In a world dominated by toxic social media content, McCracken County teen, Carew Ellington, is working to change that standard. Carew is a TikTok sensation with over 5.2 million followers, using his massive reach to spread love, positivity, and the word of God. He first joined the popular online video-sharing network TikTok in January of 2020. In just a year and a half, the nineteen-year-old became an internet celebrity, even launching his own apparel business. While he notes that most teens dream of one day becoming famous, he never could have imagined how the app would transform his life.
TikTok was first released in the United States in September 2016 and became the most downloaded app in the country by October 2018. TikTok has been responsible for the overnight fame of countless young people but has a darker side, exposing its users to a variety of unhealthy content. Carew hopes that his videos will bring light to the dark side of social media and spread joy to those who need it. As a man of faith, his goal is for God to work through him. With his platform, he is able to share his personal experience as a Christian, send positive messages to his followers, and create heartwarming videos.
However, Carew describes how this was not the type of content he was originally releasing. After downloading the app, he began filming and posting the “typical” videos his peers were creating. The videos focused on his appearance or popular trends that were circulating online. He explains how the person he was, in the beginning, is not the same person you would meet today.
Shortly after he began posting videos, he started gaining a following. The views and likes on his page were taking off. He was “going viral,” a term used when a person or post reaches a large audience in a short amount of time. As Carew’s TikTok following grew, he became overwhelmed with the attention.
He states, “I was filled with huge feelings of pride; all the attention was on me.”
While Carew’s popularity was growing, the COVID-19 pandemic was escalating in the United States. His school was forced to switch to virtual learning, allowing him more time to dedicate to his videos. He made the decision to quit extracurricular activities and focus his energy on content creation.
While his success continued, the isolation from limited social interaction began to take a toll on his mental health. Growing up in the church, Carew knew he could turn to God in these challenging times. He prayed for the well-being of his friends and for his own happiness. His prayers were answered when he received an opportunity to start working at the local animal shelter. This was the perfect fit for Carew. He held a lifelong passion for animals and could use his platform to increase adoptions. His TikTok followers rallied behind him, even helping him adopt his own puppy, Nalu. This job not only showed Carew that his platform could be used for good, but it also inspired him to start his business.
He has launched his own clothing line, RewThreadz, where a portion of the proceeds funds a rescue to save animals from euthanasia. Carew hand makes every piece himself, and he used his entire savings to launch the business. His efforts were rewarded when he sold out on the very first night. Carew’s TikTok presence was beginning to transform.
Around this time, a friend entered Carew’s life that truly opened his eyes. He says, “God knew I needed a best friend. She showed me how I should be living just from seeing the fire in her heart for Christ.”
He realized he could share his faith with his followers and that his platform could have a positive impact on the TikTok community. As his page transformed into a place of acceptance and love, his following took off. He describes how when he stopped living for just himself, God began blessing his life. His follower count grew from 100,000 to over a million. People reached out to share how his videos were impacting their lives. God was touching the hearts of others through Carew. He continued with these types of videos. He explains how the messages on his TikTok are often what he needs to hear in his own life. While he is helping others, he is also growing himself.
Over the past few months, he has matured emotionally and spiritually. Carew now has a following of over five million and a successful business. He is attending West Kentucky Community and Technical College for a degree in business. He aspires to be a Christian author and a public speaker, sharing his testimony and the love of God. Carew’s family has been supportive of him every step of the way. He encourages people to keep their family close.
TikTok has changed Carew’s life forever. He plans to continue using the app as long as God calls him to do so. Paducah is fortunate to have such a motivated and selfless young man representing the community on a global scale.
