Meet Gabrielle Chase, the Big Sister of TikTok
Gabrielle Chase gained 1.9 million followers and counting on TikTok by creating funny 60-second (or less) sketches, vlogs and advice videos. During a Zoom call from her home in Texas, the 23-year-old known as @gabschase shared how she comes up with her ideas, navigates challenges on the app and balances her on- and offline life.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
How did you get started on TikTok?
I was working at a boutique. I always loved art, theater and dance, and I really missed it. I got an ad on my phone about TikTok a little over a year ago. It was talking about how if you love to create, it’s a good app for you. I downloaded it, but I was like, “I probably won’t make videos.” Then like everyone, you watch it, and you get addicted. Then you’re like, “I kind of want to make a video.” I quit my job, and then I went back to school. I would just rant, or just express how I was feeling or what happened that day in video format. I got started just transitioning in my life and sharing it with the internet — what our generation does.
When did you start to get a following?
At the beginning I just did trendy videos for fun in between sharing stories about my life. One of them after a month blew up, because it was just such a crazy story. I was yelling at the camera — people love it when I yell apparently — and that blew up. I don’t know why it did. That video did well, and then the platform grew. But it really blew up during quarantine. People just started watching videos [to help] them get through the day.
How much planning goes into your videos?
Honestly, not that much, because when I wake up in the morning, I just create what I want to. The thought process is based on my mood. If an idea comes into my head, I immediately take out my phone and do it.
What videos are you particularly proud of?
I really liked the guardian angel series. I was just thinking, “Wow, my life is not at all how I expected.” I think all of us growing up, we had a step-by-step plan of what our life was going to look like. For me, that did not happen whatsoever. I was like, “Where’s my guardian angel? She’s probably drinking somewhere.” Then I had this idea of God interacting with my guardian angel and thinking, “Where’s Gabrielle? What are you doing with her life? Why don’t you take care of her?” And it’s because she forgot. She’s not the best guardian angel. My inspiration for Cher — that’s her name — was Alex Russo from “Wizards of Waverly Place,” just very scattered brained. Other people see it, and they’re like, “that’s how I feel too,” or “that’s my life.” And people laugh because they relate to it.
How did you start the series in front of the mirror with your leg on the counter?
Normally I do videos in my car, but because of quarantine, classes were online. My “story time” videos, therefore, had to be in the bathroom since I wasn’t in my car as much. I remember sharing a story from my private school experience about the teacher talking about modesty with the metaphor of a Twix bar and keeping your candy wrapped. I was really angry and very passionate. I went in the bathroom, and I was very animated. Then I just propped my leg on the counter, because I just wanted to rest it. That video did well because people were like, “What did she do with her leg? That was so interesting.” Every video after that, I just put my leg on the counter. Whenever I didn’t do it, people were like, “Why don’t you do it?” Then it just became a thing where people looked forward to seeing me put my leg on the counter. I’m a dancer, so I don’t think about doing that. But other people look forward to that. And that’s how they remember you.
How did you develop your comedic voice?
Humor for me is definitely a coping mechanism. Whenever crazy stuff happens, I look at it from the perspective of, “Well, this will be an entertaining story a long time from now.” If you take any stressful or sad situation, and you use it to inspire you or to share it with other people, it makes you feel better.
A lot of creators have had videos taken down. How do you try to avoid that?
I’ve made several videos about misogyny or predatory behavior. Sometimes they would get taken down for harassment, which is absolutely ridiculous. I think it’s all about the delivery, just being conscientious of words that will immediately get your video taken down It’s very, very frustrating and disheartening because creepy people still have their platform [on TikTok].
Do you think there’s much of a difference between your personality in real life and what you present in your videos?
I get asked a lot about that when people meet me for the first time. If they’ve seen my videos, they’re confused, like, “You’re a lot more chill than I thought you would be.” And I’m, like, “Well, yeah, I’m not gonna, put my leg on the counter and start ranting to you about feminism.” My online self is definitely more comfortable and vulnerable. I feel more in my element when I make videos. I like to show that goofy side of me a little bit more. I feel able to express however I’m feeling. I don’t care if I look like a mess, or if I’m not feeling well that day. Other people like that, because they’re like, “Oh, you are very much yourself, and you’re so weird, and you’re cool with it. I think I can be too.”
Even though you’re only 23, some people consider that to be on the “older” side of TikTok. Do you think your age changes your experience on the app?
I’m just more aware that when people watch my videos, they’re probably really, really young. As much as I try to be authentically myself — and I’m never gonna change who I am — I do try to hold back a little bit more with some of the jokes that I make. They view you as a big sister. It’s a little intimidating, but it’s also exciting for me, because [in my family] I’m the little sister. I clearly don’t care what people think. Social media tends to portray perfection. I’m definitely the opposite of that. I want people to know that, like, “OK, she’s 23, she’s in school, working at this job [in retail], living with her parents, figuring out where to move.” Clearly life isn’t always as planned.
Lots of TikTokers move to L.A. Would you?
The great thing about social media is you can do it anywhere. If there is another opportunity that takes me elsewhere, I definitely would be down to do that. I’ve known people that rushed it, and they lost a lot of money and were in a new state. You don’t have to rush. Save your money, work for yourself for a little bit. Really figure out what you need to do before you just sign that all away.
Are there any other creators you really admire or have connected with?
I really like @bundaddy. She’s one of my really good friends. She talks about mental health, politics. She rants. She’s one of my favorite people, and she’s like that in real life. She’s killing it, and I feel like she’s gonna just take over. I also love @beerbongjohn. He is one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever talked to, and he helped me get verified. He was a fan of mine at the beginning, and he has millions [of followers]. And I was like, “Why do you care?” But he just saw something [in me]. And he’s just really sweet. So I love him.
Do you think once it’s safe you’d want to meet with other TikTokers and do collaborations?
Yes. I feel like I already know them. When I talk to them outside the app, I’m like, “I actually would hang out with you.” I would love to meet a lot of these people and make videos or just get to know them because they’re really great people. People make fun of [TikTok] all the time, but some of the most real people I’ve ever met have been through it. It’s just people like us who use the app to express themselves.
More and more people are joining TikTok each day. Do you have any advice for people who want to use the app as a form of self-expression?
If you do not want to make a video, do not make a video. Sometimes when you get in the cycle of it, you’re like, “OK, well, I have to make a video today because I have to every day.” No. If you don’t want to, don’t do it. It’s OK if you don’t have a certain type of video you make. I make all kinds of videos. I never know what I’m gonna make. I never know what I’m doing. Always put your mental health first because I know it can be very, very draining on you, but also people can see that through the screen.
You’re nearly at 2 million followers on TikTok. Do you have any plans for when you hit that milestone?
Oh, my gosh, I haven’t thought about that. I really want the video to be special, because it’s really cool. I also think I would probably bake desserts or drop merch.
