Textures of Becoming: The Cradine Effect

one of the things I’ve always found fascinating is how certain people can build entire platforms just by being themselves. Not by chasing trends or doing what everyone else is doing, but simply by showing up as they are, unapologetically. That’s not easy. It takes a certain kind of self-awareness, an aura, an energy that pulls people in without trying too hard. It’s rare. When I came across Cradine’s page, I was first drawn in by the aesthetics. She had this soft but electric presence that made me pause and realize I wasn’t using my free will to its full potential.

That thought stuck with me. So I kept scrolling. And what I found wasn’t just a vibe, it was a whole ecosystem of creativity. Rugs. Pole dancing. Crochet. Content. Wit. Grace. Vulnerability. She was doing it all, and doing it all while still being very much herself. That’s when I knew I wanted to have a conversation with her.

What I didn’t expect was just how grounded and sharp she is. Especially for her age, Cradine possesses a level of emotional intelligence and self-reflection that’s rare. Throughout our talk, she would catch herself ~ pointing out where her thoughts overlapped, where she might’ve rambled or contradicted herself. That kind of awareness made for one of the most refreshing, honest conversations I’ve had in a while.

This isn’t just a story about talent. It’s a story about resilience. About the kind of work that happens behind closed doors long before the recognition ever shows up. It’s about knowing yourself so well that the outside world can’t shake you. And now, as she continues to grow into new passions and expand her creative reach, she remains focused, intentional, and most of all | rooted.

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I’m excited to share this conversation with you. Whether you’re here for the art, the insight, or just some good ol’ soul food for thought, take your time with it. I hope something here resonates.

Enjoy the interview below.

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Let’s start with something light. If you could pick a theme song for your life right now, what would it be?

Oh my gosh… that’s a hard question. Lately I’ve had Bad Religion by Frank Ocean and Since I Fell For You by Lenny Welch on repeat. I know they’re both kind of about unrequited love, and I don’t want that to be my theme song right now because it’s not really where I’m at. But something about them resonates.

That’s real. So what is it about those songs that hits so hard for you?

I think it’s because even if I’m not going through that right now, that feeling of giving love and not getting it back has been a reoccurring theme in my life. Not just romantically, but even platonically and in my familial relationships. There was a time I felt unwanted. And maybe I’ve even felt that way about myself sometimes. Like, I can see the beauty in everyone else, root for them, pour into them, but not always into me. It’s not envy, it’s something deeper. A quiet yearning to love myself the way I love others.

I know that feeling too well. But you seem like you’ve really grown in that awareness.

Yeah. I think the reason those songs hit so much now is because I don’t feel that way anymore. I know how to walk away from people and situations that don’t serve me. I’ve learned how to show up for myself, and that’s powerful. I love R&B because it captures that depth, that ache, but now I listen from a place of strength, not longing.

Let’s talk about your current passions. What are you creating and loving most these days?

Right now? Pole dancing. Creating content. Documenting my life like a TV show. I actually have a tattoo inspired by Brent Faiyaz’s Sonder, the idea that everyone around you is living a full life just like you are. I try to live with that awareness. Like I’m a character in someone else’s background scene, and they’re in mine.

I try to live with that awareness. Like I’m a character in someone else’s background scene, and they’re in mine.

That’s poetic. So, how did pole dancing even begin for you?

I got my first apartment at 19 after being homeless. I told myself, when I get a space that’s mine, I’m putting up a pole. So I bought one off Amazon. It was too short. Bought another one, tried to combine them, didn’t work. I was just freestyling, didn’t know what I was doing. But I’d still walk around it looking cute, do a little dance. That was my joy. It fell down a few times ~ I didn’t install it right. But I loved it anyway.

Then, I was about to start 75 Hard again. I’ve completed it twice now. And if you know that challenge, you know it’s no joke. But the gym just wasn’t cutting it for me. I’m not a gym person. Going alone felt isolating, and half the time, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I needed a workout I could look forward to.

I told a friend I wanted to take some pole classes, just to make things easier on myself while I’m doing the challenge. He told me about a homegirl of his who taught classes, and wasn’t far away. I booked four sessions with her right then. The next day, I met her in person and we clicked instantly.

