In the ever-evolving entertainment landscape, social media platforms have emerged as dynamic spaces where emerging comedians can showcase their humor. One such individual who has capitalized on this digital revolution is Ty Gibson – a comedian and TikTok whose hilarious sketches and relatable content have earned him a loyal following. With an uncanny ability to transform everyday situations into comedic gold, Ty Gibson has mastered the art of delivering quick-witted punchlines that resonate with viewers worldwide.
In this Ty Gibson x The Teen Magazine collab, we’ve had a chance to sit down and talk with Ty personally about his journey to internet stardom, being your most authentic self, and give some advice to other up-and-coming influencers who want to follow in the same footsteps.
Meet Ty Gibson
Ty Gibson, better known as @yeahitstyg, was born on April 3, 2000, and raised in North Carolina. Since joining the social media community in 2013, Ty has garnered 9.3M followers on his TikTok channel and 517k supporters on his Instagram. You probably know him for funny yet relatable skits.
You might wonder…what makes him different from other comedy content creators? Ty doesn't merely create wacky videos; he does so in a manner that embodies his own distinctive and creatively vibrant personality.
Journey to Internet Stardom
"Honestly, I had no clue what I was going to be in this life. It was kinda given to me by God and it was like He said you were either going to deal with the cards I’ve dealt you or do your own thing." - Ty Gibson
Like most people, nobody knows what their future career will be or where they will end up until it happens. It was the same way for Ty until his friend introduced him to the app that altered his life forever: Musical.ly. Ty recalls, "At the time, I was very introverted, and I didn't have a single outgoing bone in my body.
So when she told me about it, I was like…uhhh I don’t think I’m going to be out here posting any videos, but I’ll check it out. But then she said, 'you never know, just try it out'. That was the seed planted [in my head], and from then on, I was navigating slowly but surely and found my way. Here we are, 9.4 million followers later! Who would have known?"
Love and Support
Behind every celebrity is a dedicated support system that nurtures and propels them throughout their journey. It wasn't any different for Ty as he states, "I remember this all the way down to the date. I first went viral in June of 2016 to Wale’s song, 'MY PYT'.
I did a Michael Jackson impression, and one thing about me that I still do to this day is I will bootleg a character. For example, I pulled out a white dress button-up shirt from my closet, black slacks, black dress shoes, pulled out a wig that resembled the wig from the movie, Good Burger that Ed wore with a black hat on top and that was my Michael Jackson costume. I did this because I wasn't about to go out and buy a Michael Jackson costume. I put it on and posted and didn’t think anything else of it that day. The next day comes and next thing you know, while I’m in school my video had became featured. In school, I had no service so by the time I got out, that’s when I realized it finally happened."
"I saw that my video was featured, which is the TikTok equivalent of the FYP where many videos filtrated throughout. During that time, when your video was featured, it was the top of the list and if your video stayed there then it got all of the attention until another video debunked your video with a featured stamp, too. I texted my mom and told her that they finally featured me because she was getting tired of me complaining about being featured. She was like 'you're going to get featured one day', and I was so unsure. From that point on, musical.ly was on my back like crazy with features and that's how I knew I was in the right profession and field of entertainment."
There has been one point in most of our lives when we've had to say something we're grateful for, usually around a table filled with Turkey and other delectables. But being grateful is something that we should be more often.
"I am the most grateful for my supporters because without God putting them in my life and without God ordaining this path I’m on… Ty G, who? No clue! It's been a journey and a blessing being able to grow and get to know them.
They have taken what I do and has helped me share it with the world. Who would have known that I would be across the world in places that I’m not physically at but my videos have made it there. It’s insane. My supporters truly are my ride or dies." - Ty Gibson
If you've been part of the Ty Gibson fandom for a long time, you're probably familiar with your nickname, the 'TyGems'. Nicknames usually have a wacky origin story, but Ty's reason for his fan nickname gets deep and personal. "I always want to remind them that they are a Gem or a Jewel in everything that they do regardless." One of the main things that come with the territory of being an influencer is the ability to be as raw and unfiltered with your audience as you want to be. "The thing that I really value the most is my connections. It's crazy because I grew up watching a lot of content creators, especially in the comedic field. [These are the] people I am now friends with, and we follow each other, are mutuals, and we talk. So it's a full circle moment, and it's like wow..the power of videos can really change your life and bridge the gap."
