Delaware

Delaware fashion bug slays TikTok at 79: ‘Nothing I ever imagined’

Published

8 months ago

April 27, 2025

Delaware fashion bug slays TikTok at 79: ‘Nothing I ever imagined’

Tucked away in his Rehoboth Beach home inside a gated community, Larry Pennington often patrols the comments section of his TikTok posts like a veteran officer of the punctuation police.

Looking spiffy in a suit jacket and fedora, Pennington cruises through the TikTok streets in his vibrant yellow 1993 Cadillac Allante, combing through countless comments in search of those golden messages that end with a question mark.

Pennington, a 79-year-old style icon and rising TikTok influencer, is committed to engaging with his 243,000-plus fans, answering their questions with unwavering dedication.

Why is answering his fans’ questions so important to him?

“I think it’s rude if I don’t,” Pennington told The News Journal / Delaware Online during an April 16 interview at his Rehoboth home.

“They are looking at my posts. They are making me what I am,” he continued about his fans. “I am nothing without those people.”

New York Times featured dapper Delaware TikTok star

Pennington’s newfound TikTok fame has landed him in feature articles by The New York Times and Newsweek. He said the “Tamron Hall Show” reached out to him earlier this year, but he wasn’t able to be a guest because he and his fashionable husband David Lasher-Pennington were on a cruise.

The beloved boomer is popular for sharing videos of thrifted items from his house, which he calls his “thrifted home.” Pennington also models his favorite outfits, many featuring colorful blazers. A number of his clothing items are from the major department chain Belk.

It certainly helps that the West Virginia-born style influencer, who was raised in a household with fashionable parents, has a velvety southern accent that captivates his audience — plus, he’s well spoken.

The wardrobe warrior’s Rehoboth home has six closets, and he owns over 90 jackets and suits, while his husband has at least 40 suits.

Delaware TikTok star swamped by over 8,700 fan comments

A retired teacher from Cape Henlopen High School, Pennington said his TikTok account exploded on Jan. 1. That’s the day he posted a video of himself modeling a brown blazer and sweater in his closet, which is something he’s done before on TikTok. That video generated over 3.6 million views.

“It was crazy, and I didn’t understand why that one went so viral,” he explained.

The fashion bug’s video triggered a flood of engagement with over 8,700 comments. He almost drowned trying to respond to his fans.

“That nearly killed me,” he said. “Now, fortunately, a lot of people just make a comment. But if they ask a question, I think it’s rude not to answer.”

Hacker held new Delaware TikTok star’s account for ransom

Becoming an internet celebrity can come with risks, and Pennington discovered the harsh reality in March when his sudden fame made him the target of a ransom attack.

The dapper Delawarean revealed his TikTok account was hacked, with the intruder changing his password and locking him out. The hacker also changed the name of his account from @larry.penninton to @pennsylvania91.

Pennington said he tried to contact someone at TikTok to help him regain control of his account, but it led him nowhere.

“When you deal with TikTok, you’re talking to a computer. It’s weird,” he said.

After nearly a week of frustration, Pennington reluctantly gave in and paid the hacker, ultimately losing around $1,000 to the scam. Pennington said the hacker returned his account, which led the influencer to create a new password and beef up security on his phone.

Once Pennington got back into his account, he said the hacker had the nerve to ask him for more money.

“I kept getting, ‘Oh, I need this. Could you send this? My child [is] in the hospital,’ with a picture of the kid in the hospital bed,” Pennington explained.

Other scammers also have tried to take advantage of the fashion guru, including one who claimed there was an issue with Pennington’s PayPal account. But the TikTok senior is hip to their schemes.

There was pain in his voice when the influencer recalled how helpless he felt during the March ransom attack.

“I was so involved in doing my TikToks that it was like a death in the family. I was devastated. I was in horrible shape,” Pennington said. “It was just awful.”

His husband said he’s cautious of scammers trying to interfere with Pennington’s TikTok fame.

