Tik Tok: The Hype House

With the rise of social media, Tik Tok has quickly become one of the most popular platforms for individuals around the world to connect and interact. Through the COVID–19 pandemic, many of us found solace in joining worldwide trends––whether they were Tik Tok dances, dalgona coffee, or looking up to rising creators. Since March 2020, some of these creators have joined content houses in an effort to rise even higher up the A list, each member garnering tens of millions of followers. With the recent release of their reality TV show, The Hype House, these creators have met with backlash from viewers claiming that Tik Tokers aren't A–list celebrities worthy of a reality show. Season 2, however, is on the rise and producers are looking to cut the cast, giving airtime only to influencers with good publicity. In this crisis, delegates will dive into the glamour and ugliness of Los Angeles and cancel culture to compete for the limited spots of Season 2 casting––who knows what you'll find out?

Danielle Kappler

Chair

Welcome to BearMUN 2021!

I am very excited to be your chair for TikTok: The Hype House! I am a sophomore from Dallas, TX, and I am studying Political Economy and Public Policy. Outside of UCBMUN, I am a member UC Berkeley’s professional international relations fraternity Delta Phi Epsilon, a peer advisor for the Political Economy department, and stay up way later then I should watching random TikTok videos. I have previously staffed BearMUN 2020 as an ACD on the Versailles committee, as well as an ACD at UCBMUN XXV on the Mission to Mars committee.

In the last few years, TikTok has exploded in popularity, influence, and outreach across the entire world. TikTok has truly become one of the most influential social media platforms of the decade, providing platforms for young activists and creators to shine—yet this influence has also stirred controversy and potential hatred. You will be stepping into the world of Tik Tok’s power, complexity, and impact on social media, and the world as a whole.

The influencers on Tik Tok are able to paint a clear, picture–perfect image of themselves for the rest of world—one that all of us have grown to recognize, and possibly identify with. However, this committee will open the possibilities to explore the depths of these influencers, where you will truly get to embrace every part of the character, not just the face we see on our screens. As important it is to explore the realms of your own character, I encourage you all to take a deep dive into the other influencers around you. Learn about your own interests and how they may or may not be the same as your fellow influencers. Please note to be mindful of conversations on sensitive topics, and if you have any questions you can reach out to me at the email below.

With season one of our show coming to an end, it is now on all of you to keep your spots on the next season. I look forward to seeing the next take in this story!

Best,
Danielle Kappler
Chair, Tik Tok: The Hype House

Kaavya Thanigaivelan

Crisis Director

Welcome to the Hype House!

My name is Kaavya Thanigaivelan, and I am excited be your Crisis Director for TikTok: Hype House! In this new age of media, TikTok has become a major platform catering to curious minds, young and old, around the world. Especially as consumers of this content, we seldom consider the inner workings of how certain content came to be or the influential powers behind creators’ platforms. In this committee, you all will have the chance to step up to the role of popular creators and experience the competition and complexities of being an influencer!

About myself—I’m a junior at UC Berkeley studying Molecular and Cellular Biology and Public Policy. I love staying active through lifting, dance, and hiking, and my newest endeavor has been learning to cook! Since I’m originally from Nashville, I’m also always looking for opportunities to go out and explore the west coast. I look forward to meeting you all soon!

Best of luck,
Kaavya Thanigaivelan
Crisis Director, Tik Tok: The Hype House