Content creator Gigi Bello (@okaycoolgigi) has garnered significant attention in 2025 with a series of viral videos documenting her efforts to restore a painted-shut peephole in her New York City apartment. This project, which she shared with her growing online audience, not only led to a feature in People magazine but also resulted in a surge of new followers. At 28 years old, Bello, a CPA, found her journey into content creation to be unexpected. After several of her videos gained traction, she developed a passion for sharing her experiences. While her TikTok account is primarily known for her sourdough bread-making adventures and her beloved starter, Eloise, the peephole restoration project marked a pivotal moment for her. She discovered 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, relying primarily on her iPhone 17 Pro for both filming and audio. She appreciates the convenience of this one-person operation. For editing, she typically uses TikTok’s built-in tools, which she finds user-friendly and effective for recording and pausing within the same clip. When collaborating with brands, she opts for CapCut to access additional features and security. To address lighting challenges in her kitchen, she employs portable LED selfie lights, positioning them to achieve a natural look. The paint removal process for the peephole involved using CitriStrip, a paint and varnish stripping gel commonly utilized by restoration professionals. While effective, Bello cautions that the product can produce strong fumes, advising future users to wear protective masks.
Bello’s sourdough journey began in 2024, inspired by the 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 her successes and failures with her audience. She describes her online persona as a creative outlet 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 for Bello this year include her feature in People magazine, celebrating two years of sourdough baking with Eloise, and attending FoodiCon, where she had the opportunity to connect with her followers in person. Eloise, ever the character, adds a playful touch by humorously confessing to having “shoved Ophelia in the junk drawer.”
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