January 20th turned into a mini-holiday for social media lovers everywhere. Why? TikTok is back! As you might know, the fate of this platform was hanging by a thread. And for many, this app was like the heartbeat of the digital world. And thus, when the news came that it might be banned in the US due to security concerns, chaos ensured. Angry teens, frustrated lawmakers, and athletes like Olivia Dunne and Tara Davis were all trying to prevent the demise of their favorite app. The potential ban wasn’t just about losing entertainment, though.
TikTok isn’t just an app. It’s a launchpad for careers. Just look at track power couple Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis-Woodhall. They’ve used the platform to turn their love story and athletic journey into something millions of fans adore. So, when the ban became official on January 19th, it hit hard. Tara’s 861.4K followers included. But instead of dwelling on the heartbreak, Tara’s reaction was heartwarming.
Tara Davis Woodhall’s emotional reaction to TikTok’s banADVERTISEMENT
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On January 20th, Tara Davis-Woodhall shared a truly emotional moment with her followers on Instagram. She posted a story reflecting on January 19th, the day TikTok, a company worth $100 billion was banned in the US. Tara, who’s known for being real and relatable, was in her kitchen at her new home in Kansas, looking completely shocked. With her hand over her mouth, she was still trying to process the news. ‘What am I supposed to do without TikTok?’ seemed to be written all over her face. Tara shared how TikTok had become a part of her daily routine. And without it, she was left scrambling to find something else to fill that space.
So, Tara Davis turned to Facebook, of all places. In the video, she was holding her phone, watching a long Facebook video, looking stunned. “I don’t know it’s gonna be like this,” she said, almost in disbelief. Tara captioned the video with, “I’m hurting. Had to scroll on Facebook this morning and watch a 30-minute video,” along with a crying emoji. She even added, “My live reaction to TikTok being gone.” You could feel her frustration. And honestly, who could blame her? TikTok has become a huge part of how she connects with her fans. And losing it was a blow.
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But just as quickly as it had disappeared, TikTok came back. Thanks to some serious efforts from the Trump administration, the ban was lifted. And TikTok slowly started returning to its US users. By January 20th, people were able to access the app again. And Tara was right there to celebrate. She shared a screenshot of TikTok’s welcome message on Instagram, which read, “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support.” And of course, she had to add her excitement, captioning it with, “She’s back.” For Tara, it wasn’t just about getting the app back. It was also about reconnecting with her 861.4K followers. But for some athletes, this platform is something much more.
Athletes rejoice as TikTok ban is liftedFor some athletes, it is a means to earn. And for Olivia Dunne, a gymnast at LSU and an influencer with 8.1 m on TikTok, this news was earth-shattering. Olivia handles her gymnastics career alongside her social media activities on TikTok, which she uses to interact with her fans and advertise her NIL deals. Furthermore, she even thought that it is time to use LinkedIn if there is no TikTok, and many students have no idea what they are going to do after college. However, when the ban was lifted, Olivia expressed her joy.
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She posted a video on TikTok with the caption, “Wait, what😭.”. In the clip, she’s reacting to the news with joy, saying, “Me opening TikTok out of habit, but it’s actually working again.” And she is not alone among the athletes who suffered from the TikTok ban. Other players who have taken part in the WNBA, including Angel Reese, Jonquel Jones, and the Cavinder sisters, also expressed their displeasure over the platform’s removal. Specifically, Angel Reese, who lost 5.2 million followers overnight, said that it costs her money and complained about it loudly. Then, she tweeted a string of messages to complain about the effects of such a ban.
But then came the game-changer: Trump’s involvement, which led to the coming back of TikTok in the US. This was a massive victory for athletes. And especially for those who use the platform not just for fans’ attention but also for marketing their personas and growing their reach. That way, others, such as Tara Davis-Woodhall, Olivia, and many more, can get back on their accounts and continue to expand their audiences.
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