“I’m kinda concerned that something is going to happen or someone is going to pull it out from under like the ransom thing,” said David, a softspoken man of few words, who likes to hang out in the background of Pennington’s videos.

Pennington has no regrets paying his TikTok ransom.

“It was worth every penny to get it back,” he said. “It was easier just to pay them. I mean, after all, I make money on TikTok, so I figured I’ll invest some of my TikTok money in getting [back] my TikTok account.”

TikTok fashion guru from Delaware dresses up 7 days a week

Although the stylish gent posts often on TikTok, he and his husband spend a lot of time outside of the house. The couple said they dress up seven days a week.

Here’s an example of what their weekly schedule around Rehoboth looks like, according to Pennington:

Monday (visit Red, White and Basil), Tuesday (visit Rigby’s Bar & Grill), Wednesday (they’ll figure out a new place to visit), Friday (hang out downtown with friends), Saturday (“we’re usually open to do something different”) and Sunday (visit Kings Creek Country Club).

Delaware friends talk TikTok fame: ‘Incredibly amazing’

Duane Liscinsky is a fellow member of Kings Creek Country Club and he’s been friends with Larry for about 10 years. He said Pennington’s TikTok videos aren’t a gimmick.

“He’s dressed almost overly appropriate for [any] event. He always has a hat on. He always has a pocket square, and he always has a brooch on,” Liscinsky of Rehoboth said. “That is his everyday life.”

Kent Swarts has known the Penningtons for about a decade. He said their TikTok fame is cool, especially for Larry.

“I think it’s incredibly amazing that as a senior gentleman, he took this inherent talent of being able to speak intelligently and clearly, especially on something he knows so well, and turn it into a modern-day success for himself,” Swarts of Rehoboth Beach said.

Swarts said his own husband’s late mom used to refer to the Penningtons as “live cartoon characters.” That’s because the couple are well-known entities in Rehoboth.

He added, when most people are wearing shorts, the Penningtons are wearing suits and “they are driving in this little yellow convertible Cadillac … into town to have a cocktail hour.”

Delaware TikTok star on being famous at 79

Pennington has enjoyed the thrill of TikTok fame and looks forward to creating even more content for his growing fan base.

Finding unexpected fame at nearly 80 years old is something that tickles the fashion expert.

“It’s nothing I ever imagined. I thought my opportunity for fame had passed me by. You know, [I’m] in my late ’70s,” he said. “It just seemed improbable. But it has happened.”

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

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Delaware

Delaware County Council chooses new leadership

Published

10 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Delaware County Council chooses new leadership

Monday also coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Womack, Controller Louis Rosenthal, District Attorney Tanner Rouse, Sheriff Siddiq Kamara and first-term Councilmember Joanne Phillips.

“I remain inspired by what the voters told me during this election,” Phillips said in the press release. “They told me to keep working hard, use my common sense, keep moving the county forward, implement changes as efficiently and effectively as we can, use our resources wisely, and take care of our people.”

First-term Delaware County Councilmember Joanne Phillips gets sworn in at the induction ceremony on Jan. 5, 2026. (Courtesy of Delaware County Communications and Public Affairs Department)

Among its first orders of business, County Council voted to reappoint Barbara O’Malley as executive director for a two-year term to oversee the day-to-day operations of government departments.

County Council’s first official meeting is Wednesday.

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Delaware

Katt Williams & more big comedians to see in, near Delaware 2026

Published

22 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Katt Williams & more big comedians to see in, near Delaware 2026

Are you already in need of a laugh (or two) in 2026?

There are several comedians performing in Delaware area this year who might be able to get the job done. But it’ll cost you a couple of coins.

Here are some big (and smaller) comedians who are currently confirmed for touring in and near the First State, from now through the summer.

