Calvin Reef

South Africa’s Calvin Reef is a 20-year-old TikToker with a knack for creating content. After starting on the app doing comedy bits, his account blew up to more than over 100k followers in its first month. The creator has since drifted into other styles of content, most notably his POV’s which have racked in millions of views and likes. Reef prides himself on “creating content that people can relate to so that they don’t feel alone through...hard times.” As a beacon for positivity, he strives to continue this creative efforts for as long as he can. His account is growing extremely fast; since we interviewed Reef last, his account has grown to over one million TikTok followers and 38 million likes. We recently spoke to the creator on his TikTok fame, content inspiration, and more!

Did you have any specific plans or ideas when you joined TikTok? 

I joined TikTok for fun, started off doing comedy, my account blew up and in the first month I reached 100k followers. It has been 6 months since and I am about to hit one million. I do POV videos, usually emotional. I enjoy making content people can relate to in an emotional way, so that they don’t feel alone through those hard times.

At what point did you realize you were “TikTok famous”?

I still don’t regard myself as TikTok famous, everything has happened so fast, and it still shocks me. Once I reach one million followers that’s when I would regard myself TikTok famous. 

What’s your favorite part of making content? 

Honestly the outcome and positivity I get once I have posted my video.

Where do you get ideas and inspiration from?

Most of my ideas I get from other peoples’ life stories, as well as my own and I put them in videos. I get inspiration from other POV TikTokers as well.

What are some of your favorite things you do outside of social media?

I love surfing, motor cross, being with friends, and being with family.

Who are you making content with in a dream TikTok collab?

To be honest I really don’t know. I would love to do collabs with quite a few other POV TikTokers, but there are so many to name.

What is your favorite song out right now?

“Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage The Elephant

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I would love to be able to fly. 

Any plans for the future?

My plans for the future revolve around social media. If that does not work out, I do study and I am getting my degree soon for Strategic Management. I would love to work for my dad’s company one day too. 

(Interview conducted August 30th)