Edo Lio Is More Than Just That Italian Food Critic On TikTok

EDO LIO, 26, CONTENT CREATOR WHO ALSO RUNS A SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTING COMPANIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

TikTok account: @mozzarellapapi

Started on TikTok: “Roughly mid-2020” 

TikTok stats as of press time: 95.7K followers, 4.8M likes

Why know him: Longtime followers love him for his humorously candid and informative reviews of Italian restaurants, and glimpses into his life as an Italian growing up in Singapore (he’s been here since he was one). We love him for how he’s now parlaying the same wit and charm into even more lifestyle content – from travel to nightlife to “the Eras Tour as a non-Swiftie” (see our somewhat similar content here). Add his modelesque looks and he’s the new-gen male influencer every fashion brand’s been waiting for.

His background and how it’s shaped his content: “A lot of it comes down to my identity that’s a bit of a melting pot. I grew up in Singapore and was raised in part by my Filipino helper Auntie Lanie. I reference all of these things in my content and I think a lot of people identify with the same things. For example, a lot of Singaporeans also grew up with helpers who have become a part of their family, which might explain why videos showcasing my dynamics with Auntie Lanie have found an audience.

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For a while, I had a series in which I spoke to other individuals who, like me, were not born here yet still identify as Singaporean in some way, and more recently, I made some content about being a third culture kid. Both resonated with a lot of people and I think that’s because there are a lot of foreigners who have been in Singapore for as long as – if not longer than – me while many Singaporeans are children of immigrants so my story is not too removed from theirs.

Of course, there’s my series reviewing Italian restaurants in Singapore, which I started because I think a lot of people are confused about what constitutes authentic Italian food so I see it as an educational series that helps others choose which restaurants to visit. I love to eat, go out, have fun and be stupid with my friends, and I’d like to think that many can relate to that too.”

His best talent: “Writing, making content and making music in no particular order. Writing was my job for the longest time (he formerly covered culture at Vice Media then Rice Media) so for now, I’d say that is probably my best talent.”

Wait, he makes music? “Yes, I just self-released my first professionally produced song Ocean, which is a pop-rap anthem about living in Singapore. I reference a lot of things in it such as how I sometimes struggle with my identity and sense of belonging, the struggles I face finding my way in life, growing up around Singapore’s hustle culture, and the beauty of living on an island that has both nature and a bustling city.”

What’s a day in his life like: “Wake up, eat, have coffee, try to do a 10-minute meditation (I’ve been so bad at being consistent with this). I then work/shoot/edit/meet clients all day. At some point in the afternoon, I’ll do pilates and then head home. On some evenings I attend events or meet friends for dinner.”

Number of hours he spends on his phone daily: “This number is so embarrassing I don’t want to share it: maybe five-plus hours? In a way, my job requires me to be on my phone though so maybe it’s excusable?”

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And how much of that time is spent on TikTok: “At least one”

Is he active on other social media platforms too? “YouTube is where I recently posted the music video for my first single so I may keep that platform for long-form content and my music. I’d say TikTok is where I can be the most experimental. Knowing that its demographic is younger helps as I feel like I’m judged less. I’m also active on Instagram and still have fun on it, but I might omit some videos that are just my brain fart thoughts, rants or hot takes.”

His favourite TikTok accounts: “Two that come to mind are the accounts of Priya Sharma (@himynameispriya), a lifestyle content creator from Australia, and Michelle Tiang (@michelletiang), a Singaporean who shares about her life in Canada. Like me, they both have a mix of identities and cultures, and I love how they share about their life.”

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Craziest experience he’s had as a TikTok content creator: “One was being flown out to Bangkok last year to meet Troye Sivan and make content with him to promote his last album Something To Give Each Other.”

Most memorable comment he’s received on TikTok: “All the ‘go back to your own country’ type of comments. How do I explain to these people that I grew up here and this is home for me?”

How much of his TikTok personality is true? “A lot. I show up as myself on TikTok so I’m pretty much the same in person unless I’m doing a skit. That said, if you meet me when my social battery has run out, I might not be able to live up to what you see of me on TikTok.”

Best thing about TikTok: “How you think no one would relate to what you’re posting, but you do so anyway and find out so many people actually do.”

Worst thing about TikTok: “Like all social media platforms, it is often a place where you compare yourself to others, and comparison is the absolute worst thing for anyone’s growth and progression.”

Will he continue to be on TikTok when he is older? “I hope that I can be on it for as long as the app is around. I definitely think it’s one of the best apps for unfiltered, open conversations and this is so valuable no matter one’s age and phase in life.”

If there was no TikTok: “I might have never become a content creator.”

Now, which cultural hotspots should we next hit? “ I’m currently obsessed with Thai and Vietnamese fashion brands so I love the multi-label boutique Actually at 313@Somerset (which carries a host of them). For food, Da Michele – a famous Italian pizzeria – opened in Singapore recently. It has quite a specific style of pizza that I’m obsessed with: really thin and spread-out, and also wet and saucy. There’s a bit of a sloppy, flimsy structure to it, but it still tastes good so I’d say it’s a must-try at least once, even if it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.”

THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED FOR CLARITY AND BREVITY.

COORDINATION EMMA ASHLEE GOH PHOTOGRAPHY ATHIRAH ANNISSA STYLING DAMIAN HUANG, ASSISTED BY DANESSA TONG HAIR AUNG APICHAI/ARTISTRY STUDIOS, USING KEVIN MURPHY MAKEUP SIM ANN LIN, USING LANCOME

This article first appeared in the June 2024 TikTok Edition of FEMALE