Audrey Bradford left her hometown of Albuquerque at 18 with nothing but determination and a risky housing arrangement with a stranger in Los Angeles. Today, the actress and content creator, known professionally as “Drey,” has built a following of over 740,000 across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, and secured partnerships with major brands, including REVOLVE, PrettyLittleThing, and SHEIN.

“I didn’t want to work the 9-to-5. I went for the 24/7,” Audrey says of her career as a content creator and actress. This commitment to constant creation has defined her decade-long journey working across both traditional entertainment and digital media.

Audrey’s path, however, began with a split-second decision that changed the trajectory of her life. “I always had big dreams of becoming a celebrity,” she recalls. “Once I turned 18, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to come to LA. There was this guy who said, ‘You can live with me.’ I had no idea who he was, but I wanted to be in LA so badly that I moved in with him.”

This risky move, which Audrey acknowledges could have “turned bad really quick,” gave her a foothold in the city where she would build her career. Initially focused on modeling, she connected with IMD, an agency based in Oregon. Her career trajectory shifted when her agents recognized her vocal talents.

“My agents were like, ‘You have a great voice. Let’s try commercials and acting,’” she recalls. This led Audrey to IMTA, the International Modeling and Talent Association, a major industry convention where she showcased her talents to agents from across the country.

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At IMTA, Audrey quickly found that traditional modeling wasn’t her path forward. “I realized fast that I was short for modeling,” she says. Instead, she was signed by Maverick Agency for acting, a pivotal redirection that opened new opportunities, although success didn’t come overnight. “I got plenty of ‘on-the-cusp’ opportunities,” she says. “I was always the stand-in.”

The Social Media Breakthrough

While pursuing acting from 2014 to 2016, Audrey began creating content on social media, particularly Snapchat, which later migrated to Instagram. Her breakthrough came through Arsenic, a women-led content collective that proved instrumental to her early success.

“I always credit Arsenic for my early social media success,” Audrey says. “They were the ones I started doing social media work for, and that’s where I gained recognition.”

The Arsenic community operated on principles of mutual support and collaboration. “We’d get a bunch of girls together for social gatherings, parties, events,” she recalls. “We’d literally write our passwords on paper and swap accounts for an hour or so.” This collaborative approach allowed creators to cross-promote and quickly grow their audiences.

What differentiated Arsenic, and thus Audrey’s early content, was its philosophy of female empowerment. “It was about embracing your femininity and sexuality as a woman, but in a classy way,” she says. “It wasn’t porn. It was women taking control of their lives and their love for their bodies.”

Arsenic encouraged Audrey to leverage her personality alongside her appearance. “He told me, ‘You’ve got a great personality. Use it. You’re pretty, but you’ve got more going for you,’” Audrey recalls. That advice helped her develop a content style that went beyond looks to showcase her real self.

Working Across Two Industries

Today, Audrey has built parallel careers in both social media and traditional entertainment. Her screen credits include Ray Donovan (“Chinese Algebra”), Netflix’s BlackAF, and New Girl, along with commercial work for brands such as Cinépolis, Uber, and True Car. Her training includes UCB [Upright Citizens Brigade] improv through Level 4 and classes at iO West, following in the footsteps of comedy stars like Amy Poehler, Donald Glover, and Tina Fey.

Initially, Audrey worried that her sensual content might limit her acting opportunities. “I used to think being a sexy, Playboy-type creator would hurt my acting career,” she says. “But Arsenic told me, ‘No, actually, the industry’s opening up to creators like you.’”

This gave Audrey confidence to embrace her identity. “It pushed me to put myself out there,” she says. “To own it instead of hiding it.”

Currently, Audrey dedicates about 80% of her time to social media while using the remaining 20% strategically for acting. “I’ve stepped back from acting because I want to focus more on training,” she says. Her improv training, she adds, boosted her confidence and flexibility. “You don’t always need to know your lines as long as you know the essence of the campaign.”

Audrey is currently managed by Realé The Agency, a talent management company founded by Michelle Xuxu (“Zoo-Zoo”).

