Lex Morales
19-year-old Lex Morales (@lexlyfe) has taken TikTok by storm with her hilarious and unique POV comedy videos. The newest viral sensation often pokes fun at the mannerisms and quirks of school principals, gym coaches, drivers ed teachers, and more. Morales initially had no intentions of internet fame, only starting on the app through a friend’s recommendation. 16.2 million likes later, her 585 thousand followers are treated to bits from characters she’s developed on the app, such as Coach Tim and Principal Janet. For someone who only started TikTok recently, the entertainer has grown extremely fast. Morales’s popularity on the app has shown her clear talent for making people laugh. We recently spoke with her about how she gets inspiration for her characters, the effect of TikTok on her quarantine experience, and more!
Did you have any specific plans or ideas when you joined TikTok?
Not at all. My roommate in college actually convinced me to make a TikTok account just so I could watch the videos she was always laughing at. It wasn't until the coronavirus quarantine that I actually started posting to TikTok.
How has TikTok helped or hindered your quarantine experience?
It's definitely helped my quarantine experience rather than hinder it. It's given me actual work to do. Nowadays, I spend a lot of my time writing scripts for videos, creating characters, and collaborating with other creators while before I was sitting on my couch binge-watching Netflix.
Which TikToker would you choose in a dream collab scenario?
This is such a strange response, but I'd love to collaborate with Diplo. He's one of my favorite artists, and his TikTok shows a really goofy side of him that I think would mesh well with some of my characters. I also would love to work with SnarkyMarky. I kind of view him as the trendsetter for "teacher tiktok," and I think his characters and my characters would make some pretty exciting content.
You have created many popular characters over your time on the app (hilarious by the way). How did you come up with them?
They're mainly based on my mom. She's an elementary school teacher, and growing up, I would always come to visit her and volunteer in her classrooms. Most of the voices and phrases I say are just things I've seen or heard her do. Some of my other characters are also based on teacher's I've had in the past. I went to a pretty strict catholic school and so some of the rules you hear my teacher characters say come from my old high school's rule book.
Do you have a favorite character to play?
Sarah, the guidance counselor, is probably my favorite. She's the most developed character I've created in my opinion, and I think she's someone everyone in school has experienced (which isn't necessarily a good thing because she doesn't exactly set the example for a perfect guidance counselor.) But she's super fun to play.
What was the last song you listened to?
“Psycho” by Russ. He's been one of my favorite artists, and his music is also pretty popular on TikTok right now, so I have his album on repeat in my house right now.
Do you plan on having a career on social media following the recent success?
I think so! I've realized over these past few weeks on TikTok that I love writing skits and creating characters to play. I think when the time is right, I'd love to start content creating full time, but as of now, I want to finish up my education before I make any long term commitments.
