CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – There’s less than four days until one of the most popular social media apps, TikTok, is set to be banned in the U.S.
Lawmakers passed legislation last April to ban the app unless the Chinese business that owns it sells it to a U.S. company.
But JayJay Goodvin, a Marshalltown native and successful influencer, says he’s had massive success on the app.
“We’ve gotten over 21 million views on our social media platforms combines, with about six million of those coming from TikTok alone.” he said.
He doesn’t have a flashy setup or designer clothes: just him, his cracked phone, and a love for all things Iowa.
A love that he shares all over one of the most popular social media apps: TikTok.
And that love for Iowa has kept him afloat – with several Iowa tourism agencies hiring him to promote things to do and places to go across Iowa.
Including traveling to almost all 99 counties in search of the best pork tenderloin.
With TikTok set to be banned in the U.S. in less than a week, he’ll lose a funding stream.
“What I really wish could happen is it sticks around because it’s been able to highlight a lot of communities, especially here in Iowa.” he said.
And while Goodvin says the cities, shops and restaurants he highlights could also lose out on business.
“You cannot spell routine without rut. And platforms like TikTok help people to get out of their routine, actually, when it comes to travel and trying new places.” he said.
But even with TikTok going away, he says he has no plans to stop making content.
Just him, his cracked phone, and a love for his home state against the world.
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