Some of the most notable Black comedians performed on HBO’s raw “Def Comedy Jam” in the 1990s, including Dave Chapelle, Bernie Mac and Thea Vidale. That’s the same unfiltered Vidale who also starred as the mama of WWE star Shelton Benjamin for a brief wrestling storyline. Vidale also played the mom of R&B singer Brandy on the ’90s sitcom “Thea,” which made the veteran comic the first Black female comedian to have a sitcom named after them on a national network, according to The Grand’s website. Vidale will headline a night of laughs at an event presented by Keenan Copening’s Bar None Entertainment. The event includes DJ-K and The Reverend Bob Levy.

Studio 1 of The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Tickets are $50. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.

Delaware State Fair alum Jeff Dunham is coming to the arena of the Philadelphia 76ers with his new “AI” tour, which doesn’t stand for “Allen Iverson,” sadly. The rock-star ventriloquist and his puppet gang, who have 4.76 million YouTube subscribers, will tickle patrons with the “Artificial Intelligence” tour, a subject we can’t avoid these days.

Xfinity Mobile Arena (3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Tickets start at $92. Visit jeffdunham.com.

With 9 million fans on Instagram, Desi Banks will march a small army of his soldiers into a battlefield of silliness where he’ll wage war against boredom this spring. Although people love his internet skits, Banks is a veteran performer who also can work a stage, which he’s shared with big names including Martin Lawrence and Mike Epps.

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Jan. 16; 7 and 9:15 p.m., Jan. 17; 7 p.m. Jan. 18. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

The new year equals a fresh start to hear new jokes. Next on deck is comedian Mike Cannon, who can overshare with the best of them. Cannon has a sharp-witted style of comedy that can turn on-the-spot crowd observations into three minutes of material. Among his long list of credits, the podcast troublemaker starred in the film “Timing” on Amazon Prime, and he’s appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Friday Night Pints.”

The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. Tickets are $32. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or call (302) 400-7020.

Seven wild comics will hit one stage, with Mike Epps leading the way, during the return of the “We Them One’s” comedy tour at The Liacouras Center, home of the Temple Owls. The lineup features Epps, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, Mojo Brookzz, Tony Roberts, Jayski and Fab Monroe.

Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m., Feb. 20. Tickets are $85-$311+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.

Maybe you saw Affion Crockett in a friendly roast battle against Kevin Hart, or in Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Either way, one of the next places you can catch Crockett is headlining four shows at Punch Line Philly.

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Feb. 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Feb. 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

It was only late last year when comedian and actor Patton Oswalt came to Wilmington. Now he’s headed back to Delmarva, this time playing Ocean City.The longtime entertainer has a résumé in TV and film that’s longer than the “Star Wars” title sequence with TV and movie credits that include “The King of Queens,” “Parks and Recreation” and last year’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”

Ocean City Performing Arts Center (4001 Coastal Highway, Convention Center, Ocean City) at 7 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $61.90 to $185.50. Visit ocmdfilmfestival.com.

Comedian Ryan Davis ended 2025 on a high note, opening for well-respected comic Ali Siddiq. Davis is best known for his viral videos on social media, where he spent years ranting about pop culture or whatever else was on his mind. Some of his notable credits include appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “All Def Comedy.”

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

Going to a Garrison Keillor performance can feel like you’re at a concert, poetry session and a comedy show in one event. The storyteller, who is a native of Minnesota, will be joined with special guest Rich Dworsky for an evening of double trouble.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. March 28. Tickets are $66-$86. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.

Tracy Locke and more: ‘April Fools Festival,’ Milton

No matter the forecast, comedian Tracy Locke is bringing you spring comedy showers in Milton, so bring a poncho. The headliner will be joined with Dave Evans and host Keith Purnell.

Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $15.76-$22.35. Visit miltontheatre.com or call (302) 684-3038

Don’t think David Sedaris stands around telling jokes all day. Because he’s versatile enough to sit down and write humor, which he’s proved through multiple New York Times bestsellers. This includes Sedaris’ writings in “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” (comical essays about personal events that range from a colonoscopy to his dad wearing a shirt and underwear during dinner). Sedaris reminds his fans that the same thing that can make you cry also can make you laugh.

