What happens when a city girl makes it out of the city? Since 2023, when JT dropped “No Bars”, her viral track that doubles as a self-confident mantra, she’s become an icon in her own right. Fast ascending to It-girl status, JT’s bold vision, unapologetic lyrics, and laid-back realness have built her a cult following, and it’s not hard to see why.
Her fans resonate with her because she’s real, but JT didn’t get to this level of authenticity overnight. As she tells us, “when you overcome shit, you’re gonna get confident.” The fact that JT earnt her fame means her mentality is built on staying true to her roots. Despite the fact that, in her own words, “I’m constantly elevating and leveling up,” JT doesn’t ever want to pretend to be someone she’s not or lose sight of where she started out.
It’s this confidence in exactly who she is that keeps JT’s fans loyal and her haters obsessed. From her music and style to her artistic vision, JT knows what she wants, and she gets it. That’s why, for the first digital cover for CultedXO, launching our new media brand centred around community, culture, and bringing on a digital reset, we decided to hand over full control to JT. Her vibe, her vision: JT by JT.
Speaking about the process of creative directing CultedXO’s first digital cover, and the accompanying video that she also led the creative on, JT explains, “being the creative director of this cover shoot and short film gave me a taste of the creative boss director that I know I can and will be.” Working with a hand picked team of creatives who helped bring her vision to life, JT ascertains, “I knew I was in the right hands.”
In particular, it was SFX makeup artist Nina Carelli who really helped transform JT for the cover, turning her into the surreal caricature she envisioned. Talking about what it was like following JT’s creative direction, Nina Carelli shares, “she knows what she wants and what works for her. She wanted to be a glam cartoon character, while still looking like herself.”
The result is JT as you’ve never seen her before, with exaggerated features that send a message. Explaining her intention behind the SFX, JT says, “the story is ‘fuck how ppl view me. I’ll always look crazy to someone so why not just give them something crazy to look at?’” On CultedXO, we’re all about emulating that same vibe, which is why JT makes so much sense for our launch.
Before wrapping up, we asked JT if she has any advice for emerging creatives seeking to do what she does. “Well, my advice to you would be: always go where you’re inspired. Do not stay anywhere where you’re not inspired and you’re not growing,” she shares.
Having dominated music with endless viral tracks, including her latest, “GIRLS GONE WILD”, conquered creative direction on CultedXO’s very first digital cover, and claimed the status of fashion icon in only a handful of years since finding stardom, we also had to ask what would be next on JT’s radar. As she tells us, “my next purchase will be my own business.” Icon behaviour.
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Featured image via CultedXO©
CultedXO Digital Cover Shoot Credits
Creative Director JT @thegirljt
Photographer Jean Toir @jean.toir
Stylist Erik Ziemba @erikziemba
MUA Rommy Najor @rommynajor at Forward Artists using Claropsyche
Hair Miss Kam @kamaracoma using Oribe
SFX Nina Carelli @nina_carelli_
Creative Producer Kai Baynes @kaitheblackangel
Social Video MJ Perez @byeemj
Stylist assistants Rendi Alemu, Deannelys Corcino @deannelysc, and Clarke Jackson
