be present as influencers. The fact that we became influencers was never something programmed! We started posting photos on the internet, and people started to follow because they liked to follow! At the time there weren’t even Stories haha, people would spread our photos on “photo duet” pages, which at the time was very common… and then they would spread the profile around, and people would follow!
What is the biggest difficulty you face working together as a couple and as co-workers?
It’s always great to be able to be by the side of the person you love, to be able to help progress at work, and to help each other grow. But the hardest part is when we’re stressed from work, not the relationship! We rarely fight over the relationship itself! When stress arises, it’s because of work, which could happen with any profession we have with anyone else! So we try not to mix what stress is with work alone, and not let it affect our day-to-day relationship. We are very perfectionists, and the challenge is that we are 2 influencers, so everything is always doubled, recordings, ideas, editions, etc!
What projects are you currently working on and what inspired you to create them?
Alex is working on his clothing brand, and he was inspired by his desire to see his followers and people in general wear things he likes, as people always ask where the things he wears are from. He is always very inspired by his travels, especially when we go to Los Angeles, which has a lot to do with his collection, Street, Sunset, etc! I (Flávia) am working on my self-care brand project. I’ve always loved going makeup-free, and I like to solve the problem rather than just “cover it up”! That’s why I wanted to invest in self care, skin care! I love taking care of myself and I think it has to do with self esteem! If a follower tells me she is feeling bad, I say “she gets up, puts a smile on her face, goes to get ready, take care of herself, love herself, and take care of her spirit! Her body is your home, take good care of it”!
How do you deal with the stress and pressure of working in an environment as competitive as social networks?
Alex and I have always been very reserved with some subjects… Sometimes things come up that maybe we could talk about just because it attracts people, but we prefer not to externalize things that are not good so that they don’t become even stronger. Many people usually tell their plans before they even happen. We try to do everything right first and then announce it. We believe a lot in energy, so we always help each other to keep our heads up in the face of any difficulty! Help each other! I believe there is room for everyone on the internet! There are many people, there is an audience for everything nowadays! So we focus on accomplishing the things we dream of, and we try to look at ourselves, and not at what other people are doing.
What are the main characteristics you value in a digital influencer?
We admire those who communicate well, who are creative, who are polite with people, and who do not use controversy, fights, and bad situations to stand out. Influencers who influence for good. Who has empathy with the other, and who goes after fulfilling their desires without going over anyone, on their own merit. We think that’s really cool. We also enjoy interacting with the public, answering questions, paying attention to those who are rooting for the influencer’s success.
What’s the secret to maintaining a healthy and happy relationship while working together?
Know how to separate. When we get stressed out at work, we say “we’re not mad about something that one of us did that hurt the other, but because of a work challenge, so that won’t stop us from kissing”. Sometimes, when we can, we take time without the cell phone to eat something together, to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the time as lovers and not as a work partner.
How do you deal with the criticism and public judgment that is often present in the world of social media?
People have opinions. We have too! There are groups of people in the world who like something in the same intensity that another group of people don’t, so you can’t please everyone. We do what we think is right, cool, etc! If someone doesn’t like it, it’s okay! Let’s go next time always looking to improve ourselves.
What trends do you think will be the next big thing in the world of digital influence?
More and more, proximity to the public, bringing the public closer, you know? More and more people want real stories from real people. So, more and more, we will make videos as if the followers were our friends (and we see them just like that, as friends)!
How do you define success as a digital influencer and what is the key to maintaining it?
Success as a digital influencer is looking back, seeing where you came from, and everything you’ve achieved along the way! It’s being happy and satisfied with the process! That’s being successful.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding your career as a digital influencer?
Never lose your essence. Treat those around you well, act with a good heart, and you will always be on the right path.
Follow Flavia Charallo and Alex Mapeli on Instagram