Roller Skater fans have heard of Ana Coto, or also known as the TikTok Queen of roller skating. For those who don’t know who Ana Coto is, you have clicked on the right article. Here we will tell you everything about Coto and how she came to roller skating fame. She skates, acts, and she is a TikTok star. Let’s see what else she can do.
Where Did Ana Coto Grow Up?
Coto was born on October 17, 1990 in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Cuban parents. Later she moved to Miami with her parents and was raised there. Not much is known about Coto’s life except that she took ballet for 15 years. For her education, Coto went to college majoring in cinematography.
For her eighth birthday, Coto spent the special day at a roller rink. However, she spent the entire time crying. She didn’t like that she kept falling. Never be afraid to fail. Learning how to roller skate is learning how to get back up on your feet. For Coto, she did not get back on her roller skates until an entire decade later.
What is Coto Known For?
In midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Coto started making roller skating videos on her TikTok account. She gained at least 3.1 million followers with her video, Jenny from the Block, which went viral. Because of her video, she revised the roller skating trend encouraging others to skate in empty parking lots.
Coto on Roller Skates
Ana Coto is described as divine on roller skates. In her videos she lip sync’s to songs while gliding down the streets of L.A. Because of her videos she has led the world to a revival of roller skating.
However, Coto has not been skating her whole life. Yes, we’re as surprised as you to learn this information. Coto has only been skating for three years. And she only joined the TikTik Platform February, gaining as many as a million followers in a very little time.
From Ballet to Roller Skating
Because Coto did ballet for 15 years roller skating immediately clicked with her because of the performative dance aspect of it. Roller skating soon became an obsession and Coto roller skated everyone instead of walking at one point. Practicing made her achieve new goals that she never knew that she could do.
Origin to Roller Skating
At first, she was only posting the video of herself roller skating to TikTok as a joke. The reason that she stayed to continue to make more videos was that she didn’t see herself, or her hobbies, represented on the app.
“I just started (roller skating) because it made me happy,” Coto told Digital Trends in her interview. Making other people happy is very important to her and it makes her feel great that people are getting back into the hobby.
Coto also liked the meditated element to roller skating, saying that it helped her become more social. Roller skating has that effect on many people. It is great for mental health and meeting new people.
Her Successful TikTik Video
Coto’s TikTik video that became a major success was a clip of herself skating through the neighborhood of L.A. lip syncing to Jenny From the Block. It is a fun clip to watch to see Coto’s growing smile as she is roller skating.
@anaocto Call me Jenny 💋 @jlo ##rollerskating ##jlotiktokchallenge
♬ Jenny from the Block – Bronx Remix No Rap Edit – Jennifer Lopez
We can assume that the video went viral because of the positive effect it had on viewers. Because of the pandemic that has wiped out parts of the world, it’s great to have a smile. Coto made viewers smile again.
Coto’s TikTok Page
That’s not the only video that Coto uploaded. She has more. Because she has so many videos on her phone with she and her friends skating in parks or around the neighborhood, these videos soon became a hit around the world.
The views and the follows on Coto’s TikTik page came almost immediately, rather than all at once. First thousands. Then Hundreds of thousands. Followed by Millions! Not only did Coto receive all those followers, but messages, too. Thousands of followers from around the world wrote to Coto telling her what they thought of her videos. They also wrote to say that they just bought a pair of skates because of her videos.
Importance of Having a Hobby
Hobbies are incredible. They make us feel like ourselves. For Coto, she wanted to express her love for roller skating around the world. TikTok soon became the premier place for her to show her love for the hobby and share tips on how to do moves like “The Downtown” and “The Book” all to the tune of today’s most popular hits.
Ana Coto said, “If you’re too concerned about what is cool on the app, then you can’t make something that’s actually cool.”
Coto’s Videos Compared to Others
Do you see a difference in Coto’s videos compared to other TikTik users? That’s right, Coto’s videos use a more typical point-and-shoot formula. What makes Coto’s TikTok appearance so strong is in part thanks to the way she films her videos.
Instead of using a shaking tripod, she is filmed by her boyfriend, Jessie Blamer, who skates along with her. Balmer follows her every move, and creates new and different techniques to inspire viewers.
Where Else Have I Seen Coto?
There is a chance that you may have seen Coto on the big screen. Coto was in the 2014 film, Ouija as Sarah Morris. She has also been in countless other short films such as Blue Lips, Wingman, and Actress. You also may have seen her in an episode of Comedy Bang! Bang!
The Inspiration to Skate
Coto didn’t get the inspiration to skate until three years ago. It became a hobby after going through a couple of low points in her life. Coto explains that she was at a lull and was having a hard time connecting with herself. And so, she began skating.
Her story has inspired many. Everyone hits a dark point at one point in their life but Coto showed that we can always pick ourselves up. She went on to explain that skating became an experiment to see if she could connect with herself. It turns out that roller skating was the best fit.
Coto’s Impact on the Roller Skating Community
Coto has made a big impact on the roller skating community. Overnight, roller skating has come back. More and more people have been roller skating amidst the pandemic. It seems ironic that of all times, people are picking up their skates now, right? Coto however disagrees, explaining that it all makes sense.
While roller-skating culture has risen on TikTok for months, interest in roller skating has peaked since shelter-at-home orders were placed, and finding skates right now is an impossible quest. No matter what you can still find ways to social distance while roller skating. That’s one of the most appealing aspects of it as Coto mentions.
Coto explains how important it is to get outside and go for a walk during the pandemic. She also encourages, that you can do it in your house if you were eager. “… You can do it in your front yard, you can do it in your driveway, you can do it up and down the sidewalk,” Coto explains.
More Inspiration
Coto also connected to roller skating because of how roller skating was used in Old Hollywood films and in the Civil Rights Movement. As Coto explains, protestors in the civil rights movement fought with skates on their feet. As for Old Hollywood films she like watching actors skate around in films, especially Charlie Chaplin.
Coto’s TikTik Channel
Coto continues to make videos on her TikTok channel. For any roller skater, it is very much recommended that you check out these videos. Her videos help skaters improve their technique. She has garnered many fans who are beginning to follow in her footsteps.
How Has Ana Coto Reacted?
Ana Coto is beyond honored that people have been enjoying her videos. It has moved her to tears, as she explained in an interview. She enjoys watching people skate, learning new tricks, and videos that fans send for her to check out.
Coto’s Words of Advice
Coto never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would ever go viral with her skating videos. She is delighted to be part of a skating revival. She hopes to see skating rinks survive the COVID-19 pandemic, in spite of many already being on the brink of closure prior to it. Most importantly, Coto hopes to start skating whether they are inspired by her TikTok or not.
Her most important advice is, “You’re gonna deal with the inevitable falls. But then you get back up, be prepared for them, wear protection, wear a helmet,” she explained. It’s important to have healthy knees, music, and go into the adventure with a positive mindset. Go out on your skates.
