From Homeless to Beauty Guru (My Hurricane Katrina Story)

[BeautyMeetsKelly]

THIS IS SAD, BUT YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!! NO homo, butttt you should be a MODEL

[SummmersSky]

It's sad to hear of your experience but you shouldn't hold it against other youtubers, it's childish and unfriendly.

[satinchic89]

Well, you're not the only one. You're already so much more fortunate than some of the victims I know. You've had so many opportunities (like the acceptance into Tulane, although your English isn't the greatest) so you're actually quite lucky to be where you are now. Still, your video is inspirational and I hope it receives as much exposure as possible! :)

[caramelo2005]

I'm really sorry about what happened to you and your family and I'm glad that you and your family are okay...but just like you said that lady at the hotel generalized about you and your family for living in new orleans and they judged you that is the same thing that you did when talking about the people in the 9th ward...it's not that people didn't care about you it's just that when you have so little and lose so much people tend to be drawn to that...

[becauseyouramazing03]

you've changed my view on life compleatly!

do you mind if you could do that room tour though showing how you keep prepared and stuff?

[Wildthannggg]

I just started watching your video's today and this one totally made me tear up a lot!

I can not IMAGINE what you went through, & this may be weird to say because you don't know me, but I was thinking in my head,"I totally love this girl!" love how positive you are and have been! & I really do hope your life has gotten increasingly better.

& I hope we can talk sometime, because your story telling is phenomenal.

I usually skip through people's video's but for yours, I have not. [:

[foreveraliyah876]

forget the last comment im glad she madeit out alive and i am glad that her whole entire family made it just stay strong and u were never homless u always had a home . . . .home is where the heart is

[foreveraliyah876]

she made it seem that black people are always the ghetto and mal

[foreveraliyah876]

i am so happy that u got out safley keep strong i have seen most of ur videos. . . . . . .stay strong

[foreveraliyah876]

wow i just found her videos and i am sooo inspired

[MackenzieSilva]

The day this was posted, my house was destroyed from hurricane Irene...I lost everything with 4 ft of water in my house EVERYTHING gone..I hear you out completely you house look exactly like mine right now still 6 months later and now we are waiting to hear from the government... But thanks to you I know I'm not alone in this experience :)

[mia98167]

I know exactly how you feel. I live in New Orleans too and it doesn't get any better than this. I am just wondering what area did you live in? And please keep making videos.

[amystrahan]

My house was also destroyed after the storm. I feel your pain!

[MikeT1916]

You Look Like Avril Lavigne..Your cute to Im sorry about what had happened to you But stay Light.

[watchout1g]

man this made me cry i live in new zealand and i remember watching it on the news i cant imagine what u went through im glad u have ur life back now all the best 4 the furture ps i saw that proposal video u are one lucky girl u guys make one of the cutest couples i have ever seen!!!

[jdolphins]

Thanks for sharing your story. My brother was also in Katrina in Biloxi.

[icewomen881]

Very inspriational video!:)I went through hurcain Katrina In Miami(NOT AS BAD)too!But i know you didn't get the help you needed and you were discriminated against, but those people were even WORSE off then you they were in the ghetto and had nothing much and lost what they had too,and even more.They might have had thirty kids,but it doesn't matter there people you know.?God TRUELY blessed you on staying alive!I really feel for you,but coould never IMAGEN what you went through.:)Thx for video!

[cakekiss25]

this is a true inspiration!

[MarissaMakesUp]

Honestly, the things that happen to us in life allhappen for a reason..you got the movie call because somehow that's all you'd have a month later you know? We can take nothing for granted. And our struggles make us stronger!

[sharielu1]

more people need to see this, this is amazing because it is so true and so heartfelt.

[JammieDodgers99]

this video nearly made me cry, im from England so i never expierenced the hurricane, but from what i've heard it sounds f****** atrocious. i can't even begin to say how sorry i am that his happened to you, the thought of this happening to my family brings tears to my eyes. you were so lucky to of made it through, and this is heartbreaking. babe, i actually love you<3

[x0xox0]

Ghetto With stereotypes and you kinda made it sound like they didn't deserve the help bcuz of wit u think they are... Even if they're criminals or has 30 kids ...it doesn't make them any less of a human. Everyone has their own reason n stories

[x0xox0]

That's an inspiring story. But it was kinda harsh how you referred to everyone who lived in the

[californiagorgeous]

Honestly, you are now my favorite guru on youtube. I have so much more respect for you. I love your videos and you have so much strength. It may sound cheesy but thank you for making me realize what I have. So thank you :)

[heartsxo55]

Wow, you are very strong. great story

[makemyworld100]

you are so strong

[MakeupForever141]

You are a strong amazing women, everyone can learn something from you.

