TikTok, like any other social media app, is a great platform where users can share any content they want, with cool features that allow them to come out with some of the most incredible videos out there. The platform has produced some of the most well-known influencers, including those from the Land of the Hornbills.
From humble beginnings to newfound fame
The year was 2020. It’s the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and everybody is staying home.
On the other hand, there was a social media application called TikTok that, little did we know, two years later, would become as popular as other social media such as Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram.
A website called Search Engine Journal has ranked Tiktok at number five in the top 10 social media apps of this year so far.
Three Sarawakian TikTok influencers, namely Darren Gilbert, a 24-year-old recent graduate from Kuching, Elyshia Abegail, a 26-year-old student and full-time content creator from Kuching; and Kimberly Fong, a 21-year-old student and part-time content creator from Sibu, understand what it feels like to achieve success and to gain fame by just posting their random or niche videos on the platform.
The New Sarawak Tribune recently reached out to these influencers and discussed their humble beginnings, how they deal with criticism, what’s next for their journey, and most importantly, a piece of advice for those who want to follow in their footsteps.
PANDEMIC MADE THEM DO IT
Elyshia, who is known for her sketch videos, said that during the early days of Movement Control Order (MCO), she did not intend to join the social media as a content creator.
“Just like other people, I’m on TikTok just to watch other people’s content. One day, I decided to try to make one TikTok video.
“Somehow it went viral, so starting from there, I just kept making it. I guess you can say that COVID-19 played a huge part,” she said.
Initially, Kimberly, who is known for her makeup, dance, and other funny videos, revealed that she disliked TikTok because it “doesn’t seem cool” at first. Then her sister asked her to download the app and watch the videos together.
“From that moment on, I saw some of the videos and thought, ‘this is not bad at all,’ and I should help break the stereotype. So I gave it a shot,” she explained.
While Elyshia and Kimberly started doing videos during the pandemic, Darren, who is known for his dance videos, explained that during the last night of 2019 (New Year’s Eve), he remembered that his friend wanted to do the trendy dance on TikTok.
“At that time, I already had a TikTok account and I figured, why not? So I learned the dance, posted it, and ever since then, I’ve been doing dance videos because I feel that it’s actually quite fun,” he said.
THEIR FIRST EVER VIDEO
The first video Kimberly has ever made was the transition makeup video, and she revealed that the video was so bad.
“I felt like I was cool, you know, and I couldn’t find the time, so I just held my phone, hid myself, and then boom, my face with make-up. And yeah, that was the first video I made,” she explained.
Elyshia then revealed that the first video she made was the one with her dad and her sister, in which there’s a question as to whether the father will pick between her or her sister.
“I think I posted it on Instagram,” she said.
Meanwhile, Darren’s first video was of him dancing to the song “The Weekend” by American singer SZA.
THE MOMENT THEY WENT VIRAL
Darren pointed out that the video that made him go viral was a controversial one. “It was the trolley video, one where the camera panned out and I danced to the mashup of two songs: “Anaconda’ by Nicki Minaj and ‘Like a G6’ by Far East Movement.
“It was controversial because it went viral on Twitter for the wrong reason; it was posted during MCO and I danced without wearing a mask. People were really pissed off about it, but I just brushed it off, and in the end, I just left it there,” he explained.
Elyshia then said that it was her sketch content of a friend teasing another that made her go viral. “It was posted on the MELETOP! Instagram page, and it received millions of likes and was shared on other social media,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kimberly shared that she went viral twice, thanks to her videos.
“It was the ‘bruh’ girl and the cute girl doing stuff. That’s the first.
“The second time was when I picked which Maggi noodle was the best. I held three flavours of Maggi noodles in my hands — the Asam Laksa, Tom Yam, and Curry — and at the end, I chose Curry as the best flavour. The video made people debate and argue in the comments,” she said while laughing about it during the interview via Zoom.
FAME AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
The three of them have quite different answers when asked how becoming a TikTok celebrity affected their lives.
Darren shared that at first he did not think fame got into him until he came across two strangers sitting at a Mamak restaurant.
“I was in the car and somehow they stared at me, and of course I stared at them back. They approached me and said ‘I think I saw you on TikTok’.
“From that moment, it hit me that this is actually happening. I finally got recognised from TikTok,” he said.
Elyshia shared that through her newfound fame, not only was she able to meet new people, but she was also able to work with brands and, of course, meet her followers outside of TikTok and collaborate with other TikTok famous.
Kimberly felt that she got to earn a little bit of side income, meet cool new people, expand her connections, and most importantly, have an opportunity to talk about serious issues, awareness, and something that helps people.
“I always want to help small businesses, and I don’t often charge them high prices because I understand that you’re just starting, and I tried to give them as much exposure as they deserve.
“For instance, there’s this one jewellery brand, a small business. I told her I wouldn’t charge her anything to promote her products. She gave me her nose piercings and just let me pick which one I liked. I did my part, and next thing I know, her business is growing and I’m very happy for her,” she shared.
IS TIKTOK THE FUTURE AND WHAT’S NEXT?
All three of them agreed that TikTok has taken over social media for now.
“Take Instagram, for example. You can see the reels feature on the app and people are actually uploading their TikTok videos on the reels itself,” said Darren.
Elyshia and Kimberly also felt the same that TikTok has taken social media and some of the social media right now are copying TikTok and its features.
While Darren said that he will continue doing more dance videos and looking for jobs soon while waiting for opportunities to present themselves, Elyshia revealed that she went on a casting audition and got the role.
“I’m also working with this one director. Maybe I’ll be the writer for a show, and I also want to venture into business as well. However, there’s a lot to juggle with at the moment, so business is something I will look forward to next,” she said.
Kimberly said that she will continue with her career as a content creator on Youtube and wants to get out of her comfort zone.
“As for a new project, not at the moment, because I’ll be busy with my clinical placement next semester, so I’m not taking any risk. Maybe one day, but certainly not at the moment,” she explained.
DON’T READ THE COMMENTS
When asked about how to deal with criticism online, Darren shared that he has the type of attitude where he doesn’t care about what other people say about him, and if he ever sees hate comments, he could reply with positive ones or just simply ignore them.
Even though it’s not something they’ve grown accustomed to, Elyshia and Kimberly said that they are rarely triggered by hate comments.
“I just brushed it off and these days I don’t respond to any comments anymore as I don’t find any benefits from doing so. Just like Darren, I don’t care and it feels great,” said Elyshia.
“For me, if I see hate comments, I remove them, block the account, and turn the filter comments on. That feature is very helpful,” said Kimberly.
A PIECE OF ADVISE
Darren explained that in order to go viral, content creators need to find their niche first, something that the creator wants to be known for and would like to show.
“For me, I started off as a dance video, so that’s my niche content. Once you find it, eventually you will get recognised for it in no time,” he said.
Elyshia never thought that her silly videos would bring her to the level of fame that she is today.
“I would never thought that just uploading content that I’m just not sure about and embarrassed by would get me to where I am today, because I always have insecurity and doubts.
“So my advice is, if you love it, just do it. Don’t care about what other people say. If it makes you happy, just do it,” she said.
Kimberly advises the people to take things slow as they wouldn’t expect any of their content to go viral.
“Just enjoy and be yourself. Be comfortable around social media but make sure you have boundaries, know your privacy. The are limits after all — things you should and shouldn’t show.
“Don’t take things too seriously, don’t get involved in any drama. It will ruin your reputation. If it’s meant that you’d get famous there, it will eventually happen to you someday,” said Kimberly.
