A BARRY woman had a Shrektacular time celebrating hitting 150,000 followers on TikTok.

When 25-year-old Charly Anne from Barry started using TikTok during the first national lockdown she didn’t anticipate how her following would grow – with the star even recognised while on holiday in Cyprus.

She uses TikTok to promote body positivity, sharing her key message that “fashion has no weight limit” and that people should eat what they want (as long as it's not severely impacting their health).

Barry And District News:

“I didn’t expect this following at the start,” said Ms Anne.

“I just randomly started doing it and I enjoyed it; as more people followed I posted more - it’s like my internet family.

“TikTok has become a part of my life – I post four or fives times a day. Filming and editing every day can be constant, but I’m so lucky to have a job which I love.

“I still can’t believe it.”

Barry And District News:

Content on her TikTok includes:

  • What she eats in a day, which has helped followers with eating disorders by encouraging them to eat;

  • Body positivity;
  • Join her for the day;
  • Modelling outfits, and more.

Barry And District News:

 

She admits that she struggled with weight when she was younger, with her dieting from an early age and - at times - refusing to eat. 

“I had no one to look up to and say it was okay, that weight doesn’t matter,” said Ms Anne.

“At one point I was a size 12 and I still thought I was fat; it was that mindset, and I don’t want young people to think that’s okay.

“I never dreamed I’d do something like this and I wish more people were doing it back then.

“Most people don’t care what you look like - be yourself, be confident."

Barry And District News:

Her full-time role on TikTok isn’t all work and no play though – to celebrate hitting 150,000 followers she hosted a Shrek themed party.

Surrounded by friends and family in costume, she even managed to hit 160,000 followers by the following morning.

“Shrek is my comfort film when I feel anxious, I love it,” explained Ms Anne.

“The party was absolutely amazing – we danced all night, my friend surprised me with a homemade Shrek cake, it was just such good vibes.

“Hitting 160,000 followers the next day was amazing – I couldn’t believe it.”

She added that – like all social media platforms – there are trolls on TikTok, but she feels the good outweighs the bad and it’s “mostly a happy place full of positivity”.