Mega influencer Jordan Howlett still fears losing his fame
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Jordan Howlett makes throwing glasses cool. Photo: Courtesy of Blenders
Despite having 50 million followers across social media and nabbing lucrative brand sponsorships, San Diego's own Jordan "The Stallion" Howlett says he's still terrified every day that he'll lose it all.
The big picture: The Oceanside native became a TikTok star in recent years and has since blown up into a full-fledged influencer celebrity.
- He posts everything from funny reactions to bugs to revealing Costco's secret chocolate chip cookie recipe to appearances with Michael B. Jordan and Donald Glover.
- He also shares how to copy fast food recipes.
Driving the news: Howlett is famous for wearing (and tossing) glasses he wears in his videos, and now he's been named the chief content officer for San Diego eyewear company Blenders.
- He'll help develop new products and find new ways the company can use social media.
- He's also been in State Farm and Alaska Airlines commercials.
Zoom in: We talked with Howlett about his rise to fame and San Diego influencer culture.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Have you now reached a point where you feel like you've just made it and can relax?
No, I'm terrified every day. It doesn't matter how much you get, you're always gonna want to make sure you feel secure. Do I think I can make a living off this? No, I'm still terrified I can't.
- So I think for me that's just what keeps me going, I'm still working as if I'm living in my car, and I think that's just kind of how my brain is wired.
When you started out making TikTok videos in 2018, were you trying to go viral?
No, I was focused on sports. I love sports, and I played baseball in college (he had a scholarship at UC Riverside), and that was my thing. I had absolutely zero care to be involved with social media.
- So I just did social media to relax a little bit and try to find a personality buried deep within this person that just goes to a baseball field all the time.
- Even now, to this day, I'm just very grateful that people like the videos, and every time I do a video, I'm never confident it's gonna work. I'm still thoroughly surprised that people are as entertained as I am with the stuff I do.
Why do you think your videos became so popular?
Maybe it's just because I don't really care too much about how I'm looking on camera. I obviously care about my personal appearance and hygiene and all that, but I think everything I do is very real. Everything is one take. There's not a lot of movie magic going on here, and I think that might be refreshing for people.
- Again, social media is great, but it is not everything. It is very much an instant gratification world, and it is an easily dismissible thing for people.
- So it's something that you can't take with the utmost seriousness. But at the same time, if you're passionate about it, you do have to care for the audience. And I think that balance is maybe what people enjoy.
What is different about San Diego's social media scene?
I think the pace is immensely more relaxed than other areas. When you're in San Diego, it's a bit of a breather, and it's refreshing.
- And I've always felt that way while living there, growing up there.
- Feeling relaxed is the constant vibe and feel, and I think that's what's so fun for me.
What advice do you have for other people who want to be big on social media?
I was a person that never felt as though I was incredibly talented in anything. I just knew how to really apply myself to anything I do.
- (My social media) is a key factor of that, and I think that a lot of people should not get discouraged in whatever field they want to get into.
- Just know that it's possible. You just simply have to have faith in yourself, and it is impossible to beat somebody who doesn't give up.
Is there a San Diego influencer who's constantly in your algo that we should profile? Email us at [email protected] and let us know (and link us to their account).