For this year’s edition of the Dazed 100 – our annual list of the pioneers, changemakers, and new talent who are shaping youth culture today – we asked five listees to answer our dA-Zed quiz.

Naley is a writer, filmmaker, and content creator who runs NaleybyNature, a multimedia platform which seeks to amplify underrepresented voices. Particularly drawn to reporting on global oppression, she has provided vital coverage of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. 

Here she reveals her endgame, how to get over somebody and why authenticity is underrated. 

A IS FOR... ADVICE. WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

‘The toes you step on today could be the foot up your ass tomorrow.’ 

B IS FOR… BIRTHPLACE. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

New York City!

C IS FOR… CRUSH. WHO’S YOUR ULTIMATE CRUSH?

I’m too shy to say… he follows me lol. 

D IS FOR… DREAM. WHAT WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD DREAM?

To be a foreign correspondent. 

E IS FOR… ENDGAME. WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL?

I’d love to own a successful animation studio with my best friend, Sadia. 

F IS FOR… FOR YOU PAGE. WHAT’S ON YOUR FYP RIGHT NOW?

A lot of news out of Palestine, Congo, and Sudan.

G IS FOR… GOD. DO YOU HAVE FAITH OR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE?

I am a deeply spiritual person, not religious per se, but I have a connection with my creator and myself. It’s what grounds me and helps me to continue progressing, despite how hard it gets. 

H IS FOR… HOBBY. DO YOU HAVE A NICHE HOBBY?

I love intense hot yoga, not sure if that’s a hobby. 

I IS FOR… INTERNET. WHERE DO YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME ONLINE?

Honestly, I love Facebook Marketplace. You can find the most amazing things. It’s like an online vintage market, and people sell brand-new items all the time. 

J IS FOR… JOKES. WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH MOST IN THE WORLD?

My nephews. They are so witty. 

K IS FOR… KISMET. DO YOU BELIEVE IN FATE?

Of course, I’m a certified lover girl.

L IS FOR… LOVE. WHAT’S THE MOST ROMANTIC THING THAT SOMEONE’S EVER DONE FOR YOU?

Someone flew across the world just to see me. 

M IS FOR… MEME. WHAT’S A MEME YOU REFERENCE OVER AND OVER AGAIN?

Probably anything from Cardi B. 

N IS FOR… NATURE. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL?

Tigers. 

O IS FOR… OPINION. WHAT IS YOUR MOST CONTROVERSIAL OPINION?

I think dog owners are taking it too far and are super entitled. I’ve seen people just let their dog poop anywhere and not pick it up. I’ve seen people give their dog a seat on the subway during rush hour. Dog owners are not shamed enough!

P IS FOR… PARTY. WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO OUT?

I don’t go out to parties often, but I prefer a daytime party when I do. I like a good beach or pool party situation, that way I can get home at a decent hour and sleep.

Q IS FOR… QUOTE. WHAT QUOTE DO YOU LIVE BY?

‘The bad news is, nothing lasts forever. The good news is, nothing lasts forever.’ A gentle reminder of impermanence, but also a reminder to be present. We are here to experience the highs and the lows of life.

R IS FOR… READING. IS THERE A BOOK YOU ALWAYS RETURN TO?

That’s a difficult one. I would say Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa. If you haven’t read it, you must. 

S IS FOR… STAR SIGN. WHAT ARE YOUR BIG THREE?

My sun is in Virgo, my rising is Libra, and my moon is in Capricorn.

T IS FOR… TV. WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A TV SERIES OF YOUR LIFE?

A TV series about my life sounds intense. Sometimes I think aliens watch us like a TV series. In that case, I’m the best person for the job.

U IS FOR… UNDERRATED. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU THINK IS UNDERRATED?

Authenticity. Most people strive to be authentic, but they fear being disliked too much. Authenticity isn’t rewarded, in fact it’s often punished. We are lacking originality. 

V IS FOR… VIDEO. WHAT WAS THE LAST VIDEO YOU FILMED ON YOUR PHONE? 

A video I filmed of Times Square. As a New Yorker, I avoid Times Square like the plague. It’s been years since I’ve been down there, so it was nice to see it after a while. But I took my video and got outta there. 

W IS FOR… WORLD. WHAT’S YOUR DREAM TRAVEL DESTINATION?

Wow, this is difficult. Probably the Maldives.  

X IS FOR… EX. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE TRYING TO GET OVER THEIR EX?

If you truly want to let go, you have to forgive them so you can move on.

Y IS FOR… YOUNGER SELF. WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WOULD TELL YOUR 13-YEAR-OLD SELF?

You’re going to be exactly who you wanted to be. 

Z IS FOR… ZZZ. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP AT NIGHT?

I burn palo santo to cleanse my space, I stretch, and then I meditate. That usually does it.