Jess Quith, 27, and her grandmother Norma, 90, have taken TikTok by storm, with 2 million followers (@jessandnorma).Ian Chaddocktalks to them about success, ageing and tech
How did you get started on TikTok?
Jess: I used to post Nan on my personal social media pages, and I would get a lot of messages from my friends and family saying she's so cute and funny.
Norma: I don’t feel cute most days!
Jess: Then TikTok came around and it was in April 2022 that I decided to post a video of Nan and it just escalated from there really.
Norma: It really has, it's lovely.
What work did you do before TikTok, throughout your life, Norma?
Norma: I started off for about a year working in an office, but then I got the opportunity to go to the General Post Office. And I was taken on as a telephone operator. I just loved working there. Even now, there's only about six of us left of the old set, but we still meet up every four or five weeks for lunch. And it's so lovely to keep in touch like that with the girls. They are all such lovely people, they really are.
Do you have a favourite TikTok video that you’ve done?
Norma: I love the videos that we did when we visited the cast of Coronation Street and Emmerdale. That was mind-blowing and so lovely. And the day was magical, wasn't it?
Jess: Yes. Nan has watched those shows for years. I like the silly and funny ones, like Nan rolling her eyes and making snide, comments—they're my favourite.
Norma: She paints a bad picture.
How do you feel about all the love that you get from the millions of people watching your videos?
Norma: It’s amazing. The messages that I've had are from all over—America, Canada and Australia.
Jess: Amsterdam. Nan says it gives her goose pimples down her spine.
When you're out together are you recognised quite a lot?
Norma: Yes. Every few yards, I can assure you. Some of them want photographs, don’t they, Jess?
Jess: Yes and some people just want to tell you how much they love watching your videos.
Norma: There's not been one negative comment. "Keep it up because we love you." I do my best.
What do you think it is that has connected with so many people?
Norma: I think it’s because we have a bond but with the difference in our ages. We just
