Marina Gretta Interview
Q. Your Instagram bio says “Just a GIRL who’s masc”-what does this identity mean to you, and how has it shaped your creative journey and personal expression?
When I first put this in my bio, it was simply meant to clarify that I am a girl and not a boy. Because of my haircut and the way I present myself, I understand why people often find it confusing. Over time, however, this line became much more than just clarification. It turned into my slogan, my punchline, and eventually, a core part of who I am.
Even today, many people find it hard to accept that a girl can have short hair and wear masculine-presenting clothes. Making this identity visible through my bio and my journey has helped me stand my ground, and it has also encouraged many other girls to fully accept their personalities and be unapologetically themselves.
Q. Can you take us back to the beginning of your content creation journey? How did it all start, and which form of creative expression defines you the most today?
It all began with one TikTok video. Like everyone else, I just wanted to follow trends and have fun. Slowly, I started gaining followers and reached around 2–5K in less than a month, which motivated me to take content creation more seriously. That was exactly when TikTok got banned, and it felt like all my dreams came crashing down.
When Instagram Reels were introduced, my friends kept pushing and motivating me to start posting again. I finally gave in and posted one reel as a joke. That joke turned into a trend, and that trend turned into virality. It motivated me to take content creation seriously again, but after reaching 10K, I had a mental breakdown and took a break from the internet for over six months.
When I came back, I knew I wanted to pursue content creation as a career. Today, people love my dance videos and content related to fashion, hair, and my personality-and honestly, that’s exactly what I love creating too.
Q. You’ve built a community of over 291K followers. What key strategies helped you grow your audience?
Consistency has been the most important factor. Without consistency, there is no growth-not just on Instagram, but in life in general. Whenever I got ready to shoot reels, I made sure to shoot five to six videos in a single day so I always had content lined up.
In the beginning, when I didn’t have followers, I posted two, three, sometimes even four times a day simply because I could. That constant pressure on the algorithm really worked in my favor. Once I understood how the algorithm functioned, I learned how to stay consistent while using it to my advantage.
Another key factor is having a clear niche. When your audience knows what to expect from you, they have a reason to stay. I gave them what they came for-dance, fashion, hair, and my personality-and balancing consistency with a strong niche is what helped me grow to where I am today.
Q. Were there moments of self-doubt, setbacks, or struggles-and how did you push through them?
Yes, absolutely. I faced a lot of self-doubt and setbacks even before I gained recognition. The first challenge was my family-especially my dad-who was against the idea of me being on the internet because I’m a girl and “shouldn’t be showing my face to strangers.” The second challenge was the internet itself-people constantly telling me how I should look, what I should do, and what they liked or disliked.
But the biggest challenge was me. Comparing myself to other creators and constantly questioning if I was doing enough or if I should be doing more. These challenges still exist, but I’ve learned how to manage them better. Facing all of this alone helped me evolve as a person, and today I’m mentally prepared when challenges come my way.
Q. How do you balance your personal life with content creation and collaborations?
Honestly, I don’t think I balance it well. I started content creation at a very young age, which meant juggling college life with brand collaborations. The college system is a nightmare-they only care about marks and not about actual learning. Managing that along with brand demands was extremely hard, especially when I didn’t have a manager or team.
I almost dropped out of college. Thankfully, things worked out, and today I’m graduating with a degree while also having a strong community of over 300K on Instagram.
Q. Your content spans dance, fashion, biking, and music. How do you decide what to post?
I’ve always loved exploring and trying new things, and that curiosity has shaped who I am today. Dance is the reason I’m alive-it gave me purpose, strength, and a way to express emotions I could never put into words. Biking has been close to my heart since childhood; it gives me a sense of freedom and reminds me of who I’ve always been at my core. Fashion, on the other hand, is how I express myself without saying a single word-it’s my voice, my attitude, and my confidence.
I post everything because each part represents a different side of me. My content isn’t just about trends or categories; it’s about telling my story honestly. And if I don’t share my story the way I live it, then who will?
Q. Content creation looks glamorous online. What does a typical day in your life really look like?
In Bangalore, the biggest challenge is traffic, and it genuinely dictates how my entire day unfolds. Getting from one place to another takes so much time that most of my day goes into preparation, traveling, and setting up. Brands usually have very specific requirements- locations, lighting, outfits, and timelines- which means a lot of planning even before the camera turns on.
Ironically, the actual shoot often takes less than an hour, but the effort behind it can consume the entire day. There are days when I have to skip meals or miss college just to make sure the work gets done on time. It can get exhausting, and I rarely get time to pause, breathe, or properly relax. While content creation looks glamorous online, behind the scenes it’s constant movement, pressure, and figuring things out on the go.
Q. Are there any upcoming projects or creative directions you’re excited about?
This year, I’m focusing a lot more on YouTube. I want to bring more creative content and collaborations there while continuing to grow my community on Instagram.
Q. Your short hair has become a strong part of your identity. What does it represent to you?
Having short hair is not a big deal. It’s only considered a big deal because I’m a girl. Hair has nothing to do with gender or identity-it’s just personality. Society reacts strongly to it because it’s still not a common sight. Hair grows back. It doesn’t feel anything. Yet we attach so many emotions to it. If making my short hair my personality helps bring that change, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.
Q. One piece of advice for aspiring creators?
Never give up and don’t let brands walk all over you. Know your worth. There will always be hate, no matter how much love you receive. Keep evolving, keep learning, and stay strong.
Bio:
Marina Gretta is a content creator known for her bold self-expression, powerful dance performances, and unapologetic individuality. With a strong presence in fashion, movement, and lifestyle content, she has built a loyal community by staying authentic and fearlessly herself. Through her journey, Marina continues to challenge stereotypes, inspire confidence, and encourage others to own who they are-without filters or apologies.
Interviewed by: Gunjan Joshi
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