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That feeling when your grandma becomes a social media star

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1 year ago

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In one of her recent posts, Joan MacDonald twirls on a beach and smiles radiantly into the camera. In another, the 77-year-old exhales heavily as she squats under a weighted bar in a gym.

Among the so-called “granfluencers” on social media, the Cobourg, Ont., native is something of a heavy weight who says she’s still getting used to flexing her social media muscles and notes that “not in 1,000 years” did she see herself becoming an influencer in her 70s.

“It wasn’t on the horizon for me at all,” said MacDonald, whose journey began four years ago, when her daughter pushed her to get healthy and to share her transformation online. She was reluctant at first.

“Who’s going to listen to an old lady?” she wondered.

Turns out, a lot of people.

WATCH | Social media influencers in their golden years: 

Cashing in as an influencer at any age

 

From fitness to food to fashion, these influencers have taken social media by storm — and they could be your grandma. CBC’s Ioanna Roumeliotis talks to some of the internet’s biggest granfluencers about how they’re racking up followers and brand deals.

Her journey from overweight and unhealthy to muscled and strong has earned MacDonald nearly two million followers on Instagram and tens of millions of views on TikTok.

She says she is still overwhelmed by how many of her followers — many of them decades younger — say she gives them hope to turn their own lives around.

“It’s life changing,” MacDonald said during a recent visit to Toronto. “A lot of people say ‘I just love your smile. Like it just makes me feel happy when I look at any of your posts.’ “

Among those followers is Thornhill, Ont., resident Jodi Echakowitz, who’s also become a friend. Echakowitz, who is in her 50s, followed MacDonald’s example and transformed her own physical health. She and MacDonald spent a recent weekend together that included working out.

Echakowitz says following MacDonald’s journey taught her there are no limits to what’s possible.

“What you can do, how you can live your life and how you can turn your life around,” she said. “It’s like, I want what she’s got, you know? I want to do what she’s done. And so, yeah, it’s incredible.”

Two women, one with blond, curly hair, the other with a white bob, smile at the camera while wearing workout clothing and standing in a gym.
Jodi Echakowitz, left, has become fast friends with Joan MacDonald, a social media influencer in her 70s. Echakowitz, who is in her 50s, followed MacDonald’s example and transformed her own physical health. (Brenda Witmer/CBC)

TikTok’s boomer boom

MacDonald’s crossover appeal among demographics has not only inspired her followers, it’s made her and other older influencers a marketer’s dream.

She promotes a workout line, has a fitness app, co-authored a book with her daughter and has other deals in the works.

“It’s new but it will be normal,” said Sabaa Quao, the chief creative officer for Toronto-based Cossette marketing and communications agency.

A Black man in a black shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, smiles at the camera while seated in front of a tan sofa.
Sabaa Quao, the chief creative officer for Toronto-based Cossette marketing and communications agency, says senior influencers may soon become the new normal as boomers are themselves a huge market. (Ousama Farag/CBC )

As platforms like TikTok gain traction with older users, brands are following them there, and Quao says that’s because boomers are a huge market.

“When we think about the size of that boomer population, when we think about their economic impact in terms of spending power or disposable income, the market can’t ignore them.”

Nor can it ignore their ageless clout, says Quao.

“It is an implicit trust factor,” that he says comes with experience and wisdom.

‘Life can get better’

Gym Tan, 63, is leveraging her own life experience to take on a new role as a style influencer.

The former fashion executive based in San Francisco has deals with dozens of big-name brands and says she’s “floored” by her new accidental career.

A woman with a chin-length bob wears a blue one-shoulder dress and lounges in a wicker seat in a yellow room.
Gym Tan, 63, says her accidental career as a social media influencer shows there’s ‘no expiration date’ for women. (Submitted by Gym Tan)

“I feel that, wow, my 60s is my best era ever. Definitely as an older woman in this space. I think that I love the fact that, you know, we are actually showing that there’s no expiration date.”

Tan’s daughter and regular online fashion twin was the one who convinced her to share her outfit of the day — O.O.T.D. in social media parlance — on TikTok.

In the last year and a half Tan’s quick styling tips that usually end with a snap of her fingers, have gained her hundreds of thousands of followers. She now has a talent agent, is part of the latest Sephora squad, a yearlong, paid partnership designed to showcase content creators. She has also appeared in a global ad campaign for Clairol.

