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When Reyanna Dundas made her TikTok account public, she didn’t expect it to change her life. It took two months for her videos to reach a massive audience, and this Sunday, she reached a milestone of one million TikTok followers.

“I decided to unprivate (my account) just for fun,” Dundas said. “I didn’t really expect it to go anywhere.”

Shortly after making her account, “@grwmforpookies,” public, Dundas went viral for a video sharing her nighttime routine before the first day of school. The TikTok has 2.1 million views and nearly 300,000 likes. Dundas gained popularity for the “get ready with me”-style videos she began making in her senior year of high school. She filmed a video series, counting down the days of her senior year.

From there, she continued posting and found her niche: relatable school content. She received attention from followers who said she had a calming voice and appreciated her posting consistency. Dundas said she prides herself on talking about whatever’s on her mind and having no filter.

Dundas has a specific appreciation for TikTok’s algorithm because she feels that anyone can go viral. Most people, even with small followings, have “that one viral video,” she said. On other platforms, the algorithm is more selective, making it difficult for smaller creators to get their foot in the door, she said.

Nandi Delgado, Dundas’ friend from high school, said her videos counting the days of school kept viewers on their toes and offered a new aspect to the standard GRWM style format. Dundas also became known for having catchphrases, like saying “deuces” and putting up a peace sign at the end of her videos.

Another longtime friend, Olivia Charles, shared similar sentiments about how Dundas’ creativity and humor appeals to her audience. The entertaining topics, such as talking about her likes and dislikes or rules for her future children, keep viewers interested.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dundas and Charles both had YouTube channels and would upload content together. Charles eventually stopped making videos but Dundas continued, later transitioning to TikTok. This change is part of the reason Charles remains unsurprised by her success.

“One thing about her, she’ll inspire you to do your own thing too. I am really proud of her, I think she’s just gonna go up from here,” Charles said.

After graduating high school, Dundas continued making content, but she expanded her scope with advice videos and vlogs. Now a freshman studying computer science at Syracuse University, she understands the importance of balancing school and making videos.

When she first got to SU, she took a brief break from posting to get accustomed to her new schedule and environment. But it didn’t take long for Dundas to find her groove again and get back to making content.

“Either way, I’m going to have to get ready, so I might as well just set up my camera while I do it,” Dundas said.

Hannah Mesa | Design Editor

Her consistent posting schedule is intentional. Dundas has been saving the money she’s been making from TikTok and plans to eventually use it for her tuition. Despite this, she’s chosen not to participate in TikTok’s Creator Fund, opting instead to sign with TalentNation agency.

Dundas was intentional about avoiding the Creator Fund, a program where TikTok monetizes creators’ content if it meets a certain criteria. She said the app is known for shadowbanning influencers once they join the fund, especially creators in the GRWM space.

Dundas still makes profit off the app through brand deals and partnerships her agency approves. Now that she’s hit one million followers, her income from partnerships will likely grow because of the larger audience she can reach.

“It’s been such an amazing opportunity to be able to meet some other creators, work with some of my dream brands, and to make the income that I’m making at 18,” Dundas said.

Issues with the Creator Fund aren’t the only thing Dundas and other TikTok creators have to worry about. With the platform’s potential ban looming, she could lose TikTok as a source of income. Nonetheless, she remains positive.

Dundas has always made an effort to prioritize school and said she’s more worried for creators who dropped out of college to pursue social media. In the event TikTok does get banned, Charles is also confident that Dundas will have no difficulty marketing herself on other platforms like YouTube and Instagram.

Charles said Dundas’ dedicated fanbase will make moving to other platforms easier. When Dundas is at her house filming, she’ll post a video. Minutes later, Charles will look at the video and there’ll already be 1,000 views and many comments from followers.

Regardless of whether the app gets banned, Dundas will continue to post and engage with her followers while also prioritizing her schoolwork. Doing social media has helped her find a healthy balance of doing things she enjoys while maintaining her responsibilities.

“It changed my life in the aspect of understanding how to balance a hustle like that, along with doing my schoolwork,” Dundas said. “I feel like it’s definitely made me more open-minded.”

Published on January 29, 2025 at 10:57 pm

Contact Irene: iclekaki@syr.edu