“Zara” Marks the First Film Inspired by a Twitter Thread – Here’s the Story Behind It

In 2015, Twitter threads weren’t as popular as they are today. Yet, one user, known as A’Ziah King, who now goes by Zara, created a gripping 148-tweet saga that began with the line, “Y’all wanna hear a story about why me and this girl fell out?” This thread detailed a (mostly) factual account of a wild road trip to a strip club in Florida that took a dark turn. If that opening tweet doesn’t grab your attention, trust me, it’s definitely worth reading. You can find an archived version of the Twitter thread on Imgur.

Saying this tweet thread went viral is an understatement, especially since viral tweets were not yet a phenomenon. Nonetheless, the thread quickly gained fame as #TheStory, and by November of that year, King had shared her experiences in a revealing interview with Rolling Stone. Fast forward six years, and “Zara” has debuted as the first-ever movie adapted from a series of tweets, with A’Ziah King serving as an executive producer.

The Narrative

The narrative is a whirlwind filled with money, intimacy, sex work, pimps, financial woes, mental health struggles, sex trafficking, and even murder. King reflected to Rolling Stone, “I drew in people who might typically shy away from a sex trafficking narrative because it was entertaining.”

Her Twitter portrayal of the events is candid, unapologetic, and utterly captivating—like a train wreck you can’t help but watch. It kicks off with her chance meeting of Jessica Rae Swiatkowski at a Hooters, where they bond over their experiences and exchange phone numbers. The next day, Jessica texts, “Girl, let’s go to Florida,” and Zara is all in. Thus begins the chaotic adventure.

Zara soon learns that Jessica’s “roommate” is actually her pimp, which is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the drama that unfolds during the trip. And believe me; this is just a taste of the wild ride that the 148-tweet thread offers. The Twitter saga is filled with outrageous twists and turns. However, be warned: it contains themes that may trigger those who have faced sexual violence, abuse, or assault. If you’re up for a scandalous tale, grab your favorite drink and prepare for the ride.

A’Ziah King’s Role

Despite the outrageous nature of the thread, it’s noteworthy that A’Ziah King, aka Zara, has been recognized as the original author of this story, and she played an integral role in its cinematic adaptation. Director Janicza Bravo and writer Jeremy O’Harris prioritized her voice, ensuring her text remained the “guiding force” for the film. Every time a line from King’s original tweets is quoted in the movie, a Twitter notification sound is played as a tribute to her and her source material. Bravo emphasized that it serves as “a nod and a bow” to King’s contributions. Regardless of personal opinions about her, it’s impossible to overlook King’s compelling writing style.

Maintaining the essence of her original Twitter narrative was crucial for King. She told Time Magazine, “There’s a lot of misrepresentation surrounding sex work. It’s often either overly glamorized or completely dehumanizing. It was vital to portray my experiences accurately… I wanted it to reflect the reality for Black women—especially for Black sex workers.”

Looking Ahead

Currently, King is actively involved in promoting “Zara” and is also releasing her book “The Story,” which recounts her viral Twitter thread. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, she is a mother of two and describes herself on Instagram as a writer, artist, songwriter, and philanthropist.

Looking ahead, King expressed to Time Magazine, “I’m open to continuing down this career path. I have the content, I have the talent… So, I hope to keep writing in some capacity.”

Summary

Zara’s film is a groundbreaking adaptation of a Twitter thread that captivated audiences with its raw and entertaining narrative about a chaotic trip filled with drama. A’Ziah King, the original creator, has been pivotal in ensuring her story is authentically represented in the film. The project highlights both the challenges and triumphs of sharing a personal journey, particularly for individuals in marginalized communities.