By Mana Faye
Photo of Aaliyah Weston, provided by Weston.
Actress, model, content curator and entertainer Aaliyah Weston is no stranger to the spotlight. Known online for her uncanny Beyoncé voice impersonations, she has captivated millions on TikTok with her behind-the-scenes content as a rising Black actress. But Aaliyah's journey to fame is as inspiring as it is unique, blending passion, hard work and a relentless drive to make her mark in the entertainment world.
From a young age, Aaliyah Weston was captivated by the world of creativity. At nine, she found herself diving into dance and acting, auditioning for a program in her hometown that combined both.
During her conversation with NYABJ Pulse, she recalls, "I was shocked when I got in...I was the youngest there." It was a defining moment that made her realize she belonged in creative spaces.
"I wanted to go for it," she says with a determined smile.
From TikTok to the Big Screen
As Aaliyah carved her path in the acting world, she began as a background actress.
"I was just doing the work, grinding," she says. Her following grew slowly, particularly after she hopped on TikTok.
"I got on TikTok at the perfect time," she says. Her videos stood out because no one else was showing the behind-the-scenes life of a Black actress hustling her way up the ladder.
"It felt rare, you know? Like, there weren't many of us sharing that experience."
Aaliyah's breakthrough came when she landed a part in the movie "Vacation Friends" alongside John Cena. Initially, she was only supposed to be on set for a week, but she says, "My charisma worked its magic!" She laughs, remembering how they bumped her up from a background actress to play the cousin of a main character.
On the TikTok side, Aaliyah believes that what truly connected her to the audience was her happiness.
"I think people could see how much fun I was having. That's what they felt, and that's what kept them watching."
The Beyoncé Connection
Growing up, Beyoncé was always Aaliyah's idol. "I didn't realize how much we had in common." It wasn't until a friend pointed out how much she sounded like Beyoncé that she noticed.
"I laughed it off at first," she says. "But in 2022, when I came back home, my new friends kept asking me to do it. 'Do your Beyoncé voice,' they'd say." She smiles, recalling how it started as a fun party trick but soon became more.
During Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour, Aaliyah took a bold leap with her Beyoncé voice impersonations. "I just went for it," she says. Despite initial backlash and not being deeply immersed in the BeyHive, she persisted, even adding playful touches like Julius, Beyoncé’s bodyguard. "It all came together at the right time," she reflects.
Aaliyah's TikToks grew her audience to over 100,000 followers, and her impersonations eventually caught the eye of Lexus, leading to an invitation to Beyoncé's show. This was a defining moment for Aaliyah, as Beyoncé herself recognized and acknowledged her.
"Beyoncé and I are both earth signs," she laughs. "We're hardworking women who know our teams well. This was supposed to happen. Thank the Lord it was Beyoncé!"
Content Creation with Heart
As a Black creator, Aaliyah is proud of the Black-dominant team she's built.
"Honestly, I don’t even realize I'm doing it as a Black woman until I work with a brand that isn't Black-based," she says. Aaliyah is partnered with brands like Lexus and Pattern Beauty, which are already Black-dominant spaces.
"Keeping partners like this in my space is important," she explains, "so young Black boys and girls can see they can do anything."
Her mission is clear: to show young Black people that they're not limited by their Blackness—it's their strength.
"Everyone has a purpose," Aaliyah says, "Mine is to be the person I once needed—to show people that it’s possible."
What's Next for Aaliyah?
To aspiring content creators, Aaliyah offers this advice: "Be authentic. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that's okay. We're all just interpretations of each other anyway," she says. "But just do it. There's no right way, no perfect way to start."
"If you wait for that, life will pass you by. Social media is still so new—there's so much space to create."
Looking ahead, she's excited. "I've gotten back into acting," she says. "I'm collaborating with more creators, traveling, and attending events. I'm really enjoying it!
You can follow Aaliyah's journey on TikTok and Instagram, where she continues to share her unique blend of talent, creativity, and authenticity.
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