What We Know About TikTok Influencer Benny Drama

It's safe to say TikTok took on a life of its own starting in 2020. Not only has it become one of the most-used social media platforms on the planet, with content ranging from dance challenges to tutorial videos, but it has also bred its own kind of celebrity and influencers. Some of the most famous names that come to mind are Charli D'Amelio, Khabane lame, Zach King, Loren Gray, Bella Poarch, and Addison Rae – who is going to star in her first Netflix movie called "He's All That," a remake of the Amanda Bynes movie "She's All That," later this year.

Another successful TikTok user is Benito Skinner, a.k.a. Benny Drama, who has over 800,000 followers on the platform. Not to mention 1.4 million on Instagram, arguably the platform where he cut his (glisteningly white) teeth. The Idaho-born influencer made a name for himself after sharing his spot-on celebrity impressions, which include the Kardashians, Billie Eilish, and Shawn Mendes. On top of that, Benny created a number of his own personas like Jenni, "Girl who rides for her man," and Kooper, a "Gen Z intern" who is too passionate about every job he takes on. He is killing it!

Scroll ahead to learn more about Benny's life and career, including his recent role at the White House.

Benny Drama was invited to the White House to film a video released on August 9 encouraging young Americans towards vaccination against COVID-19. In it, his iconic character Kooper serves as an intern at the White House, where does a variety of tasks like take calls, deliver coffees, and book nail appointments. "Is Olivia Rodrigo still here?" Kooper asks at one point before he and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also discuss the importance of getting vaccinated. "We need to get shots in the arms of every single American," he says during a staged call. "Now, I'm heading to a haircut." Classic! 

The clip was praised by fans on Instagram, but was criticized by people like Donald Trump Jr., who tweeted: "Seems like a very effective way to reach ... out to vax reluctant groups like minorities, Trump Voters, and Conservatives in general. Great work guys. Glad the 'adults' are back in the WH." Wow, got him, Jr.! 

But some negativity is all part of being a comedian — a word Benny told the New York Times is "the scariest word in the world." Here's an even closer look at his journey.

Benny Drama started his career in 2016 on YouTube right after Donald Trump was elected president. "Laughing has always been my way of feeling a little better about things," he told SBS. "When I was in college and I was feeling anxious or depressed, I'd turn to comedy online to make me feel better." Now, the social media star said he sees his comedy as "directly linked" to his sexuality, per USA Today, because it helps him embrace who he really is.

"I came out my senior year of college," Benny told the outlet on his identity as a part of the LGBTQ+ community. "It just kind of felt like everything I had hidden for so long from myself and from the people around me and from the internet just kind of like flooded. It came out of me." He added, "I think a lot of my sketches, whether it be 'Gossip Girl' or 'Lizzie McGuire,' are me kind of reconnecting with things that I feel like I wasn't able to fully express my love for at the time." He also spent time playing football growing up, per USA Today, which informed his comedy. "He [Benny's jock character Benny Brohana] feels traumatic to me in a way, but, I don't know, I feel really empowered when I'm him."

We love all of that for him, and we can't wait to see more Benny Drama on our phone screens!