Nov
7,
2022
Sometimes it takes a lifetime to seek out one’s calling. For Pauline Granny Kana, one half of the Ross and
Granny duo, it took practically 90 years to seek out hers.
“Granny,” spent nearly all of her life as a household girl in a small Ohio city. She labored a sequence of blue-collar jobs, from factories and mills to bakeries, and at all times put her household’s wants earlier than her personal. Well after changing into a retired girl, she discovered herself spending the very best a part of her days along with her grandson, Ross Smith a school soccer athlete on the University of Dayton and a Vine content material creator with a large following. However, Ross wouldn’t actually go viral till the day he and Granny had been taking part in basketball collectively, the place he recorded himself blocking one among Grannys photographs. The Vine clip took the web by storm in 2013 and the well-known on-line duo, Ross and Granny was born.
Fast-forward practically a decade later, Granny is now a beloved web sensation at 96 years of age. Known for movies of Granny dwelling the thug life, performing the newest web challenges, and doing an array of different absurd actions, the “Gangster Granny” and her son, Ross, have captured the hearts and eyes of followers throughout the globe. Together, they’ve amassed over 73 million social media followers and have proven the world that each comedy and social media don’t have any age boundaries. Despite having to beat latest well being struggles, Granny continues to be energetic and displaying no indicators of slowing down anytime.
Over the course of her lifetime, Granny has witnessed the Great Depression, World War II, and each
different main international occasion that has taken place since. She’s a most cancers survivor who acquired love and help from everywhere in the world throughout her street to restoration. Granny just lately celebrated her 96th birthday and he or she actually has loads to be pleased with. Through her smile, grit, humor, and jubilance, in addition to her willingness to go together with all of Ross’s video antics, she’s made a big impact on her tens of millions of followers and followers. We caught up with Granny to get a better look into how she’s grasped the success she’s attained on-line, her favourite facet of being a creator, and what she has deliberate for the long run.
PPLA: What was your first thought when Ross began filming movies of you two? Particularly the video concepts that get a little bit outrageous and quirky.
GG: In the start, I used to be simply completely happy to be spending time with my grandson. We can be outdoors both taking part in basketball or doing one thing else and he’d be like “I have an idea” and begin filming. I at all times went together with it as a result of I used to be having enjoyable and it was making him so completely happy to do these little skits. Ive in all probability at all times been just a bit bit outrageous so working intently with my Ross these previous a number of years has actually unlocked extra of the outrageous in me.
At first, I simply thought he was taking images of us and I didn’t even know what Vine or social media was.
We had been simply having a lot enjoyable spending time collectively and I had no thought it could make me well-known!
PPLA: Your followers and followers adore you! How does it really feel to be one of the crucial well-known and beloved folks on social media at 96 years outdated?
GG: It could be very surreal, however I really feel completely happy understanding that this time Ive spent with my grandson creating foolish
movies has impressed and inspired folks to be variety, to chortle, and to attach with their elders. I hear
from folks on a regular basis that inform me one among our movies helped them reconnect with their very own grandparents and I like listening to these tales. Its not simply elders however household, buddies, relations, anybody who has been distant. It brings me happiness understanding that my buddies and the followers are completely happy about watching our movies and following alongside on our journey.
It nonetheless feels so new to me. My technology didnt have TV or the web, solely radio. To go from obscurity
offline to this place the place folks appear to know my title has been a whirlwind in the perfect means. Im
not curious about fame, however I do love that I now have the chance to attach with so many new folks all internationally and listen to their tales whereas sharing our personal. I might by no means have anticipated and even wished for this chapter of life, however I wouldnt change it for the world. I credit score Ross for our success
as a result of all of the concepts had been his and I simply go together with what he says. My favourite a part of all of it is spending
time with him. I additionally love assembly and connecting with folks in all places we go.
PPLA: Can you recall one among your favourite movies that you just’ve executed with Ross?
GG: We did a driving-in-bed video that was actually enjoyable! For that one, all I needed to do was lay down on a
mattress. We all have these days the place we by no means wish to depart mattress, so Ross determined to make me a mattress
that might drive round. He constructed a mattress body and mattress on high of a go kart and we strolled via the city even getting Wendy’s drive-thru. I felt like a queen for the entire day!
PPLA: What has been essentially the most thrilling second for you since changing into a social media sensation? Have you met any of your celeb heroes?
GG: I’ve met so many superb and proficient folks! I liked watching TV rising up so it makes me completely happy to know I used to be capable of meet these acquainted faces.
Perhaps two of my favourite moments had been assembly Chuck Norris and Steve Harvey! Ross and I did a
video the place we had been coaching with Chuck and I had the very best time. He taught me a bunch of his secret
weapons though I nonetheless beat him at flip cup! I additionally beat Steve Harvey in beer pong on his personal present! I
keep in mind seeing him look so bewildered about it afterwards.
Overall, extra so than assembly well-known folks, I simply love how these adventures with Ross have allowed
me to satisfy so many new folks. Those are at all times particular moments as a result of I get to listen to the tales of
how Ross and I’ve impacted their lives.
PPLA: With the social media model and empire you and Ross have constructed, you’ll be able to primarily go wherever and do something you need. What’s in your future want checklist?
GG: I wish to learn to drive! I consider Ross goes to assist train me quickly!
