Images show Rolonda Rochelle, a pro-aging influencer who recently celebrated her 54th birthday

This article is more than one year old.
Published on November 4, 2021 at 17:04
2 min read
By Mayowa TIJANI, AFP Nigeria

Images making the rounds on Facebook claim to show a 75-year-old American woman who looks 35. This is false; the woman in question, Rolonda Rochelle, says she is 54 -- not 75. The actor and pro-aging influencer marked her 54th birthday on September 5, 2021.

Four pictures of a woman with flawless skin and grey hair were shared here on Facebook alongside the caption: “Meet Rolanda, the 75 year old American lady that looks 35 (sic).”

Screenshot taken on November 4, 2021, showing the false post

Another post with more images of her was shared here, with the same claim. This post here was shared more than 22,000 times and initially claimed she was 75, but it was later edited to say she may be 52. But how old is she really?

54 candles

A reverse image search of the photos led us to her Instagram account @Rogirll and her Facebook page Rolonda Rochelle. According to her social media accounts, Rochelle is a pro-aging influencer and actor. She recently featured in a BET+ original movie titled “Big Fifty: The Delrhonda Hood Story”.

“My very first movie/acting debut will stream on BET+,” she wrote in one of her posts. She also features in comedy skits on Instagram alongside American comedian Kountry Wayne.

Rochelle also runs a YouTube channel where most of her skits with Wayne are uploaded. Vibe, an American magazine, described Rochelle as a “viral rising talent”.

In June 2021, Tuko, a Kenyan online newspaper, reported Rochelle was “a 53-year-old woman giving young ladies a run for their money”. She shared the article, expressing gratitude to the news outlet for spotlighting her.

Rochelle turned 54 in 2021, according to posts on her social media account.

A screenshot taken on November 4, 2021, showing her 54th birthday post

On September 5, she posted a picture of herself with the caption: “I gave it to God….now I’m ready to give you yungins something to look forward to and you older ones something to appreciate. Let’s goooooo! #thisismy54 #happybirthdaytome #september5th #GodsMasterpiece...”

AFP Fact Check has reached out to Rochelle for comment, but she has not responded by the time of publication.

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