A group of nine young content creators moving into a South Dublin mansion earlier this week follows a long line of groups making a similar move in Los Angeles, from Youtube star Jake Paul’s infamous Team 10 house to the most recent viral group of TikTok creators living in the so-called Hype House.
This new Irish collective living together in what they have named the GOAT house aims to tap into an already established business model where there are millions to be made – all through the online appeal of comedy skits and dance videos posted on the social media app TikTok.
The new project has already caught the attention of both the Irish and US media, with the story being picked up on by New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz.
So who are these Irish influencers come entrepreneurs with a combined following of close to eight million on social media?
Thomas Arnold is a founder of the GOAT house who announced the move on his LinkedIn page: “I graduated from college yesterday. Today – I launched a new business.”
Mr Arnold is a graduate of University College Dublin (UCD) and has made Youtube videos for several years showcasing his time as a college student. He also established his own video production company last year.
Jake Browne is another founder behind the operation and describes himself as “Chief Goat Officer” on Instagram, having just set up a TikTok account in recent days.
His LinkedIn page says he has worked in social media before and he has a masters degree in Electronic Engineering with Business from UCD.
Andrea Camila and Lewis Kelly are the only couple living in the house, a duo in their early 20s with five million followers on their shared TikTok account where they make skits about being an international couple.
Shauna Davitt is an 18 year old TikTok creator who posts under the username of Shauna_the_sheep123. She has 350,000 followers while her videos have received over 36 million likes.
Lauren Whelan is another 18 year old TikTok creator who makes comedy skits, with 331,000 followers and over 11 million likes on her videos.
Ryan Mar creates comedy skits on TikTok, with 200,000 followers and four million likes across his posts.
Leila Eckhart creates skits and dance videos on the app, with 448,000 followers and four million likes on her posts.
Nia Gallagher’s TikTok posts have garnered her 245,000 followers and 12 million likes across her video posts. According to her Instagram page, she is signed to the Andrea Roche Talent Agency for influencers and models.
Radio DJ Marty Guilfoyle was also an original member of the house but has left the group following online backlash over his involvement.
Mr Guilfoyle said he got involved with the project due to the impact it could have had on his career: “Whether you’re familiar with TikTok or not, it’s responsible for the biggest shift in music distribution in the last decade, and it can make or break a career.”
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I promise it's nothing to do with being a vegetarian. pic.twitter.com/7bTSD6ZOdD— MARTYY (@MartyGuilfoyle) September 4, 2020