[JustDreamingLife]

you're so cute :)

[serahlouisex]

Everyone has a story...

[jbluva4545]

This was such a touching video i would never want anyone to go through this, i really feel for you , but you didnt have to bring people down (blair fowler ) to get your point across

[bellautiful18]

Thestyleblog lost her whole town and brother in the Joplin, Missouri tornado earlier this year.....

[hareem55]

I cant believe how evil people can be. You dont deserve what you have been through :( This video just made me realize how when you life can be perfect, it will be ruined. I am not trying to so hopeless or mean.

You are strong, and I am sorry you went through all that :(

[bratzglamoruslife123]

I am glad your so strong about this.

[bratzglamoruslife123]

Well juicystar07 dropped out because she was being bullied. She said so in her 10th grade video.

[StrawberryMochix3]

@bratzglamoruslife123 A lot of people get bullied, that's not really an excuse-.-

[QueenEmzy]

:O is a I can say about this video. I was tearing up. Coming from a city in Australia where that has very little threat from natural disaster, I have never known, and probably will never know how you felt, but seriously, this changed my WHOLE perspective on life. You are so strong and so amazing to just be able to get through that. Good luck in the future. :)

[pinkabuki]

new subscriber.. after I saw this video I really feel for you. Great job. Keep your head held high. :)

[ChorChar]

Did you have insurance?

[SweetMissVee]

:( my heart goes out to you dear...this video touched me.

[BlueEyedBeautyMakeup]

I guess you never know what you have until it is gone.

[BlueEyedBeautyMakeup]

Did you have insurance?

[okj2luvscanarys]

I.Love.You

[Arwaabdulla]

word of advice don't talk about this too much

love you

[Arwaabdulla]

what doesn't break you only makes you stronger <3

[idig]

thank you for this video <3

[fashionbean10]

Seriously.....F**k Walmart...

[LINDSAYLIKEOMG]

You are so strong.

[belieberbaby123]

thats horrible , this is this firstt video ive watched of yours and i can already tell how much of a down to earth person you are . you have to be strong to make it through that <3 . i hav so muchh respectt for you .

[TheStyleChronicles]

GREAT video! People need to see this and need to hear the honesty in what you talk about.

[brooklynplusbeauty]

Juicystar 07 didnt drop out of school just for youtube, she did it because she was getting bullied!!!!

[idig]

@brooklynplusbeauty oh, shut up

[CristinaOcampo8]

@brooklynplusbeauty who cares if you got bullied at school?

that happens to everyone. she just made that excuse up.

[yarelicortez98]

@brooklynplusbeauty Yeah, but so she can also continue with her videos!

[SuperRachel22]

@brooklynplusbeauty really? thats all you took from this video?

[okj2luvscanarys]

@brooklynplusbeauty That doesn't matter. Juicystar07, doesn't matter. Go away minion. Did you not get the point of this video.

[QueenEmzy]

@brooklynplusbeauty DUDE! are you f**king serious? you just watched a whole video on how this poor woman went through this massive disaster and all you have to say is something related to blair. This doesnt even compare to that. Brie had to live in a trailer filled with asbestos (which btw is deadly) and she STILL went to school. In my opinion Blair should have sucked it up, everyone gets bullied at some point, i've got friends who've had it worse, YouTube was a large part of blair's decision.

[msstaceylynn7]

Hey girl i live like 30 mins out of new Orleans and i was even numb and i didn't even loose as much as yall did. i feel for you girl. Its so sad. My dad had to stay for work and the horrible stories he told me about having to save little new born baby's and how he seen dead people floating in the water and all the pets they had the rescue and just the smell of dead my dad is still not the same today. but us new Orleans folks has bounce back better then ever thanks to Katrina! EVEN THE SAINTS! <3

[maheklovesmakeup]

u are freakin amazing i love watching ur videos! God bless u and ur family. u deserve all the hapiness in the world. you are a beautiful human being. im so glad ur okay and ur subscribers will always ALWAYS be with you.

[shaz0920]

You poor girl... Heard about tropical storm Lee! Hope it doesn't get too bad.

[mcmannella]

basically, life is a bitch... for most people!

[popdm11]

What town in Arkansas did you stay in?

[andiphil43]

thats true about the 9th ward...



[jnb0574]

Thank God you got out. I actually think a collection video would be a great idea. I'm from Louisiana too and I would love to know how you store everything in something portable. I've had to leave for hurricanes a few times when I was younger, and pretty much had to leave everything. I've been incredibly lucky that my things haven't been damaged, but seeing your story, I'm kinda afraid to leave things behind now.

