Inclusive Media Initiative Creator Q&A: Steffany Strange

Pixability’s Inclusive Media Initiative is our mission to support diverse creators and communities on YouTube.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. In the universe of YouTube, Hispanic creators are not only shaping conversations but also bridging cultural divides and inspiring audiences around the globe.

This month, we’re excited to spotlight Steffany Strange, a talented YouTube creator who proudly represents her Hispanic heritage through her content. Check out her YouTube channel here, in addition to Instagram and TikTok.

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Theresa: Can you tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to start your YouTube channel?

Steffany: I was born in Los Angeles and moved around a bit as a kid. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting El Salvador, where I learned so much about my culture. It was a bit of a culture shock at the time, but I distinctly remember my grandfather, my mother’s dad, sharing all these spooky urban legends from El Salvador. These stories, along with the superstitions in my family, became a part of my upbringing. As I got older, I started to explore my identity and spirituality more deeply, especially after moving from LA to a small, predominantly white town in Minnesota, where it was hard to stay connected to my roots. I left Minnesota, moved to Colorado and around this time I would listen to podcasts that shared folklore and urban legends, but I noticed that much of the content I consumed wasn’t Latino-focused, let alone Salvadoran.

When I got on TikTok, it became even more apparent—there wasn’t anyone who looked like me sharing these stories. The YouTubers I followed also didn’t provide the representation I was searching for, even though I didn’t fully realize that’s what I was missing at the time. Most of what gained popularity wasn’t reflective of my experiences or culture, so I decided to fill that gap.

That’s what inspired me to start creating content. I didn’t see many Latina women, especially Salvadoran women, discussing urban legends, folklore, or spooky topics online. According to Time magazine, Latinos only grew from 3.3% to 5.2% in terms of representation within entertainment, and this lack of diversity extends to social media. Salvadorans are the third-largest Hispanic community in the U.S., yet I can barely name any famous Salvadorans or major content creators. I saw this as an opportunity to not only share stories but also to be part of the conversation around representation. For me, ghost stories are history, and spooky content often reflects society’s deepest fears, which is why I’m so passionate about combining those two elements in my work.

As for my journey with Snarled and the Something Scary series, it has been a unique and fulfilling experience. The channel originally had several women creating shows, but Something Scary, created by Sapphire Sandalo—a Filipino woman—really stood out and connected with audiences. Sapphire created the series to bring more representation to women of color in the horror space, and I feel incredibly fortunate to continue that legacy. I remember seeing a comment when I first joined the show, highlighting that Something Scary youtube series had a Filipino host, then a Black woman, and now me, a Latina Salvadoran American. It’s amazing that this diversity is something our audience recognizes and values.

Theresa: How does your Hispanic heritage influence the content you create and the stories you tell?

Steffany: My identity has shaped my work in preserving and respecting history. As a Hispanic and Latina woman, I know that our history isn’t always well-documented or passed down, due to a number of reasons, so when I tell these stories, it’s essential to preserve and honor that history. I often collaborate with historians and strive for accuracy because I know firsthand what it’s like to feel disconnected from our past. While other cultures may have had their history more readily preserved, I’m aware of the importance of being mindful and respectful when sharing ours. What excites me most is the connection between cultures—there are so many parallels, and I believe this adds an extra layer of passion to my storytelling.

Being both American and Salvadoran has taught me to navigate multiple identities, which allows me to bridge cultural gaps and approach life with an open mind. By blending these diverse influences, I’m able to tell stories that honor my heritage while also appreciating the richness of other cultures. In the end, my goal is to not only preserve history but also to spark conversations that celebrate the diversity and beauty of the human experience with an open mind. 

Theresa: What are some challenges you’ve faced as a Hispanic creator, and how have you overcome them?

Steffany: Oh my goodness, this is such a loaded question—I feel like I could write a whole book on this! To start, as an American Salvadoran and a Hispanic creator, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is the pressure to fit into stereotypes to grow as a Latina. I often feel like just being myself and showing my true essence should be enough. I’ve seen other hispanic creators feel the need to lean into those stereotypes for growth, and while that works for some, it’s not the path I want to take.

Another challenge is navigating the dual identity of being both Latino and American. There’s always this question of whether we’re ‘Latino enough,’ especially when it comes to speaking Spanish. Personally, I’ve been told countless times that I should do content in Spanish, but I feel insecure about my language skills because of how people online criticize those of us with dual identities. It’s exhausting to feel like we have to prove ourselves, especially when terms like ‘Hispanic’ or ‘Latino’ attempt to lump together so many diverse cultures. That’s why I make a point of emphasizing my Salvadoran American identity.

