Teen Star's Viral TikTok Performance
Scarlett Thomas, the 17-year-old daughter of Coronation Street legends Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas, has set the internet alight with a stunning vocal performance posted on Wednesday. The aspiring singer and actress shared a cover of Renée Rapp's I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone from her bedroom, dressed casually in a grey button-up jumper and matching jogging bottoms.
The video quickly captured public attention, amassing nearly 200,000 views on TikTok and sparking widespread discussion about her recent life choices.
The GCSE Controversy and Family Support
Scarlett's musical debut comes on the heels of her controversial decision to skip her GCSE examinations to fully commit to a career in entertainment. Reflecting on results day, she shared online, 'Watching everyone get their GCSE results today wondering if I could've had good results but I will forever wonder.'
Her famous family has shown immense support for her ambitions. For her 17th birthday last month, her father Ryan Thomas surprised her with a fully equipped home recording studio built in their basement. The former Coronation Street star explained on Instagram that he wanted to create a 'special' space for her to 'switch off [and] focus on what she loves.'
Scarlett is no stranger to the spotlight, with her famous family extending to her uncles: Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas and Love Island's Scott Thomas. She first appeared on screen in the BBC drama Waterloo Road in 2023, playing the daughter of her real-life uncle Adam.
Clapping Back at Critics and Building a Career
The young star has also faced the 'nepo baby' label head-on. In a recent TikTok video, she lip-synced to the Commodores' 'Easy' while addressing critics who claim she only gets opportunities because of her family. Over the clip, she wrote defiantly, 'God forbid a girl takes the chances she gets.'
Despite her father Ryan's previous insistence that his daughter is 'not getting a free ride,' Scarlett's career is flourishing. With a significant social media presence—over 236,000 TikTok followers and 187,000 on Instagram—she is predicted to earn up to £2 million before her 18th birthday.
While the debate continues about the necessity of formal qualifications, Scarlett Thomas is proving that her focus is firmly on her burgeoning career in music and acting, demonstrating that success can follow many different paths.
