From Diplomat to Beauty Queen: A Journey of Advocacy

Taryn Delanie is a content creator and a former Miss New York. Taryn grew up in Seattle and originally had her heart set on becoming a diplomat. She gained a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from St. John’s University, and even spent time in Paris working in diplomacy. But when she was studying for a master’s degree in international communication and intercultural studies at St. John’s (and trying to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic), she started posting comedic videos on TikTok. She immediately went viral, and her second-ever video—which was of reviewing her less-than-desirable NYC apartment—currently has over 21 million views. She started posting regularly, with fans loving her honest, joyful sense of humor. Ever the multitasker, in 2022, she won the Miss New York pageant, spending her time raising awareness of housing insecurity, and in 2023, she became the first runner-up for Miss America. In the last year, she’s grown her following and created new and instantly beloved characters like Denise, a receptionist in heaven. She’s also explored new opportunities such as co-hosting the Amazon Prime talk show Influenced.