Additionally, there’s a clear bias in social media algorithms. Having worked in influencer marketing and analyzing metrics, I’ve seen how creators with similar content to mine receive more support in terms of followers and reach. I’ve also experienced the frustration of being overlooked in the industry. I can’t tell you how many times people in show business will ask around, saying, ‘Do you know a Latino paranormal/ spooky creator?’ as if we’re invisible. We are here, creating content now more than ever, but the algorithms and lack of uplifting don’t always reflect that.

On top of that, I’ve dealt with microaggressions throughout my career and have been expected to fit into a predefined notion of what Latine culture ‘should’ be. That’s why being authentically ourselves is so important for marginalized communities. We have to fight against stereotyping and biases because there isn’t enough representation or education about the true diversity within our cultures. It’s always the same handful of Latin American countries that get spotlighted, while others, like El Salvador—which has the third-largest Hispanic population in the U.S.—rarely get the same recognition. That’s something I’m passionate about changing with uplifting each other and sharing these stories.

Theresa: Are there any cultural values or traditions that have shaped your approach to your work or your life in general?

Steffany: For me, Salvadoran culture is deeply collective. If you ever visit El Salvador, you’ll notice how kind, hospitable, and community-focused the people are. When I visited, I was reminded of these values, and it really shaped how I approach everything in life. Growing up in a household where that sense of collectivism was a core value, it naturally reflects in the work I do now. I’m always looking out for others, striving to uplift people even when they’re not in the room. I make a conscious effort to remember the passions and talents of those around me, and I try to help amplify their voices in whatever way I can.

This collective mindset has also influenced how I engage online and in the entertainment space. In a world where things are constantly changing, especially in social media, it’s more important than ever to support one another and build communities.

Theresa: Who are some of your biggest influences, both within the Hispanic community and beyond (or on YouTube)?

Steffany: There are so many icons, but the first person who comes to mind is America Ferrera. I absolutely love her work and her powerful speeches. Her recent speech in *Barbie* moved me deeply and made me so emotional. She is truly an incredible talent. I remember watching *Ugly Betty* and resonating with that show—it captured the duality of being an American and hispanic so well. It left a lasting impact on me, making me feel seen and represented in the world of entertainment and storytelling.

Another person I have to mention is John Leguizamo. At a time when bias and a lack of representation were prevalent, he broke through barriers with his versatility. His role as Chi-Chi in *To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar* was groundbreaking, and he continues to advocate for Latine and hispanic representation in Hollywood. He’s never been afraid to speak out about these issues, and I admire that about him.

Finally, Jenna Ortega has been such a breath of fresh air in the spooky space. From *Scream* to *Wednesday* to the upcoming *Beetlejuice*, all franchises I love, she’s become a true force in this genre. It’s amazing to see so much change and representation happening, and I feel honored to witness it.

Theresa: What advice would you give to aspiring Hispanic creators looking to make their mark on YouTube?

Steffany: My advice for Hispanic creators is to always vouch for one another, especially when we’re not in the room. There’s enough space for all of us at the table—we’re not in competition with each other. We are the change that needs to happen. It’s also so important to be authentically yourself, and I don’t mean in the superficial way that mainstream media often talks about. I mean truly, don’t feel pressured to fit into stereotypes or biases, whether from non-Hispanic people or even within our own community. We know our identities best, and staying true to that will always resonate deeply with the audience you want to reach and the community you’re striving to build.

Theresa: How do you see representation for the Hispanic community evolving in digital media?

Steffany: I want to take a moment to give a shout-out to some social media platforms and the incredible communities they’ve fostered. First and foremost is Casa TikTok, which was the first community I noticed creating a dedicated space for Latine and Hispanic creators. They’ve done a fantastic job organizing events and speeches to uplift us, recognizing the challenges we face with algorithm biases and the lack of representation in social media. I also want to give a shout-out to the YouTube Shorts community and Dale Tu on Instagram for creating similar groups that support Latine and hispanic creatives to help foster a sense of community.

Thanks to these programs, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many incredible Hispanic and Latine creators, and we truly are such a collective and supportive group. I’m so proud to be part of these communities—everyone involved is amazing. This really parallels the broader digital landscape, where you don’t need to be in formal groups to uplift each other, but the idea of creators having groups amongst themselves will continue to live on and I believe it has been happening. 

The opportunities created by these spaces have opened the door for so many more creators and diverse voices. I’m excited to see this continue to evolve. I’m incredibly grateful for these experiences and the connections they’ve helped me make.

Theresa: Do you have any upcoming projects or initiatives that you’d like to share with our readers?

Steffany: I’m currently working on a few side projects particularly in storytelling and narration on my personal accounts on Instagram and TikTok. I’ve also been focusing on local events, including hosting séances and paranormal workshops in preparation for the spooky season.

To learn more about Pixability’s Inclusive Media Initiative, or to sign up, see below.