“My Mom will always be the core of what I do. It is what started all of this, so I will never give her up,” says Jeremy Franco.

The content creator is referring to his famous Desi Aunty-style content, where he plays an Indian mum who’s usually grilling her son (also played by Jeremy) on everything from academics to arranged marriage and strict curfews. It’s a concept previously popularised by the likes of international social media sensations Lilly Singh and Planet Parle, but Jeremy has tapped into Gen Z’s current TikTok obsession and put his own spin on the narrative.

In this interview, Jeremy is speaking to us ahead of the 2025 TikTok Awards in Australia. While he’s previously taken to the stage at the event as a presenter, this year he’s nominated in a brand new category called ‘Entertainment Creator of the Year’.

“The fact that this is a new growing category just proves that people can have a career in entertainment by going the non-‘traditional’ route,” Jeremy tells Draw Your Box.

While his Desi-centric videos are always a crowd favourite, the journalism graduate has diversified his content in recent years by interviewing Netflix stars, presenting radio shows, walking at Australian Fashion Week and hosting red carpets events with different brands.

As one of three South Asians nominated for TikTok Awards overall, we decided to catch up with Jeremy to hear more about his rise to social media stardom, his thoughts on diversity in Australian media, and who his dream content collaborator would be.

Enjoy our Q&A with Jeremy Franco below, and remember: voting for the TikTok Awards Australia closes on Sunday, November 16. There’s still time to pick your favourite creators by searching TikTok Awards on TikTok and casting your last-minute vote from there. 

A huge congrats on being nominated for Entertainment Creator of the Year! How does it feel to be recognised in this way? 

It’s incredible. As somebody who studied traditional journalism, to be recognised in a category like this is something I never fathomed myself. When I started posting videos on TikTok, I never thought that opportunities in the entertainment industry would even arise, let alone create the career I always dreamt of. 

This is a new category – what impact do you think this will have on the way entertainment creators are recognised and celebrated in the social media landscape? 

The fact that this is a new growing category just proves that people can have a career in entertainment by going the non-‘traditional’ route. We drive a huge amount of views, sometimes more than traditional TV networks, so it’s awesome to see that recognised.

@jezbreezy she loves to bargain #mom #brownmom #desi #comedy #skit ♬ original sound – Jeremy Franco

Of course, you’re known for your Desi Aunty content – but I’m curious… what is your most popular content these days? How has it changed since you joined TikTok? 

My Mom will always be the core of what I do. It is what started all of this, so I will never give her up! I have so many things that I want to do, and I love that with TikTok, there’s no rules. I don’t need to fit myself into one ‘box’ and I can evolve my content as I evolve myself. 

You recently shared a video about the lack of cultural diversity and representation in Australian media, especially in entertainment. What motivated you to share this video, and what needs to be done next to address this? 

This award really made me reflect on my career. I started in traditional media, and I pivoted when I realised that the path I wanted to go down was a long one, and not as ‘trodden’ with people who looked like me. I want people who are in the same position now that I was years ago to know, you don’t HAVE to go down that path if you don’t think you’ll succeed at the pace you want to. You can pave your own way, and social media was how I did that.  

@jezbreezy It’s actually ridiculous #australia #diversity ♬ Married Life (From "Up") – Gina Luciani

Any hints on what you’ll be wearing on TikTok Awards night? 

I am awful with clothing – I’m calling in the big guns!

Who’s one person you would definitely need to thank in your potential acceptance speech?

 My parents! I guess….

If you could collaborate with any other celebrity or creator on TikTok (Aussie or international), who would it be and why? 

Maria Thatill! I am OBSESSED with her. She is SO GODDAMN PRETTY. 

Voting for the TikTok Awards Australia closes on Sunday, November 16 so there’s still time to pick your favourite creators by searching TikTok Awards on TikTok and casting your last-minute vote from there. 

While you’re at it, don’t forget to follow Draw Your Box on TikTok (@drawyourbox), and also our Founder Alicia (@leeshiev).

Here’s a full list of all of the nominees for the 2025 TikTok Awards: 

Creator of the Year, presented by NESCAFÉ

Latisha Clark (@latishaclarkk),Ilai Matangi (@havea_676), Tammy Hembrow (@tammyhembrow), Jiny Maeng (@jinymaeng), Ben Stubbs (@stubbaa)

Video of the Year, presented by Tinder

Rachel Parkinson (@rachelparkinson5), Zane Fall (@zanefall), Alexandra Tuohey (@alexandratuohey), Jude York (@itsjudeyork), Leah Halton (@looooooooch)

Business of the Year, presented by HP

Bouf Haircare (@boufhaircare), All For Mimi (@allformimi), Cherry’s Goods (@cherrysgoods), Kic App (@kic), Rode Meats (@rode_meats)

Sports and Fitness Creator of the Year, presented by EHP Labs

Hannah Pearson (@hannahhpearson), Daniel Gorringe (@dandoesfooty), Brittany O’Brien (@brittanyobrienn), Kwame Duah (@kwameduahofficial), Tom Harris (@tomharrisfootball)

Beauty and Fashion Creator of the Year, presented by Rimmel

Rowi Singh (@rowisingh), Florence Baitio (@florence_baitio), Eitan Broude (@eiitanbroude), Sasha Morpeth (@sashamorpeth), Ellen Malone (@askellenbeauty)

Music Artist of the Year, presented by Uber Eats

Larissa Lambert (@.larissalambert), Lance Savali (@lancesavali), Keli Holiday (@keliholiday), Max Jackson (@maxjacksonmusic)

Entertainment Creator of the Year Award

Rachael Evren (@rachevren), Maddy Turner (@maddy.mov), Aicha Robertson (@aichark), Theo Shakes (@theoshakes), Jeremy Franco (@jezbreezy)

Learn on TikTok

Ainslie Harvey (@hot.history), Kobi Brown (@astrokobi), Heidi Barlow (@womenshealthwithheidi), Vinh Giang (@askvinh), Luke Bateman (@lukesreads)

TikTok for Good

Ben McIntosh (@benjmcintosh), Josh Neille (@josh_neille), Clothing The Gaps (@clothing_the_gaps), Man Cave (@themancave_aus)

Comedy Creator of the Year

Archie and Miles Shepherd (@shepmates), Luke Kidgell (@luke.kidgell), Liam Dowling and Ben Christopher (@nansfavourites), Lyanna Kea (@lyanna_kea), Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon (@toniandryanpodcast)

LIVE Creator of the Year

Jake Waddell (@jakeytv), Ed and Ri (@itsedandri),Liam Conner (@liamconner_), Ūla (@ulaulaula), Sadia Yousofi (@sadiayousofi13)

New Zealand Creator of the Year

Daniel Rankin (@mancancooknz), Louis Davis (@louisdavis_), Paris Nuku (@parisnuku), Brit Cunningham (@brit_cunningham),The Morning Shift (@themorningshiftshow)

High Quality Content Creator

Melissa Yahyaoglu (@lovefrommelii),Anthony Randello-Jahn (@thedonutdaddy), Nicholas Burton and Dave Hoey (@thegrannyflat), Lachlan and Austin Macfarlane (@macfarlanebros), Jeremy (@jeremyfilmsthings)

Food Creator of the Year

Vincent Lim (@dimsimlim), Andy Hearnden (@andy_cooks), Catherine Zhang (@catherine.desserts), Laleh Mohmedi (@jacobs_food_diaries), Tom Smallwood (@tom.smallwood)