Nia Wilkerson, a senior at St. John’s University in Queens, has found herself in the center of attention during the holiday season, thanks to her likeness to the character Holly from the movie “The Polar Express.” Dressed in a pink nightgown, Wilkerson has been making TikTok videos in front of Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree, drawing attention from dozens of passersby who recognize her resemblance to the character. Despite the attention, Wilkerson has embraced her digital doppelgänger and has grown in popularity each year, now having nearly 250,000 followers on TikTok. Taking advantage of her seasonal fame, Wilkerson has found ways to profit from her social media presence, participating in TikTok’s creator fund and collaborating with other creators. While the feedback has largely been positive, Wilkerson has also received negative and racist comments, prompting her to stop reading the replies to her videos. Despite the ups and downs, Wilkerson and her friends continue to make videos and spread holiday cheer, even while waiting for an F train on a subway station platform.
