People of a certain age (like me) can be forgiven for not knowing who Ryane Roy is. But when I told my 13-year-old niece, Brooklyn, that I’d be talking to Ryane, her reaction was immediate and enthusiastic: “No way!! I love her!!” And after chatting with the 16-year-old Boerne native–turned–TikTok superstar, I get it. Her response was genuine and enthusiastic: “That's so adorable. I love that!”
When Ryane posted her first video in the summer of 2022, she didn’t have stardom in mind. “I wasn't expecting anything out of it. My mom had the idea to film a video on her camera, and at first I was like, ‘Oh no, that's so embarrassing. People from my school are going to see that.’ And she's like, ‘How about you just try it and see how it's going to do?’ So I ended up doing it, and it blew up overnight.”
By “blew up,” she means she went from about 600 followers to over 5,000 in a few hours. Now, she has 1.7 million TikTok followers and several hundred thousand more across Instagram and YouTube. What began as a dance video has become a full-blown brand. And as her content has evolved, so has her sense of responsibility.
“When I first started, I mainly did dancing videos,” Ryane recalls. “But over time, I started getting a few hate comments, and, being so young at the time, they were very impactful on me. So I decided to start posting with kindness-themed captions and quotes because I felt like it was something that would speak more loudly than a dancing video would.”
And speak it did. Uplifting comments started pouring in, and Ryane leaned into content focused on encouragement, faith, and mental health, especially anxiety, which she’s open about. “Social media tends to be a highlight reel. And I want people to know that just because someone's life may seem perfect on the internet, there's so much more outside of that that people go through. I think it's important to make sure people feel seen in that way.”
That sense of purpose extends beyond the screen. As part of the creator collective Glow House, Ryane works with fellow influencers to raise awareness and support for causes ranging from food banks and shelters to the Children’s Alopecia Project and Texas Children’s Hospital. They’re currently running a backpack drive. “As much as it is fun to go on these trips,” Ryane says, “it's also really important to give back to the community… I know I've said that a few times, but I'm just so excited!”
If you think being an influencer sounds like a dream gig, Ryane says it can be, but it’s definitely a full-time job. She switched to homeschooling to fit education around an increasingly packed content schedule. Her advice? “Just be yourself. Don't do things just because you see other people doing them; do things that are unique to you. People are not going to remember you based on things like how you dress, the makeup products you have, your hair, or your clothes. They're going to remember you based on how you've made them feel and how you are as a person.” That’s solid advice for anyone with or without a ring light.
As for what’s next, Ryane has big plans. “Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to start my own business. I had a little slime business, a bracelet business, you name it,” she says. “Recently, my family and I have been working on launching my own line called ‘Ryzn.’” (Pronounced like “risen”—a blend of Ryane and her faith.) She lights up as she explains the brand, which will include apparel, special holiday drops, and most importantly, a philanthropic model that gives back. “Whether it's a women's shelter or a food drive or a food bank, I just want to make sure that I'm giving back to my community because it's just such a huge part of what's gotten me here.”
If there’s a stream running through all of Ryane’s content—from her videos to her new brand—it’s a heart for people and a faith that shapes everything she does. “My faith is such a big part of who I am. I just think it's so awesome that I have the opportunity to do something like this and spread God's love, especially with my big following and platform.”
So no matter how long Ryane rides the wave of internet fame, she knows what her message will be. “I feel like God has given me my platform for a reason, and I feel like I'm called to spread the love of Christ!”
Find Ryane Roy on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube: @ryane.rr
Brooklyn’s Questions
What are your favorite clothes?
I like athletic. It's comfortable to me, and it's something that I like. I like Lululemon, Athleta, stuff like that. It's more comfortable, and it's me.
Where do you like to eat out with your friends?
Oh, I'd have to say Taco Bell. We are big Taco Bell fans. We go there like every night. It's really bad! Sometimes we even DoorDash it because we want it after our curfew.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
It’s Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
I think this is important because we sometimes tend to go on our own path and be like, “Why is God putting me through this? Why did this happen to me?” Instead, trust the Lord and know that everything happens for a reason. I used to have the misconception that I wasn't good enough or that I had to be perfect. But it's so important to remember that Jesus loves us for who we are, and we don't have to change ourselves. I think that's so amazing.
“Just be yourself. Don't do things just because you see other people doing them; do things that are unique to you.”