COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Weirdest part about seeing yourself on TV?
LEVI SEBREE: Filming felt very natural, so when you see it come out on TV it’s kind of like watching a home video or something. It’s weird but cool. I was surprised at how many facial expressions I made too.
“When you see [yourself] on TV it’s kind of like watching a home video. . .It’s weird but cool.”
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What has New York City taught you?
LEVI SEBREE: EVERYTHING. New York City showed me a life that I never knew existed. Although it sounds corny, I’ve already achieved everything I’ve ever wanted as a kid. Now I have new bigger goals (I’m just getting started), but New York City taught me the power of hustling for your dreams. This city is full of dynamic people that want to make their dreams come true.
“New York City taught me the power of hustling for your dreams. This city is full of dynamic people that want to make their dreams come true.”
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s one thing you’ll never understand about Los Angeles?
LEVI SEBREE: How people don’t get bored. I’m not a LA girlie—every time I visit, I feel a dark energy. It might be a stereotype of the LA v NYC debate but I just connect with my NYC people more. They’re more real. More legit.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: How did event planning shape the way you think about people? Brands? Fame?
LEVI SEBREE: I never planned on being an event planner, it kind of fell into my lap. I was actually at a fashion event and met the VP of PR and I got the job a week later. Events are so integrated into my lifestyle: I LOVE it. I read an article that was talking about the rise of AI taking over jobs in the workforce and that vibe curation is one of the only things that AI can’t replicate. It’s true—my Chat GPT can’t fill a room like I can.
“. . .Vibe curation is one of the only things that AI can’t replicate. It’s true—my Chat GPT can’t fill a room like I can.”
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Are you a star?
LEVI SEBREE: Yes! I’m the main character and leading star of my life.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: When did you first realize you could make money simply by being yourself?
LEVI SEBREE: Honestly, I’m still figuring that out. Being casted on a TV show and getting brand deals is the obvious example of this. But I think there’s power in curating your dream life by simply being yourself—money or not.
“. . .There’s power in curating your dream life by simply being yourself—money or not.”
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Do you see yourself as a person, or a company?
LEVI SEBREE: I see myself as a really, really busy, multifaceted (cringey word) PERSON.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s the most dystopian part about fame or proximity to fame?
LEVI SEBREE: Being perceived by A LOT of people—Rihanna has seen me half-naked getting out of the shower. (Probably—she watches Summer House.) Crazy!
“Rihanna has seen me half-naked getting out of the shower. (Probably—she watches Summer House.)”
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Weirdest part about reality TV?
LEVI SEBREE: It’s very hard not to have full control. Sometimes I can be a control freak.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Who or what understands you best?
LEVI SEBREE: My little sister, Mesa. We have close bond. Also, my best friends Bailey and Iza. They understand my soul.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Who is the New York City it girl?
LEVI SEBREE: Bailey MF Taylor! She inspires me everyday. She’s my Kim Kardashian.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Who should everyone follow on Instagram?
LEVI SEBREE: I love @dazed and @peachybbies.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Biggest dream in life?
LEVI SEBREE: Host SNL.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: When did you first feel like you “made it”?
LEVI SEBREE: I felt like I “made it” when I was literally sweeping the floors of Marc Jacob’s atelier when he was fitting models for his show. Every time I get an opportunity or I get invited to something I feel proud and like I’m a somebody.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Will you ever leave New York?
LEVI SEBREE: I’ll always be in proximity to the city. My ambition is to have a place in NYC, Miami and London.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s your favorite room to be the hottest person in?
LEVI SEBREE: My imaginary room full of smart-nerds-disguised-as-cool-guys, creative, ambitious, big-energy, slightly unavailable men.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Who do you think is underrated? Overrated?
LEVI SEBREE: Underrated: themed birthday parties. Can we all stop being so boring? (Me included).
Overrated: Feeling embarrassed by everything. Let it go.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s your biggest flex?
LEVI SEBREE: I naturally prefer collecting interesting stories, lore and building a really cool life rather than being obsessed with money or attention. But don’t get me wrong, I like those too.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What part of yourself refuses to become content?
LEVI SEBREE: I haven’t come this far to come this far.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: Have you ever regretted being perceived?
LEVI SEBREE: I don’t think so.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s your most irrational luxury?
LEVI SEBREE: I’m very much so a “high-low princess.” I think it’s growing up poor that makes me pretty frugal in things that I should probably just spend the money on. Example: I refused to hire someone to carry my new couch up my 6 floor walk up and I hurt myself. However, I do love luxurious things. I eat really well. I frequently eat steak and caviar with my hard-earned money. I like airport lounges. I buy VIP tickets.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s something you’re gatekeeping?
LEVI SEBREE: BNTO rental. Cool girl rental company for girls that hate wearing the same thing (me).
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s one thing you’ve become known for that surprises you?
LEVI SEBREE: Being imaginary. LOL, I love it because when you’re imaginary you can literally do anything you want, so I just do anything I want at all times. It’s awesome. :)
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: If someone made a reality show about your life specifically, what would a week with Levi look like?
LEVI SEBREE: I might be the busiest person I know and I like rationing my decision by saying it’s “for the plot,” so it would be really fun. Probably a mix of me doing a bunch of niche hobbies, getting myself in a ton of interesting situations, running around planning events and going to them, doing silly and also really cool things with Bailey, dating a bunch of weirdos. I could go on and on. Mix that with being an Aquarius living in NYC. Chaotic good.
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s more valuable: good taste or good timing?
LEVI SEBREE: This is a really good question, but I think good taste. Good timing is interwoven with the flow of the universe. You can manipulate the universe by manifesting (AKA the timing will find its way to you).
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: What’s the most expensive thing your personality has ever bought you?
LEVI SEBREE: Maybe not the most expensive, but I dated a guy that owned a 3-D printer company and so he gave me a bunch of 3-d printers and other tools. That was cool.
“I dated a guy that owned a 3-D printer company and so he gave me a bunch of 3-d printers and other tools. That was cool.”
COMMODIFICATION OF SELF: If your brand disappeared tomorrow, who would you be?
LEVI SEBREE: I don’t know. Probably a new character in the simulation and do it all over again.
Levi Sebree is a NYC-based event planner and reality TV star. You can keep up with her on Instagram and Substack.
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