The TikTok Community and Elena Shinohara: Inspiring Creativity and Connection

The TikTok community continues to inspire creators to share their passions online and connect with their peers. In our Creator Spotlight Series, we feature @elenashinohara, a rhythmic gymnast on the USA National Team who showcases her incredible performances. Elena's videos not only display her flexibility and passion for the sport but also engage and motivate her audience to pursue their interests. She has built a supportive and welcoming community on TikTok.

As a Japanese-American, Elena's Japanese culture has greatly influenced her. Growing up in a Japanese household, she spoke Japanese at home and embraced the values of respect and humility. However, she also felt the need to become more confident in interacting with others. Through TikTok, Elena is breaking out of her shell and becoming more confident in herself as she creates content.

Elena celebrates the diversity and strength of the API (Asian and Pacific Islander) community by learning about the unique cultures within it. She supports small businesses owned by the API community and has been donating to organizations and individuals in recent times. Being the only member of her Japanese family with an American upbringing, Elena initially felt out of place. However, she now feels a sense of belonging within the API community, where she can connect with others who have had similar experiences.

The TikTok community has inspired Elena by helping her grow her platform and connect with other creators. Interacting with fellow creators motivates her to continue doing what she loves. The fun and creativity displayed by other creators on TikTok energize Elena and inspire her to think of new content ideas. She also finds joy in watching duets and stitches to her videos, as they further inspire her.

Elena supports other creators in the API community by watching their content and engaging with them. She suggests content ideas and celebrates their accomplishments. Some API creators that she recommends following are @marstruck for Asian fashion, @sulheejessica for lunch-making videos, @korean_hamin for learning Korean, and @billyhan_ for anime fans.