Her name’s Elena, but she goes by E. She owns the studio and she has a brand called Vertical Appeal. After just a few rounds of sessions, four or five sets of classes, she was like, we’re always together anyway, and you’ve got a platform. I want to offer you an ambassador opportunity.

That must’ve felt like a full-circle moment, getting back into your body and also being seen by someone who really believed in you.

She’s everything to me in this space. She’s like my sister and my biggest inspiration. She really helped me understand what this discipline is about. Because pole is not easy. Sometimes it is just twirling around, looking cute, but to master tricks, you need strength, breath control, flexibility, coordination, and confidence. It’s serious work. It’s a full-body thing, and it humbles you.

It sounds like it did more for you than just give you a new workout.

Oh, for sure. It gave me a sense of self. Like, I was remembering who I was while I was learning how to hold myself up. I started teaching classes, going to workshops, showing up at showcases. I’m not performing yet, but it’s coming. Pole helped me own my presence. Even just walking around the pole ~ there’s power in that. It’s not even about the moves. It’s about how I carry myself now.

I know you mentioned it also opened doors in unexpected ways, like your crochet work.

Yeah. That’s the beautiful part. Through pole, I’ve met people who ended up supporting my crochet business too. It’s like the universe was showing me how everything I love could work together if I stayed open. Pole connected me to people who respected my craft, my style, my voice. It all kind of started clicking.

And now you’re looking at expanding even further with your own dancewear line?

Yes. This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot. Most of the outfits available are made for strippers, which I have nothing but love and respect for, but they’re not always practical for teaching or content creation. I usually end up dancing in swimsuits or fitness sets. But I want more. I want outfits that feel like magic. That let you feel like a fairy without feeling exposed. Something cute, functional, expressive. Something that makes you feel like yourself without compromising what you’re comfortable sharing.

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That’s so needed. Now that you mention it, I can see a real gap in that space.

Right. And I think it combines the best of what I love. Movement and making. It feels like the next natural step. And I want to do it in a way that honors all the parts of me. Creative, sensual, strong, soft, and grounded.

That’s fire. Do you feel like pole dancing helped you reclaim something?

Absolutely. There’s so much stigma. People want to separate pole from stripping like the roots don’t matter. I don’t strip, but I respect the hell out of strippers. This whole art form came from them. And a lot of the moves people teach now were born in the clubs. It’s frustrating when people want the aesthetic without respecting the source.

So you’ve created something that feels very true to who you are. How do you approach branding in a world that often wants to box people in?

I just don’t care. My brand is very all over the place, but it’s still conducive to me and who I am. So all the puzzle pieces fit. I don’t feel a desire to compartmentalize myself, my interests, or my brand. So you’ll come to my page and find anime references, pole dancing, me reading, fitness challenges, cooking, traveling, lifestyle content, all types of art forms and ways of creating, and businesses.

I want to be full of surprises. I’ve grown to enjoy people thinking I lack substance and watching themselves get proved wrong at no effort from me because it doesn’t require any to be myself. I am the brand, so I can’t do any wrong being myself and doing what I like and what resonates with me.

I imagine the Cradine I want to be and I am her in my head. I’m becoming her.

What do you hope people feel when they interact with your content, your creations, or your energy online?

Often times, people come to my platform because they find my appearance desirable, but I’m so much more. And it doesn’t take long to realize so. Even if it takes a while, I hope people feel my authenticity, complexity, and my well-rounded disposition. Also, how funny I am (even quite corny at times), but I don’t care at all. There’s so much hardship in the world, I hope I bring people joy and raw positive energy.

Let’s shift into something that’s both personal and powerful. Mental health. How do you stay grounded through your creative journey?

I just keep trying with all the adversities and trauma I’ve experienced in my life, and the chemical imbalances and the mood changes, I just keep trying. Creating brings me a purpose and joy that’s grounding and reassures me I can accomplish anything and gives me purpose, which does wonders for making me feel better when I’m low, if I can just push through and find the motivation.

Do you have specific practices that help you manage when things get hard?

I don’t have a direct answer for this. I’m really not as routine-based as I’d like to be, but what comes to mind is community. Finding my people and talking, sharing, and communing with them has done wonders for me.

But I can always feel a shift in my mental state, and a lot of the times there’s not much I can do but rest and sit in my feelings until it’s time to handle obligations and push through, or I find something to be excited about.

