25 SEP 2023 · Welcome to the Charlie D'Amelio Audio Biography, a podcast series that explores the life and career of one of the most popular social media stars in the world. In this episode, we'll focus on Charli's early years, from growing up in Connecticut to her meteoric rise to fame on TikTok. We'll hear stories about her childhood, her love of dance, and how she first discovered the app. We'll also dive into her viral videos, collaborations, and the challenges of managing sudden fame. Charli D'Amelio was born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut. She has an older sister, Dixie, who is also a social media personality. Charli began dancing at the age of three, and by the time she was a teenager, she was a competitive dancer. Charli's parents, Heidi and Marc, have always been supportive of her dreams. Heidi is a photographer and former model, while Marc is a business owner and former Republican Connecticut Senate candidate. Charli has said that her parents are her biggest role models, and she credits them with instilling in her a strong work ethic and a positive attitude. Charli first discovered TikTok in 2019, when she was 15 years old. She was immediately drawn to the app's creative and expressive potential. Charli began posting dance videos, and she quickly gained a following for her talent and energy. One of Charli's early viral videos was a duet with another TikToker named Move With Joy. In the video, Charli and Move With Joy follow along with a simple dance routine. The video was a hit, and it helped to launch Charli's career on TikTok. Over the next few months, Charli continued to post dance videos, and her following grew rapidly. She also began collaborating with other popular TikTokers, such as Addison Rae and Chase Hudson. Charli's videos were consistently popular, and she quickly became one of the most followed creators on the platform. In March 2020, Charli surpassed Loren Gray to become the most followed person on TikTok. She held the title for over two years, until she was surpassed by Khaby Lame in June 2022. Charli's sudden rise to fame was a whirlwind. She went from being a regular teenager to a global superstar overnight. While Charli was grateful for her success, she also faced some challenges. One of the biggest challenges was dealing with the pressure and scrutiny that comes with fame. Charli was constantly being watched and judged, and she had to learn to deal with negative comments and criticism. Another challenge was balancing her career with her personal life. Charli was still a teenager, and she wanted to be able to enjoy her childhood. However, she also had to work hard to maintain her success on TikTok. Despite the challenges, Charli has remained positive and grounded. She is grateful for her fans and her support system, and she is excited to see what the future holds. That's it for this episode of the Charlie D'Amelio Audio Biography. In the next episode, we'll explore Charli's rise to superstardom and the impact that she has made on the world. We'll also hear about her work with various brands and charities, and her plans for the future. Thank you for listening!