With the coronavirus pandemic having placed routines and the pursuit of dreams on hold, Earllesa Mingo, an aspiring actress and comedienne has still been able to entertain thousands of people through the TikTok app.
With 4,000 followers and counting, Earllesa is quickly creating a name for herself with her lip-syncing videos. She does parodies of popular videos Guyanese are already familiar with or of trending videos.
Earllesa confided that when she started doing the TikTok videos she was dealing with a breakup and was distressed. She had downloaded the app some time ago but never cared to use it much. A friend of hers, Sabrina Lynch, who was enjoying using the app, encouraged her to give it a try. Skeptical at first, Earllesa hesitated, but with further reassurance, went ahead and made her first video in March. This was a lip sync to a Nicky Minaj rap song and with positive feedback from several friends, she continued.
Since then, the young woman has been quite busy, having been able to create approximately 65 parodies. She noted that she has had her share of naysayers, most of whom said their bit when she first began. Among them was her former boyfriend who called her foolish for choosing to do the videos, but she paid him no mind.
One of her best to date was a parody of popular businessman, Brian Mackintosh, well known as Bryan Max. The video was of him distributing food to the less fortunate. One man, who was visibly upset, asked Mackintosh why he was recording him, and this apparently infuriated the businessman who then snatched back the box of food while launching an expletive-laced tirade at the man. Many people who viewed the actual video called out Mackintosh over his actions.
Earllesa said that she too was dismayed at the way Mackintosh chose to document how he was helping others. She feels he should have asked before putting people on camera. She added that helping others then broadcasting about doing so should never be, but instead it should be done in privacy. A church goer, Earllesa agrees with the bible text, “But when thou doest alms [charity], let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth…” (Matthew 6:3).
The parody rehashing the Bryan Max incident received more than 5,000 views on Facebook and TikTok and hundreds of shares. Along with her lip syncing, Earllesa does amazing synchronizing moves. Her local fame in the TikTok arena rose after a parody she did of the local social media personality known as ‘Guyanese Critic’.
Asked whether she hopes to become an actor, Earllesa’s answer was a definite yes. Many of her fans have praised her talent and called for the local acting industry to recognize her ability. Growing up, Earllesa represented Dorcas Club Nursery School and the Institute of Business Education (IBE) at various Mashramani competitions doing skits and dramatic poetry.
She is the second of three children and her dad is Haslyn Mingo, professional singer who was part of the GDF Frontline Band with Natural Back at one point. The TikTok sensation said she cannot sing like her dad but may have inherited his love for being in the spotlight and entertaining people. Earllesa explained that she has a knack for being on camera and is not camera-shy. Once the camera begins recording, she is in a different world and owns it like she should.
“It feels amazing to make people laugh,” the young woman enthused. It takes only about three to four tries before she is satisfied with a video before posting it.
Already she’s planning new videos for her fans and would like to do a duet with her friend, Sabrina Lynch. But because they are unable to meet owing to the lockdown, they will have to create their parts then compile the two videos into one.
Outside of the videos, Earllesa dances for her church, Bethel Wesleyan, and has been doing so since she was 14.
Besides acting, she dreams of becoming a midwife within the next three years. Currently she is doing a first aid course, which has been put on pause due to the pandemic. In addition, there is her love for makeup artistry, and she hopes to have this as a career on the side, as well as selling Brazilian weaves which she boasts she is good at making.
Her favourite actors are Tiffany Haddish and the Uncensored Crew, especially Michael Ignatius. Haddish, she said, inspires her as she is talented and fearless.
During this time when people are stuck at home, Earllesa recommends using it to read or meditate or pray.
A Taurus, Earllesa will celebrate her 24th birth anniversary next Tuesday, May 12, and though there is nothing planned, she considers herself lucky to be spending it with the people who matter the most to her.
Earllesa can be followed on Facebook at Earllesa Mingo and on Instagram and TikTok @Earllesa _
