From Viral to Vulnerable: Surviving Online Hate & Owning Your Power

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Talking T-ea, Juelz opens up about going viral overnight after attending a Cardi B concert—and the harsh reality that followed.

What started as a joyful moment turned into a flood of online hate, judgment, and cruelty from strangers who knew nothing about her story.

Joined by special guest Elizabeth, Juelz dives into:

• The psychology behind online hate and mob mentality
• How social media can distort reality and identity
• The emotional impact of being publicly criticized
• Tools for protecting your peace and self-worth
• Reclaiming your voice, your truth, and your power

This episode is for anyone who has ever been judged, misunderstood, or reduced to a moment.

Because you are more than what people say about you.

💛 Reminder: Viral does not equal valid.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 1:45

Welcome back. Hey my loves. This is Talking Tea. It's your girl Jules. And today's episode is real, raw, and honestly a little unexpected. Because, baby, let me tell you, I woke up viral and not in the cute way. And to talk about it with me is my girl here, Elizabeth. How you doing? Good, how you doing? Doing good, doing good. So let me set the scene real quick. My boyfriend and I, we went to the Cardi B concert. Denver vibes were right. I looked good, you know, of course, okay. Like I was feeling myself, living my life, dancing, just being free. We took a picture after the show, and it was a cute picture, I think. Beautiful, yes, uh, memory, and somehow that picture ended up on threads. Um, my boyfriend had posted it on Instagram, he said, and it ended up on his threads. And y'all, when I say it went viral, I mean like 79,000 views. It was crazy. But what came with that was a whole lot of people who felt real comfortable about saying some really ugly things. I woke up the next morning to some messages, comments, people tagging, screenshotting, and things they were saying, calling me a prostitute, saying uh we came from the meth house, making fun of how we look, comparing my man to characters, um, using uh names like we're not even human. Okay, so they were like using our names like we weren't even human, and um making fun of how we look. It's like you don't know me, you don't know my life. You saw a picture and suddenly you think you can define a whole person. And I didn't want to have this conversation alone, so I'm really grateful because I know so many of us go through this in many different ways. So I brought someone I trust and love so much um who keeps it real with me. Elizabeth, welcome to talking to you again. Thank you. Thank you for having me. How are you doing, babe? I'm doing well. Awesome, awesome. Okay, so let's talk about this. Um, I had to sit here and I had to ask myself, like, why are people so comfortable being this cruel? Like, you would never walk up to someone in real life and say that. So, what it is about the internet that makes people feel like they can just go in, you know? Um, what do you think it is? Like, why do people move like that online, do you think?

SPEAKER_02 4:04

Well, first I have got to say that the way you handled it was with a lot of grace and maturity, and I was actually very surprised at the way you handle it because as you were sharing it with us, a group of people and your trusted friends, you you laughed and you laughed at the comments, and I was actually uh called. And she was, she sure was. And that's just for uh me saying it lightly. I couldn't believe the comments that were shared and the audacity of people that um they would actually take the time to use their fingertips to say such hurtful things to people they didn't even know. And um yeah, so I guess uh to be honest, I I think to hide behind a computer spring screen and to send hate, um, I think to me says something about themselves. Yeah. And I feel sad for them. Yeah, I feel I felt sad for you too because you're one of my very best friends. Uh-huh. And I do care about Owen too. I don't know them um that well. But for anyone that has to experience hate in this world and hate from a beautiful picture, yeah, and I think that the internet um is a place that love can be shared and hope can be shared, yes, but in this experience, um and behind the the these screens and these types, the typing in these words, also hate. And if someone wasn't mentally prepared for that, that could have really injured you. Yes, and injured Owen. And so um, yeah, I was so angry.

SPEAKER_01 5:59

Yeah, and she was, um, I was sharing it with a group of friends, and we were kind of laughing because you know, we just like for me, I don't know, like this is kind of why we're talking, we're kind of um working this out as I felt it and as it happened. But at that point, I was just kind of like laughing because I couldn't help, like you said, you know, it's them other people, and I had to get to that part where I was like, it's not actually me, it's these other peoples, like you know, who are they going through some pain themselves. Um, people forgetting there's a real person on the other side, people projecting their own pain, insecurities, whatever they're going through, and then that mob mentality, like once one person starts, everybody just wants to join in. Like, it's giving misery loves company type vibes, and it's like, who can do better, you know? But let's be honest, because I always keep it real here, even when we know um that it can still hurt, of course. There were moments where I was like, damn, is this how people really see me? Um, and I hate even admitting that, but that's the truth because I'm human, and I think sometimes people think being strong means that you don't feel anything, but you know, like being strong is feeling it and not letting it define you. Um, so this is that part like where I first was kind of like sad and upset, you know, all these things because of my past, maybe life. Like it's not that these things are true now, but some of these things could have been true in the past, and so it did hit that spot. But um, what do you think about that? Like, have you ever heard of something like this happening? Where's people's um words actually stuck for a second? Well, and yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 7:39

And I think um, with us both being in in recovery and us both struggling with substance use and abuse, that was our what we used uh drugs for what we have endured in life, which was I don't know if you've shared about this on your okay, good. Um out and open on here, okay. And so, you know, we used that um to mask all the things we've gone through, trauma, abuse, and so when those words and things come back, uh, it can like tend back those um those things. And so we do we have to go back to who I am today and who and and actually like who God even made us to be. Like I am beautiful, I am kind, I'm worthy, going back to all that stuff. But if that uh happened, if we hadn't ever heard that before, that could have damaged us, right? We've done a lot of work, we've done a lot of recovery, we've had a lot of people surround us to build us back up. Yes, for real. And so, like right here, like I have these scriptures, you know, these mantras that I go by. Um, and this is so true, and it says the tongue can bring death or life, those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Um, don't use foul or abusive language language, let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Yes. That and that is so true. Um, get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander as well as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ Jesus has forgiven you. We need to walk this way, talk this way, type this way, yes, and treat people like this.

