TikTok — one of the vital fashionable social media and video platforms on the web — has turn into a spot for folks to indicate off their abilities. Cleveland native Stefan Johnson used TikTok to assist speed up his profession as a voiceover artist.
Johnson has Lou Rawls-esque dulcet tones and he considers himself a “foodie.” Put the 2 collectively and he could make easy bar meals sound gourmand.
“They’re crispy. They’re crunchy. You’ll be able to fill it with bacon, bitter cream, cheese, chives. The probabilities are infinite and I by no means need this taste experience to finish,” Johnson mentioned emphatically over dramatic music a couple of potato pores and skin in considered one of his TikTok movies.
Johnson will fee meals, rank meals and typically he’ll document himself attempting meals for the primary time. He’ll discuss meals he loves and meals he doesn’t love. Typically his culinary takes will trigger a stir amongst his 7.5 million TikTok followers.
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“Meals creates quite a lot of robust opinions. I simply love seeing the dialog,” Johnson mentioned. “Anytime I discuss my apparently distinctive tackle pouring the milk earlier than the cereal … folks go ballistic.”
In his first viral TikTok video, he rated french fries from totally different quick meals eating places.
“At some point after posting it, not considering something of it, that video had like 100,000 views. And that was simply 24 hours,” Johnson mentioned.
Johnson wished to be a voiceover artist since he was a younger teenager — across the time his voice began getting deeper. He made voiceover work his full-time profession about three years in the past, however the gigs and job presents actually began to select up after his TikTok movies began going viral in 2020.
“I might attest a part of it to getting eyes on myself through the TikTok clout and the TikTok notoriety,” he mentioned. “However I might hope that it’s my character and expertise that makes them say, ‘Oh, yeah, we actually need this man.’”
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Natalia Garcia
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Ideastream Public Media
Stefan Johnson turned his Cleveland basement into an audio and video studio — excellent for making Tik Tok content material.
Johnson’s voice is in commercials and promotional movies for giant firms, reminiscent of McDonald’s, Gillette and Bally Sports activities. He’s in motion pictures. He has partnerships with some big-time manufacturers, together with Planters, Buffalo Wild Wings and Meta. Whether or not he likes it or not, he’s turn into a star.
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“That phrase makes me cringe. I don’t consider myself as a star in any respect. Once I go outdoors and other people acknowledge me … I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m only a man,’” Johnson mentioned. “It’s simply very jarring, however in a great way.”
Maybe the one who will get most excited to listen to a Stefan Johnson-voiced industrial is his spouse, Rica Johnson.
“Seeing him simply going from the place he began to now, it’s actually wonderful. Simply final week I heard him on the radio truly and I’m like, ‘That’s you,’” Rica Johnson mentioned with amusing.
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Rica and Stefan Johnson of their Cleveland house.
Stefan Johnson credit his spouse with giving him the power to take an opportunity on this profession path years in the past.
“She has been by North Star with all of this. A part of the explanation why I used to be even in a position to do what I did going full time with any of it is because I knew she had my again. As a result of I might have jumped off that cliff and fell flat on my face and he or she would have picked me up,” Stefan Johnson mentioned.
Stefan Johnson grew up in Hough, a predominately Black East Aspect Cleveland neighborhood that, for many years, has struggled towards the consequences of white flight, redlining and poverty.
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“There’s quite a lot of expertise within the neighborhood. There’s quite a lot of people which have a lot potential, however typically are restricted by the assets. I’ve people that may come as much as me like, ‘I heard you grew up on Hough. I’m on Hough proper now and seeing what you’re doing, it lets me know that there’s a manner out of right here,’” Johnson mentioned. “To listen to that I could doubtlessly encourage somebody to make these strikes, I’ve actually introduced myself to tears eager about that typically.”
Natalia Garcia
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Ideastream Public Media
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Stefan Johnson establishing lights and cameras for Tik Tok manufacturing.
