Content creator Gigi Bello (@okaycoolgigi) has captured widespread attention in 2025 with a series of viral videos documenting her attempts to restore a painted-shut peephole in her New York City apartment. The project, which she shared with her growing online audience, led to a feature in People magazine and a surge in new followers. Bello, a 28-year-old CPA, says her journey into content creation began unexpectedly after several videos gained traction, but she quickly grew passionate about sharing her experiences.
While Bello’s TikTok account is best known for her sourdough breadmaking adventures and her beloved starter, Eloise, the peephole restoration project marked a turning point. She realized that audiences respond positively when she shares topics she genuinely cares about, regardless of whether they fit a specific niche. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t want to be stuck making sourdough all the time,” Bello admits, “but it made me feel better about posting other things I’m interested in and trusting that people will still care.”
Bello produces her content using a straightforward setup in her apartment kitchen. She relies primarily on her iPhone 17 Pro for both filming and audio, valuing its convenience as a one-person operation. For editing, she uses TikTok’s built-in tools for most videos, citing their user-friendly interface and ability to record and pause within the same clip. When working on brand collaborations, she turns to CapCut for added security and features. Lighting challenges in her kitchen are addressed with portable LED selfie lights, which she positions to create a natural look.
The paint removal process involved CitriStrip, a paint and varnish stripping gel commonly used by restoration professionals. Bello notes that while effective, the product caused headaches due to fumes, suggesting future users wear protective masks.
Bello’s sourdough journey began in 2024 after observing widespread interest in the craft. She was drawn to the challenge and the opportunity to develop a home-based hobby. She emphasizes that beginners need little more than basic ingredients and patience to get started. Her current favorite loaf pan is made by Nordic Ware, which she finds lighter and more convenient than a Dutch oven.
Reflecting on her work, Bello appreciates the freedom to pursue passion projects and share both successes and failures with her audience. She describes her online persona as an outlet for creativity that contrasts with her analytical day job. Her ideal audience consists of kind, engaged viewers who enjoy the process as much as the results and appreciate her humor.
Notable achievements this year include her People magazine feature, celebrating two years of sourdough baking with Eloise, and attending FoodiCon, where she connected with followers in person. Eloise, ever the character, adds a playful note by confessing to having “shoved Ophelia in the junk drawer.”
