PAPER People: @japanesegrandpa
Paper People 2020

PAPER People: @japanesegrandpa

Creative direction by Agusta Yr / Styling by Erika Golcher

For most of 2020, our world has been reduced to the experiences we have on our phones. And TikTokers have been leading the charge in creating viral entertainment that keeps us scrolling for hours and hours. So this year's PAPER People shifts its focus exclusively to TikTok — the breakout app our President wanted to ban, that launched sleeper hits and massive pop careers, that ushered in an entirely new generation of influence. Meet our 20 favorites across comedy, fashion, social justice and more, who are owning their spaces and racking in millions of likes. (And follow PAPER on TikTok).

With masterfully smooth transitions, flawless e-boy fashion and K-pop idol-worthy, '90s Leo hair, Neil Shibata AKA @japanesegrandpa couldn't help but gather a devoted TikTok following when he joined the app in May last year. The 20-year-old Canadian has blown up by sharing his beauty routines, full body bee costume and skits featuring random friends. His fans are called the Grandkidz, and now you're one of them.

@papermagazine

Introducing our class of 2020 PAPER People exclusively on TikTok💕 I am looking respectfully ❤️👄❤️@japanesegrandpa

♬ STAN LIZ SANCHEZ 4 CLEAR SKIN RN - officiallizsanchez

Who was your childhood hero and why?

I've always been a huge fan of Selena Gomez. When I was younger, I used to watch Wizard of Waverly Place every day and listen to Selena Gomez all day. I went to her concert once and ever since then, I've gained so much respect for her and I've been following her ever since.

Where do you want to be five years from now?

In five years from now, I'm hoping to have a more stable lifestyle. With the way I'm managing social media right now, my life is fairly spontaneous and inconsistent. Hopefully in five years I'll have a stronger niche to which I can focus on and build off of.

Describe your best night in this quarantine.

My best night in quarantine would be the night my best friend and I got some snacks and a blanket and drove far away from the city where we could see the stars and laid on the beach for hours during a meteor shower. I love spending time with my friends and in my opinion, doing things like this where we can remove ourselves from our everyday life is the perfect way relax and spend time with friends.

If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?

I would love to be able to teleport. I love traveling and if I could visit places wherever, whenever, I'd love that. Never having to pay for an Uber ever again... love that.

Who's your TikTok crush and why?

Noen Eubanks and Abby Roberts. I think they're both beautiful human beings and I have fat crush on both of them. I love their style of content but I also love how they portray themselves through fashion and makeup.

Clothing: Z Zegna

What's one thing you'd change about TikTok?

I don't like the way TikTok caters strictly to American culture; I wish there was more diversity with the videos that are being promoted. I think there's a lack of creators that are people of colour. Whenever I do come across a person of colour of TikTok, they don't get as much engagement compared to those that are white. I think this is both an issue with the TikTok company and the TikTok audience.

What was the last song you listened to?

I listen to "Heather" by Conan Gray at least four times a day so I can confidently say that that's probably the last song I listened to. I recently found a mashup of "Heather" and "Before You Go "by Lewis Capaldi on TikTok and I haven't gone a day without listening to that mashup in weeks.

What is your most irrational fear?

I'm absolutely terrified of giant rocks in oceans and lakes. I'm, of course, also scared of the sharks and whales and everything that lives in water, but for some reason the thought of a giant rock sitting at the bottom of a lake or ocean makes me never go in past my knees. I also find underwater forests one of the creepiest things in existence. Bottom line I don't go swimming.

What's something no one knows about you but you wish people did?

I wish people knew a bit more about my life before starting TikTok. I was leading youth leadership programs and child development programs. I've lead programs around Canada and also in China. I had been a participant in these sorts of programs since I was three years old and when I turned 13, I started getting trained as a leader so that I could lead these programs myself. I also was a national-level gymnast and I did gymnastics for 14 years. That later lead to me being a gymnastics coach for four years.

What gives you hope in 2020?

From what I've noticed, since being in quarantine, life seems to moving at a slower pace. I think that could lead to a healthier lifestyle and cause less stress in everyones lives. I'm hopeful that this slower pace will be maintained and shift the way we go about our days.

Creative direction: Agusta Yr (at No Agency New York)
Styling: Erika Golcher
Styling assistant: Macauley Deverin
Environments: Aspik Tears

Fashion

Coolest Person in the Room: Jacques Agbobly

Story by Andrew Nguyen / Photography by Diego Villagra Motta