PCH resident of 33 years Jane McKennan, otherwise known as The Devon Maid on TikTok, is somewhat of a viral superstar.
With over 1.3 million followers and amassing over 94 million likes on her videos on the platform, we couldn’t believe our luck to have a TikTok celebrity living in one of our homes – so we went to meet her.
A quick research of Jane’s videos show some of her most popular work involved dressing up as Peppa Pig and creating viral videos on how she thinks different items would walk (and showcased this on Britain’s got Talent where she imitated a baguette, but more on that later).
I’ll be honest – I didn’t know quite what to expect, but when Jane answered the door, I wasn’t expecting a quiet and unassuming 66-year-old ex-childminder.
Jane as you can imagine isn’t shy as she ushers us into her home in Milehouse, but it’s obvious she’s very houseproud and we immediately offer to take off our shoes. We sit down in her lounge which doubles as her TikTok studio.
Since Jane posted her first TikTok video in 2020, in her own words her online fame has skyrocketed: “How different items walk is where it really took off from, that’s what I got scouted for Britain’s got Talent from. I had a couple of meetings with their team and then I went up to London Palladium, to perform my act. I couldn’t stop chuckling to myself thinking about what Simon Cowell’s face would be like!
“So, my performance was how I thought those various items would walk – I did an impression of a stapler, sourdough bread, and a baguette, amongst other household and random items. But the main thing is that despite four buzzers, the audience went mad for it, and I’ve continued to do those videos.”
But how did Jane even get started filming TikTok videos in the first place?
“Well, I’m self-taught on TikTok, and I do all my own editing - I did a computer course a few years back which made me tech savvy and then it all sort of started off being stuck in during lockdown and messing around. That’s when I had my first viral video (over 1 million views) within a month, and I just enjoyed it and started messing about from there.”
That viral video was one of Jane’s most popular videos and involves her dressing up as Peppa Pig and frying some bacon. The video attracted a lot of views and as part of that there are some who are critical, but Jane doesn’t let that bother her as she’s got a great positive attitude and a wicked sense of humour.
“You’re bound to get some trolls with that many views, and I can block people as well – but that’s only a handful, most people are supportive of me and what I do. I don’t want to start doing things differently because I’ve got my own brand and that’s what people like. People even stop me in the street to tell me they love my videos.”
“I’ve been stopped by people whilst I’ve been abroad on holiday, once by a group of Italian people so it goes to show how far the videos reach. I’ve been asked to be in a few selfies and people stop me and say ‘excuse me are you the Devon Maid’ and I’m more than happy to give them a quick snap.
“I’ve been used as a meme in videos around the world you see and people do recognise me our and about –one went global and I ended up being quite big in the Philippines, Japan, Ecuador and Mexico in particular. Some quite big companies, I’ve also collaborated with different brands to do some videos for them – companies like Walkers, Beats and Disney UK to name just a few.”
But there is a nice and more rewarding side to making these videos, as Jane doesn’t just make people laugh but actively tries to help people.
“TikTok has changed my life quite literally and I get some realty nice messages from people reaching out to me with depression saying my videos help them, which is nice, so I always message back and try and help them, and that’s the rewarding part for me.”
So, Simon Cowell and the Britain’s got Talent experience aside, has Jane met many famous people?
“I’ve done a couple of videos with Michael Barrymore which was nice, but he’s just moved away so I don’t think I’ll be seeing him anytime soon. I did a video dancing to a Bob Marley song, and his son commented on that one which was nice – and then Stormzy reposted it!”
Paula Williams, Senior Housing Officer for PCH has known Jane for some years now and said: “The last thing I expected when I knocked on doors in the area about the external sheds was to meet someone so famous! It was great to hear Jane's stories about who she has met and who has shared her posts. It’s clear she hasn't let fame change her.”
When asked if TikTok will be her full-time job from now on, Jane says she’s going to remain with her feet firmly on the ground: “I live quite a normal life, I do my shopping, see my friends, go to the gym and I still work part-time, so I don’t live a celebrity lifestyle or anything like that.”
And that’s Jane in a nutshell – great fun to be around, hilarious and grateful for her newfound TikTok fame. And you certainly would never know that somewhere behind the curtains of modern suburbia, there’s a viral sensation practicing walking like spaghetti.
