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Italian Comedian Arnaldo Mangini Honored as Top TikTok Live Creator
Carrara, Italy – Comedian and clown Arnaldo Mangini, 51, has been recognized as a leading figure in Italy’s burgeoning creator economy, receiving the “Top Creator per TikTok Live” award at the recent Forbes Italia and Buzzoole Top Creator Awards. The award celebrates Mangini’s success in building a global audience and fostering authentic connections through his TikTok presence.
Mangini currently boasts over 33 million followers on TikTok, alongside 3.5 million on Instagram and 4 million on YouTube, positioning him as the second most popular Italian creator on the platform after Khaby Lame.Forbes Italia highlighted his ability to “create authentic connections with millions of users around the world” through his engaging TikTok Live broadcasts.
Mangini’s journey to digital stardom began with a long-standing career in traditional entertainment. Born in Rome and having lived in Holland and Viareggio, he now resides in Marina di Carrara. He honed his skills performing in clubs along the Versilia coast before transitioning to television appearances on shows like Zelig and Paolo Rossi’s Scatafascio. Inspired by comedic legends like Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Monty Python, mangini developed a unique style rooted in improvisation, observation, and the traditions of commedia dell’arte, ultimately finding his artistic voice in clowning. He views the clown not as a frightening figure, but as a vehicle for revealing universal human vulnerability.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved a turning point. With theaters closed, Mangini embraced social media, initially connecting with friends and developing surreal characters during live broadcasts. He quickly found success on tiktok, gaining three million followers within a month. The platform’s live format allowed him to cultivate an international community drawn to his lighthearted and interactive content.
Mangini’s comedy relies on simplicity, visual gags, micromagic, and direct engagement with his audience.he emphasizes the interactive nature of social media, contrasting it with traditional television. “Social media are not like TV, they are interactive. They allow you to create and share. You just have to learn to use them well,” he stated.
The author of “The Power of a Smile,” Mangini champions lightness as a form of resilience, famously stating, “The world gives you a thousand reasons to be unhappy, you respond with a thousand and one to be cheerful.” He views laughter not as a solution to problems, but as a way to gain perspective.
Accepting the award, Mangini expressed his gratitude to the TikTok Live Italia team and his manager/partner, Cristina Piga. He emphasized the importance of his audience, stating, “the audience that follows me from all over the world is the greatest motivation.” He continues to balance theater performances with international digital collaborations, reaffirming that his core mission remains the same: creating connections through joy.
