The Soulful Voice of Orlando Perez AKA TikTok Sensation Opey_One

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

If you’ve ever stumbled across a TikTok featuring a soothing voice layered over tranquil sailing footage, chances are you’ve encountered Orlando Perez—known to his growing audience as Opey_One. With over 1/2 a million followers over multiple platforms and thousands of videos, Orlando has quietly become a calming digital presence whose emotionally driven content has touched people around the world.

“I was just a regular guy with dreams of doing something different in life,” Orlando shares. “Through many changes, I found myself catapulted into this arena—and I’m enjoying it.”

His unexpected journey began during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. Inspired by a romantic interest, he combined scenic sailing clips with a heartfelt poem, hoping to express a softer side. “It blew up,” he recalls. “I got all these messages from people saying how much the video meant to them. It was overwhelming in the best way.”

Though the relationship didn’t last, the emotional connection his content created with viewers did. Orlando kept posting. Each video—a blend of poetic narration, atmospheric visuals, and genuine emotion—further cemented his place as a digital confidant for people in need of comfort and connection.

“I’ve had people tell me they were going through illness, heartbreak, or grief, and listening to my voice helped them feel less alone,” he says. “I still get chills thinking about it.”

Before becoming a social media voice of calm, Orlando built a successful career in sales and technology. His first job, delivering newspapers as a kid, was where he discovered a passion for connection and persuasion. “I didn’t want more houses on my route, so I started signing people up on other kids’ routes for commission,” he says, laughing. “I realized I liked selling more than delivering.”

For over two decades, he worked in the IT space, closing major contracts with global corporations. But it was his pandemic-era creative pivot that unlocked something deeper. Now, as Opey_One, he’s creating content with purpose—and he’s not stopping anytime soon.

He’s currently developing a project called DMs to Opey, a curated collection of the most moving messages he’s received from followers. “I’ve heard from people who were at the end of their rope, who said my videos gave them a reason to keep going,” he says. “That’s why I keep doing this.”

What sets Opey_One apart in an increasingly AI-driven social media world is his authenticity. His voice is real—so is the emotion behind it. “There’s no script I follow,” he explains. “If something moves me, I read it. Sometimes I write it myself. And when I record, I tap into a time when I felt those emotions, and I let that feeling guide the performance.”

As the digital landscape evolves, Orlando believes audiences will increasingly crave that human connection. “I embrace AI in some areas, but when it comes to content that speaks to the soul, people can tell what’s real,” he says. “The voice, the feeling—that can’t be replicated.”

Now 62, Orlando is living proof that reinvention has no age limit. He’s launched a new venture, OpeyOne.com, and is even in early talks for a potential TED Talk. “It’s never too late,” he says. “If I hadn’t gone through heartbreak or career changes, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Sometimes the silver lining is a whole new path.”

As he continues to explore new projects and platforms, one thing remains constant: Orlando Perez, better known as Opey_One, is a creator driven by heart. And in a world increasingly filled with noise, his voice continues to be a rare and welcome signal—genuine, grounded, and deeply human.