[stealingbeauty]

Thestyleblog on YT went threw a natural disaster too. She is a beauty guru and she lost her brother to a tornado. None of the ppl who lived there could evacuate. You can't evacuate for a tornado or a earth quack. People forget what's important in life, being alive. No matter who you are, disasters don't discriminate. I think people just thought richer people had saving accounts i.e. good jobs pay well & people who are poor never have enough money at the end of the month for leisure.

[99jec]

Hey Bri, I love the vid, I live in miami and the hurricane hit here to i was 5 years old and i remember being in the closet the whole day ( one of the safest places) of course katrina didnt hit as hard as it dod to new orleans. Thanks sooo much for posting this vid! An Amazing Vid!!!!!!

[nellstar16]

Your story is so different than what i've seen ... I'm glad that in the end, you ended up happy :). Could you do a room tour anyways? I think it would be nice to see.

[nellstar16]

could you do a room tour anyways?

[maddyhattter]

I am sooo glad you guys did evacuated, that is soo amazing that you are also back in the house. Im soo sorry you had to go through this :/ Hurrican Irene hit my sisters college a few days ago. My dad and I left our tree up for 2 years. You are sooo strong <3 Much love!

[SamanthaWearsATiara]

You made me cry... I live in Biloxi and went through the same things that you did. It's really terrible to think back to that day six years ago.

[1heyhi]

this is so touching!i have more respect for you now:)

[GlitterfulSummer]

I think its great to see a different side. I mean yes people died and were trapped and that is worse than just loosing stuff, but this really is a side to Katrina that people dont see. The side where normal people had to rebuild from the ground up.

[reenuag96]

Honestly this video was just so touching and I am speechless!! Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast 2 days ago and thankfully where I live there was no damage. Looking back I just feel lucky and blessed at the fact that things could've been worse. I sometimes feel as if I take somethings for granted and never really stop for a moment to appreciate even the little things. This video has definetly made me open my eyes to what others are going through. I am glad that you are finally settled back in<3

[kristinepley1]

sososo inspiring. thank you for making this :)

[MsMadisonisawesome]

omg i liv in nola and i went to TN for the hurricane and ( we did bring alot with us) but a tornado hit just our house on mu steet and we lost everything,anyways u brought back sooo many memories from 6 years ago so glad u graduated and all dat luv ya and randpm question but how did ya come up with ir username ???? 

[claudia62782]

continued I know what you mean about that bar of soap. My aunt took me shopping and made me buy a purse and some jewelry nothing too expensive and perfume/ makeup. She said you lost it all and you need this. I know how much the little things mean. UGH THE FEMA TRAILER HELL , I think we are still sick from those and the mold. I am the same way with keeping things" packed up" per say. For gustav our family called us the beverly hillbillies because my hubby and i packed it all even forks LOL .

[kaitlinldavis]

your story was so touching you are so strong, this makes me appreciate everylittle thing i own now.

[GlitterfulSummer]

Im glad you decided to do the video :)

[MyRedSolara]

@GlitterfulSummer I am still going to do a video on how to prepare for a disaster. Thanks for the idea. You are the best!

[BlueEyedBeautyMakeup]

@MyRedSolara please do that video! there are fires going out through texas and we might have to evactuate soon.:(

[claudia62782]

Brie, I have no words like you say there are none. I wasliving in chalmette for katrina. I feel what you feel I appreciate your honesty about the 9th ward and the whole thing still pisses me off. I really don't have the words to say. I have the same look in my eye and all I can offer is a hug and that knowing look. We still have not recovered we are in kenner now and nothing feels like home. So So much has change and it is still so fresh in my mind and heart. ps sorry I couldnt send the pics

[NicholeSummerRose]

Thanks Brie(:

[cozmosiss143]

I'm really sorry that you had to go throught that. I don't understand why the worst things happen to the best people. You are very brave and I respect you a lot.

[NicholeSummerRose]

I feel the same I cant put my feeling into words and it makes me sad I want to hug you, you tiny thing! I prayed this morning that you could feel the love I have 4 u and the happiness because you make all the problems I have go unnoticed and I am praying more because you! Please if possible Could u make a video tonight, I want to see your smile, and we don't care what you wear or look like girl u don't have to get dolled up 4 use kk! (:

[MyRedSolara]

@NicholeSummerRose Alright girlfriend. I'll see what I can do. Right now i'm working on posting a video of my house right after the hurricane. So i'm working on it lol

[LittleDarlin24]

I grew up in Central Ms, and I vacationed on the coast with grandparents. My mom grew up in Biloxi. I feel sad that people won't get to see the Coast the way it was with those big oaks. My grandma was missing for two weeks in Katrina. What a horrible time. My first story as a reporter was interviewing evacuees that came to my college in Columbus. Anyway, I was glad to hear your POV. Thank God you made it out. bless you!

