Chanel Tapper, a student from California, USA, has
the world’s longest tongue, measuring 9.75 cm
(3.8 in), from tip to top lip.
Her lizard-like tongue is twice as long as the
average, as long as the world’s largest cockroach,
as wide as your palm, the same volume as a
quarter pounder hamburger and around the same
length as an iPhone.
She shared a few details of her life in an interview
with Guinness World Records.
What do you do for a living? What’s a typical
day for you in your hometown?
I am a full-time student and I work part-time. I just
moved to Houston, Texas, so I’m still adjusting, but
in my home town there is no typical day.
I love to go out, so I can be anywhere at any given
time.
When did you first realise that your tongue
was longer than average? What happened?
I was eight and my mom and I were taking pictures
for Halloween.
In one of the pictures we stuck our tongues out. I
noticed I had a long tongue when the pictures from
Halloween were printed and I saw it…but I guess it
became apparent in middle school when people
started commenting on it.
Why I stuck my tongue out at people, I don’t
know… I’m goofy! But there are still some people
from back then that only remember me because of
my tongue!
What reaction do you get from people when they
see it?
For most people it’s a jaw-dropping experience. It’s
like they don’t believe what they see and nie out of
ten times, they’ll ask me to do it again.
Some girls/women have screamed/jumped back. If
there are other people around, the person who saw
my tongue will tell the nearest next to them.
I’ll often get asked questions like, “can you touch
your nose or elbow?” and, “do you choke people
when you kiss them?”
But always, everyone in one way or another is
entertained by seeing it.
Despite the excitement of having achieved a
Guinness World Record, if you had the choice
would you keep your long tongue or choose
to have a ‘normal’ one?
This is my normal tongue. I was born like this, so
no choice would be necessary.
What do your friends and family think about
your record?
I don’t think I showed many family members, but
my friends think a lot of things. Some think it’s
cool, some think it’s nasty, some still get surprised
every time they see it.
Are there any explanations for your long
tongue such as other members of your family
having the same trait or was it just by
chance?
My mom has a long tongue, but not like my length.
I believe I was born without something underneath
that prevents it from extending far.
Are you always conscious of your tongue or
has it become something very normal for
you?
I am ALWAYS conscious. There aren’t many
instances where I have to remember, “Chanel,
don’t stick out your tongue,” but I am aware of my
surroundings before I put on a show.
Does it affect your relationships in any way?
Do you currently have a boyfriend and if so,
what does he think?
It does. Most guys that know or already see it
automatically have their mind in the gutter, and so
do some females. I don’t have a boyfriend, but the
last guy I dated didn’t make it that big of a deal,
and I really liked him for that.
Were you born with your tongue unusually
long or was it something that developed?
I was born with it.
What do you anticipate for yourself now that
you’re set to appear in the Guinness World
Records 2012 Edition book?
I honestly don’t know. More attention I’m guessing,
but I am excited to find out.
The truth is all of this may end up being my ticket
to paying for the rest of my years in school.
It may just be fifteen minutes of fame. Either way, I
will enjoy every opportunity that comes, as long as
it doesn’t interfere with school.

Disgusting.

Reptile.

Specially designed for mouth action