In less than 3 months, an 87 year old grandpa has garnered more than 1 million followers on TikTok and 34 million likes on his videos!
Grandad Joe is the most unexpected breakout star of quarantine and he didn’t even realize this for himself.
“I just don’t know why I’m popular,” he explains. “I’ve never been popular like that in my life.”
Grandad Joe was persuaded by his daughter and granddaughter to take part in TikTok videos and at the beginning he had little interest.
@grandadjoe1933 Who was the best dancer me or brookie @brookepaintain ? Let’s see your dancing, duet me ##doyoudance ##wearefamily ##fundancechallenge ##easydance
Eventually he decided to take part in the videos filmed by his youngest granddaughter Brooke Paintain, 15 – an active TikToker with more than 65,000 followers.
He was also featured in one of Brooke’s videos on 23 January. As she danced around him she directed her followers to his TikTok profile, asking them to get him up to 10,000 followers.
Within three weeks, he had more than 30,000.
His videos usually involve fun and quirky challenges featuring his granddaughters.Â
@grandadjoe1933 I’m in lockdown with my granddaughter @brookepaintain and couldn’t be happier ##brighterinside
The videos also highlight the realities of the current coronavirus pandemic in a light-hearted way.
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Grandpa Joe is indeed the breakout star of quarantine and according to him, “It’s really astounding to think there are so many people who know me as an old fool.”
His videos definitely fill that void for those who are unable to visit their grandparents during this time- we will continue to live vicariously through Grandad Joe’s videos.
Have you seen his TikTok vids?
Let us know in the comments below!