Vegan recipes, Trump speeches and love-to-hate characters: My 5 favourite women on TikTok right now

The women of TikTok have provided an oasis of comedy during lockdown

Let me preface this by answering the question you’re all probably asking: I am 25 years old. No, I’m not a teenager. Yes, I am probably far too old to be on TikTok (or even know what it is).

But the weeks under lockdown have been long and boring, and a marathon on TikTok scrolling in bed kept the sense of impending doom at bay better than my failed attempts at banana bread and sourdough starter. So I kept at it, and along the way, I’ve amassed a list of favourites on the app who consistently make me laugh, cry (mostly from laughter, don’t worry) and feel all the better while we all try and navigate the ‘new normal’.

Women on TikTok show up time and again as being some of the funniest, most watchable accounts, and these five ladies are ones that I always return to. If you’ve never dipped your toe into the world of TikTok, now’s your chance – get started with these five accounts.

Brittany Broski (@brittany_broski)

https://www.tiktok.com/@brittany_broski/video/6827034282683321605

One of the most recognisable faces on TikTok, Broski rose to fame after a video she posted last year, featuring her tasting kombucha for the first time, went viral worldwide. Since then, Broski provides consistently silly and hilarious material to her followers, all with a healthy dose of not taking herself too seriously. She wholeheartedly leans into the comparisons that people make between her and certain cartoon characters, and laughs along with all of us when things get weird. I just adore watching her, and feel like she’d be great gas to hang out with in real life.

Lili Hayes (@lilihayes)

@lilihayes

Played the into to Careless Whisper for a full day. Mom was stoked! #carelesswhisper #foryou #fyp #foryoupage #xyzbca #lilihayes #georgemichael

? original sound – Lili Hayes

Okay, granted, Lili does not run this TikTok page herself, but she and her sons’ antics are too hilarious not to include (and she is the star of the show, after all). Her channel is run by her son, Kevin, who takes great delight in tormenting Lili – and to be fair, it doesn’t take much to annoy her. Kevin does everything from playing annoying songs over and over to simply asking his mother to repeat herself when she messes up a word. Lili’s incensed reactions have gotten me through many a slow day in lockdown, and although she may unleash red hot rage on Kevin daily, it’s clear that these two adore each other really.

Caitlin Reilly (@itscaitlinhello)

@itscaitlinhello

She’s just…different. #fyp #foryou #foryoupage SummerOfGaming KeepingItCute #comedy

? original sound – Caitlin Reilly

Explaining exactly why Caitlin Reilly’s videos are so funny is kind of tough, but I think it has something to do with how angry they make me. Put simply, Reilly is a master of making fun of herself – she’s a white, blonde, young woman, and she uses that identity as prime comedic fodder in her videos. Each and every one of her characters are someone you meet regularly in your own life – whether it’s the Girl who says “she’s not like other girls”, or that one co-worker you hate during Zoom meetings, Reilly has a specific talent at playing a characature of the most annoying people you know – and she does it oh so well.

Sarah Cooper (@whatchugotforme)

@whatchugotforme

How to empty seat

? original sound – Sarah Cooper

Watching Sarah Cooper’s videos is the only way I consume any of President Trump’s rhetoric anymore – anything else, including (especially) the real thing, is too much to stomach. Cooper, on the other hand, is a hilarious breath of fresh air, in what has to be one of the most uncomplicated brands on the app – lip-syncing to Trump’s speeches. I know it may not sound like the most entertaining of watches, but Cooper’s slapstick additions to Trump’s inane ramblings show just how little sense they make. Like all great comedy, simple and hilarious.

Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown)

@iamtabithabrown

Sometimes the only way to get away is thru your food! Raisin bread French toast anyone? #vegan #tabithabrown

? original sound – Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown is the mother/aunt/sister/friend all of us need right now. Vegan food-lover, advice-giver and all-round comforting presence Brown regularly posts videos of simple vegan recipes as well as messages of self-love and confidence, which, delivered in her soft North Carolina-accent, are better than most ASMR videos out there. Brown’s lovable videos have even landed her a TV deal, as it was announced yesterday that she will host her own show, All Love, on Ellen DeGeneres’ digital network, sharing cooking, parenting and self-care advice.