Bemi Orojuogun, 56, known on TikTok as ‘Bus Aunty’ started filming red buses as she travelled across London and has turned her love for the buses into a global movement, inspiring millions with her smile.
At 56, Bemi Orojuogun never set out to become famous, she just loved London’s red buses. She started out as a qualified mental health nurse, but in the past year she’s become a viral sensation by simply celebrating the city she’s called home for more than three decades.
Her short, feel-good TikTok videos show her standing by the roadside, smiling as buses glide past landmarks like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. There are no flashy transitions or filters, just Bemi’s energy, her colourful scarves and the sound of the city.
Bemi never planned to go viral, it was only her love for London and its red buses and the simplicity of her videos are what made her a social media icon. Her clips have been watched millions of times, gaining her over 300,000 followers and an audience that sees her as both comfort and inspiration. Many say she reminds them of their own mums and aunties.
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Her videos first took off in March 2024 when she filmed a short clip with a bus behind her. Within days, it blew up, racking up millions of views. Bemi didn’t realise what was happening until her daughter called and said, “Mum, you’re going viral!”
Since then, her page has taken off and brands are queuing up. In the past year alone, Bemi’s worked with Burberry, H&M, IKEA, Jacquemus, Maybelline and JBL, even teaming up with MAC Cosmetics for a recent campaign. She’s appeared on billboards, walked at fashion week and been recognised by the Mayor of London for her positive influence even appearing in videos with Sadiq Khan.
She also featured on British Vogue’s TikTok, joining the viral “Is having a boyfriend embarrassing?” trend, adding her two pence and saying that having one isn’t embarrassing, but advising what people should really look for in a partner to avoid embarrassment. Her impact has gone beyond brand campaigns too, one TikTok user even dressed up as Bus Aunty for Halloween as a mark of respect.
On November 13, Bemi’s social media presence was acknowledged at the TikTok Awards, where she took home the Video of the Year award. Having become one of TikTok’s most unexpected success stories and she admitted: “It’s slightly overwhelming that everyone recognises me,” but said she is proud of what she’s achieved.
She thanked Transport for London and Stormzy, saying that he propelled her to fame after re-posting one of her videos. Her winning video has been viewed almost 50 million times.
Despite being an award winner and social media icon, Bemi’s attitude hasn’t changed. Originally from Nigeria, she moved to London in the ’90s and says the red bus was her first real symbol of the city a sign of independence and opportunity. “Those buses mean London to me,” she’s previously said.
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Her content isn’t just about style, it’s about happiness . She often uses her platform to shout out the bus drivers who keep the capital moving, calling them “heroes of the city”.
For followers, her success is pure inspiration. She’s living proof that everyday women – mothers, aunties, working professionals deserve to be seen in spaces that rarely show them.
For Bemi, what began as a light-hearted passion has turned into a career she or her early followers never saw coming. Because sometimes, all people need is her smile and a red bus to brighten their day.
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