Heart of the Woods Interview: Tara

Hey everyone, Rachel here again! I’ve got another character interview this week. Hope you enjoy! (This interview takes place before the events of Heart of the Woods, just fyi)

Before my interview with Tara Bryck, internet star and host of Taranormal, I know I’ve got my work cut out for me. She’s already got a reputation for causing trouble during interviews, and this looks to be no exception. She arrives to the studio 15 minutes late, carrying a cup of iced coffee and wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words “Skate Fast, Eat Ass”. As soon as the cameras turn on, she beams at them and offers an overdramatic wink before flopping into her chair. Oh boy.

Elisheva: Tara, thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down with us for an interview.

Tara: You kidding me? I’m always down to talk to a cute girl.

Elisheva: I….see. Anyway, let’s begin. For starters, I’d like to talk about Taranormal. How did you first come up with the idea?

Tara: Well, it all started about 6 or so years ago, back when I was in my freshman year at college. Man, college sucked. I was just so bored all the time and it just didn’t feel like there was a point to any of it. That’s when Maddie asked me to be in some student film she was working on for her major.

Elisheva: Did she ever finish it?

Tara: Definitely not. I love Mads to death, but I don’t think she’s finished a single personal film project in her life. Anyway, I’ve always been the kind of girl who likes putting on a show, but when I got in front of a camera it was like my third eye snapped open. It just felt right, y’know? So I decided I wanted to do more.

Elisheva: So you started Taranormal to be in front of a camera?

Tara: I mean, what can I say, I look damn good when the camera’s on me.

She winks at me and brings her hands up into her trademark finger guns. As cocky as she is, I can’t deny that she does have a natural sort of charm to her.

Tara: Anyway, I got myself a semi-decent webcam and just started uploading videos talking about my favorite things: aliens, cryptids, supernatural occurrences...the works. I was making plenty of jokes, sure, but I take that stuff very seriously, and I guess people like that.

Elisheva: So you do believe in everything you talk about?

Tara: Hell yeah I do! I don’t care how many people think I’m full of shit, I know that we live in a world full of secrets and mysteries and I’m not gonna let a bunch of people that are super determined to be boring get in the way of the truth. And clearly I’m not the only one who feels that way.

Elisheva: You recently hit a quarter of a million subscribers, correct?

Tara: You know it.. Most popular trans lesbian vlogger around. And I’m just getting started. Once I get some real proof while I’m in…..uh…..

Elisheva: Eysenfeld?

Tara: YEAH! EYSENFELD! That’s the place. And I know it’s gonna be the place where I finally get some real proof on video. Once I do, 250k is gonna seem like chump change.

Elisheva: Well, I know we’re all rooting for you here at Élan.

Tara: Listen, as long as I’ve got your personal support, I’m more than happy.

Another massive grin followed by an even more comical wink. I’d heard stories about her being a flirt, but I didn’t expect her to be so direct this early on. Although I suppose I’m not complaining.

Elisheva: I’d like to go back to a point you just made about your popularity as a trans lesbian. Have you had to deal with much backlash as a result of your identity?

Tara: Oh sure, plenty of stuff. Bunch of shitty comments, gross emails, stuff like that. But honestly, it doesn’t really bother me. They’re just jealous that I’m famous and they’re not. They can stay mad.

Elisheva: That’s a really good way to look at things. And I’m sure you get plenty of positive support to balance it out.

Tara: Like you wouldn’t believe. I get tons of emails from people telling me how much the show means to them, how happy they are that I do what I do….and some love letters here and there, which are pretty great.

Elisheva: It’s no secret that you have a reputation for being a bit of a flirt.

Tara: A bit? I better step up my game.

Elisheva: Is it just something you do for fun? Or are you looking for the right person to actually settle down with?

Tara: Why? Are you interested?

I don’t respond, instead fidgeting in my chair. I’ve been a journalist for years, but this is my first time actually being flirted with in the middle of a professional interview. She resumes speaking after a moment, seemingly completely undaunted by the experience.

Tara: Look, I love girls. I love going to gay clubs, I love spending time with groups of girls, and I’m always down to hang out with a cute girl one-on-one. But dating just isn’t my thing. I don’t have any issue with the idea of it, and I’m all for girls settling down with other girls in general, but I just don’t see myself ever really doing anything domestic. I tried a few times when I was younger, and it just didn’t feel right.

Elisheva: No shame in that.

Tara: Last thing I want to do is ever string anyone on, though. That’s shitty. I try to be upfront about things, and most girls are fine with that. I’ve got plenty that I’m really good friends with, and I’m perfectly happy leaving it at that.

Elisheva: So you’re 100% sure that there isn’t a single girl out there who could possibly make you want to date them?

Tara: Definitely not. Not in a million years.

Elisheva: Well, I’m glad you have it figured out. I’m sure nothing in the near future is going to change that in any way.

Tara: Uh…..obviously.

Elisheva: Well, I think that’s going to be it for me. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Tara: Hang on, hang on. Before we stop, I want to ask you a question.

Elisheva: That seems perfectly fair to me. Ask away.

Tara: Do you want to maybe grab a coffee after this?

I’m choosing to keep my response off the record to preserve my journalistic integrity. See you all next time!