SPEAKER_01 9:35

I know that's right. I know that's right, girl. And it's just so crazy because I was like talking about this actually on the podcast before this, um, on the episode, and basically, you know, like our tongue has power, you know, we manifest stuff we are able to manifest. We're able to like, you know, when we say things about ourselves, like we start trying, we start to believe that, and I really believe in that. And like that's like, you know, we don't speak anything bad on ourselves, no weapon formed against us shall prosper, you know. Like, I just I really fullheartedly believe in that, and so it's hard when people do type or speak or say bad things about other people. So let's talk about how we protect ourselves because that's the real tea. Because I had to check myself really quick, you know. Like I said, it was kind of hard and sad, and even my boyfriend was kind of like, Oh, these people know you. I was like, No, they don't know me. Like, you know, like if they knew me, they would have said some more intimate stuff that probably could have hurt it, you know. I feel, but maybe even if not, even if they did know that side of me, like it did, like I said, it hurt at first. Um, I started reminding myself of a few things. One, um, these people do not know me. They saw me the moment, not my story. They just seen the picture, which was beautiful. Um we remind you. Oh, thank you, thank you. I know everybody said it was cute, but everybody, then people were like, you know, it was just so crazy, all this stuff. Um, number two is people who are happy, who are fulfilled, who are doing something with their lives are not sitting online tearing strangers down. So let's be real, you know, some of these people might have had a little bit more time on their hands. It's spring break, so number three, um, just because something gets a lot of attention doesn't make it true. So viral does not equal valid. And I like had to like figure that out for myself because I was like, oh my god, like this is like it's all happening back all over again. But I'm just grateful I didn't like slump back into that like life or you know, that thinking. Um also I'm not gonna lie if you just wanna um got a laugh at it because the creativity concerning, but also okay, y'all have time to do that. So, like I I like had that because it is funny a little bit, you know, like after you get over those like initial like trauma like response and all that stuff, like you have to laugh because and now they're gonna have time to click on the talking tea. Yes, girl, I'm gonna post it right there in the theme. So, um, I hope uh Cardi B listens to this. Yeah, Cardi B. Come on the show, girl. Cardi B come tell us about it. Yes, okay, and so like I said, I'm not gonna lie, some of um some of it you just gotta laugh at it, you know, because the creativity it's concerning, but also okay, y'all had time today. You know, it was spring break, so people probably had a lot of time on their hands. But um, what would you tell someone who starts believing the comments though? Like when it starts getting in their head, what would you say, girl?

SPEAKER_00 12:35

That's a really good question.

SPEAKER_02 12:36

I think um, well, for me, like I said, when you were first reading me the comments, again, I was really appalled and hurt by all the comments. So I think a lot of times when we're reading social media comments, um we're at home, we're by ourselves, and so it's really easy to get caught up in those and believe those. So I hope that you have people that you can reach out to and read those comments with them and they can laugh with you with them or bring you back to what is true and what is what not true. What is real is uh who you really are, and um they can keep your head up with that.

SPEAKER_01 13:23

Yes, I agree, girl. Um at the end of the day, I had to remind myself who I am. I am not a comment section, I am not a viral post, I am not somebody's projection. I am Jules, I'm a trans woman, I'm an advocate, I'm in recovery, I'm building something real with my life. And if the only thing someone can say about me is based off of a picture, then something's being done right. Um, they never really had access to who I really was in the first place. So I just want to send a message out to listeners. Um, I want to talk directly to anyone listening right now. If you've ever been judged, if you've ever been talked about, if you ever had people try to reduce you to something small, listen to me. You are not what people say about you. You are who you choose to be when it gets hard. And don't let people who don't know your story have a voice louder than your truth. And in closing, the internet might go viral, but so can healing, so can confidence, so can growth. And that's what we're choosing over here. We're choosing some healing and to um grow. Elizabeth, thank you so much for sitting in with me on this. I really appreciate it. Love you so much, Bestie. Um, is there anything else that you would like to give a closing thought to people?

SPEAKER_02 14:34

Yes, I would. I actually was given this prophetic word um over myself, but now I know it was to be on this podcast with you, and it was rich that words are rich, and there is power in words. And so I would like to encourage you and myself and your listeners to use your words as riches to speak life, to speak hope, and to speak love. And thank you so much uh for allowing me to speak on this topic with you, and I'm so incredibly proud of you, and for all your listeners, I'm incredibly proud of them and to remain true to themselves.

SPEAKER_01 15:15

Yes, and also to my listeners, I love you. And thank you for always holding space for the real, the messy, and the healing. This is talking to remember, sit slow, love hard, and stay proud. Until the next one.