Isaac Alvarado
By Ken Tse
Isaac Alvarado is the TikToker than everyone needs. The teen-internet star has gone viral over the past year through his hilarious TikTok sketches. He says that his goal was “never to be ‘well-known’ or have fame, though. He began on the app wanting “to spread positivity and joy through [his] videos and creativity…[and] make somebody’s day and laugh when they needed it the most.” Often drawing from real-life experiences and past trends, Isaac makes incredibly unique content; and including his signature facial expressions, it’s a formula that has certainly changed his life. His account @Yoitz_Isaac has gained over 1.3 million TikTok followers and over 44 million likes. His sketches have gotten head nods from some of the biggest creators on the app, recognition that Isaac is ever-grateful for. We recently spoke to the TikToker about his family, life outside TikTok, and more!
Hey Isaac! Thank you for speaking with us today. How did you get started in this crazy world called TikTok?
I started on TikTok because I wanted to keep myself busy and entertained given everything that was happening in the world at the time, which is still going on now. Most importantly, though, I wanted to spread positivity and joy through my videos and creativity. I just wanted to make somebody’s day and laugh when they needed it the most. That has always been my goal and will stay my goal. It was never to be “well-known” or have “fame”, but to spread as much happiness as possible. I’ve gotten attention from the top creators on social media and their compliments really make my day. It feels good knowing that something that I’m put my mind to is really doing well and coming to life. In that way, my goal feels complete and fulfilled.
You are quickly becoming known as one of the app’s funniest creators. Is comedy something that you’ve always been into?
I feel honored in so many ways to be recognized by top social media creators and especially my fans. To be called one of the funniest creators on the app is something that I really, really appreciate. But when it comes to comedy, I haven’t necessarily intended to be a comedian. It’s more of a family thing, we’ve had the ability to make other people laugh. In my case, my facial expressions and characters make a lot of people go crazy, and I’d say that’s one unique thing about me. It goes back to what I was saying before. I love to make people laugh, and if I can help someone get through a hard experience, that’s what means to most.
In less than a year, you’ve gained 1.2 million followers and average nearly 700k views per video. What has this success been like for you?
When I first started, my goal was to spread positivity and joy. I never intended to have any type of fame. But every time I look at my following, it is crazy to think that 1.2 million people watch me because it makes them laugh. Just knowing that makes me feel happy and honored in so many ways. I am amazed that every video I drop on my page does well. It’s surprising how many people enjoy my content and like me for the person that I am. This is only the beginning. One thing about me is that I will always push to be better-- I want to work as hard as I can to give back to the people who have given me such a platform; real fans turn out to support me and my videos.
What do the people in your life think about your social media fame? Are they supportive of what you’re doing on the app?
In terms of my social media career, 90 percent of my family wasn’t supportive at all-- they didn’t even like what I made. The ones who were supportive from Day 1 were my sister and my mother. After I started blowing up, my family and co-workers began to like my content and tell me that they had seen me in videos. When I hit one million a week ago, a lot of my family was together in my living room and we’re watching the countdown on my sister’s computer. When I finally hit the milestone, everyone was happy. My mom kept on saying how proud she was of me. The feeling when your mother and the rest of your family give you support is so special. The one thing that a lot of people tell me is that they’d rather see me do this than be in the streets doing something bad.
How do you come up with ideas for your content?
A lot of people think I spend weeks and months coming up with ideas and jotting them down in my notes. This is the truth though; I set down my tripod, get on TikTok account, and ideas really just pop up. I make the video, edit, and publish it all within the same day! I often look at the trends that have basically been dead for a long time and recreate them with my personal touch. I like to say that I “revive” the trends to make them as funny as possible.
Which was one recent video that you really loved to make?
This video was only recorded like three weeks ago, it’s the one that a lot of people know me for. It’s the one where my mom is pushing me around in the shopping cart! The feedback really meant a lot to me because it was the video that took the most time. It took over 5-6 hours to finalize-- it involved 6-7 separate clips, and I had redo one of them more than 65 times. The clip of my mom pushing me in the shopping cart took a bunch of takes, too! I like everything to be really well done in my videos, so it was great to see how it all turned out.
Can you tell us about a real-life experience that inspired an actual TikTok?
So this is a question I get a lot, and I don’t really know how to answer it. But I work at Marshall's, and sometimes I am the cashier. One day, one of the customers walked up to me to check her things out.. She put her card into pay and it kept on getting declined. I tried to keep on giving her advice on how to fix it but she was a little bit rude about it and eventually got out another card. She asked me to put the card in for her, but I really can’t do that. She tried one more time, and both cards declined. It was a moment of humor for me just because of how rude she was. She ended up leaving the store in a really bad mood-- the experience led to what was one of my most viral videos.
If you were to start your own content house, who are the three creators you are choosing, and why?
For me, this is a really hard question because I’ve so many great people on this platform that I look up to. But the three that really come to mine are @nelleboyy, @thekidke_, @Tpbaby2000! Those three creators are some of the funniest and creative people on the app in so many ways. There is no one that does any content as they do, and I give them so much credit for it. I’m fortunate to know two of them as friends and hopefully collaborate with @Tpbaby2000 soon!
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of TikTok?
When it comes to my free time and hobbies, I enjoy playing sports like soccer and any other sport really-- I’m always open to learning more! I play striker and I’m pretty good haha. I also play Fortnite sometimes, and people tell me that I’m bad at the game. But I’m actually really good though and am always down to compete! I also hang out with my family-- my sisters and my mom are my best friends at the end of the day. They are the reason why I am here. They always have my back and encourage me to do what I want.
Lastly, what’s next for @Yoitz_Isaac?
This is a good question and there are so many ways to answer it! But for me, I am still an up and coming creator. As I said before, I’m the type that never stays satisfied and wants to keep working more and more. Right now, I feel like I have more to prove, more to give. In the next couple of months, I’ll be dropping merch, which is huge for me. I also want to get into acting. I get so many DMs telling me that my facial expressions would work well in a movie and I’ve really taken that into consideration. In general, I’m dramatic haha-- I think I’d do well playing a role in a film. I’ll always stay humble, though! My main goal is to keep on making connections and sustain a living where my mom can stop working so much. I really want to take care of my family. They are so important in my life. Again, I know that this is only the beginning! God knows my character and my heart-- I will continue to do my best in spreading the most positivity that I can!