Jenn Melon
On an app defined by trends, sounds, and building ideas off one another, it takes a special type of creator to make it completely on their own: without the trends, without the sounds, and certainly without ideas that are even slightly unoriginal. Jenn Melon is doing just that; At only 19 years old, she has over 915k followers and almost 47 million likes on her TikTok account. Melon’s content is the epitome of unique with every video of hers involving a similar premise with a wildly different plot. And though the videos may seem formulaic on the surface, they would be nothing short of incomplete without the Chicago-based entertainer’s charm and off-the-beaten-path sense of humor. We recently spoke to Jenn about where inspiration strikes, how she balances the public and private aspects of her life, and more!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m currently a student enrolled in community college in Chicago, Illinois in hopes of pursuing further into my content creation of making original comedy skits on TikTok. In high school, I tried too hard to find my “thing”. Whether that was cheerleading or poetry. I’ve always had a connection to making people laugh and working under my own rules. It's something I thought I couldn’t achieve with the stereotypes of being a woman in comedy. When I was in elementary school I was a bit of a loner, I was always online, and finding comfort in others helped me grow into the person I am today. Since I was in fifth grade I told myself I’d get into that same position to help others find comfort within me when they can’t in their surrounding environments. The feeling of satisfaction knowing you have achieved these goals is unbeatable.
Why did you first start using TikTok?
In 2020, I was hospitalized for an extremely long time due to ongoing digestive health issues that aren’t fully resolved. As you can assume, it caused a lot of mental health issues within me, never getting closure on why I was in so much physical pain. I wanted to prove to myself that I was still capable of going forward even when it felt like I was standing still. That’s when I started taking my life goals more seriously, which is ironic for a comedian. Regardless, I began making videos and adored the process. Everything about posting was so rewarding. I knew it would make younger Jenn extremely proud.
Most people on TikTok use trending sounds on their videos, whereas almost all of your videos don’t. What was behind this decision?
Originality is a huge compliment when it comes to my videos. Though I do believe the sounds on TikTok are what connect creators to the audience, my approach is to have a somewhat realistic filming style for my skits. As if they were captured directly at that moment. Not to mention that I’m incredibly awkward and can not even begin to comprehend the dance moves and precision it takes to create audio overlapped video. I appreciate the chaotic approach of a mess that my content is.
With this being said, you definitely don’t capitalize off trends. So, where does inspiration strike?
From the comfort of my bedroom. I’ve always had trouble going to sleep to the point my mind races. Whenever I feel up for it, I stay up and let my mind come up with different words and objects until I can connect them in the most random situations you can imagine. Without my phone or things to distract it, it’s not only beneficial to my career, but it’s entertaining to me when I’m in a slap-happy mood. I sometimes like to put my twist onto old vines, but plenty of my videos are connecting two impulsive things/activities I’ve done into one video.
What was the first video of yours that made you say “Hey, I can do this”?
The best story I can provide is one of the first TikTok I made with my two friends, Dylan and Dena that we refer to as “oceans 8”. The day we were going to hang out, I had a random dream of that exact video. I suggested we’d make it into a skit and since that blew up, I continued trusting my gut and extremely random thoughts. I like to refer to it as beauty out of chaos.
What do you consider your biggest career milestone so far?
Hitting half a million was a huge milestone for me and I'm very confident I can get up even higher to the millions as long as I keep doing my best as well as following guidelines which is a really strict thing for content creators. I’ve had the opportunity to become friends with other creators who I used to find so mesmerizing before I was on TikTok which has been an amazing accomplishment. The biggest accomplishment of them all is the public response. Being reposted on highly popular pages has made me realize what an impact I have on social media. Being proud of myself is the most rewarding.
Has any of your TikTok fame translated into real life? What do your family and friends think about your internet success?
I’ve been recognized by drive-thru’s and gas station workers, as well as my neighbors giving me questioning looks as I do one of my stunts outside. Other than that, there are some obvious changes in people in my community towards me. Since I’ve graduated high school and kept up the content, that fabricated attention has been minimized. My family and best friend, Dena, are overwhelmingly supportive. Dena, my brother, Nadeem, and my mother have been featured in my videos and offer a helping hand whenever I need it. As my oldest brother, Amen, isn’t too prepared for camera time, he’s incredibly helpful and supportive when it comes to brainstorming ideas.
How do you balance what aspects of your life are public and private?
To be completely honest, I’m a little bit too comfortable on the internet. Even the most disgusting or painful parts of my life I willingly share with my followers. Even before I got on TikTok, I felt as though I never really had any secrets. I believe that’s what connects me most to my followers, raw vulnerability. It helps people know that they can find that sense of comfort and relaxation when resonating with your content and public personality.
What’s one trend you’d love to get in on?
Though it’s not TikTok related, Instagram photoshoots are so captivating to me. Though all of my content is comedic and many people say I present more masculine, I still enjoy being the occasional beauty queen and center of attention. Though, I do try to incorporate my joking personality into my captions.
How about a trend you never quite got?
Something I often regret is not starting TikTok earlier when it was severely trending. I was however still in high school at that time and I didn't understand the concept of transitioning from musically to TikTok. If I started it back then, my content would probably not be as consistent. I love what I produce now.
Do you see your career moving away from TikTok and onto other platforms on staying on the app? Why?
Eventually, I would love to move onto youtube and preferably do some vlog-styled skits. However, I plan on being persistent on TikTok despite it. Tiktok has helped me find my sense of humor and connect with my followers.
What are some things that you enjoy doing outside of the content space?
My life is dedicated to creating content. Before TikTok existed I was creating the same styled videos and just keeping them to myself or sending them to my friends. I enjoy a sense of comedic relief as well as editing and filming. If TikTok didn’t exist, I’d likely be making the same videos with no opportunity of presenting them.
What’s one piece of advice you have for anyone starting out on the app?
Originality is key. Don’t doubt your instincts when it comes to something you're comfortable presenting to your audience. Take a risk when it comes to your content, even if it doesn’t perform well, trust me the learning experience pushes everything into perspective. That feeling of accomplishment when you have a hit video is worth every pause I’ve had to take throughout my journey.
What’s 2021 hold for you?
I’d like to believe I can hit one million followers before the end of 2021. Hopefully producing some merch with my content nickname “piss boy”. Though it’s TMI, it’s an element of my character that my followers love referencing. I do however have a really good feeling that 2022 will be my year for my career.
When Jenn Melon makes it to LA, ________________.
It’ll be one of the greatest achievements of my career. I’ve always had this vision of going to L.A with my family and starting careers for all of us. Living in Chicago has been a great journey, but I’m more than ready for the next chapter. Change is scary, there’s no doubt about it. Happiness is best achieved in the most unexpected movements. So I’m more than ready to take that next step forward and make myself proud.