In the world of viral content and instant internet fame, one name that has recently been making waves is corook.
Known for their candid and relatable presence on TikTok, corook’s music and authenticity have resonated with audiences worldwide. The artist sat down with What’s Trending to discuss their journey from online sensation to a headlining tour and their upcoming EP release.
Viral Sensation: “If I Were a Fish”
“It was extremely overwhelming. I have never received so much of a response from strangers and people that I know,” corook admitted when asked about their viral TikTok video, “If I Were a Fish.”
The video garnered massive attention, thrusting corook into the spotlight.
“It was really cool to reach that many people and have that many people relate to something that I feel is not talked about a lot. Which is how the internet is a hard place to exist. So it felt really comforting to finally have a community around that subject.”
@hicorook I was having a very emotional day, feeling insecure and out of place. So I cried to Olivia and after feeling through it, we wrote this song in 10 minutes to remember the joy in being different ???? happy Tuesday
However, the sudden surge of attention wasn’t without its challenges.
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Corook admits, “On the other hand, I’m an introvert, so to have that many people wanting to talk to me at once was really scary and hard. But obviously a very beautiful thing that I’m very grateful for.”
From Opener to Headliner: corook’s Touring Experience
corook has come a long way in a short time. When discussing their relationship with touring, corook responded with enthusiasm stating, “I’ve been an opening act for the last two years, so it’s pretty crazy to say I get to headline just two years later.”
@hicorook My heart is so full after the Philly show ???? you guys are the freaking best. Tour picks up again tomorrow in NYC! Who will I see there!? Bring your sock puppets and kazoos!
They continued, “I was always so looking forward to a time that I could create an experience for people the second that they walk into the room. I love doing that.” “There aren’t many chances that we get to have actual people in front of us, and be able to curate more than just what our profile looks like,” the star mused. “It’s an opportunity to connect with each other and make people feel a certain way using more than just their eyes and ears and their phone.”
Tackling Internet Hate and Vulnerability
In August, corook posted a TikTok discussing the negative aspects of going viral, a moment that resonated with many. In regard to dealing with internet hate, the artist stated, “I think that it’s something I’m gonna continue navigating as my relationship with TikTok changes and the virality changes and goes up and down.”
@hicorook this has been weighing on me and i just wanted to share ????
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They added, “I felt a huge barrier between me and the people online. I wanted to just put my phone up and talk to people. I didn’t feel like I could do that honestly before I told them that truth. Which was, I’m scared to do this, and this is hard.”
The Power of TikTok for Emerging Artists
Even with the negative side of online exposure, corook recognizes the power of platforms like TikTok for emerging artists. “I think that whether you like it or not, TikTok is the best chance at reaching your audience before a label, before anyone is giving you money to go on tour,” they emphasized.
@hicorook no sweat, cause I know you got my back ????????
corook concluded, “So I think that’s really important for people to realize, they have a better chance by doing it than not.”
Musical Inspirations and Upcoming EP: “Serious Person (Part 2)”
When asked about their musical inspirations, corook shared, “I’ve been looking back a lot honestly. I have this playlist of music that plays before I go on and it’s just full of a bunch of ‘70s and ‘80s music. The B52s, Whitney Houston, Prince. All of these artists who felt like they were paving the way for something completely unique within that time is really inspiring to me.”
@hicorook I’m seriously so grateful for y’all listening to my ep. Played my first headline show last night and I couldn’t believe how many of you guys knew the words to these songs ???? my little heart is happy ????
corook’s upcoming EP, “Serious Person (Part 2)”, is highly anticipated. “I think ‘Serious Person (Part 2)’ is the wacky second sibling of ‘Serious Person (Part 1).’ It’s kind of where I got to let my freak flag fly a little bit,” they shared. “It represents a lot of what I love about music, which is vulnerability paired with really wacky catchy songs.”
The Iconic Frog Hat
The iconic frog hat that corook is often seen wearing has become synonymous with their image. “I describe it as the hat that made my career, which is hilarious,” corook chuckled. “My friend Alex who also lives in Nashville got it for me for my birthday, and I just had it hanging on my wall for a couple of weeks. Now everybody recognizes me and recognizes that hat as the corook fandom, which is really sweet and really cool.”
@hicorook maybe my most vulnerable song. No jokes or punchlines. I’m not doing well is part of serious person (part 1) out this Friday ???? #mentalhealthawareness
They added, “Whenever I wear the hat, I’m trying to show myself this is where I am and this is where I’m supposed to be.”
@sammywroge this is so wholesome!! thank you @hicorook #ifiwereafish #corook #nyc#oliviabarton#washingtonsquarearch
In the world of social media stardom and rapid internet fame, corook’s journey is a testament to the power of authenticity and connection. As they embark on their headlining tour and release their new EP, “Serious Person (Part 2)”, on September 22nd, it’s clear that corook’s unique blend of vulnerability and catchy music will continue to resonate with fans around the world.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
