From Rosie the Riveter to TikTok Star: Meet the Internet's Most Extraordinary Grandma
Ross Smith and his 96-year-old Granny prove that comedy and social media are for everyone.
Ross Smith and his Granny are not like any grandma-grandson duo you've ever met–they're TikTok famous!
The two have garnered over 23.3 million followers on TikTok, 3.31 million subscribers on Snapchat, and 2.8 million fans on Instagram.
But that's not what sets them apart from the rest of the comedians on the platform–the two have had quite the journey to social media stardom.
While some people are willing to sacrifice everything to make it in the world of comedy or Internet fame, these two admitted that their comedy careers were "a complete accident."
It all started a few years ago when Ross was a college student. In a conversation with Parade, he told interviewers that it began as a running joke with friends.
The Granny you see on TikTok is Ross' real-life grandmother. And while some skits may be hyperbolic, Ross revealed that after sending his closest friends some videos of him and his Granny being their natural goofy selves on Snapchat, they were finally able to convince him to share their wit with the world.
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Long before the two graced the world with their genetic funny bones, Granny had been a part of the U.S. workforce for longer than some of Gen-Z has been on the Internet.
Hailing from the northeastern part of Ohio, Granny's pre-Internet days couldn't be more inherently American. She grew up on a farm, worked in bakeries, and even pitched in on some pretty technical production lines.
From car parts to bombs for the U.S. military during World War II, Granny has built it all–and now she can add a loyal social media following to the mix.
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Despite her strong work ethic, Granny never imagined herself having a career in the spotlight. As her grandson put it, "She grew up without a TV, and now she's on screens everywhere."
Ross, however, isn't new to having all eyes on him; some may even recognize him from Vine. In addition to his decade of experience online, he previously played professional football in Germany.
He also admitted that while Granny is the talent and the star of the show, he's the brains behind the operation. While the two "make it up as they go" and draw inspiration from their real-life experiences, Ross credited the likes of Betty White, Bill Burr, and Rob Dyrdek for the duo's sometimes raunchy comedic style.
And even though some may be shocked to hear that Granny is still happy to work at age 96, the comedians insisted that the time they spend creating this content is about more than merely having a job.
"Our whole goal is to make people smile; the coolest part is, she's out here completing her bucket list, and I'm right next to her checking off mine. The first time I was in a helicopter, I was with her. And the first time I saw an elephant, I was with her."
He later added that this strong bond with Granny "keeps him humble" and has defined what it means to be dedicated and work hard.
Granny also noted that the time they spend together "taking pictures," as she called it, is when she's the happiest, emphasizing that people "Go, do, and see things in your life."
Hear that, folks? Granny says she wants you to live your best life by leaving no question unanswered–even if it means destroying your lawn to figure out which is more powerful: a flame thrower or 16,000 firecrackers. Confused? See the video below:
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