In Bustle's series Shooting Your Shot, single influencers weigh in on drinking and dating: their go-to drinks, their drink orders, and more.
Fannita Leggett didn't expect to become a TikTok influencer. She was hesitant when her friends told her to download the app in 2019, but she eventually gave in and joined at the end of the year. Fast forward to today, and she has 1.9 million followers, and her podcast has taken FYP by storm since launching in July. (Her episode with Vinnie Hacker has been viewed more than 3 million times.)
According to her TikTok bio, 25-year-old Leggett calls herself the "Number One Threat," and her improvised, sometimes (often) NSFW videos are exactly what keeps her followers entertained. Not surprisingly, it's this content that keeps fans tuned in to her long-running podcast, Bottoms Up With Fannita (produced by Past Your Bedtime Network).
Past Your Bedtime is the second network from the founders of Brat TV, a Gen Z-focused media company. In its first year alone, the Past Your Bedtime programming portfolio amassed 15 million views. Its mission is to give TikTok's most popular creators another platform — with the likes of Drew Afualo and Spencewuah joining Leggett in hosting their own shows on the network. “Our goal is to find more great talent like Fannita, Drew Afualo and Spencewuah and become the ultimate destination for Gen Z video talk shows,” said Nuria Anson, the network’s vice president of production.
In fact, after appearing on other shows, Leggett suggested she should get her own show, too.
"One day at Brat Studios, I had a joking conversation with one of the producers there and said, 'Y'all invite me to be on everyone's podcast. You can also give me yours.'" [filmmaker] said, 'You know what? We really should do this,'" she tells Bustle.
That conversation dates back to 2022, and earlier this year Leggett filmed the pilot for Bottoms Up , which premiered on YouTube this summer. Her voice has evolved dramatically from TikTok clips to hour-long episodes, just as she moved from Alabama to Los Angeles as her internet career took off. Like anything, there was a learning curve adjusting to her new city and the dating scene that came with it.
"If you don't want to pursue me because I have a following, then you're doing me a favor because that's weird. I do think sometimes, because I'm vulgar online, that it doesn't look good on me, But I don’t think a real person who really wants to know me would care,” she said. "I'm also very, very, very healthy."
Below, Leggett tells Busy her automatic order of drinks, her secret to avoiding awkward silences on a first date, and how to beat a hangover.
What’s your go-to drink on a first date?
Tequila water with a little pineapple juice.
Is there a drink that makes you feel sick?
Probably a martini. Mainly because if you drink a martini, I know it's all for show because martinis are disgusting. I feel like you're just trying to prove to me that you're mature and it's forced. Stay regular! Martini? We are 25 years old and you are not 45 yet.
Do you have any personal rules about drinking on a first date?
I'll figure out the vibe and go from there. If the person I'm dating doesn't drink, then I won't drink because I don't like drinking alone. But if we're just having a good time and the drinks are flowing, I don't really keep track of how much I drink. But I wouldn’t be sloppy, because this can become dangerous territory.
When you go on a first date, do you have one question you always ask or a topic you always bring up to ensure the conversation goes smoothly?
I ask a lot of outrageous assumptions because I feel like I can learn a lot about a person by asking outrageous assumptions. what else? I don't like shooting; I like going deep. I also like asking people what weird things they do when they’re home alone.
What would you say to someone who is feeling a little anxious about being drunk on a date?
Everyone has been drunk at one time or another. It's not that serious; we're adults. I was in West Hollywood and I fell out of a booth. Mind you, the booth was at least 6 feet in the air and I fell straight to the ground. People get drunk all the time and I wouldn't worry about that. I feel like if you feel comfortable enough around this person to get to that level [on a date], maybe that means there's something there. They make you feel comfortable enough to kick back and have fun.
What advice do you have for being your authentic self on a date?
They will like you, or they won't. My personality is so big, rough, and in your face. I go overboard and sometimes that's not attractive to men. It's hard for me to think: "Shouldn't I be truly myself? What if they don't like me for it?" Any. Who the fuck?
Even if the dating scene sucks...trust me, I'm right there with you. I'm in a bind right now. But there are 7 billion people in the world. You will find someone who is devoted to your entire being. I'm not going to lie - you just have to keep your head up. Indeed. It's bad here, but you have to keep swimming.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
