If you’re in need of girl advice, adventure-filled vlogs or fashion tips, 20-year-old YouTube star Ava Jules is your girl. With 1.3M subscribers and 100M total video views, the lifestyle and beauty guru has built a platform that champions body positivity and eco-friendly activism. Jules has even dabbled in the acting industry: in 2019, she made the jump from her own YouTube channel to Brat TV, taking on the role of Adrienne, the preppy protagonist, in On The Ropes. As an O'ahu, Hawaii native, Jules is also passionate about the environment: she has worked with 4Ocean to help end the ocean plastic crisis, participated in numerous beach clean-ups across her island and is soon launching sustainably-designed merchandise. In between online college courses (Jules is studying digital marketing), the young role model elaborated on her endeavors thus far.

When did you decide to launch your YouTube channel?

In 2013, I had a huge love for Justin Bieber, so big that I needed to make a YouTube channel dedicated to showing my posters and Bieber merch. The channel still exists (good luck finding it), but I created a new one once I found the beauty side of YouTube. That's where everything started!

What’s the main message you want to get across in your videos?

I want everyone watching to know that it's okay to be yourself and love that person.

How do your vlogs differ from other creators’?

I don't try to make my vlogs "perfect" anymore. Before, I would try so hard to film my life in a way that would make it seem amazing and edit it so that it looked flawless. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but I definitely wasn't open about the things I am now. I still film and edit in an aesthetic way, but I also leave in the real stuff that makes life, life.

What’s your favorite video you’ve made to date, and why?

This question is so hard. Every time I create a cool video, I think, “This is definitely the best one I've ever made!" Right now, my favorite video on my channel is "bikini body confidence, self-love, & how I became confident in my body" because it was the first time I've spoken about my journey with body confidence. After seeing such a positive reaction from those who watched it, I realized I wasn't alone and that I could use my platform to help others who may struggle with it.

Do you find it difficult juggling college with career work?

At times, it can definitely be hard balancing everything on my plate, and sometimes I'll have a breakdown or two before getting it together. There are two totally different sides to my life, which can make it hard to constantly switch between each one. However, I'm happy to be learning new things in college while also furthering my career. I know the work will all be worth it.

How has COVID affected your career in social media?

This may come as a shock, but COVID actually doubled or maybe even tripled my workload. There were things I was looking forward to that, unfortunately, couldn't happen, like meet and greets, live events, or traveling to see YouTube friends. But I wanted to pump out twice as much content as I was pre-pandemic because I know a lot of people (myself included) turned to social media for entertainment and stress relief.

What made you decide to launch sustainably-designed merch? What can your supporters expect from that collection?

Sustainability is important to me, which is why I wanted my merch to be eco-conscious. My supporters can expect super cute items that are made with the Earth in mind.

Why is it important to you to team up with organizations such as 4Ocean and help with their initiative?

The ocean is my second home. Growing up in Hawaii, I was taught to care for the environment, land and ocean. I've been teaming up with organizations like 4Ocean and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii to help bring awareness to environmental issues like plastic pollution in the ocean. I'm blessed with a platform where I can spread awareness about issues that matter and hopefully encourage people to make small changes that benefit the Earth.

What’s up next for you?

There are a few exciting projects in the works right now that I’m beyond stoked to start sharing with my audience!