[GGiebaybee]

cant even imagine going through something like that.

[brittmoniproductions]

Im so glad you didn't sugar coat the truth about the 9th ward

[NicholeSummerRose]

Can you do a video tonight? We really do need you Brie, and I want 2 see your smile (:

[NicholeSummerRose]

Can u make a video tonight! We really do need you Brie, and I want 2 see your smile (:

[misskiradira]

You are one of the strongest people I know. Someone from my school today committed suicide and watching this let me know that it does get better.

[rachellv1]

I feel like there isn't much to say but yet I want so badly to say something. I want to hug you and tell you deserve the best in life! That is its going to be okay.... but those words fall short. I spent days volunteering sending boxes out and making beds at local churches for people who found their way here.... I really wish I could have given strait to your family. This video touched me so much! I send my love and all my well wishes for yourself and everyone impacted by Katrina.

[MyRedSolara]

@rachellv1 Thank you so much. I am sure that there was some girl like me who received your donation and was very thankful.

[livesurflaughlove]

i just finished the video! I'm really glad you told your story because i'm only 15 right now so i didn't really know much about katrina or what happened in 2005. I am forever touched and affected by your story, and even though i'm already thankful for what i have it also reminds me not ever to take anything for granted! Thanks for this amazing video - you should think about writing a book on it!

[mickysmiles]

I'm so sorry something like this had to happened to you and your family ..and new orleans in general..I really felt angry when u talked about the those evil people in arkansas .. I just recently evacuated for hurricane irene and I didn't think much of ..I laughed at the fact that I was even evacuating and all I took was some documents and a couple of clothing items but I left everything in my room that was important to me.

[rachellv1]

When I first started watching I literally thought - How dare she say no one knows whats it like to be homeless or lose loved ones, she doesn't know me. You see this weekend of opened my eyes to I guess what some people call religion and before I guess I was a little bitter about my own life. This video opened my eyes to my own selfishness and really touched me. Ive been through things yes but they simply cant compare. I very well may make a video response. Thank you for making this video.

[Poppypink12]

This seriously made me cry! I can't believe how people acted toward you that is horrible. When you talked about how you kept everything packed I was thinking about what I would take if that would happen to me. It would be my american girl dolls that my mom bought for me. I am so happy for you that you got to rebuild your house and live in it now. I wish the media would have helped families like yours more. And random question but what was your major in college?

[VAzizi2]

You're so beautiful & talented so inspiring .. this video touched me it brought me to tears people should appreciate what they have :) <3 !!!

[Xnicolayule]

watched every second of this vid. your truly inspirational brie! such a sweet girl xx

[lilsahsgirlie09]

Brie, thank you for your story. I am a college athlete and I actually got the oppurtunity to compete against Tulane at Tulane this past year. I was wondering are parts of New Orleans still suffering? My team and I were not sure but i would love to know. Your videos are some of my favorites on youtube! And you are the type of person who reminds me to appreciate everything i have. Thank you

[MyRedSolara]

@lilsahsgirlie09 Yes, New Orleans is still suffering. The quarter is thriving because of the heavy tourism; however smaller areas less popular with the public eye like Metairie, Kenner, Laplace, still most of Mississippi are still rebuilding. My family got the flooring down 2 weeks ago!

[SierramHolland]

I am so glad you did this video. I was 17 and living in Biloxi when the hurricane hit. I lost everything also...I don't talk about it and for some reason have very few memorys from right before, during and even after. You brought back a lot of memories and emotions I think I always try to push down. The way you felt about the 9th ward is sort of the way I think a lot of us over here felt about New Orleans altogether. It seemed that noone recognized how serious it was for us as well.

[MyRedSolara]

@SierramHolland I have a home in Biloxi as well. My friend that saw all the bodies was in Long Beach. Highway 90 still makes me cry. Its all cleaned up and empty lots now so no one knows that there were once antebellum homes and mansions standing there.

[shaz0920]

Why does your mom live in MS?

[damod684]

you are amazing. god bless your beautiful soul<3

[MichelleOrtego]

i'm from houma so this story is so touching to me, my brother lived on poydras at the time of hurricane katrina and lost everything as well. thank you for sharing..

[1111blackberry]

wow. i feel bad that nothing like that will ever happen to me. i feel really sorry to everyone who's ever been in something like that. i can't imagine people taking all of your money and kicking you out onto the street, you're so strong.