“In terms of partnerships, this is a very lucrative business,” Tan said, noting that she’s a content creator first who wants to help make fashion accessible to the everywoman.

“I’m older and I have all this experience, so why not show people just how easy it really is,” she said. “I want to give people this message that you don’t need to be afraid about getting older because life is still great. In fact, life can get better.”

While older influencers do have older followers, their biggest number of followers are those in their 20s and 30s who make up the majority of social media users and who often identify with older influencers on a nostalgic level.

An older woman with short, white hair and glasses and wearing a flowered shirt and apron, is hugged by a younger woman with long, curly black hair.
Nonna Elda Sirizzotti and her granddaughter Allessandra Requena hug while resting at a picnic table during the recording of a social media post. Sirizzotti has become so famous for her recipes and cooking tips on TikTok that she gets recognized at the grocery store in Toronto and has even published her own cookbook. (Brenda Witmer/CBC)

‘A grandma for everybody’

Elda Sirizzotti — or Nonna Elda to her followers — seems like she could be everyone’s Italian grandmother. The 83-year-old’s posts sharing traditional family recipes and cooking tips get millions of views on TikTok.

Her granddaughter, Allessandra Requena, encouraged her to share her passion for cooking last year, but was surprised at how strongly it resonated among young people.

“We have a TikTok that went very viral,” said Requena. “It has 14 million views. And it’s just, ‘This is how you open a box of pasta.’ And she bangs it on the counter. Yeah. And it just, like, really took off.”

Sirizzotti has a few collaborations, too, and has released her own cookbook. She says she’s still  getting used to being recognized at the grocery store in her Toronto neighbourhood.

One follower even called her at home telling her he cried when he watched her post because she made him miss his own late grandmother.

“I say, ‘OK, I’m gonna be your grandma,’ ” Sirizzotti told him. “I’m a grandma for everybody now!”

A woman with white hair, wearing a flowered blouse and apron, stands on a patio with her back to the camera, grilling vegetables on a barbecue as a young woman with curly dark hair watches and holds a camera and microphone up to record.
Allessandra Requena records her grandmother, Elda Sirizzotti, grilling vegetables for an upcoming TikTok post. Sirizzotti, 83, went viral with a video sharing how to open a box of pasta, but she’s kept up her social media fame by sharing family recipes, cooking tips and just generally being, in her own words, ‘a grandma for everybody.’ (Brenda Witmer/CBC)

Inspirational vibes

MacDonald says her multi-generational influence didn’t come easy, but it’s proving to be about so much more than the followers she has.

She says she went from overweight, depressed and on several medications to drug free and happier than she’s ever been in her own skin.

But she says her newfound fame isn’t even about her as much as it’s about not buying into the idea that “when you reach a certain age, life is over.”

MacDonald says she understands that a lot of people don’t love themselves. For a long time, she says she didn’t either. But that’s changed, and so has her motivation.

“It’s a very good feeling to be able to help somebody else get through life on a happier note.

 

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What to stream this weekend: ‘Civil War,’ Snow Patrol, ‘How to Die Alone,’ ‘Tulsa King’ and ‘Uglies’

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3 days ago

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September 13, 2024

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Hallmark launching a streaming service with two new original series, and Bill Skarsgård out for revenge in “Boy Kills World” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Alex Garland’s “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Natasha Rothwell’s heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone” and Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts.

NEW MOVIES TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

— Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is finally making its debut on MAX on Friday. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a veteran photojournalist covering a violent war that’s divided America; She reluctantly allows an aspiring photographer, played by Cailee Spaeny, to tag along as she, an editor (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and a reporter (Wagner Moura) make the dangerous journey to Washington, D.C., to interview the president (Nick Offerman), a blustery, rising despot who has given himself a third term, taken to attacking his citizens and shut himself off from the press. In my review, I called it a bellowing and haunting experience; Smart and thought-provoking with great performances. It’s well worth a watch.

— Joey King stars in Netflix’s adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies,” about a future society in which everyone is required to have beautifying cosmetic surgery at age 16. Streaming on Friday, McG directed the film, in which King’s character inadvertently finds herself in the midst of an uprising against the status quo. “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes plays King’s best friend.

