TikTok has given rise to countless stars, but Alex Goodluck’s journey stands out. What began as a fun experiment during the COVID-19 lockdown between him and his wife quickly turned into a platform that amassed over 16 million followers on TikTok with the handle name: Andrewemily16_.

In an exclusive interview, Alex Goodluck, popularly known through his TikTok page as Andrewemily, shared how he never set out to be a food influencer. “We didn’t plan to start creating food content,” he said, recalling how it all began as a friendly competition between him and his wife. “We made it a game during COVID-19. We both had separate accounts and challenged each other to see who could reach 1,000 followers first.” What began as a lighthearted challenge soon took a serious turn, as his unique content quickly gained attention.

Originally experimenting with different TikTok trends, Alex Goodluck’s content shifted after a kitchen breakthrough. “I didn’t plan to do all my videos from the kitchen,” he revealed. “One day, I made beans and thought, ‘Why not use it for content?’ Because it was really good.” That video marked the beginning of what would become his signature food-based content, and his followers responded positively.

His breakthrough came when he engaged with his growing fanbase from Indonesia. “On their Independence Day, I dressed up in a suit, ate their traditional food, and celebrated with them. The video got 1 million likes and millions of views. After that, my followers skyrocketed.” This global appeal—especially from African and international fans—helped him build a diverse following across the world.

While many might assume that Alex Goodluck’s fanbase is mostly Nigerian, that’s not entirely the case. “I have followers from almost all the African countries. The other day, I went to Rome, and everyone recognized me everywhere I went. Most of my fans don’t believe I’m from Nigeria—they think I’m Ghanaian.” Although he has a strong following in Nigeria, he reveals that his international fanbase is massive, with followers from all over Africa.

Despite his fame, Alex keeps his personal life private. He regularly features his family in his videos but draws a clear boundary between his public persona and his private life. “Even though I’m active on social media, I don’t like making it about me, my personal life, or my family,” he emphasized, preferring to keep details like his recent car and apartment purchases off the internet.

Behind the scenes, however, Alex faces challenges that many wouldn’t expect. “The biggest challenge isn’t sourcing food for the videos, but cleaning up after,” he admitted with a laugh. “I eventually got a dishwasher, but even now, it’s still something I struggle with.” Household chores, it seems, are a constant, even for social media stars.

Alex Goodluck’s quick rise to fame wasn’t without its pressures. He shared that the journey from creating content for fun to gaining millions of followers took only a few months. “It didn’t take years,” he said. “It was during the COVID era in 2021 when everyone was told to stay home. I stayed consistent because I loved creating content, and it made me happy.”

His recipe for staying relevant in the fast-paced world of social media is simple: “It’s just a mindset. You see what’s trending, and even if it’s not your style, you figure out how to make it your own.” He credits his ability to adapt and modernize trends as key to his enduring success.

As with many public figures, Alex has faced his share of criticism. However, he refuses to let negativity bring him down. “In the beginning, my wife was more affected by the negative comments, but I use them as fuel,” he explained. “Their bad comments only boost my energy to do more. These days, I don’t even read them.”

Looking ahead, Alex’s ambitions extend far beyond food content. “I’m thinking of adding music to my content,” he said, hinting at a new direction for his platform. “I also want to create other long-form content, like short movies.”

Through all of this, he remains humble. “I barely see myself as someone important. It doesn’t get to me because I have a goal,” he shared. Despite the fame and luxuries that have come with his rise to stardom, he stays focused on what matters most—his craft, his family, and his purpose.

What began as a lighthearted lockdown hobby has blossomed into a thriving brand, all thanks to Alex Goodluck’s passion, authenticity, and willingness to share pieces of his life with the world. His story is a reminder that success often comes when you least expect it—and in his case, it all started in the kitchen.