“A Conversation with Trisha Paytas,” featuring the American internet personality, podcaster and singer known for her long-running presence on YouTube was an event of kindness, love and authenticity.
Paytas rose to prominence in the late 2000s with lifestyle, beauty and personal vlog content, later expanding into music, podcasting and reality television appearances.
The conversation, held on Thursday, Feb. 12, at Popejoy Hall, featured topics including living your 20s rather than fearing them and being your true self. The event was organized by The Associated Students at the University of New Mexico Student Special Events team.
The host of the conversation and Director of the UNM LGBTQ Resource Center, Frankie Floras, said hosting Paytas was an emotional experience.
“It’s a very humbling experience, and it is a moment that I’ll always remember, and I feel that it is a validation of who I am as someone who’s here on campus and also is seen as a leader,” Floras said.
Floras said Paytas herself was kind and engaging.
“Trisha was so nice, and we had a real dialogue with her. And I think it's an honor for myself and for the University,” Floras said.
Seyi Sanya, an attendee and self-proclaimed biggest fan of Trisha Paytas, was one of the attendees.
“I'm here because I freaking love Trisha Paytas. This is my girl. I was there at the beginning. I was there when she did her mukbangs,” Sanya said.
New Mexico State University students Becca Luten and her friends, Darby Jaramillo and Mikayla Evens, said they drove the three hours from Las Cruces to Albuquerque to see Trisha Paytas.
“I really liked that they were talking about authenticity, especially about carrying on, being educated, and being authentic selves. I really enjoyed that, especially because we all saw Trisha's journey. I really like it, I really enjoyed the event. Obviously, we didn't love all the Lobo things,” Luten said.
The ASUNM Executive Director of Student Special Events, Karis Daskalos, said the event was a collaborative effort to bring the best talent to UNM.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
“We were honored to be able to make something work with her agent. That's going to be really fun and exciting, and it was a leap in the dark. We didn't know that this was actually possible until it was,” Daskalos said.
Trisha Paytas left UNM with a few words of wisdom: “Cringe makes life interesting, and it’s a part of your story.”
Elizabeth Bolke is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
