TikTok Star Chip Leighton is Capitalizing on Teen Cringe

The 52-year-old dad has amassed a following by finding the humor in raising teens

Chip Leighton posted his first video on social media in 2021 as a way to bond with his teenage daughter. “I thought TikTok was a cool platform,” says the 52-year-old father of two. “The content was mostly upbeat and positive, people sharing dance videos and connecting with one another.”

After six months on the platform, Leighton had 17 followers. Then he posted a video called “Things I’ve Apologized to My Wife For.” It went viral. Subsequent videos have him making amends for going upstairs for the night without announcing it, falling asleep during a movie, and suggesting she use the turn signal while driving.

“Texts From Our College Freshman” was another relatable—and viral—hit. Soon the host and creator of The Leighton Show had more than 600,000 instagram followers. “I found a lot of text exchanges with my kids humorous,” he says, “and it turns out, many other parents were having similar experiences with their teenagers.”

Parents began commenting on Leighton’s post and sending DMs about texts they received from their kids. Just a few include:

• What time is noon?
• Where would I find the pasta water?
• Can I use a Christmas stamp to mail something in July?
• Do I like arugula?

“We seem to have been remiss as parents,” Leighton says with a laugh. “Maybe because we think that our kids can just look everything up on YouTube or Google, so we haven’t taught them how to do laundry or cook. They are in their late teens, very intelligent about many topics, but they don’t know some of the basic stuff.”

Leighton believes his popularity stems from the sense of community he offers. “It’s nice not to feel alone and realized that there are other parents of teens and college kids dealing with the same issues,” he says.

Communication between teens and their parents has changed a lot over the years. “I think back to when I was in college,” Leighton says. “I had to walk to the pay phone down the hall to call my parents in a public space, so I only spoke to them once a week.  But texting offers an instant lifeline. It’s nice that our kids feel comfortable asking us these kinds of questions. I see it as a positive that they feel connected to us and that we are who they go to when they can’t figure things out on their own.”

While teens rely on their parents for basic information, that doesn’t mean they don’t find their parents “cringe.” Many of Leighton’s viral videos feature him recounting how his kids find him embarrassing and things they warn him not to do. “It’s pretty universal that teens are embarrassed by their parents and want them to be invisible in many situations,” he says. “I had a mom leave a comment on that there was a tornado warning and her daughter warned her, ‘Do not come in inside the school unless you see other parents go inside.’ So, the mom sat in her car, waiting. Better she get blown away by a tornado then embarrass her by finding safety indoors.”

Being a performer or social media star was never Leighton’s plan. “People ask me if I always wanted to be a stand-up comedian, but that was never my goal,” he says. “I wasn’t the class clown, and my only performing experience was some high school theater.” But by 2023, the TikTok star had 1 million followers—and multiple offers, including a book deal. He left a 20-year career in marketing to pursue The Leighton Show fulltime and work on his first book, What Time Is Noon, which comes out in November.

“Years ago, if you wanted to be a comedian you needed to go to clubs and perform,” he says. “But with social media, anyone can engage and be creative. I know social media can get a bum rap, but it can also be used positively. It’s a great place to be creative and reach a wide audience without leaving your house.”

He’s also quick to add that his posts are done in good fun. “We spend too much time talking about what divides our generations,” he says. “Their brains are still developing and sometimes they say silly stuff, which is totally normal. Parents get on their kids’ nerves, and again, that is normal. My posts are meant to provide levity and connection. That we are all in this together. The best feedback I have get is when someone says, ‘I was having a bad day and your post me laugh.’”

RANDI MAZZELLA is a freelance writer specializing in parenting, teen issues, mental health, and wellness. She is a wife and mother of three children. To read more of her work, visit www.randimazella.com.