Sydney Morgan’s
Makeup Abilities Are The Foundation of Her Success
By Eli Goodwin
Photo Credit / Lindsay Ruth
Sometimes, we need adversity to succeed, or at least to realize our potential. Faced with the daunting diagnosis of Colitis, a chronic gastrointestinal illness causing inflammation in the colon, Sydney Morgan found herself bed-ridden in a hospital her junior year of high school. Instead of taking pity on herself or lamenting the situation, the now 19-year-old social media star used her ongoing battle with Colitis to grow and harness her talents.
It was in the hospital where Morgan discovered her passion — and remarkable skills with — makeup after a nurse’s compliments. The artist would eventually turn to TikTok to showcase her work, setting the scene for what can only be described as a life-changing virality. In just over a year and a half, Morgan has become an internet sensation, now having nearly 10 million followers across social media.
“It’s still honestly surreal how quickly things can happen,” Morgan explained. “I’m just so grateful every day that I get to share myself and my work with so many people.”
Through her TikTok account, @sydney_art, and YouTube Shorts, the creator posts everything from her signature makeup videos to popular dance trends. Her most popular Short features her making a coffee face mask, which now has over 45 million views and counting.
Morgan’s success is a clear testament to hard work and dedication. We recently spoke to her about her big, recent move to LA, where she sees her career heading, and more!
Hey Sydney, thanks so much for speaking with us today! You have over 8.8 million social media followers – how does it feel to have come this far?
It’s still honestly surreal how quickly things can happen and I’m just so grateful every day that I get to share myself and my work with so many people.
You’ve accomplished a lot in your career, but let’s begin with your biggest obstacle: Colitis. For those reading who may not have the firmest grasp of the disease, what is Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. The symptoms can be very isolating. Fatigue and brain fog were some of the most frustrating for me to deal with along with severe abdominal cramping and frequent trips to the bathroom.
I actually was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 5th grade, so I’m sort of your gastrointestinal cousin. I can vividly remember the first time my Crohn’s flared up, before my family and I knew what it was, of course. What was that moment for you?
I let my symptoms go for about three months before I even told my parents which was a really hard time. I guess I just convinced myself I had a stomach bug or something and that it would resolve on its own. Before being diagnosed I had never even heard of Crohn’s or Colitis. And as far as I knew when going to the doctor they diagnose you, give you medicine, and you are cured. So hearing that this was a chronic illness that I could potentially be dealing with for the rest of my life was very overwhelming and scary.
Photo Credit / Lindsay Ruth
With the introduction of Colitis in your junior year of high school, a notoriously busy and jam-packed academic year, how did you manage?
I tried to be “normal” the best I could, but behind the scenes, I was burning through most of the colitis treatments that I would get my hopes up for, and then they would not resolve my symptoms. I didn’t really get to go to school, so I was doing most of that from home. My doctors were great at working with me for temporary relief if there were important events I really wanted to go to like school dances etc.
What’s been the biggest adjustment living with Colitis?
Having to put my health and well-being first, even if it means I have to skip out on things or take breaks. I’ve always loved to be in go mode constantly and I’ve had to learn to be okay with doing things from home if I have to. And being able to speak up if I need accommodations.
In the face of all of your struggles, why did you turn to makeup?
While I was sick, I was bedridden most of the time so watching makeup tutorials and beauty gurus online were something I did a lot that helped distract me and kept me entertained. Art and makeup were also an activity that I could do by myself from home that kind of acted as my therapy and my creative outlet during this hard time.
Who or what sparked the realization that you could really create a career out of this?
When I had just started gaining a following online I took a trip to LA and met some other people in the industry doing things similar to me. Seeing how they were thriving and building a career around this gave me the hope and motivation that I could do it too
Did you ever imagine that you would have the career that you have now?
I always watched internet personalities from YouTube and actors in movies and dreamed of doing the same thing one day, but wasn’t sure if I could actually make it happen. Going on my medicinal journey kind of gave me the fire and the push that I needed to take that risk of going for it because at the end of the day I want my career to be something that I love doing and I’m grateful every day that I get to make my childhood dream a reality.
How does the content you post on your various social media accounts differ?
TikTok is mostly short-form videos with music or sounds in the background usually doing makeup or dancing. Instagram is more photos from events and lifestyle content. YouTube is mostly long-form videos where my followers can get to know me better highlighting, but not limited to, my makeup content as well.
With your sweeping success has come plenty of brand deals. Which one has been the most surreal for you?
Ulta! It was a very exciting one for me since I shopped there for makeup for so long. Also, Amazon Prime Video because it’s such a huge brand and I would love to be in an Amazon Prime original series one day.
How do you aim to continue using your platform advocating for patients with Crohn’s and Colitis?
Crohns and Colitis awareness week is coming up in December I will definitely be posting videos telling my story and educating followers.
You recently moved to LA! Was this daunting? What prompted this big decision?
I was taking lots of trips to LA for events and collaborations and stuff so It felt like the next step for my career was moving out here where all the opportunities are. I was definitely a little nervous about this big change and living on my own for the first time. But I stand by my decision to move here and it has been so great.
What’s a direction you’d love to take your career in?
I’m getting more into acting and I actually have a few films coming out in 2022 so definitely stay tuned for those. I also have lots of ideas for beauty-related products of my own in the future.
After a turbulent few years for both you personally and the world, what’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned?
There are no big rewards without first taking big risks. My biggest fear was being stuck in a box in my small home town going through the motions. I never want to be wondering “what if” at the end of the day. So, I try to utilize every opportunity that comes my way, and if I wasn’t willing to put myself out there and take these risks I wouldn’t have accomplished what I have so far. So my biggest piece of advice is to do what makes you happy, don’t care what others think, and take that leap you’ve always wanted to but have been too afraid to try.
Lastly, what’s next for Sydney Morgan?
I just launched some merchandise that I helped design myself? I’m going to continue posting daily on YouTube and Tik Tok. There are lots of big things coming with acting this year I’m excited to see where it all goes.