Estefania Vanegas Pessoa, known as Tefi, is an American TV host, podcaster, and creator. Born July 22, 1990, in Coral Gables, Miami, to Colombian and Brazilian parents, she grew up as a proud first-generation Latina. Her sharp TikTok commentary built a devoted following and opened doors to mainstream TV, including co-hosting Peacock’s Love Island USA: Aftersun.
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Tefi Pessoa – Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Estefania Vanegas Pessoa |
| Date of Birth | July 22, 1990 |
| Age | 36 Years |
| Profession | TV Host |
| Birth Place | Coral Gables, Miami, Florida |
| Hometown | Miami, Florida |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Latina (Colombian-Brazilian) |
Physical Appearance
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
Early Life
Tefi grew up in Coral Gables, a Miami neighborhood known for its tight-knit Latino community. Her mother is Colombian and her father Brazilian, and she was raised as a proud first-generation American.
She has a sister named Laura and a brother named Esteban. Both still live in Miami. Her parents separated when she was young, so her mother and grandparents took the lead in raising her.
Miami gave her a deep sense of cultural belonging. It also brought real pressures. The body-image standards of the Y2K era hit her hard. She struggled with disordered eating through those years and sought treatment at 23. She talked about that chapter with unusual honesty.
At 22, she left Miami for New York City in the fall of 2012. She had spent time in Bogotá, Colombia, first. Life in New York made the gap between how she saw herself and how others labeled her very clear. Strangers often reduced her to a Latino stereotype, and that frustration shaped what she wanted to say publicly.
Career
Tefi’s big break came on her 29th birthday. In July 2019, she auditioned for a YouTube hosting job while earning just $21,000 a year. She got the role. Her salary jumped to $200,000. The show, called Tefi, built a loyal audience fast.
COVID-19 shut it down in 2020. She had no platform and no clear next step.
TikTok became her answer. Posting from her New York apartment, she shared long, deeply researched pop-culture breakdowns. The audience grew fast, and she built around two million followers on the platform.
By 2022, UTA signed her. Red-carpet work followed, including appearances at the Oscars and Met Gala. She co-hosted Influenced on Prime Video in 2024, a step that moved her from creator to mainstream TV host. The Cut also launched her Ask Tefi advice column that year.
In August 2025, Vox Media brought her on to host Tefi Talks, a weekly podcast. And in 2026, Peacock named her co-host of Love Island USA: Aftersun alongside Ciara Miller, her highest-profile TV role yet.
Tefi Pessoa Personal Life
Tefi hasn’t shied away from talking about hard things. She has spoken openly about depression and disordered eating, including getting treatment in her early twenties. That openness earned her deep loyalty from fans who see her as more than an entertainer.
Her mother, grandparents, and siblings remain a strong presence in her life. She now lives in New York City, though Miami’s sense of community has stayed with her.
Speculation about a relationship with YouTuber Shannon Beveridge started in early 2025. The two appeared on a podcast together and were photographed at events. Marie Claire described them as a “power couple” after one public appearance. Neither has confirmed the relationship.
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Awards and Recognition
In 2024, TIME named her to its Latino Leaders list. The following year, she appeared on TIME‘s inaugural Top Creators list. Rolling Stone also recognized her among its most influential creators in 2025 and 2026.
