Meet the Irish TikTok sensation who turned isolation boredom into a life-changing career with more than 1.6 million followers.
Miriam Mullins, from Cork, was living in the US before the pandemic hit and she was forced to move back home after she lost her job as a waitress when hospitality shut down.
However, while her American dream was cut short, the 25-year-old breakout internet star admitted she feels everything has worked out the way it was supposed to.
She told Irish Mirror: “I was isolating in my room for two weeks and I had nothing to do. I was bored and watching TikToks and stuff so one day I just thought will I start making them myself and see.
“I was there [America] for seven months in total but my plan was to be there for about two years, so I feel like everything happens for a reason.
“Like, if I never came home I probably would have never started TikTok and now it is my job doing content and all that, so I am very grateful.
“I love what I do and I never really knew what I wanted to do but I feel this has opened up opportunities and opened my eyes to what I want to do.”
In less than two years, the social media star, known for her “Irish Mammy” skits and lifestyle content, has become one of the biggest TikTok stars in Ireland and can see up to 20 million views per week on her content.
Detailing her recipe to success on the social media platform, the Creative Digital Media graduate said she worked hard in the beginning, pumping out up to six videos per day, every day.
But opening up on social media as a full-time job, Miriam admitted: “It can be a lot.
“People think social media is the easiest job in the world but it is not. People think it is just filming videos but there is a lot more to it.
“When I first started I was consistent and posting every day. And people love that – they lose interest so quick.
“I think there has only been one or two days ever in the whole year-and-a-half that I haven’t posted anything.”
But having now built an impressive following, she told how the career can be lucrative.
Miriam said: “The money in advertising is good and that is what I do now – brands come to me to advertise on my platform, I don’t actually make money off TikTok itself.”
But she acknowledged there is a fine line between saying yes to tempting offers and maintaining her values and loyalty to her followers.
Miriam added: “If it is not true to me, and my beliefs, I’m not going to do it. It is just me being fake to my followers.”
“I make enough money to pay my rent and bills and enjoy myself here and there, but I like saving my money as well because I want to have a house in the future and settle down.”
The star was speaking in partnership with Irish family-run tech repairs company PAIR Mobile after having an accident with her all-important device.
The collaboration was inspired after a disaster last week when she smashed her phone after leaving it on the roof of her mum’s car before driving off.
PAIR Mobile offer same-day service on 90% of repairs, offer 12-month warranties on all Apple and Samsung screen repairs, and fix iPhone screens in 30 minutes.
They operate stores in Cork, Limerick and Dublin.
