Taken from the autumn 2022 issue of Dazed. You can buy a copy of our latest issue here.

It’s the crack of dawn when I log on to my Zoom call with Devin Halbal, the New York multi-hyphenate known to her 380.6k TikTok followers as @Hal.Baddie. The sun is still on annual leave, but the second Halbal enters the chat from Denmark, wearing a baby-yellow tee with her brown curls framing her face, an immeasurable amount of sunshine is bestowed upon us. At just 24, she has captured the hearts of her followers – or ‘dolls’, as she calls them – with her humorous videos that blend spirituality, wit and travel vlogging with an effortless style. She proves time and time again to be a master wordsmith. Her phrases, including “Met Gala Behaviour” and “Elevate, Activate, Appreciate”, are embedded in the Gen-Z lexicon. Through her videos documenting her adventures as a trans woman travelling alone, she inspires a new generation of dolls to live, love and laugh their way through their best lives. Over Zoom, we spoke about travelling solo, the perks of being a Cancer and how to create a positive social media experience.

So, I have to start this with a doll check-in.

Hal Baddie: Doll check-in!!!

How is the doll doing today?

HB: I’m doing great. I went for a walk and had some juice; I’m not too hungry today. But how are you, what is your doll check-in today?

The doll check-in is, I’m up, it’s early, my ring lights are on, OK! The baby hairs are laid;…