The Playhouse on Rodney Square (1007 N. Market St, Wilmington) at 7 p.m. April 12. Tickets are $55-$92. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302). 888-0200.

There might not be a comedian today who’s more likeable than Katt Williams, depending on whom you ask. Williams, who has headlined arenas for years, caught fire on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast in 2024 with an episode that cracked over 91 million views. He’s seen a surge of popularity over the last two years that saw more podcast appearances like Joe Rogan’s pod, which racked up 25 million views alone.

Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. April 24. Tickets are $92-$353+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.

Aries Spears, Wilmington

The biggest comedian who’s been announced for Delaware in 2026 is Aries Spears, who has been in the game for over three decades, and he’s still cracking people up. From his eight seasons on the sketch series “MADtv” to being a regular guest on the popular YouTube channel Vlad TV, Spears has shown his versatile ability to be funny with a script and in candid conversation. While Spears isn’t just an impressionist comic, he’s got a knack for mimicking entertainers like DMX, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington and Shaquille O’Neal.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. May 1. Tickets are $55-$99. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call thegrandwilmington.org.

Pennsylvania native Shane Gillis is gonna be on an emotional high when he headlines The Linc, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, this summer, joined by special guests. Gillis is one of the hottest names in comedy and showed people when he appeared in Bud Light’s 2025 Super Bowl ad with Peyton Manning and Post Malone, an experience that was capped off with The Birds winning the Super Bowl.

The Linc (One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. July 17. Tickets are $30-$171+. Visit lincolnfinancialfield.com.

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Delaware

Siddiq Kamara sworn in as Delaware County sheriff, turning family tragedy into push for change

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Siddiq Kamara sworn in as Delaware County sheriff, turning family tragedy into push for change

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) — Siddiq Kamara was sworn in on Monday as the new sheriff of Delaware County, marking a milestone he said he never imagined before a family tragedy pushed him toward public service.

Kamara, who won nearly 63% of the vote in November, greeted supporters as he arrived in uniform.

“I haven’t gotten to wear a uniform like this in a long time,” he said before the ceremony.

Moments later, he reflected on the weight of the day, saying he was “just trying to let everything sink in.”

The moment became real as he took the oath of office — a role he said he could not have foreseen before August 27, 2021.

“August 2021 changed my family’s life forever,” Kamara said. That was when 8-year-old Fanta Bility, his cousin, was killed by police gunfire as she left an Academy Park High School football game.

“When I got the call that I lost my cousin, that’s a call that nobody should ever feel. And at that moment, something had to be done,” Kamara said.

Drawing on his experience as a police officer, National Guard member, and employee of the attorney general’s office, Kamara pushed for increased training within the Sharon Hill Police Department. That effort could expand statewide through legislation known as “Fanta’s Law.”

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said he is optimistic about the bill’s future, calling it “one of the rare cases where you have bipartisan support around this bill.”

Supporters said Kamara brings a valuable perspective as the son of Liberian immigrants.

“People see themselves in him, and it’s great to have that type of representation,” said Monica Taylor, chair of the Delaware County Council.

Anthony Moss, of Laborers’ Local 413, added, “I just think he’s going to bring a lot of things. A lot of good things.”

At 30, Kamara noted his place in history.

“I’m the youngest sheriff in America,” he said while speaking to a standing-room-only crowd inside the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.

Among those watching was his aunt, Tenneh Kromah, Fanta’s mother.

“He fought for Fanta. I’m so happy for that. To get this position, I’m so happy,” she said.

Kamara pledged to honor that responsibility.

“I’ll make this promise to you guys. I promise to serve with integrity, accountability, and to make sure everybody in Delaware County is protected and served equally,” he said.

Kamara said his faith guides him, noting that his swearing-in also marked another milestone: he is the first Muslim sheriff in Delaware County.

He said he plans to focus on improving training within the department, modernizing the office and expanding community outreach.

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