You are making some waves! Who are you?
My name is Brennan Ekoyu. I have just turned 18 years old. I am the last born of four boys. I am a tiktoker, content creator and social media influencer. I am just a God fearing, simple guy, who loves people.
Just 18! You must still be in school.
Yes, I go to St Joseph’s SS Naggalama, and because of this whole Covid-19 situation and closure of schools, I am still in Senior Three!
How did you get to know about TikTok?
It was during lockdown when I was home bored, because there was no school. I would look through my mum’s phone and see all these funny videos and I felt like I could also do something similar. I joined the app and started making some small videos. At first I was even using my mum’s phone, before I got my own later.
Why did you focus on things that happen at school?
It is because school is the environment I am more familiar with. I wanted to act about things that I have experienced or have seen happening at school. I could just see how people behaved in the different schools I have gone to and try to depict them but in a more comical way.
Doesn’t it scare you that your teachers will think you are mocking them and when you go back they will ‘get you’?
No. I don’t think so, because what I act in my skits is the plain truth. I have not tried mocking anyone, because I have gone to different schools and these things happen. Only that sometimes I exaggerate; I add in a little to make it dramatic.
What was your first viral video?
It was the one where I acted depicting how girls react when it is time for lunch but the teacher continues to teach. It got very many views, which I never saw coming. It made me feel good and believe more in what I was doing.
Where do you get the costumes you use in the skits? [Apart from a school uniform, Brennan also rocks dresses, skirts, blouses, high heels and wigs]
They are my mother’s [laughs shyly]. They are clothes she used to put on but she no longer wears them; so, she gave them to me to use while shooting my videos. She even helps me in dressing up. [Kudos to you, Mama Brennan!]
How do your parents feel about you being so much exposed on social media?
Honestly I don’t think it worries them, because before I do all these TikTok things, I first attend my online classes and
then I get to social media. My mum is very supportive of what I do and my father also likes my creativity [Brennan’s parents prefer to keep their names out of the media].
Are you making money out of this?
Yes, I am making some good money. I cannot reveal exactly how much, but it is paying off. Though for TikTok, in Uganda we do not have a creator fund yet, so we mainly rely on live videos.
You make a live video, people gift you and you earn some money. But it also depends on the kind of followers you have, because if you have many followers who are Ugandan, I don’t think you can get enough gifts, because Ugandans are not so well versed with using credit cards.
I also earn through advertising for company brands. Very many have approached me to work with them because of my huge following.
How are you spending all this money?
I am not spending it yet. I opened up a bank account and when I get the money, I just put it on my account. I am not a person who likes living lavishly or showing off that I have got money. I am saving it for my future plans.
Who inspires you?
Douglas Lwanga [presenter on NBS TV] inspires me. I just love the way he does his work. I haven’t found someone yet who does the same thing as I do for inspiration.
Now that there is no school, take me through your day…
When I wake up, I first help with the chores at home and then settle for my online lessons from 8 am to 3 pm. I only shoot these videos on weekends. During weekdays, I have to attend lessons.
When it is time for studies, I block all my social media platforms so that I don’t get distracted
When school resumes, how will you keep up with creating content?
Before I go back to school, I am going to make many videos and keep them in drafts and someone will be posting for me.
What has been your best moment so far as a content creator?
When I was recently nominated in the Buzz Teeniez awards for Hottest Tiktoker and Next Big Thing. It made me feel appreciated. Also, when a fan calls me and tells me how much they love my videos and encourages me to keep up the good work.
Have you experienced cyberbullying?
Yeah, on very many occasions, but I just don’t care, because not everyone is going to like you. That is something I have put in my mind to help me ignore all the negativity and move forward.
Some people abuse me that why do I act like a girl and not act a boy character because I am a boy… But I like acting like a girl because girls are dramatic and sincerely there is nothing interesting about boys’ lives. I don’t think there is anything interesting to act about them and I will never act about them.
Do you have any other talents?
I know how to knit and I am very good at table tennis.
Have you gotten into trouble because of a skit you have made?
One time I got into trouble with my head teacher saying I was imitating her. But I told her, “With due respect madam, if you look at my name, I am Ekoyu Brennan and on TikTok, I am Brennan Baby; so, these are two different persons.”
She understood it though I was made to write an apology and because I am still at school, I had to obey and respect her.
How is your life like at school?
I am just an altar boy at school. I help the school chaplain with a few things here and there. Surprisingly at school I don’t act or even participate in music, dance and drama and even when we go back to school I don’t think I will. I am going to remain the same person I was before all of these [events].
I guess you are now going to be a celebrity when you go back to school…
I don’t think so. I will continue being the same Brennan. I value my studies and that is why I even shoot my videos on weekends. This social media popularity shouldn’t deceive anyone because there is a time for everyone. Today you are the one trending but the next day it will be someone else.
What do you feel you have achieved?
Well, I have made a name and earned money and I am proud of that because it has all been because of my effort. No one came and told me to do this. I had to use my brain and do something I thought people would appreciate me for.
What career path do you want to take?
I don’t know how far what I am doing now is going to go, but I want to be a lawyer.
jjingoernest1@gmail.com