Most content creators in the world may never know what it feels like to have content that surpasses 1 million views, much less 9.8 million. The fascinating career trajectory of Chontelle Sewett is a true testament to the unending dynamism of Caribbean women and a tale of exploration.
As vibrant and gregarious as Caribbean culture is, it often shuns those who are fearless about stepping out of the box. But Chontelle Sewett is never held captive by cultural expectations of what she should or shouldn’t be. Sports, particularly martial arts gave Chontelle the requisite mental fortitude to navigate her multifaceted career. She began her journey in Karate at 6 years old and had the privilege of representing her beloved nation of Guyana in the sport, both regionally and internationally.
“Karate taught me discipline, focus, and precision, which are key to my work,” she explains. “In graphic design, discipline helps me stay consistent and meet deadlines, while focus allows me to refine designs until they meet my standards.” The pressure of being a youth athlete is what allows her to handle her social media popularity with minimal ego. She extols the sport for the way it has shaped her character.
“Growing up in karate, with my sister as my role model and my dad as my coach, instilled strong self-discipline in me,” Chontelle reflects. “Training taught me to stay consistent and push through challenges, while also emphasizing respect, responsibility, and patience. This foundation helped to show my approach to tackling goals and handling pressure in all aspects of my life.”
Known for her eclectic content style spanning eccentric makeup videos to lifestyle content Chontelle’s personality and core motivations could easily be misunderstood. Social media for her is merely an avenue to showcase her skills as a makeup artist, but her true passion is found in advocacy and helping others, as evidenced by her volunteer work with UNICEF and the youth parliament in Guyana.
Utilizing the characteristics of determination and resilience that martial arts taught her, at 19 years old she branched off into starting her own graphic design company called “ChAnse Designs,” which she has owned and operated for just over a decade. Just before COVID, she fell in love with makeup as another form of creative expression, and her astronomical rise on social media is heavily based on her work in that creative facet.
Her immense charisma and technical ability drive her content’s resonance with her fast-growing audience. She shamelessly reiterates how Karate gave her the foundation to excel in a field that seems totally unrelated on the surface. “As a makeup artist, especially with SFX, the precision I developed through karate is essential for detailed work under pressure—which I seem to do pretty well,” she says. “Overall, karate’s principles of perseverance and respect guide me to deliver quality consistently and maintain strong client relationships.”
Scarcity can sometimes be as daunting as excess, and for someone as multifaceted as Chontelle Sewett, the ability to remain poised and committed to her plethora of dreams is both admirable and undoubtedly taxing. “It’s challenging sometimes,” she admits, “but I’ve always had a passion and a knack for art, so expressing my creativity feels natural and enjoyable to me. Whether it’s graphic design, makeup, or fashion, they all fall under the same creative umbrella, and I’m driven by the urge to be different and stand out.”
This drive motivates her to put in the work and manage her time effectively. “It allows me to prioritize each project without feeling overwhelmed,” Chontelle explains. “It’s not just about staying busy, it’s about channeling my creativity into what I genuinely love doing. They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life and I’m a firm believer in that.”
