Ex-Amish Lovina Zook finds an online audience
Twenty-three-year-old Lovina Hershberger Zook is an unlikely social media influencer: she grew up in a conservative Amish community and had never used a cell phone or computer or driven a car. But she left the faith, and her family, five years ago, and today shares stories and recipes of the Amish with her six million online followers. Faith Salie reports on a very un-traditional TikTok sensation.
Lovina Hershberger Zook is a 23-year-old social media creator who has gained six million followers by sharing her recipes and stories about Amish culture. Born into one of the strictest Amish subgroups, she left the faith five years ago while still a child. Despite abandoning the Amish lifestyle, she maintains many traditional customs at home.
Lovina's online presence primarily revolves around cooking Amish dishes, which range from traditional to unconventional recipes like coffee soup and an Amish cheeseburger. She initially had no knowledge of technology such as phones and computers, but now owns a laptop and can only call it a "computer" because she does not fully understand its name.
Her journey from the Amish community to social media stardom began when she realized she was tired of the strict rules and pronouncements, including the threat of going to Hell if she left. She left the Amish community by timing her escape when her family was asleep, ensuring she did not disturb them with the noise from the creaking stairs.
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