Platform Strategies and Content Creation

Her approach to content creation varies by platform. “I’m pickier about what goes on Instagram; quality over quantity,” she says. “But on TikTok, I’m newer, so it’s more quantity over quality.”

She sees distinct advantages to each. “I love Instagram for fashion inspiration,” Audrey says. “I prefer photos when I’m looking for Pinterest-type ideas because you can zoom in and see details.” In contrast, she appreciates TikTok’s unfiltered vibe: “TikTok is more raw. I use it like my story.”

For YouTube, she notes the challenge of keeping viewers engaged. “People have short attention spans,” she says. “On YouTube, you have to keep changing subjects or you’ll lose them.”

Behind the scenes, Audrey operates as what she calls a “one-man band,” handling most of her business herself. “I do most of my own editing for YouTube and Instagram,” she says, adding that she works with a videographer, but manages most of the planning and post-production independently.

To streamline her process, Audrey has started using AI tools like ChatGPT for content planning. “It helps me with scripts for social media reels and promos,” she says. “I give it an idea and a direction to go in.” The goal, she adds, is to make promotional content feel genuine, not salesy.

Brand Partnerships

Audrey’s portfolio includes collaborations with major fashion and beauty brands, but her approach has always been proactive. “I’d just email brands and ask, ‘Do you want to collaborate?’” she says. “I’ve always had a high engagement rate, which really helped.”

That persistence meant facing rejection. “I took a lot of no’s,” Audrey admits. “It’s important not to let that get you down. Just keep going.” Over time, her growing track record made brands take notice. “The more I worked with, the easier it was to land new ones,” she says.

When selecting partnerships, Audrey prioritizes alignment with her own interests. “When I say no, it’s because it doesn’t fit me or my fans,” she says. Rather than limiting herself to one niche, she’s expanded her content scope.

“I’ve been breaking more into tech. Before, it was mostly fashion and beauty,” she says. Recent e-bike reviews have opened new doors. “Never niche down,” Audrey advises. “If you can do it all, you’ll never be bored.”

Maintaining Relevance Through Honesty

With nearly a decade in the industry, Audrey has sustained her career through platform changes and trends by focusing on honesty and consistency.

“Posting at least once a week is key. Out of sight, out of mind,” she says. “If you’re not posting, people forget fast.”

Beyond consistency, she attributes her longevity to transparency. “I’ve always been truthful. I don’t hide my age or interests,” she says. “People see that, and it keeps them around.”

Audrey’s diverse interests, including volunteering at her local animal shelter, help her connect with audiences. “Some followers tell me that’s why they follow me,” she says. “Show your interests. You never know what resonates.”

Embracing Change and Future Directions

At 29, Audrey approaches her 30s with confidence. “I’m showing how I stay confident at this age,” she says. “Honestly, I feel prettier now than I did in my early 20s.”

Her content plans are maturing in tandem with her life. “I want to do more home and lifestyle content, redoing my bathroom, my kitchen,” she says. It’s a natural shift as her audience matures with her.

She plans to adapt her content as she ages. “In my 40s and 50s, I want to show fashion and confidence at that age,” she says. “I actually look forward to those years.”

One surprise for fans might be her long-term dream: “I want to go off grid someday,” she says. “After living in the city so long, I want to go solar, no city water, completely self-sustained.” The desire, she notes, connects to her roots. “I grew up on a farm. I escaped it for the city, but now I kind of want it back.”

Nevertheless, Audrey’s path from small-town dreamer to established multi-platform talent has given her clear advice for others. “Fake it till you make it,” she says. “Act like you’re the sh*t, even if you’re not yet. Be your own advocate and stay positive. People notice that.”

She stresses resilience. “Don’t fear no’s because you’ll get them. Everyone does. It’s part of the journey.”

For those seeking sustainability over virality, she recommends experimentation. “Stick with it,” she concludes. “Don’t get discouraged by low views. Try different things and see what clicks. It’ll come naturally.”

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