I always thought that I was chronically online but that bubble burst when I was alerted fresh this morning that my algorithm had been keeping me from the latest thing to go viral on TikTok: #PookieTok. What’s a Pookie? Great question. Pookie is a Southern influencer who started trending recently for her couple outfit videos. Pookie is not her government name (unfortunately), but is a term of endearment her husband Jett uses that has made the internet fall in love with him. Her real name is Campbell Puckett, which somehow sounds just as made up.
So, who is Pookie on TikTok? Why is this couple going viral? And why did my algorithm feel the need to protect me from them?
Who Is Pookie On TikTok?
Pookie, or Campbell Puckett, is a 31-year-old Georgia-based influencer. And I mean an OG influencer, meaning her entire account is dedicated to making your life look small and poor in comparison. From luxury travel content to highlighting her designer bags, she is straight from Instagram circa 2012. That is until she started filming fit checks with her husband.
Who Is Pookie’s Husband?
Jett Puckett is a “business consultant,” which just means he’s rich. But he’s also the reason Campbell has seen a major increase in engagement across her platform. But why?
In the latest “the standard for men is on the floor” Olympics, it seems like TikTok users are entranced by how he compliments her during fit checks. For example, in one video he said, “Taking Pookie to a new spot tonight with three other couples and Pookie looks absolutely amazing.” That’s it. That’s the whole thing. And it’s leading to people commenting, “Jett is the standard.” The standard what? Standard straight white guy, sure.
Why Does TikTok Love Pookie?
The true question that I’ve been asking myself since I discovered their existence this morning: Why does anyone give a fuck about this particular couple? They don’t look like a couple that I’d have a parasocial relationship with. They look like a rich couple that would steal from a buffet.
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Each video is characterized by stiff positioning and monotone phrasing. She doesn’t even look particularly stoked about anything he has to say? In fact, I don’t think I’ve even see her blink. But, yet, the obsession is real with comments like, “I hope I’m somebody’s Pookie one day.” So, for the sake of journalistic integrity, I put my opinions aside to better understand this bizarre phenomenon and what I found was it simply comes down to Jett’s earnestness. He clearly loves this woman with his whole awkward being.
And while I have a deep suspicion that they have a terribly shady background, for now their wholesome (read: cringe) content is providing the internet with proof that men really can do the bare minimum and be praised for it.
Melanie Whyte