Niagara Falls Review e-edition

Local TikTok video star’s popularity soars

William White garners more than 37 million views on platform

ALISON LANGLEY Alison Langley is a St. Catharinesbased reporter for the Niagara Falls Review. Reach her via email: alison.langley@niagaradailies.com

What started as a quirky video filmed while waiting in line at a local coffee shop has catapulted a Niagara Falls man toward TikTok stardom.

William White was waiting in line to grab a coffee with his dad when inspiration hit.

The 21-year-old pulled out his cellphone and made a short video of him lip-synching to Barry Manilow’s 1974 classic “Mandy.”

“I was bored, the line was forever, so I just put on the song and did a quick, ‘oh Mandy,’ ” he recalled.

The video by the landscaper-by-day, crooner-by-night struck a chord with TikTok users.

TikTok is a short-form, video-sharing app that allows users to create and share 15second videos, on any topic.

In less than month, his 125,000 followers soared to 1.3 million and his videos have garnered more than 37 million views. Manilow himself recently shared the video on his Instagram and Facebook pages, with the caption, “We see you, William White.”

White grew up listening to the “oldies” with his parents and said he has always connected with the music. He’s since posted several versions of “Mandy” as well as multiple videos of him lip-synching to a variety of ’80s classics.

Based on the videos comment sections, the majority of his fans appear to be women ages 40 and up. One TikTok user commented on the video “We are all Mandy now.”

Another wrote: “On behalf of the cougar nation we adore you.”

Fans have also posted their own side-by-side duets with the videos on social media.

“I think it’s because they like the music, and that I’m an old soul,” he said of his popularity with that particular demographic.

White has now branched out to include newer music selections and is taking video requests from fans.

“Remember the movie ‘Risky Business’? Well, they want me to do that sliding scene in the shirt and underwear,” he said with a laugh.

Born in Ottawa, White split his time between Niagara Falls and Georgetown and always had aspirations to become an actor or a model.

Now, thanks to the popularity of his videos, he has an agent.

“He’s so down to earth, and he cares a lot about what he’s doing,” said Kelly Streit, of Mode Models International based in Calgary. “This kid is a star.”

White said he’s overwhelmed by the response to his videos.

His friends have also gotten into the act and are posting their own versions of songs.

“They’re trying really hard and it gives me motivation as it’s become like a competition,” he said.

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2021-06-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://niagarafallsreview.pressreader.com/article/281547998838910

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