"One message that I want to convey to my followers is to always be your authentic and true self because a lot of people nowadays want to do things for a quick, viral moment and or try to be something that they're not. The minute you post that video, that's you! Whatever is true and fun and doable to your character that's what the world needs and wants to see.
The minute someone sees you in person and it doesn’t align with what you’re putting out online, it’s starts to make you question where the shift took place? And from personal experience - I’ve seen creators with big personalities online but introverted energy in person and that’s okay. Social anxiety is absolutely real and valid. Just be yourself. That’s the message I always try to convey in my content I'm crazy, I like to cut up, I laugh at myself, I do a lot of abnormal things, and I allow my brain to take me wherever it wants to take me. I want people to realize that you can do anything you set your mind to, whether you have all the resources or not. I'm still doing crazy stuff and it's like "Ty, how did you think of that?" Or "Ty, how did you do that?" You have to be open-minded, be creative, and allow yourself that space of growth and vulnerability because that's what people want to see. Nobody doesn't want to see someone that isn't you. You only get one "you" in this world so be the best version of that." - Ty Gibson
#HatersStayAway
Dealing with people who put us down is like dealing with pests we don't want to see. They're annoying, and we wish they would go away. Unfortunately, it's not as easy for influencers, especially the larger their following grows.
Ty tells us, "Firstly, I’m allergic to negativity. And the way I deal with it along with criticism online is like this: I think to myself and I’m like, okay… you thought I wasn't going to see that comment? One thing about me is that I am that creator that reads lots of my comments. I may not read every last single one, but I go through the comments well enough to where you can see that I’m very active with my supporters and how I connect [with them] - so yeah, I see a lot of things - mostly good and slightly off the wall."
"Then there will be some comments where it throws me off and I’m like, alright let’s have a seat… you could have clearly kept that to yourself because it clearly doesn’t apply to me and I’m not going to allow it to. I’ve now learned to pick and choose what battles are worth my time and energy to fight. The path I’m going on in life?
Some battles will never be worth compromising your moving-forwardness in your destiny. Most of the time now, I just continue to let them hate and talk while I’m still going forward. Once they realize how far in the back of the line they are due to minding my business that doesn’t pay them? They’ll then wake up and realize to mind their own for a change."
Working like a Machine
For Ty, coming up with ideas is a nonstop process. "Firstly, my brain goes around the clock 25/8. It's always thinking, always brainstorming. I never sleep.
Even when I'm asleep, my brain is still awake. I wake up with ideas and I think it's because I've been doing this for so long, so it comes very naturally, which I'm very thankful and grateful for," says Ty.
"One main way that I absorb any type of idea is by being so present in the moment. When I say that, anywhere I go, whether it's a family setting, party, out in public, or shopping, I'll be listening and I might see someone do something and think…Hey! That's a relatable skit.
Or hear somebody say something and think 'I like how they said that' or 'I like that scenario that's going on', so it might trigger me to start thinking about something else. I'm always observing in various ways. By watching TV, scrolling on my timelines, I might see how a trend is moving and think 'Okay, I can take that trend and do it this way,' and I can try to take that trend and adapt it to what's true and real for me. Nine times out of ten it works for me because my audience is used to that. I just go with the flow, be free and be present."
TikTok is not just for funny dance videos and recipes. It's a platform that allows people to speak out about the issues that bother them to change the world. While many influencers won't acknowledge what's happening around them, Ty strives to bring these issues to light in one form or another. "Already, you know how the system of social media works, how diversity is always tested, and how other non-POC creators are put ahead of creators of color.
I feel like that's one situation I wish we could come to a common ground about and continue to be a voice for that. As we continue to grow and evolve in society, it will unfortunately continue to be an issue of some sort which is one of the main reasons I will continue to stand for the change while voicing my opinions when given room to - in hopes that it gets better over time," Ty explains.
Beyond that, Ty also has a soft spot for the youth and helps the next generation. "One main thing is that I love kids and truly have a heart for them. If I could give back to kids in any sort of way, whether that's through a foundation, giving money, or whatever the case may be. It's been that way since I was in daycare.
I grew up in daycare and then once I got older enough, the kids growing up behind me, I started helping out to take care of them. From that day forward, I’ve been loving the youth ever since and giving back to see them grow into who they were destined to be. They’re our next generation."
