In 2015, Twitter threads were still an emerging concept. However, A’Ziah King, known to her followers as Zara, crafted a 148-tweet narrative that kicked off with, “Y’all want to hear a story about why I fell out with this b*tch?” This thread recounts a (mostly) true adventure involving a Florida road trip to a strip club, culminating in a shootout. If that initial tweet doesn’t grab your attention, trust me, it’s worth a read. (You can check out an archived version of the Twitter thread on Imgur.)
Describing the tweet thread as viral would be an understatement, as viral tweets were a novelty at the time. Yet, the thread quickly became a sensation known as #TheStory, and by November of that year, King shared her experience in an interview with Rolling Stone. Fast forward six years, and “Zara” has debuted as the first-ever movie adapted from a Twitter series, with A’Ziah King serving as an executive producer.
The narrative is an emotional whirlwind, overflowing with themes of money, sex, sex work, pimps, financial struggles, mental health issues, sex trafficking, and even murder. King remarked to Rolling Stone, “I made people who might not want to hear a sex trafficking story interested in it because it was entertaining.”
Zara’s Twitter account presents the story in a raw, unapologetic manner that makes it almost impossible to look away. It begins with her meeting Jessica Rae Swiatkowski at a Hooters, where they hit it off and exchange numbers. The following day, Jessica texts, “Bitch, let’s go to Florida,” and Zara is in. Thus begins the chaotic adventure.
As Zara learns who’ll be accompanying them, she discovers that Jessica’s “roommate” is actually her pimp. Yes, that’s correct—Jessica is traveling with both her boyfriend and her pimp, setting the stage for impending chaos.
And believe me, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The 148 tweets are packed with jaw-dropping moments. I’ll let you delve into the wild specifics of the Twitter saga before you watch the film. Just a heads up: the story is incredibly bold and may trigger those who have experienced sexual violence, abuse, or assault. But if you’re in the mood for a captivating tale, grab your favorite drink and settle in.
Despite the outrageousness of this Twitter thread, it’s essential to recognize that A’Ziah King, aka Zara, has been celebrated as the originator of this narrative, and she was actively involved in bringing her story to life. It’s rare for the experiences of a sex worker and a Black woman to reach Hollywood without being stripped of their original voice.
Director Janicza Bravo and writer Jeremy O’Harris prioritized retaining Zara’s original text as the guiding principle for every decision made in the film. To honor her voice, the film includes a Twitter notification sound whenever a direct quote from King’s thread is featured. Bravo views this as “a nod to her and her source material.” Regardless of your opinions about her, King’s storytelling skills are undeniably impressive.
For King, maintaining the authenticity of her Twitter narrative was crucial. She told Time Magazine, “We already face significant misrepresentation regarding sex work—it’s either too glamorized or overly dehumanized. Keeping it true to my experience was imperative. I wanted it to accurately represent Black women, sex workers, and Black sex workers.”
Currently, King is actively promoting “Zara” and her book “The Story,” which recounts the 148-tweet saga. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, she is a mother of two daughters and describes herself on Instagram as a writer, artist, songwriter, and philanthropist. Looking ahead, King shared with Time Magazine, “I’m committed to this career path. I have the content and talent, so I hope to continue writing in some capacity.”
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In summary, “Zara” is a groundbreaking film that adapts a viral Twitter thread into a captivating narrative. A’Ziah King’s voice shines throughout, highlighting the importance of authenticity in storytelling, particularly for marginalized voices.