By Charlotte Ormond

Applause and laughter overtook the Adele H. Stamp Student Union’s Grand Ballroom last Thursday night for influencer Quenlin Blackwell, the crowd representing only a fraction of her millions of online followers.  

UMD’s Student Entertainment Events hosted Blackwell’s Q&A as a part of the UMD Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy’s Black History Month celebration. 

Blackwell began her journey as a comedian and content creator on the short-lived app Vine in the 2010s. She then expanded her platform to YouTube and TikTok, gaining millions of followers along the way. Blackwell currently has 2.38 million subscribers on YouTube and 11.8 million followers on TikTok.  

Anika Amin, a junior psychology and marketing double-major, arrived early to wait in line outside the venue.

“I feel like I grew up with her,” Amin said, a sentiment shared by many who attended Thursday night’s event. 

Blackwell, known for her endless viral comedic bits, has been drawn to comedy since she was 9 years old and shared how the world of social media has come naturally to her.

“I understand humans, and I’m a good socializer,” Blackwell said.

She shared that a “fear of mediocrity” motivates her constant creation of new ideas and content for her followers. One of her most recent endeavors is a YouTube series entitled “Feeding Starving Celebrities,” where she cooks dishes with and interviews special guests. 

“I plan on it being the most entertaining hour you’ve watched on the internet,” Blackwell said.

She announced that next month’s episode would feature her favorite guest so far, rapper Lil Yachty. Her dream guests for the show, Blackwell shared, would be her best friends, singer Billie Eilish and actress Odessa A’zion. 

Blackwell recently launched her fashion brand, “Riquera,” featuring a collection of bold designs and vibrant colors that embody her passion for self-expression within the realm of fashion.

“People who are 100% themselves is my favorite fashion trend,” Blackwell said.

Addressing a crowd of college-aged fans, Blackwell stressed the value of human connection and lasting friendships.

“What we need most is to connect with others in real life,” she said. “If you feel sad, find someone to be sad with.”

Kelly Chavez, a freshman international business major, said friendship was in the air during Thursday’s event. 

“Everyone here in this line I feel like I could go up to and be friends with. It’s very comforting,” Chavez said. 

When asked about her experience as a Black creator, Blackwell noted that her race has not significantly shaped her social media career.

“Talent is the thing that speaks. No race barrier can stop you,” Blackwell said.

The conclusion of the event was met with roaring applause and laughter when Blackwell jumped and landed into the splits as she exited the stage.

Featured Image: Quenlin Blackwell answers questions in front of a crowd of University of Maryland fans. Photo by Charlotte Ormond.