[shaz0920]

wow very inspirational.... we all think we know about Katrina but you don't truely know what it's like until your life is completely changed by something like that. Thanks for sharing your story.

[wantingriches789]

I watched your video, and my heart ached listening to your story. I think that everyone should listen to your story to take nothing for granted....appreciate each day. I wish you all the happiness from this day forward and a enriched, blessed life........

[mre4me]

I'm so sorry you went through what you went through...You are a strong person who has been lucky enough to make it through I think your an amazing inspiration...I can't imagine having to keep all my stuff packed and having to live that way....

[mre4me]

I'm so sorry you went through what you went through...You are a strong person who has been lucky enough to make it through I think your an amazing inspiration

[NicholeSummerRose]

You make me cry every time u talk about hurricane katrina, and I've heard about it many times before but not in detail. These are the videos I save to favorites because tutorials and haul video's many viewers can point out similarities between there selfs and you, but I tend 2 concentrate on the flaws, habits, and differences we have because your flaws are what marks you and separates you from others, your beautiful and I've been waiting 4 a video like this! Thank you so much I love you and car

[believeinfairytales]

Your story has really touched me, I've always said how much I admire your honesty and sense of humour on youtube, but I don't think I've ever had so much admiration and respect for someone I've never even met! You've made me truly think about the things that I do take for granted every single day. I cannot believe how little help you were given and that truly saddens me. Thank you so much for sharing your story, I wish you all of the luck and happiness in the world for the rest of your life! xx

[tinamarisol2009]

New orleans for life! No matter what! Nothing is worth leaving my home :)

[tinamarisol2009]

My grandma stayed for katrina. the rest of us left. We watched the news and watched our city get destroyed. I honestly thought she died. I felt incredibly helpless. I was in utter shock! I was so young. It is the most awful thing I could have ever experienced

[mbusby256]

i'm from alabama and a lot of the people i know were affected by the tornados on april 27. it's amazing how we take thing like a roof over our heads, electricity, and even running water for granted. we lost over 300 lives that day here but i think it was a huge eyeopener. be thankful for what you have, not what you don't have. i thank god everyday that me&everyone i love made it through that day. things were lost that we don't have the money to replace but money is far from everything to me.

[Sugareexthexgypsy]

wow this video is great. i loved hearing your story. i was in new orleans as well when katrina happened ( on vacation) and we were hesitant about evacuating but thankfully we decided to leave and went back to new jersey. i'm so glad we did, i can't even imagine what everyone there went through. and i agree with the 9th ward comments, although they did need help as well, i thought " well other places got damaged too..." and i went down with my church in 07 to rebuild parts of bywater.

[fashionxox11]

Where are the pop ups?

[MyRedSolara]

@fashionxox11 This isn't a tutorial or fun video, I do not want to make money off of a video that is so personal to me. Pop ups seemed inappropriate.

[MyRedSolara]

@fashionxox11 I did an entirely separate vid of footage.

[clhawthorne93]

honestly, I watched the whole video! I am so touched by what you say, it is true we take everything that we have for granted. I am happy you got to be in the movie, & finally go to that college & I'm really surprised it took so many years to rebuild your house. & that trailer thing! like wth?! did you tell them it was all nasty & stuff? well, i really enjoyed this video, thank you so much. you are very inspiring and this makes me want to appreciate everything I have & be happy. :) 

[clhawthorne93]

honestly, I watched the whole video! I am so touched by what you say, it is true we take everything that we have for granted. I am happy you got to be in the movie, & finally go to that college & I'm really surprised it took so many years to rebuild your house. & that trailer thing! like wth?! did you tell them it was all nasty & stuff? well, i really enjoyed this video, thank you so much. you are very inspiring and this makes me want to appreciate everything I have & be happy. :)

[brifanelle]

do u ever have a glass of wine or something? and why have u never drank.

[sierrafox5]

Aww you're so strong! Im glad you are safe-you made me appreciate everything we take for granted.

[taylorswiftfan3456]

you are truly an inspiration! i love your videos and personality so much and i wish you the best <3

[taylorswiftfan3456]

you are truly an inspiration! i love your videos and personality so much and i wish you the best <3

[EriGotMeWearin]

This is so inspirational. <3

[iiliketospit]

this is so inspirational, and emotional to watch. This is why you're one of my favorite youtube gurus, because you're so real and live through so much.

[xdniknak]

Ahhh this made me cry. I love you.

[livesurflaughlove]

wow long video! I'm going to watch it all though because your amazing Brie! :)

[clhawthorne93]

this made me so sad. =/

[strutinmybdaysuit]

2nd comment :D

[xdniknak]

First comment!