Estefania ‘Tefi’ Pessoa was always destined for greater things.

Emerging from the depths of TikTok back in 2020, Tefi found her way up the ranks (and onto everyone’s For You page) slowly but surely with every 3-minute long video that comments on the random pop culture happenings and multi-part series that dives deep into Hollywood’s best breakups, feuds, and beyond. But what many didn’t realize is that the girl who was building up her audience from her bedroom in Brooklyn through the form of unabashed storytelling was soon to go from iPhone screen chats with her followers (currently sitting pretty at 1.8 million) to red carpet chats with Hollywood’s elite in a matter of years. Now, as a well-versed content creator and comedian, Tefi is further developing her hosting chops as one of the hosts of Prime Video’s newest talk show, Influenced—joining a diverse panel of top content creators that will discuss an array of topics across all things pop culture and lifestyle.

To get further insight into her ongoing trajectory into stardom and the inner workings of how the show came to be, V chatted with Tefi to get all the tea.

V MAGAZINE: Talk to us about the show—how did your involvement come about? What was your first reaction when they asked you to be part of it?

TEFI PESSOA: The show is AMAZING! I got a call from my manager and he told me Hello Sunshine wanted to chat with me and ask me some questions – they kept it very vague. I got on the call and three lovely ladies asked me about my life, my past, and all things content creation. I thought I didn’t get whatever role they were looking for because it was such a quick video call. They reached out again a couple of months later and wanted to talk more about this show concept and talk to me about their ideas. I loved that the concept considered real-life topics including plastic surgery, spirituality and even fertility. My next call with them was a chemistry call and the only person on the call I hadn’t met yet was Eyal. The chemistry Zoom call flew by and about a week or so later they let me know I was cast. I called my whole family, and we cried. It really was a magical process. I asked later why the first call was so fast and they told me it was because they had already clicked with me from the start. I look back and laugh at how nervous I was. 

V: The format of the show will interest lots of viewers from all over. What do you think makes it unique from other talk shows? 

TP: I think what makes this show different is that we’re all friends. We have a group chat and we talk to each other as much as we can. Chemistry is really out of anyone’s control, and we all clicked SO fast on set. Each one of us brings a different element, and we all come from such different backgrounds. I think we truly hit every perspective. I love my cast mates so much. 

V: You joined TikTok back in 2020, back when most creators were at home because of the pandemic and looking for ways to connect. Did you ever think your account would grow the way it did?

TP: I mean, I was hoping for the best but to be honest I didn’t really know where it would lead me. I just wanted to not worry about my rent. I never thought I’d be hosting red carpets for movie premieres, ever. But I am more than pleasantly surprised and honored I get to do these things and get to call it my job.

V: You’re joining a stacked roster of hosts from the likes of Achieng Agutu, Eyal Booker, Taryn Delanie Smith, and Cyrus Veyssi—in what ways do you think the mixed roster of talent helps make the show so special and works for the best? 

TP: I think we really support each other and are not competing for some imaginary top spot. We all encourage each other, and we truly want to see our cast mates succeed. Nothing on the show is fake or scripted, that’s all us. True friendship and respect cannot be faked. 

V: Addressing a wide-spanning range of topics, what were some of the discussions that excited you the most and kept you at the edge of your seat in wanting to participate? 

TP: I think conversations about confidence and societal pressures. The majority of my life has been spent overthinking about the person I should be and what I shouldlook like. I wish I could go back and tell younger me that being myself would lead me to 4 new best friends and my career, let alone a tv show. At the same time however, maybe I wouldn’t tell her anything at all. She’s always been more than enough, maybe she needed that journey in order to be here, talking to V Magazine about Influenced. I love it here.