Peet Montzingo might just be the only influencer who has promoted a children’s book by posting a video of himself dropping his robe and flashing a six-pack. But Montzingo is clever, because he knows he actually needs to capture the attention of moms. Humor is just one of the reasons why over 20 million followers across social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube find themselves deeply engaged and supportive of his endeavors.
Montzingo recently released Little Imperfections: A Tale of Growing Up Different, a dazzling new picture book that addresses the universal themes of being different, feeling like you don't fit in, and finding yourself along the way. The story features Montzingo, who grew up as the only "tall" sibling in a family of little people, and his family.
“I wanted to relate and help people who don’t fit in and be an advocate for dwarfism,” Montzingo tells LittleThings.
Little Imperfections allows topics such as adversity and mental health to be discussed in an open platform that shows how being different just means you are unique. It also helps families open the conversation on dwarfism and how each family journeys through life together — in the good times and the bad — just like Montzingo does with his family. The overall message stresses that just because you may be different from your friends and family does not make you any less of a person worthy of living an impactful life.
“I have never felt like I truly belonged anywhere and always felt like my perspective in life was jaded based on my upbringing,” Montzingo says. “I realized, however, that all the things I thought were my weakness are my strengths. Now I feel it’s part of my calling to help people realize that within themselves.”
The story follows Montzingo as he leaves home and moves to Los Angeles. “In full transparency, I used to just want to be famous,” he says. “I think a lot of that has to do with not feeling seen when I was younger. Over the last couple years, that goal has now changed, and I feel I’m here in Los Angeles to do something much more meaningful.”
He began posting in 2008 — when, he says, “no one cared” — and then more seriously when he moved to LA because he thought it would help his career. “The funny thing is, as I stopped caring, it started happening because I was being myself. I actually started as an actor that switched to music. It was in the middle of an arena tour with my band opening when COVID happened, so the label sent us all home. I thought it was the end of my career, so I posted a short video. It turned out to be super viral, and the rest is history.”
Montzingo’s mom has since moved to LA to be near him and is a frequent guest in his videos. “She will never admit it but she loves it,” he says. “She always tells me, ‘I am doing for you’ or ‘I’m helping you for the views,’ but I can read past that this is in her bones, too, because she grew up as an actress, not surprisingly. She lived in LA till she met my dad and had me and my siblings in Seattle.”
When asked to share some stories about growing up, he says, “When you’re born half of your mother's size, you know there’s gonna be some good stories. I am not gonna lie, it definitely has perks. All the higher storage space I claimed as my own. I would annoy my big brother, but he can never beat me up. It was the perfect-size house until I was 8 and a hazard for the rest of my childhood years.”
While most of his content is meant to humor, there are also some more serious conversations, such as his ADHD diagnosis. “I was diagnosed when I was 17,” he explains. “I'm so glad I got my diagnosis, because up to that point I always had disconnects with people around me, my family, and academically. Getting the diagnosis helped [me] understand where I need extra help, but also helped me recognize I have super powers. Now, since I am an entrepreneur, sometimes it’s really difficult, but I truly believe it allowed me to reach where I am today.”
He feels it’s important to speak out about our differences and our mental health struggles. “For some reason, there is a stigma around feeling different whether that’s mental, physical, or spiritual. I believe that the things that make us different are the things that make us beautiful. I think it’s so important to talk about these things and normalize them, because everyone has a unique perspective on life. Each perspective has its own value and beauty.”
Montzingo also encourages others to reframe weaknesses as strengths. “I wouldn’t even say it’s about being more positive, to be honest. I struggle with that so much still, because it’s not something you can just turn on and off easily. But recognizing what you think is a weakness — which is usually just something you view as an insecurity, but actually it’s unique perspective you bring to this world — understanding the value in that, and accepting, loving, and owning that unapologetically I think is the key to making what you think your weaknesses are a strength.”
Moving forward, he’s focusing on music, which he calls his lifeline. “It has always been an outlet for me and a place to feel safe. It’s also something I’m involved with professionally.”
But don’t be surprised if you see a sitcom around Montzingo and his family sometime in the future, because he’s been pitching to networks. “I think no matter your background, everyone has felt like they’re different or misunderstood, so a show like that would resonate with a lot of people.”
Montzingo’s message certainly has reached new heights.
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