41°
The Hastings-on-Hudson resident has reached one million followers on the popular app Vine, which allows users to post six second looping videos.
LoPriore, 26, has an offer to do a six-second Samsung commercial for $4,000, and potentially begin work on his own television show -- all from posting on Vine.
Born and raised in Yonkers, LoPriore discovered the app after a Facebook friend posted a status about it. He downloaded it and found a niche in posting funny videos.
"At first I just made corny videos to make people laugh. I did this one where I pretended Jesus gave me powers, and so I touched a bottle of water and turned it into wine," he said, "But I realized I was getting a response, so I got more serious about it."
Once he realized he had gained a following, he began filming skits with his cousin and other friends. As his followers grew, he began being noticed by celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy, Bo Burnham and Will Sasso, who encouraged him to go into comedy.
"I started taking it seriously and trying to master the art of being funny. I got really popular and I began over thinking," he said, "Then more Viners came on, and I lost heat from being the 'funny guy' which made it easier."
He briefly took a break from making videos, but fans contacted him and asked for him back. After gaining 700,000 followers in three months, he began making videos again for fun.
He is still getting use to his "sudden fame," and is recognized often just by face.
"People recognize me all the time. What's really funny is how many people watch my videos and don't realize they already know me," he said.
The app has not only brought him commercial success, but even led him to meet his girlfriend.
He plans to move to California in the near future to pursue a career in comedy and acting.
Michael is the son of Daily Voice reporter Danny LoPriore.
To see some of Michael's videos, check out his page here.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Rivertowns and receive free news updates.