Dancing is a lovely way as well to push through and regulate my emotions. I’ll even go for runs. Going on runs does a lot for me when I really need to do something positive and not feel what I’m feeling. It’s a good burn.

That kind of emotional awareness is rare. How has it influenced your approach as a creator and public-facing figure?

I know I’m still a small creator and not established in the world yet, but I had to get over imposter syndrome. I really had to rewire my brain from thinking I’m not good enough, I’m not the right kind of girl, or I’m not the ideal person for that opportunity.

I imagine the Cradine I want to be and am her in my head. I’m becoming her. This has really made a difference, especially in social settings. I just always try to be my authentic self, do unto others as I’d have done unto me, and not shy away from things I want.

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Let’s talk about rug-making. How did that become part of your creative expression?

I think I saw someone making rugs on TikTok during COVID. I already had a ton of yarn, so I figured I’d add it to my repertoire. I wasted materials getting started at first, but I got the hang of it and started making things for loved ones. My first rug was made entirely by hand, stitch by stitch. It took me weeks, on top of working full time and being a full-time student.

What do you hope people feel when they receive something you’ve made?

I hope everything I put my time and energy into crafting feels personal and made with love.

Is there a particular rug you’ve made that means the most to you, or one that changed the game creatively?

The first rug I ever tufted with a gun I made for a dear friend of mine. I designed the graphic myself and then, of course, made it. I love gift-giving, so I was excited to make it for him and hoped he’d feel special. We’re not close anymore, but I do miss him. This was cool because a lot of the rug designs I do are already existing graphics at the request of friends and customers, but I did this creative process from start to finish. Plus, for the quality to be so good for my first machine-tufted project, it’s a great feeling of accomplishment.

Alright, I have to ask, what’s the deal with tacos? I heard you love them.

Tacos are my happy place. But not in a cute, quirky way. It’s deeper than that. They were one of the only things I could look forward to during a time in my life when I didn’t have much control or comfort. When I was younger, my mom passed away. I was just three. I spent a lot of time being raised by my grandma, my village in Jamaica, and the women who loved and looked after me. But things shifted when I went to live with my dad.

How was that?

It was a bit strained. He worked a lot, and we didn’t always connect. But there was a Taco Bell nearby, and tacos became this little thing I could look forward to. Sometimes he’d bring some home ~ chicken chalupa combo, always. I won’t get into all the details, but let’s just say there’s some underlying stuff there. Still, tacos stuck with me. They became a comfort.

What do you think it is about tacos that made them stick with you all these years?

It sounds so silly out loud, but it was one of the only things that felt consistent. Even now, people gift me taco blankets, taco slippers, taco plushies. It became part of my identity because it symbolized a rare moment of familiarity in a world that was always shifting underneath me. So yeah, tacos are a joy for me.

Still, I think that’s a beautiful story, and you make me want tacos. But here, let’s jump back to crochet. I know that was your first love. How’d you get started with that?

It was. I wanted a crochet top, but at the time the sizes weren’t inclusive and I had a larger chest, so I made my own. The more I made, the more my skill improved. So I made my own stuff. It became a business, a passion, and a way to express myself.

Do you still love it?

I do. But I was burning out. Making custom orders back to back. Doing the same patterns over and over. It started to feel like I wasn’t creating anymore, I was just producing. That was hard. Because I thought I fell out of love with crochet. But really, I was just exhausted. Now I want to pivot. I’m working on tutorials, DIY kits, a line of designs people can make themselves. I want to make space for my ideas to breathe. I want to feel joy again when I pick up my hook.

If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?

I’d tell her she’s gorgeous. That she’s smart, kind, important. That she’s going to hold herself up one day even when no one else does. And that she’s gonna have a cat named Salem. And she’s going to be loved.

What’s your personal philosophy?

A quote from The Alchemist: “When you want something, the universe conspires to help you achieve it.” And I really believe that. Also: “Happiness is temporary, but joy is everlasting.” That one stuck with me for years.

What would you change about how the world sees women creators, especially Black women?

I’d want people to see us as full humans. Not just bodies or trends or aesthetics. There’s brilliance behind this beauty. We are the blueprint. Always have been. And we deserve the same grace and pedestal anyone else gets.