With collaborations alongside icons such as Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson and the late Toby Keith on her résumé, Hunter Paige is quickly becoming one of the most influential social media content creators in the country music and western fashion industries.
She is also a student at Arkansas Tech University.
“I never toured another college,” said Hunter, who is from central Arkansas. “I was originally an early childhood education major, but I ended up in some communication classes because my advisor put me in broadcasting for elective courses. I made some connections in the communication department and I liked it, so I came over there. It was very fitting for what I do on social media.”
Hunter’s interest in social media content creation took off when she sought to pass time as a high school junior during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve always listened to country music,” said Hunter. “I grew up on a farm, so I’ve always been interested in the western lifestyle. I was just genuinely listening to country music in high school and lip syncing it on my TikTok, and then brand partnerships and events with country music started rolling in. It was a genuine love for country music that got me started, and I wasn’t even doing it on purpose. I was just posting videos, but it helped me build my career inside country music.”
As of late September 2024, Hunter’s audience on TikTok has grown to more than 582,000 followers and her content on that platform has earned more than 11.9 million likes. She has an additional 248,000 followers on Instagram.
Hunter’s handle on TikTok and Instagram is @__hunterpaige__.
She said she is still adjusting to the spotlight of social media stardom.
“It’s actually really, really hard for me with my confidence,” said Hunter. “I feel like a lot of people who are influencers have a huge confidence level. That’s probably why they are doing what they do. For me, it’s hard to get in front of the camera every day and share like that. I’ve kept my college life separate from my social media life. I feel like sometimes I lose my personal life inside my social media. I’d never change it, but that’s definitely a thing. I love what I do, but it’s hard when you know that many people are watching you.”
On the first day of the fall 2024 semester, representatives from TikTok reached out to Hunter and invited her to tour the company’s headquarters. Four days later, she was in Los Angeles to learn about new ways she can expand her reach and further monetize her content.
“I was there because they saw me as a high-potential creator on the platform,” said Hunter. “So, now I am in their TikTok Shop creator program. There are less than 1,000 people in the program. It is by invitation only, and it’s only the people they see as those who do the best on the platform. I honestly thought they sent the e-mail to the wrong person, but they said they love my content.”
While in Los Angeles, Hunter also attended a YouTube creators’ screening of the feature film “Transformers One.” The event took place at Paramount Pictures Studios.
As Hunter continues to meet more people and expand her network, she has her eyes on the future and the many options she has to translate her online success into long-term career opportunities.
“I definitely want to take the degree I am earning at Arkansas Tech and get a job in the industry,” said Hunter. “A lot of the work I do is in Texas or Nashville, so I feel like I’ve made a lot of connections in the country music and western industries. I hope that I can continue content creation through the years and change my content as I go. Country music is something I will always love, and there are always new platforms, new opportunities and new ways to make income.”
Arkansas Tech University debuted its Bachelor of Arts degree in digital content creation began in fall 2023 under the supervision of the ATU Department of Communication and Media Studies.
The digital content creation major is part of a full bachelor’s degree program with 30 hours designated to the specific field. Students take courses in social media, public relations, performance, influencing, digital civility and filmmaking.
Learn more at www.atu.edu/degrees/bachelors/digital-content-creation.php.
