Interview with a villain.

It's our world...and she's taking it over. 👿

Hey, Sad Girls!

I wanted to introduce you all to my new favorite person on the internet.

I was scrolling, mindlessly, as I tend to do, when I came across a video of a lovely woman detailing day one of her villain era.

Each day, she posted another harrowing video, detailing her dastardly deeds and villainous adventures in the city, all while processing the grief of betrayal. There’s been a funeral for her past self. Vengeance on those who caused her harm. Theft and town takeovers. But most importantly, it’s been an honest display of emotional processing. Something I’m very familiar with.

Overall, it was a journey. A masterclass in storytelling.

If there’s anything I love, it’s a female anti-hero, and I knew I had to interview her. So, ladies and gentlemen, meet your new favorite villain: Shanneece!

J: Hi! Can you please let the Sad Girls know who you are and what you do?

My name is Shanneece, I’m an R&B-pop artist, actress, and creative director behind the viral “Villain Era Diaries.” I’m turning emotional chaos, betrayal, and grief into cinematic mischief, performance art, and unapologetic self-expression.

J: I absolutely adore your content. As our new queen of villainous deeds, what inspired you to don your dark crown and terrorize the townfolk?

Honestly? A mix of heartbreak, systemic injustice, workplace retaliation, and pure exhaustion from being “the good girl.” I reached a point where being nice became a liability. The “Villain Era” is my rebellion against being silenced. I’m not here to be digestible—I’m here to be undeniable. And if that makes me the town menace? So be it.

Jacque’s note: Relatable.

I'm tired of pretending I don't want to do weird sh*t.

J: You’ve been very open about feelings of grief, betrayal, and anger. Do you have any advice for fellow Sad Girls who may want to transmute similar heavy feelings into art?

Stop trying to be palatable. Let the pain be ugly. Let it bleed, scream, seduce, or burn—whatever form it wants to take. You don’t owe the world a perfect healing arc. You owe yourself the truth. Art isn’t always about resolution. Sometimes it’s just about release.

J: Has content creation helped you process your feelings? How?

Absolutely. Every video is part performance, part release. Like dancing in the rain like Karen from Mean Girls, it’s all metaphor. It gives shape to things I can’t say out loud, and lets me reclaim power in ways that feel divine, petty, and poetic.

J: What’s next for you? Do you think the Villain Era series will continue on just social media? Or do you see yourself exploring other mediums?

Oh, we’re only getting started. The Villain Era is expanding into original music, cinematic visuals, and a beauty brand coming soon. I want to be a full-fledged multimedia disruptor—think Lana Del Rey meets Tyler the Creator meets a rich ex you regret losing. Substack is definitely on my radar. I’ve got words to say… and people to read them.

J: I think you’d kill on Substack. Maybe literally.

Then tell the townspeople to lock their doors—I’m coming with poise, poetry, and a bottle of something expensive.

Thank you, Shanneece! You’re truly my favorite villain. I can’t wait to see what chaos you create for the townsfolk next! And I’m here for the healing along the way.

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Tuesday’s Blues Kickstarter dropping soon!

With How to Escape Death hardcovers finally shipping in the next few days, it’s the perfect time to announce that my next Kickstarter campaign will be dropping on Tuesday, May 13th!

In Tuesday’s Blues, Tuesday's an anxious, pan-sexual, struggling musician hoping to make it big in the big city. But when her recluse of a roommate disappears under, well, let’s call them mysterious circumstances, Tuesday’s gotta forge a plan to make her rent…and fast. That’s when she summons the monster under her bed.

Shadow’s been living rent-free under Tuesday's bed for 28 years, and it’s time to earn her keep. Along with their third roommate, Claudette, a bougie, freshly cut-off heir to a witchy hair care empire, the friends navigate dating (and their waning finances) as they try to find their footing.

I’m so excited for this project! It’ll be a comic/novel hybrid, with guest writers and dates with monsters, and spice, and music, and…ugh! It’ll be so incredible, I know it!

A fellow Sad Girl is writing a fairytale comic!

And it’s cute asf! You can download the prologue for free on her site. She didn’t ask me to do this. But I thought it was so adorable, I had to share.

The Random:

• It was National Black Authors Day the other day! I felt special, haha.

• This post about why we lack community hit me in the feels. It definitely made me think about my plan to self-isolate and if it’s making me a b*tch.

• I haven’t been watching any cutesy cartoons lately…and it’s making me sad. I’ve been so busy trying to get books out. Any suggestions are welcome.

• I broke my “no podcast” rule for Wayne Ayers. I chatted about Black Girl Magic, falling off, and why I overshare so freaking much. Check it out!

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Thank you for reading! If you would like to support me, check out the links below:

Read my surreal novels: Check them out!

Follow me on Instagram!: @Jacqueaye