— Bill Skarsgård is out for revenge against the woman (Famke Janssen) who killed his family in “Boy Kills World,” coming to Hulu on Friday. Moritz Mohr directed the ultra-violent film, of which Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote: “It’s a depraved vision, yet I got caught up in its kick-ass revenge-horror pizzazz, its disreputable commitment to what it was doing.”

— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr

NEW MUSIC TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

— The year was 2006. Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band, released an album, “Eyes Open,” producing the biggest hit of their career: “Chasing Cars.” A lot has happened in the time since — three, soon to be four quality full-length albums, to be exact. On Friday, the band will release “The Forest Is the Path,” their first new album in seven years. Anthemic pop-rock is the name of the game across songs of love and loss, like “All,”“The Beginning” and “This Is the Sound Of Your Voice.”

— For fans of raucous guitar music, Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller, “NOPE,” provided a surprising, if tiny, thrill. One of the leads, Emerald “Em” Haywood portrayed by Keke Palmer, rocks a Jesus Lizard shirt. (Also featured through the film: Rage Against the Machine, Wipers, Mr Bungle, Butthole Surfers and Earth band shirts.) The Austin noise rock band are a less than obvious pick, having been signed to the legendary Touch and Go Records and having stopped releasing new albums in 1998. That changes on Friday the 13th, when “Rack” arrives. And for those curious: The Jesus Lizard’s intensity never went away.

— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman

NEW SHOWS TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15

— Hallmark launched a streaming service called Hallmark+ on Tuesday with two new original series, the scripted drama “The Chicken Sisters” and unscripted series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” If you’re a Hallmark holiday movies fan, you know Chabert. She’s starred in more than 30 of their films and many are holiday themed. Off camera, Chabert has a passion for throwing parties and entertaining. In “Celebrations,” deserving people are surprised with a bash in their honor — planned with Chabert’s help. “The Chicken Sisters” stars Schuyler Fisk, Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson in a show about employees at rival chicken restaurants in a small town. The eight-episode series is based on a novel of the same name.

— Natasha Rothwell of “Insecure” and “The White Lotus” fame created and stars in a new heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.” She plays Mel, a broke, go-along-to-get-along, single, airport employee who, after a near-death experience, makes the conscious decision to take risks and pursue her dreams. Rothwell has been working on the series for the past eight years and described it to The AP as “the most vulnerable piece of art I’ve ever put into the world.” Like Mel, Rothwell had to learn to bet on herself to make the show she wanted to make. “In the Venn diagram of me and Mel, there’s significant overlap,” said Rothwell. It premieres Friday on Hulu.

— Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise and Betty Gilpin star in a new drama for Starz called “Three Women,” about entrepreneur Sloane, homemaker Lina and student Maggie who are each stepping into their power and making life-changing decisions. They’re interviewed by a writer named Gia (Woodley.) The series is based on a 2019 best-selling book of the same name by Lisa Taddeo. “Three Women” premieres Friday on Starz.

— Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday on Paramount+. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a mafia boss who was recently released from prison after serving 25 years. He’s sent to Tulsa to set up a new crime syndicate. The series is created by Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” fame.

— Alicia Rancilio

NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

— One thing about the title of Focus Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 — you know exactly what you’re in for. You are Demetrian Titus, a genetically enhanced brute sent into battle against the Tyranids, an insectoid species with an insatiable craving for human flesh. You have a rocket-powered suit of armor and an arsenal of ridiculous weapons like the “Chainsword,” the “Thunderhammer” and the “Melta Rifle,” so what could go wrong? Besides the squishy single-player mode, there are cooperative missions and six-vs.-six free-for-alls. You can suit up now on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.

— Likewise, Wild Bastards isn’t exactly the kind of title that’s going to attract fans of, say, Animal Crossing. It’s another sci-fi shooter, but the protagonists are a gang of 13 varmints — aliens and androids included — who are on the run from the law. Each outlaw has a distinctive set of weapons and special powers: Sarge, for example, is a robot with horse genes, while Billy the Squid is … well, you get the idea. Australian studio Blue Manchu developed the 2019 cult hit Void Bastards, and this Wild-West-in-space spinoff has the same snarky humor and vibrant, neon-drenched cartoon look. Saddle up on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch or PC.

