Elegance & Allure 

Meet this month’s cover star Inessa Lee / @inessalee_ 

About Betty Boop and Social Media 

What inspired you to do Betty Boop impersonations, and how did they lead to your viral success on social media? I’ve always been a big fan of Betty Boop cartoons. While watching them I’ve discovered a talent to mimic her voice. I sing Betty’s songs while cooking, doing my makeup, and taking showers. One day I was at Disney Studios talking to my friend in Betty Boop’s manner. She suggested that I should audition for American Idol, and I did. 

How was your experience on American Idol, especially with the pressure of performing such an iconic character like Betty Boop? It was fun! I got to showcase my talent and meet some iconic singers in person, such as Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. It was super easy too – I received a special sticker to perform in front of the judges right away, without having to wait in line for hours in the cold, all due to my pink outfit and Betty Boop songs that I was yelling out in the crowd. 

Can you share your thoughts on the impact of social media in reviving vintage icons like Betty Boop in today’s pop culture? Betty Boop is a rising trend only due to social media and influencers like me. Nostalgic appreciation of the iconic cartoon character finds reflection in fan art, numerous Instagram and TikTok accounts devoted to Betty Boop and new merchandise. Betty’s name could have been totally forgotten without social media. My parodies keep her alivetoo. 

What do you think makes your Betty Boop parodies resonate with your audience? One night I had this dream about getting a phone call from Betty Boop. She told me that I needed to bring her back to life. Since then, I believe her ghost is empowering me to do so. Subscribers feel my genuine love for Betty Boop. They sense that my heart is full of nostalgic vibes about the boop-oop-a-doop era.  

Charity and Social Initiatives 

Your “Love Gun for Peace” dance flash mob addresses cyberbullying. Can you share the personal story that led to its creation? A person who played Betty Boop in a Broadway show took her anger out on me after the musical announced closing. Perhaps, the audience didn’t see her as Betty Boop, and that’s why tickets didn’t sell. She blamed her failure on me as if I’ve stolen her spotlight in social media because her TikTok had only 15K followers. So, she arranged attacks on my social media. Her friends insulted me and asked me to commit suicide! But since my new song “Love Gun” carries the message of forgiveness, I responded with a flashmob for peace. 

How do you feel music can play a role in promoting important social messages, such as anti-bullying?  ‘Love Gun for Peace’ dance challenge is a great example of how music can carry powerful social messages. Music always inspires people, triggering emotional awareness. E.g. my song ‘Love Gun’ is a tool to make this world better through spreading a peace message on social media and helping charities.  

What has the response been like from your followers and the broader community regarding your charity initiatives? Many popular influencers also supported ‘Love Gun for Peace’ dance challenge. Michael Jackson from Japan with 12 million + followers on TikTok has immediately responded to my announcement on social media. He said he wanted to take part in our peace campaign, so he created an amazing impersonation of Michael Jackson with peace slogans. Obviously, my subscribers love watching all these dance videos. 

How do you select the charitable causes you support through your music and performances? IFERS Music has always been my partner for charity. This non-profit organization, co-founded by Quincy Jones, is collaborating with musicians on various charity projects. They focus on education a lot, so most proceeds from my music go to scholarships and school in Kenya. 

Love Gun and New Releases 

Can you tell us about your new single “Love Gun” and the message behind its lyrics? “Love Gun” has a special karma. I wrote it when a stocker from social media sent his spies to check on me everywhere. He wouldn’t stop, so I responded with a song. This guy was like Mr. Incognito who never showed his face to me. At some point I thought it’s AI spy, so I turned into a female James Bond in “Love Gun” music video to hunt him down. The chorus has a clear anti-hate message: “all I have for you is a love gun”. It reminds us that love is the best weapon in cyber war.  

How does the music video for “Love Gun” tie into the themes of love and peace you advocate? There’s so much hate on social media these days. “Love Gun” is calling haters to “drop the gun” in online wars, because love always wins. This song is also a power challenge for those who is being harassed: “but I won’t beg you and crawl on my knees no more”. Face your enemies with dignity and courage.   

What was your creative process like while developing the song and its choreography for the flash mob? I only developed the concept of the flash mob. Choreography was done by other people. In fact, we dropped a sample video on social media, but all the participants added their own elements to the dance. They had lots of fun dancing freestyle.  

Personal Insights 

How do you blend your classic pinup aesthetic with modern influences in your music and style? It’s easy because all the good things have already existed in the past: “there’s nothing new under the sun”, – that’s what the Bible says. I just added a modern flavor to classics. E.g. we took James Bond story to the next level: a female Ms. Bond is hunting a cyber-spy. That’s more likely to happen in the Aquarius era.  

Who are your biggest inspirations in music and fashion, and how have they affected your career? Coco Chanel is my inspiration in fashion – she was a pioneer for women’s rights and an epitome of sophistication, elegance, and the best female qualities. Coco was a rare combination of beaty, brains and charisma. As for music, it’s Michael Jackson: he has done a tremendous amount of humanitarian work and charity throughout his life. Also, some of his songs carried strong social messages. 

Lastly, what message do you hope to convey to your fans and followers through your work, particularly with your current projects? The message of Equalism: a futurist theory that I published in chapter 66 of ‘The Transhumanism Handbook’ (Springer Nature). I believe that emerging technologies can end social inequity and make humans immortal. Resources and goods should be distributed equally on the planet because we are born to be equal! That’s the slogan of Equalism and I will continue spreading this egalitarian message through my music.