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Millions of people spent the last week refreshing a TikTok user’s page in hopes of learning the answer to his now-viral question: “Who did I marry?”
Reesa Teesa, who asked NBC News not to use her full name for security reasons, captivated viewers with her 50-episode, eight-hour series about her ex-husband, whom she describes as a “pathological liar,” “narcissist ” and “the United Nations of red flags.”
in a story Reesa Teesa compared to a Lifetime movie, details the intricate alleged lies told to her by her ex, whom she calls “Legion.” Her first video, posted on February 13, was made as a stitched video in response to a TikTok trend that asked people what the “screkiest thing your ex did to you” was. She shared a condensed version of his story.including details of family members, documents and personal information he had allegedly made up.
Viewers commented that they wanted to know more, so Reesa Teesa continued posting. The entire series has racked up over 197 million views on TikTok alone, with nearly every video garnering over 1 million views. Reesa Teesa, who as of Thursday has 2.3 million followers on TikTokHe also put his videos in an auto-play playlist so people can hear the full story, making it easy to watch as if it were a reality TV show.
The Atlanta-based creator said the reaction to her series, some of which have gone “completely out of control,” she said, has been mostly positive.
“I already knew that this story wouldn’t always make me look good,” he told NBC News in a phone interview, the first time he’s spoken to the press since his series went viral. “But I also felt like the story was bigger than me in a way. In other words, it was worth being embarrassed. But it was cathartic and also very emotional, and at times very difficult.”
Reesa Teesa’s ex-husband did not respond to a request for comment.
In the series, Reesa Teesa details how she met “Legion” just before the Covid-19 shutdown in March 2020. During their first few dates, she said he told her he was divorced but was looking to settle down, which she also wanted to. When the lockdown hit, she said they decided to quarantine together at her house.
But that’s when Reesa Teesa said things took a turn: in her videos, she accuses “Legion” of lying about various issues.
His videos have become the latest long-form story told on social media that has resonated with people online. Among notable past examples: a 2015 viral Twitter thread about a former Hooters waitress’s trip to Florida, which was later adapted into the A24 film “Zola”.
Reesa Teesa said she did the series because she hopes it will help other people who have gone through or are going through similar experiences.
“Whether you agree with me and my decisions or not, I wanted to create a conversation about the things we ignore because we want what we want or because we’re in a hurry,” he said.
It’s been an ongoing process to heal after the relationship, she said, and she finds it difficult to trust other people. While she said she made “dumb decisions,” she clearly “isn’t dumb anymore.”
“I started to find myself laughing as I read messages from other women who have gone through the same thing,” she said. “Because for a long time after the story was published, I felt like I was the only one who fell for this.”
Reesa Teesa said she was unprepared for the amount of attention her story has received, adding that she has received “overwhelming support” from viewers.
“If you decide to start this series, I only ask that you finish it,” said Reesa Teesa. Otherwise, “many questions will not be answered.”
However, he said the attention around the series began to get out of his control while it was in the midst of making it after curiosity about the true identity of “Legion” grew among some viewers.
A TikTok user tried to “out” him, which Reesa Teesa said she wasn’t told about.
The online investigation of “Legion” raised some concerns about security, Reesa Teesa said. It also created a “domino effect” on other people, including some associated with him who, according to Reesa Teesa, are now exposed to unexpected attention.
Online, some have also begun to speculate how much Reesa Teesa could earn from TikTok. creativity background. He said he doesn’t know the real amount yet, but that the figure probably isn’t as high as some people think: One person estimated her income at $300,000 – because she was only accepted into the TikTok program after part 40 of her series.
With the popularity of his series, he said people have already asked streaming platforms to develop his story for film or television. A social media user even shared the “cast of his dreams” for an adaptation.
But once she leaves the TikTok series behind, Reesa Teesa hopes to pivot her page toward something she loves: traveling. Many of her followers have already shared their support for her much-needed vacation and several brands have offered to help with her travel expenses.
she said she is finally planning a trip to London – where she once thought “Legion” would take her.