Born and raised in Bangu, Rio de Janeiro, Marcelly Garcia found a way to overcome emotional challenges and build a career as a digital influencer on the internet. At the age of 13, she started singing as a refuge against depression, and since then, music has become her main ally. With a stint on Vine and consolidated success on TikTok, where she has around 1.7 million followers, she mixes humor, fashion and mental health awareness in her content. In addition to her digital work, Marcelly stands out for her authentic style and constant visual transformations, which reflect her creativity and personality.
You started your journey online at age 13 as a way to cope with depression. What was it like realizing that music and videos could be such a powerful way to express your pain and connect with others?
I didn’t realize how much the internet could connect people until I started recording videos . I always had a hard time saying how I felt, but through music and covers, I felt like I didn’t need to say anything, the songs spoke for me.
Your transition from Vine to TikTok has increased your visibility, but your passion for music has always been a constant. How do you balance creating diverse content with focusing on this musical dream that has been with you since the beginning?
It’s really difficult to be honest, because I know I was born for music, but not for creating content, which is a challenge for me, so I try my best to bring the two things together so that they remain connected.
Mental health is a big topic in your content, especially since you yourself have faced challenges in this area. What is the most important message you would like to convey to young people who follow your work and face similar issues?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If your family turns their back on you, talk to a friend, a teacher, it doesn’t matter. Don’t go through this alone. Two heads are better than one! And remember, your diagnosis and your pain are not who you really are. Your difficulties cannot stop you from becoming who you really want to be!

Your fashion style is a reflection of your authenticity and creative freedom. How do you see the relationship between fashion and identity, especially considering the constant transformations in your look?
Borderline people have a difficult relationship with self-image, which leads me to always be changing, trying to find who I really am. Your visual identity sometimes reveals a lot about who you are, but when you have a pathology that makes you lose your own identity, you have difficulty finding your true self, but at the same time it opens up a range of varieties for you to continue finding yourself, it sharpens your creativity!
With 1.7 million followers on TikTok, you have an incredible reach to inspire people. Have you ever been moved by the positive impact your content has had on someone’s life?
Once while walking on Av. Paulista (SP) in 2021 with a friend, a girl asked me to take a picture, but she started crying and I didn’t understand why, until she told me that she started wearing cropped tops , dresses, skirts, because I inspired her, I showed her that we, nicknamed chubby, were also beautiful and that gave her more confidence , that day left a big impression on me!
Even with an academic background limited to high school, you have built a solid career and are a role model for many young people. What would you say to those who doubt their own potential because of social or educational barriers?
I would say: “Don’t let pressure limit you.” Today I’m 25 years old and I’m still not where I want to be. However, time can be your enemy, but if you know how to use it to your advantage, it becomes your best friend. You, young person, who are still afraid of what your future will be like, remember that being happy isn’t just about money. Remember that there are many rich people ending up in depression, and many poor people getting their families together to have fun on Sundays!

In addition to creating content, you dedicate your time to reading, writing, and singing, which fuel your creativity. Is there a routine or habit that you believe is essential to keeping your inspiration alive?
I always like to discover new musical styles, I’ve been passionate about K-POP since I was 14, where I met BTS (I’m an Army nowadays), as well as being a Belieber (a fan of Justin Bieber) I think my passion for discovering new things has led me to have a broad vision and creativity, as well as I really like studying history, this always gives me reasons to continue composing and doing something new!
You are very proud of your roots in Bangu and how your career was built from there. How has your connection to the neighborhood where you were born influenced the person and influencer you are today?
In Bangu I made true friendships, which I often chose to leave behind, something I deeply regret, but it was in Bangu that I felt true support, in Bangu I learned that who you are matters much more than what you have, in Bangu we don’t just have friends, we have family!
Follow Marcelly Garcia on Instagram