Mexico Social Media Stars Find Fame In Pandemic
Umer Jamshaid Published June 16, 2021 | 09:30 AM
Mexico City, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jun, 2021 ) ::Before the pandemic, Herlanlly Rodriguez worked as a manicurist. Today she is part of Mexico's new generation of social media stars and millennial influencers whose lives were transformed by confinement.
When the 23-year-old found herself out of work because of the economic slump triggered by the coronavirus, she began posting satirical videos on TikTok taking aim at machismo.
"In the beginning I just wanted a distraction," said Rodriguez, who is known as Herly on digital platforms, where she has 1.2 million followers on TikTok alone.
Suddenly thousands of people started interacting with her thanks to her performance as "Tomas, the incredulous" poking fun at men to highlight issues including homophobia and gender violence in Mexico.
"It's rare to see women imitating men on social networks," said the pink-haired former psychology student, adding that her aim is not to offend anyone but to show "behavior that harms society." She has been nominated for this year's MTV Millennial Awards honoring the best of Latin music and the digital world of the millennial generation.
The economic crisis triggered by Covid-19 has dealt a particularly heavy blow to Mexican women, who held 1.5 million of the 2.1 million jobs that have been lost, according to official figures.
"It was a sad time for me because there was no work. People really lifted me up," Rodriguez said.
Armando Maravilla had 200 followers on Twitter before the pandemic, but after a thread about house plants, he gained more than 97,000 in one year, including politicians and the actor Gael Garcia Bernal.
The Mexican landscape architect shares his knowledge to help people develop green fingers as a form of therapy against the emotional impact of the crisis.
"I felt that someone needed to talk about having green spaces at home. We had been locked up for two months and we needed a refuge," the 30-year-old said.
He acquired his first plants as a university student, some succulents. but they died, Maravilla said.
"My grandmother scolded me! Now it's curious that people ask me for advice, and the one who asks me the most how I'm doing is my grandmother," he said.
Andrea Ferrero and her partner David Ayala turned to baking to stave off boredom and bankruptcy during quarantine.
They now have almost 38,000 followers on Instagram, where they offer cakes with vintage decorations.
After the pandemic left them jobless and broke, they tried to ease the anxiety of isolation by cooking.
"We began to share it with friends. People began to see it and they asked us to sell it to them," said Ayala, a 38-year-old Colombian art curator.
They started the business with just a small toaster oven in their apartment, Ferrero said.
"It was barely big enough for two cookies," the 30-year-old Peruvian sculptor said with a laugh as she decorated a cake.
Now business is so good that they have eleven co-workers who prepare 500 weekly orders of cakes, cookies and tarts.
The couple recently moved into a new kitchen-studio and plan to open their own store.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
Record London close as oil prices drop on easing Middle East fears
TV tower in Kharkiv struck as Russia captured village
LCCI language courses from May 1
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
1 day ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
2 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
2 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
2 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
4 days ago
-
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
8 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
9 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
14 days ago -
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
16 days ago