Going Forward…
"A big piece of advice that I wish I knew before starting any of this is to trust the process," Ty says, "It’s not going to happen overnight. It can and it has happened to some but 9 times out of 10, when it does happen - you still gotta put in the work to keep it going. Those people that got that overnight success to this day still have to keep up that momentum to continue to remain relevant and stay afloat."
"For people like me who have been in the social media business from 2013 up to now… it’s been a whole 10 years.” You really have to have heart and dedication. That’s what will truly take you through the journey. If you really want it, then you have to fight for it and use what you have until you can get what you need."
When asked about what he has in store for his followers in the future, Ty shared, "From this point forward, I've been doing videos for years now. My heart is there and that's my happy place. But I'm trying to get out of the phone and onto the big screens, movie and TV screens, specifically sitcoms, sketch comedy, you name it. That's where I want to elevate myself to and that's where I'm building myself up towards. Coming soon…"
Photo by Curtis and Cort Photography
Quick Questions with Ty
1. What would be your dream collaboration?
Tyler Perry is top-tier in the TV and film world for me. But to answer your question, Liza Koshy. She’s my spirit animal. I love Liza Koshy, and I think we would eat down on a collab together.
2. What is your favorite TikTok trend at the moment?
My favorite TikTok trend at the moment is the Buckle Up Dance Challenge. That dance is living rent-free in my head, and they're not paying me one dime. But it's okay because I love that dance anyway.
3. What is your most-used app on your phone?
My most-used app on my phone is TikTok. I'm on that app 24/7, and if I'm not creating content, I'm watching someone else's live and probably lurking but not commenting. You probably wouldn't know that I'm in there, but I'm there. There's not a day that goes by that I'm not on that app.
4. Out of all the videos you have posted online, which one is a stand-out favorite for you?
My stand-out favorite is my baby, the kick-swivel dance video. I created that dance in July 2019, and that video literally changed my life, especially in the dance realm, because I love to dance. So, seeing that I created a dance?
Who would have known that I would be one of those people that has a dance that people still talk about to this day! When that video first came out, it was truly a time and a groundbreaking era.
5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chicken Alfredo. And that's the bottom line. That's self-explanatory.
6. Barbie or Oppenheimer?
"And I'm bad like the Barbie (Barbie). I'm a doll, but I still wanna party." The Barbie movie really hit me. I didn't realize this movie was that deep until I really got into it.
That movie bout had me in tears. It had such powerful message. I would go see it again and again. I can't wait until the movie is released digitally so I can stream it.
7. What is your favorite music genre?
R&B all day! I'm an old soul, so R&B is where I'll be!
8. If you weren't a content creator, what career would you choose?
I would be a children's author. I started writing children's books at a young age. At age 10, I was prophesied that I would be a young author or writer.
I was like…Well, I write my scripts and stuff now, but that's not necessarily a book. I still have that passion for writing children's books. I probably would end up writing a children's book later on down the line, but if I wasn't doing this, then I would have 10 million published books out by now.
9. Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?
Extrovert. I'm a social butterfly at its best. My mouth stay running without walking first.
I never meet a stranger, and I get that from my mother. She's the same way. That’s the same energy I always want to give regardless of how big I get in this social media bubble and or this world. I want everyone to know how personable I am and that you can speak to me without the fear of rejection or feeling like I’m “stuck-up” or “antisocial”... I think the think not!
10. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
I've been given a lot of advice over time, but the one thing that stuck out to me is when this director of a project I’m a part of, told everyone in the room that everybody wants to be the Chiefs and or the head of something but no one ever wants to be Indians first referring to the supporting roles. We were talking about how every role matters, big or small, and how they're all contributing pieces to the final picture. I felt this advice really resonated with me because every role does matter.
As a team player, I felt this advice really resonated with me because every role matters. It always deserves recognition, and even if it doesn’t get recognized, still know your contribution is deeply valued because without that role you played? The project would have remained incomplete.
Photo by Curtis and Cort Photography
Come back for more!
If you couldn't get enough of Ty from this interview, be sure to keep up with his social media for new posts and updates on his future projects! TikTok: @yeahitstyg Instagram: @yeahitstyg YouTube: @Yeah It’s Ty G
