Isabeli Fontana

Isabeli is one of the most prolific creators on TikTok, amassing over 5.8 million followers on the platform. She mainly posts funny and entertaining videos, but she also touches on serious and topical issues from time to time.

In this article, we dive into her channel, exploring the trends that have risen as a result of her work and the content she provides.

TikTok’s Most Prolific Creator

Isabeli started posting on TikTok in early 2018, just as the platform was starting to take off in Australia. Her first few videos were cute throwback shots of animals wearing clothes, paired with upbeat music and quirky lyrics. She then gradually started incorporating more complex and interesting storylines into her videos, and the audience responded in kind.

Since then, she has become one of TikTok’s most prolific creators, releasing popular and successful videos at a rapid pace. To date, she has over 100 million views on TikTok and is one of the most followed creators on the platform. In Q1 2021, she was the 13th most-viewed creator on TikTok by total views, earning her over 400 million views across her various channels (excluding TikTok). She also has the distinction of being one of the few creators on the platform to officially grow their follower base every month. (The following statistics were sourced from TikTok and are for illustrative purposes only.)

The Most Viewed Video On TikTok

It’s no secret that Isabeli is one of the most popular creators on TikTok. The audience has clearly responded to her content, with her videos consistently rising to the top of the trending lists on the platform. Here are the five most viewed videos of Isabeli as of February 2021.

1. 100 tips to make your cooking easier (4.8 million views)
This video is the most viewed video on TikTok as of February 2021, and it’s no wonder why. In it, Isabeli lists off 100 tips that can make cooking easier for first-time cooks. The video is a compilation of her advice, ranging from how to choose the right cooking utensils to how to store and clean each element of a fish before and after cooking it. The tips are easy to follow and each one is tied to a relevant cooking trick or technique. A good portion of the video is spent showing how to properly use each piece of equipment, demonstrating how much practice goes into being a world-class cook. (Isabeli)

2. How to make the perfect cup of coffee (4.67 million views)
Next on the list is the how to make the perfect cup of coffee video, which currently holds the record as the second most viewed video on TikTok. (As of February 2021.) In it, Isabeli offers some basic coffee-making tips and then gradually begins to discuss more advanced methods, demonstrating how the basics change depending on the level of sophistication of the cook. (Isabeli)

3. How to make the most of what you’ve got (4.65 million views)
The third most viewed video on TikTok is How to make the most of what you’ve got, which, as the name would suggest, is a how-to guide on using what you’ve got to maximize its potential. In this video, Isabeli provides tips on how to use the kitchen items around you to create beautiful and innovative recipes. (Isabeli)

4. The science of baking (4.6 million views)
The science of baking video is the fourth most viewed video on TikTok, currently holding the record as of February 2021. In it, Isabeli demonstrates how to use various scientific principles to create perfect pastries and cakes. (She does touch on some basic cooking techniques as well.) (Isabeli)

5. The psychology of cooking (4.49 million views)
Isabeli’s The psychology of cooking video is the fifth most viewed video on TikTok, currently holding the record as of February 2021. In it, she explores the various psychological factors that influence your cooking style and offers some tips on how to change your habits and overcome any mental barriers that could be standing in the way of you becoming the best cook you can be. (Isabeli)

The Influencer Behind The Trends

It’s well-established that creators like Isabeli have shaped the cultural conversation around food on social media platforms like TikTok. But it’s not only virtual chefs that have benefited from the platform. The influencers behind the trending topics have also prospered, enjoying an audience similar to celebrity chefs, but without all the work and hours behind the scenes.

Take food writer and critic Anna Lappé, for instance. As the author of several best-selling cookbooks and creator of the blog My Kitchen Table, she has built an audience of millions on TikTok. She uses the platform to share her thoughts and recipes with her audience, and it seems to be working—last year she achieved her best-ever sales figures and was even named by Forbes as one of the 50 most influential foodies in the world.

Similarly, celebrity chef Guy Fieri, known for hosting food-based reality shows such as Guys Gardening and Walking Dead-themed pizza delivery service Dörtye Pizzeria, has also used TikTok to the benefit of his culinary business. The platform’s open platform and focus on short-form content has enabled creators to build a following and engage with their audience, which in turn has led to increased brand awareness and business performance.

The Rise Of The Metaphysical Kitchen

It’s not just culinary influencers who have seen the benefits of using TikTok. So-called ‘metaphysical kitchens’ have also seen an audience boom on the app. These are individuals or groups of people who make use of virtual reality, augmented reality, and other forms of digital media to explore the creative potential of food beyond the plate.

Take virtual reality food tours, for example. As its name would suggest, virtual reality food tours allow users to explore regions of the world associated with their favourite chefs through the use of sensory overload: consuming morsels and taking in the sights and smells of culinary creativity.

Augmented reality food tours work similarly, except that they combine the wonders of reality with those of digital media.

These types of experiences can only be enjoyed through the use of dedicated VR or AR hardware such as the Oculus Rift, Google Cardboard, or a Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

So, instead of spending your time in the kitchen, you could be experiencing the culinary arts from a whole new perspective.

The Influence Of Social Media On Food

It’s important to stress that not all cultural influencers have benefited equally from the rise of social media platforms like TikTok. While some have seen their audiences soar as a direct result of their content on social media platforms, others have struggled to maintain their followers and audiences as the platforms have evolved and changed.

The truth is that the cultural influence of social media platforms is impossible to quantify. While it’s tempting to attribute this influence to a single creator, the truth is that it’s a collaboration: everyone from food stylists to photoshoppers to graphic designers have played a role in the influence social media has on food.

Thanks to platforms like TikTok, the influence of celebrity chefs and food influencers on social media has never been greater. As well as driving record sales, this content is also having a growing impact on our everyday lives. The platforms are influencing our food choices and the way we prepare and consume it. (Thanks to TikTok for collecting this data.)