— Lou Kesten

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Trump could cash out his DJT stock within weeks. Here’s what happens if he sells

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3 weeks ago

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August 23, 2024

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Former President Donald Trump is on the brink of a significant financial decision that could have far-reaching implications for both his personal wealth and the future of his fledgling social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). As the lockup period on his shares in TMTG, which owns Truth Social, nears its end, Trump could soon be free to sell his substantial stake in the company. However, the potential payday, which makes up a large portion of his net worth, comes with considerable risks for Trump and his supporters.

Trump’s stake in TMTG comprises nearly 59% of the company, amounting to 114,750,000 shares. As of now, this holding is valued at approximately $2.6 billion. These shares are currently under a lockup agreement, a common feature of initial public offerings (IPOs), designed to prevent company insiders from immediately selling their shares and potentially destabilizing the stock. The lockup, which began after TMTG’s merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is set to expire on September 25, though it could end earlier if certain conditions are met.

Should Trump decide to sell his shares after the lockup expires, the market could respond in unpredictable ways. The sale of a substantial number of shares by a major stakeholder like Trump could flood the market, potentially driving down the stock price. Daniel Bradley, a finance professor at the University of South Florida, suggests that the market might react negatively to such a large sale, particularly if there aren’t enough buyers to absorb the supply. This could lead to a sharp decline in the stock’s value, impacting both Trump’s personal wealth and the company’s market standing.

Moreover, Trump’s involvement in Truth Social has been a key driver of investor interest. The platform, marketed as a free speech alternative to mainstream social media, has attracted a loyal user base largely due to Trump’s presence. If Trump were to sell his stake, it might signal a lack of confidence in the company, potentially shaking investor confidence and further depressing the stock price.

Trump’s decision is also influenced by his ongoing legal battles, which have already cost him over $100 million in legal fees. Selling his shares could provide a significant financial boost, helping him cover these mounting expenses. However, this move could also have political ramifications, especially as he continues his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race.

Trump Media’s success is closely tied to Trump’s political fortunes. The company’s stock has shown volatility in response to developments in the presidential race, with Trump’s chances of winning having a direct impact on the stock’s value. If Trump sells his stake, it could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his own political future, potentially undermining both his campaign and the company’s prospects.

Truth Social, the flagship product of TMTG, has faced challenges in generating traffic and advertising revenue, especially compared to established social media giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Despite this, the company’s valuation has remained high, fueled by investor speculation on Trump’s political future. If Trump remains in the race and manages to secure the presidency, the value of his shares could increase. Conversely, any missteps on the campaign trail could have the opposite effect, further destabilizing the stock.

As the lockup period comes to an end, Trump faces a critical decision that could shape the future of both his personal finances and Truth Social. Whether he chooses to hold onto his shares or cash out, the outcome will likely have significant consequences for the company, its investors, and Trump’s political aspirations.

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Arizona man accused of social media threats to Trump is arrested

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3 weeks ago

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August 23, 2024

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Cochise County, AZ — Law enforcement officials in Arizona have apprehended Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old resident of Cochise County, after a manhunt was launched following alleged death threats he made against former President Donald Trump. The threats reportedly surfaced in social media posts over the past two weeks, as Trump visited the US-Mexico border in Cochise County on Thursday.

Syvrud, who hails from Benson, Arizona, located about 50 miles southeast of Tucson, was captured by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday afternoon. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest, stating, “This subject has been taken into custody without incident.”

In addition to the alleged threats against Trump, Syvrud is wanted for multiple offences, including failure to register as a sex offender. He also faces several warrants in both Wisconsin and Arizona, including charges for driving under the influence and a felony hit-and-run.

The timing of the arrest coincided with Trump’s visit to Cochise County, where he toured the US-Mexico border. During his visit, Trump addressed the ongoing border issues and criticized his political rival, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, for what he described as lax immigration policies. When asked by reporters about the ongoing manhunt for Syvrud, Trump responded, “No, I have not heard that, but I am not that surprised and the reason is because I want to do things that are very bad for the bad guys.”

This incident marks the latest in a series of threats against political figures during the current election cycle. Just earlier this month, a 66-year-old Virginia man was arrested on suspicion of making death threats against Vice President Kamala Harris and other public officials.

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