TikTok influencers speak about the ban and its immediate comeback

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Today, we spoke with three viral influencers to hear their thoughts on TikTok’s “ban” and its immediate comeback.

For weeks, TikTok users prepared themselves for January 19th—the day the app was expected to be banned in the United States.

The potential loss of the platform caused widespread concern in the TikTok community, whether among viewers or content creators who rely on TikTok for their careers and connections.

Today, we spoke with three viral influencers—Dmitry Pepper (MisterMainer), Mary Alex (TheKhaleesiCat), and Shelby Alfredson (ChinPals)—to hear their thoughts on TikTok’s “ban” and its immediate comeback.

Dmitry Pepper: MisterMainer

Dmitry Pepper, better known as MisterMainer, has reached over 19 million followers for his creative videos featuring his dog, Biscuit. With a mix of quirky outfits, dances, and imaginative sets, Pepper’s content has become wildly popular on TikTok.

He explains that the threat of the app’s ban served as a reminder of how fragile social media careers can be.

“TikTok is a huge part of my career,” Pepper explained. “It’s upsetting to think about losing a platform where I’ve built my audience. I’ve been preparing for this since the rumors started in 2019—expanding to Instagram and YouTube was a backup plan. But the thought of losing TikTok still felt like losing a piece of what I’ve worked so hard to create.”

Pepper first went viral in 2021 with a video of Biscuit, a rescued English Bull Terrier-Whippet mix.

“She’s a unique-looking dog with a great story,” he said. “People love her personality and the creative ideas I bring to the videos. TikTok gave me the chance to connect with millions of people.”

As the ban came closer, Pepper raced to download all his videos, filling his computer’s storage.

“I felt like I was saying goodbye to something huge. It was hard, but I tried to focus on the positives and prepare for whatever was next,” he shared.

Mary Alex: TheKhaleesiCat

For Mary Alex, TikTok became an unexpected lifeline during a slower period in her life.

Her content focuses on Khaleesi, her adopted cat, who has attracted over 1.6 million followers.

“In 2020, I was furloughed from my position at NBC during the pandemic,” Alex explained. “I turned to TikTok to pass the time and use my skills in TV production and digital media. I posted a video of Khaleesi one night, and by morning, it had over 100 million views. That’s when I realized I could create something special.”

Alex credits TikTok for giving her a platform to share her love for animals and advocate for rescue pet adoption.

“Being adopted myself, it’s incredible to connect with such a large audience. TikTok is more than an app—it’s a community. Without it, so many of us would lose the ability to connect and share stories,” she said.

Speaking on the government’s concerns about data mining, Alex says she understands the issues surrounding privacy and platform ownership but questions the difference between data collected by the U.S. government and another country.

“I understand the need for regulation, but I believe banning TikTok isn’t the answer. It’s a place where businesses grow, careers flourish, and people connect on a global scale.”

Shelby Alfredson: ChinPals

Shelby Alfredson, the creator behind ChinPals, began her journey over ten years ago, before social media platforms like TikTok became prominent.

Throughout her life, Alfredson has loved creating videos with her chinchillas, never imagining how far her content would take her.

“Before TikTok, I enjoyed making videos with my chinchillas, but I wasn’t sure about joining the platform,” Alfredson admitted. “Once we started posting, it became clear that people loved our content. There’s something special about connecting with viewers through these little animals.”

Alfredson highlighted TikTok’s unique ability to bring people from diverse backgrounds together, regardless of nationality, culture, or beliefs.

“There’s no other platform like it. On Instagram or YouTube, you mostly reach people in the U.S., but TikTok connects you with the world. It’s amazing to have that kind of reach,” she said.

While Pepper acknowledges that privacy breaches are a valid concern, Alfredson agrees with Alex’s perspective on the lack of privacy across all apps.

“Every app collects data—TikTok isn’t the only one. They all access contacts, private information, track your status, and sell the data. No, I do not see TikTok as a threat to me.”

Pepper added, “I think there should be a bill that focuses on protecting user data across all platforms instead of singling out TikTok.”

For creators like Dmitry Pepper, Mary Alex, and Shelby Alfredson, the potential loss of TikTok wasn’t just about money—it was about losing a community they had created over the years.

Fortunately, no one has to worry about that now.

Just this morning, TikTok released a welcome-back message when opening the app:

“Welcome back! Thanks for your patience. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.”

While the three creators may focus their concerns in different areas, they all agree on one thing: banning the app is not the solution to the government’s concerns.

We’ll keep you updated if there are further developments regarding TikTok’s status in the U.S.