91�ȱ�

From fitness gurus to lifestyle bloggers, there are millions of people across the world who create and share their videos online.

But scrolling through them, you may come across a new generation of social media personalities who have found fame much later in life. These viral sensations, some of whom are in their 80s, have been sharing tips, imparting wisdom to younger viewers or just hopping on the latest dance trends. With millions of views, how did they get to where they are today?

91�ȱ� Bitesize spoke to some of them to find out more about their journey into stardom and how they are finding their life in the limelight.

'We met the King and Queen!'

Giuseppe Federici, also known under his social media handle Sepps, is predominantly known for posting food videos online. His content often feature his nonna (Italian for grandmother), Marianna, and as of October 2024 they have amassed over 8.7 million likes on TikTok alone.

Their food journey began in 2022 when Sepps's family told him they need to record Nonna, who is now in her 80s. The first video they created together was a pasta and garlic recipe - which was watched across the world and reached five million views.

Sepps said this number particularly struck him when he realised that it was almost the same amount as people as the population of Sicily - where Nonna was born.

“Do you remember when I called you and I said ‘guess how many views?’,” Sepps asks Nonna.

“You only thought it had around 200!”

Their videos celebrate plant-based Italian home cooking, making everything from lasagne to tiramisu. In 2023 they appeared on 91�ȱ�’s food show Saturday Kitchen, where Nonna cooked spaghetti alle melanzane. Since then Sepps has released a recipe book, Cooking with Nonna.

Sepps told 91�ȱ� Bitesize that the best thing about filming videos with his Nonna is the things they’ve been able to do together. This includes meeting the King and Queen, appearing on live TV and a trip to Sicily.

Going to Sicily was also a highlight for Nonna. “It was a wonderful moment,” she told Bitesize.

“We spent time all together, the whole family – my sisters, [Sepps], all of us.”

But Nonna has had to adjust to her new found TikTok fame, as Sepps explains that she now gets recognised in public on a regular basis, for example when four or five women recognised her in a shop, asking ‘Are you Nonna?’

“I was shocked for the moment,” she explains. “I say yes, I am Nonna!”

Sepps explains that one of the best parts about making videos with Nonna is the sense of purpose it has given her and how it has brought them together. “We’ve just become much more close to each other,” he told us.

From dancing in his living room to meeting global superstars

Grandad Frank is originally from Galway in Ireland and in 2024 he celebrated his 79th birthday. He and his granddaughter, Kiera, began making videos and posting them online for fun in 2019. Their content attracted lots of positive comments so they decided to carry on.

One of their most watched posts, a video of Frank dancing in his living room, has reached over 88 million views.

It wasn’t until he started to get stopped in the streets and asked for photographs that he realised the extent of his popularity.

“That’s when I realised that I had become a little bit TikTok famous,” he told 91�ȱ� Bitesize.

Grandad Frank’s videos have been watched across the world and they have even found some celebrity admirers along the way.

“Meeting Niall Horan was definitely one of the highlights of my TikTok career.”

This was a moment he shared with Kiera, who Frank describes as a huge One Direction fan.

After numerous online interactions, Niall’s management got in contact with Frank and asked if they wanted to meet with the chart-topping musician. The pair finally met when Niall performed in March 2024, and a video of their first in-person encounter has reached over one million views on TikTok.

“We couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome. From chatting to him to enjoying the show, we couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

And what does Frank enjoy the most about his new found fame? “I love being able to create videos with my granddaughter - even though it can be a little hectic at times, as she’s such a perfectionist!” he reflected.

“It has definitely brought us closer together and I’m so happy I get to go on all these crazy experiences with her.”

This article was published in November 2024