It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Aaliyah Kikumoto.
Unknown to most outside of Texas Tech University up until earlier this month, Aaliyah sH๏τ to fame after a TikTok video of her went viral at the Masters. The clip, which only lasted 15 seconds, captured the 19-year-old watching Jon Rahm on his way to winning the Green Jacket.
While Andy Warhol once suggested everyone in the world gets their 15 minutes of fame, Aaliyah found out that in the social media age 15 seconds is all it takes to catapult you to stardom. Golf fans around the world fell in love with the teenager’s natural beauty – even though she didn’t realise it at the time.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Sport, Aaliyah revealed how her life has changed since going viral and what her plans are for the future, particularly in regards to influencing.
“It has been quite the experience for me and family,” Aaliyah told us. “Just hours after the tournament ended, we were driving from Augusta to Atlanta airport and we stopped at a rest area and people recognised us and talked to us. Then the same thing happened when we got to the airport.”
Yet Aaliyah, who is also on the Tex Tech Pom Squad, didn’t realise straight away that she had even gone viral. “Very late that evening and several hours after the tournament ended,” she told us, when asked when she first became aware of what had happened.
“There are no phones at the Masters, so you definitely don’t know what is going on in real time. When we got back to our house we turned on our phones and had a few texts, calls, and messages that people saw us at the Masters, but had no idea about the TikTok videos.
“We went to dinner and got back home about 10pm when I started to get those texts, calls, and messages about the TikTok videos. “We then got to see a ‘viral experience’ play out and my phone was literally blowing up.
“Some of the people who were with me are older and not active on social media, so they had no idea what was going on. That part was kind of funny and trying to explain what it all meant.”
Aaliyah saw her online popularity boom in the wake of the Masters, going from 2,000 Instagram followers to 42,000 in just over one week. She now boasts over 46,000 fans on the site.
The former Rock Canyon High School pupil has received plenty of exciting opportunities since her viral moment, although she’s balancing her popularity with other more mundane commitments, like homework, studying for exams and Pom squad.
But it’s modelling that represents perhaps the most natural path for her. Aaliyah’s mum (or mom, for our American readers) is also a model. And while Aaliyah has done some modelling work in the past, her Masters fame enabled her to take advantage of things that might otherwise have not been open to her.
“I’ve done some modelling in the past, but it wasn’t my primary focus,” she says. “My mom is an experienced model so it has been more natural. Some of the modelling desires were in play before the Masters. With this experience it feels natural again, and I grew up with this with my mother.”
Having achieved relative fame in such a short space of time, naturally attention turns to what’s next for a woman of Aaliyah’s natural talent and good looks.
“I definitely want to become an influencer for sure and do great things,” she tells us when asked if she wants to follow in the footsteps of golf influencers like Paige Spiranac and Claire Hogle.
“As I look at this opportunity, I’m looking to be a multi-disciplined influencer, whether that be dance, golf, modelling, etc. I’ve got other interests as well which will be announced shortly. I’m sort of like a Swiss army knife.”
And while fame and popularity can go to the heads of some, it’s clear that is not what is going to happen with Aaliyah. The university athlete’s feet remain firmly on the ground – in part thanks to her mother- and she wants to use her newfound powers for good.
“We’re exploring all options and my dreams,” she continues. “In the short term, I’m focusing on upcoming academic requirements and wrapping up my freshman year with Poms. Long term, I want to use my platform to do good, and also be a positive influence or role model to other people.
“I’ve been a big sister my whole life but I’ve had some great teachers, coaches and role models for me. I’d like to pay it forward and continue that inspiration to others as well. I’d love to inspire young dancers or athletes who may be struggling with something to keep trying. Also my siblings have had health problems so I’d like to raise awareness on those illnesses.
“Also, I’d like to provide hope for those struggling with their own health problems or other challenges. With everyday interactions, a smile can go a long way to brighten someone’s day.”