Many of the work Johnson does – even for the nationally aired productions – he can do proper from the audio and video studios he inbuilt his Cleveland house.
“Persons are like, ‘Oh my god you’re from Cleveland. I really feel dangerous for you. Why are you not in LA? Why are you not in New York? Why didn’t you progress?’ And I get offended,” Johnson mentioned.
Johnson usually proudly wears Cleveland garb or eats at Ohio particular eating places in his TikTok movies.
“I could go to Vegas or New York or ATL each every now and then, however no, my house base is Cleveland, Ohio and I don’t plan on going anyplace,” Johnson mentioned. “This metropolis has so many gifted musicians, actresses, medical doctors, historians, cooks, beauticians, athletes … mega stars are constructed right here.”
And the most recent mega star is a voiceover artist who spends quite a lot of time debating cereals and french fries on TikTok.
An Ohio-based restaurant chain that once boasted multiple Columbus locations, and more than 10 throughout the state, is preparing to shutter all of its eateries outside of the Cleveland area.
According to statement posted to its social media accounts earlier this week by owner Matt Fish, Melt Bar & Grilled will close its Akron and Mentor locations on Aug. 11 and Aug. 25,
The announcement comes after Melt was sued by Easton Town Center—where one of its locations once operated—and after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
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The eatery, known for its indulgent grilled cheeses, at one point operated two Columbus storefronts, one in the Short North and the other at Easton. Both of these restaurants are now closed.
“This decision was very difficult to make on a personal and professional level. Operating multiple locations is unfortunately not sustainable for the immediate or long-term future,” Fish’s statement reads. “This difficult decision was made to ensure Melt Bar & Grilled will continue and succeed with a much smaller footprint.”
Fish also announced Melt’s Lakewood location will be undergoing renovations between Sept. 2-9.
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Following the closures, Melt’s only remaining locations are in Cleveland, where the concept began. They operate one location in Lakewood, and two other stores on the campus of Case Western Reserve University and Progressive Field.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Police is investigating a bomb threat made towards a business on the city’s West Side.
Cleveland Division of Police Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz says officers received a call from PPG Industries, located at 3800 W. 143rd St. around 7:30 a.m. Thursday for the threat.
Sgt. Diaz says employees evacuated the building out of caution. Officers did not find any evidence of a threat after investigating.
Sgt. Diaz says the threat remains under investigation.
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19 News received the following comment from PPG Industries:
PPG’s Cleveland, Ohio facility is currently working with local authorities to ensure the safety and security of our employees and the surrounding community, which is our first priority, following a threat the facility received this morning. The site was briefly evacuated while authorities investigated, but has now returned to normal operations. PPG’s Cleveland facility manufactures paints and coatings for use by automotive manufacturers. For additional information, please contact Cleveland authorities.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Jarrett Allen is coming off another productive season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The former Texas star finished the year with averages of 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest while shooting 63.4% from the field in 77 games.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowskireported that Allen has agreed to a contract extension with the Cavs.
Via Wojnarowski: “Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has agreed on a three-year, $91 million maximum extension that’ll now guarantee him $131 million over the next five years, his agent Derrick Powell tells ESPN.”
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Via Wojnarowski: “Allen becomes third key Cavaliers player along with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley to sign massive new extensions this summer, solidifying the franchise as long-term Eastern Conference contenders.”
Allen becomes third key Cavaliers player along with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley to sign massive new extensions this summer, solidifying the franchise as long-term Eastern Conference contenders.
Allen was the 22nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and has played seven seasons for the Brooklyn Nets (and Cavs).
This past year was his fourth in Cleveland.
The 2022 NBA All-Star has career averages of 12.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest while shooting 63.0% from the field in 486 regular season games.
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He has also appeared in 18 NBA playoff games.
Apr 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic during game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Cavs have become one of the best teams in the league and are coming off a year where they made the NBA playoffs for the second straight season.
They were the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and beat the Orlando Magic in the first round.
However, the Cavs lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round (in five games).
