TORONTO -- The pandemic has been a transformational force in our world, with many people using lockdown to focus on personal goals, be it reorganizing a messy closet or getting back into baking.
For Rohit Roy from Melbourne, Australia, he decided to use this time to finally kick his addiction to pop, something his doctor had been urging him to do for a while. So last month, Roy shared a video on TikTok in which he vowed to abstain from 鈥渇izzy drinks鈥� six days per week, with a celebratory soft drink on Sundays.
鈥淚 know this is fun platform, but I鈥檓 just trying to get some help, so thank you for your support in advance,鈥� Roy said in his first video, posted June 7.
While Roy anticipated some support, he says he could never have predicted what came next. His daily 鈥渇izzy drinks鈥� accountability videos have racked up millions of views over the past month, making him one of the social media platform鈥檚 fastest-rising stars.
鈥淚 was expecting that some people would support me, but I consider myself really lucky that so many people are supporting me, and they are making my journey very easy now,鈥� Roy told 麻豆影视 Channel in an interview on Friday.
It鈥檚 been more than 50 days since Roy last sipped a carbonated beverage. In that time, he鈥檚 posted regular updates for his 230,000 followers.
The reason for Roy鈥檚 sudden rise to stardom may be hard to understand. Most TikTok stars gather their followings through parody accounts, humour or viral dance routines.
But Roy鈥檚 videos are different. He shoots them himself and delivers them with a friendly, straightforward candour. For instance, to celebrate his 50th day without fizzy drinks, on their wedding day.
鈥淚 used to look like that, but I鈥檓 trying to get more healthier and fitter now with the help of you all,鈥� he said.
Roy says he thinks the thing that sets his video apart is his honesty
鈥淧eople feel inspired because I try to be honest with them. I don鈥檛 drink off camera and then come on and say I drink. So I try to be honest and accountable with everyone,鈥� he told 麻豆影视 Channel.
Other TikTok users have responded to Roy鈥檚 videos with tributes of their own, with many opening their fridges to opt for water rather than soda. Some users have dubbed him 鈥淜ing Rohit鈥� and 鈥渢he CEO of no fizzy drinks.鈥�
These days, Roy has swapped out fizzy drinks for beverages like water, juice and lemonade, and he's felt so motivated that he decided to skip the Sunday soft drink.
Roy says he鈥檚 delighted by all the attention, and he hopes his perseverance can inspire others to make a change in their lives.
鈥淭hey have to believe in themselves and start their own journey. We all are more stronger than we think. So it鈥檚 just a matter of starting 鈥� the earlier you start, the better it is.鈥�
