(Source: Noam Galai/Getty Images North America)
*Andrew Bachelor, better known by his online personality “King Bach,” is a Guinness Book World Record-holder for the most followed account on Vine. The Canadian-born American actor, comedian, director, producer and writer has more than 15 million subscribers and 5 billion views on the platform, and won the inaugural “Vine” award at last year’s Streamy Awards.
“Most of my videos happen in real life, and I just figure out a way to tell that story in less than a minute in a comedic way,” Bach told EUR/Electronic Urban Report. The host of this year’s Streamy Awards also noted why it’s important to honor those who keep us engaged with their online antics.
“It’s important because a lot of people don’t realize how much time we spend on the phones. People spend more time on their phone than they do going to the movies, and those people that they watch for the majority of their day should be celebrated I feel,” he said.
King Bach has had recurring roles on numerous television shows, including “House of Lies.” “Mindy Project,” “Black Jesus,” “Punk’d,” (BET) and “Resident Advisors” (Hulu). He will next be seen starring in the upcoming independent films “When We First Met,” and “Where’s the Money,” a comedy he produced through his own Bach Enterprises starring Mike Epps and Terry Crews.
More of our Q&A with Bach below, and check out a few clips of some of his funny viral videos.
Being in the public eye has its pros and cons, especially being an Internet star. How do you cope with critics and trolls?
King Bach: I haven’t had much negative press on me, or any critics. I pretty much, in my videos or with my online persona, I like to portray positivity and give off a positive message. So I think it all has to do with good karma as well. I put out positive vibes and receive positive vibes.
When you’re out during the day are you seeking good stories or Vine material?
King Bach: Yeah, my brain is always kicking. My brain is always in fifth gear. Any situation, I will turn it into either a video or, I do stand-up, so if it’s a situation that’s personal to me, I’ll tell it onstage as a joke.
What’s something fans don’t know about you?
King Bach: Ahh, let’s see… My favorite color is green, no one knows that. I know every lyric to the song ‘Wild Wild West’ by Will Smith.
Speaking of songs, what song best describes your work ethic?
King Bach: (sings) “This is the song that never ends, it goes on and on my friend….” (laughs). And just keep on going.
(Source: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images North America)
Has social network fostered some genuine social relationships for you?
King Batch: Yeah, I’m friends with a lot of people through social media. A lot of people I meet through collaborations and then we’ve ended up being friends in real life. And a lot of people who recognize me from the Internet, I’ve become their friend as well, like Justin Bieber. He recognized me from my Vines videos — my Instagram videos, and we hit it off. We kicked it. We shot a video, and then we became friends after that.
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In addition to your comedic Internet videos, you’re an actor as well. How does your social media presence come into that?
King Bach: I’ve transitioned the best among any of the social media performers. I’ve done about eight movies between this year and last year. I’ve done countless TV shows, such as “House of Lies,” six episodes on that. “Mindy Project,” “Wild n Out.” I was a host of BET’s “Punk’d.” I was on Cedric the Entertainer’s show, “Soul Man,” and you know — it just keeps going and going. I’ve done five movies that haven’t come out yet. They come out next year in theaters. So yeah — for me it’s good because I think before any of the social media stuff, I was a traditional actor. I was doing auditions. I was taking the classes, so I was already prepared for it. And I think that’s where my success in Hollywood comes from.
Social-media is ever-evolving, so how do you intend to use it to continue to build your brand?
King Batch: Just keep making these videos, and hopefully get a TV show on the air, starring myself. We’re working on it now, me and Adam DeVine from the show ‘Workaholics.’ We’ve actually worked together twice. We did a movie called ‘When We First Met,’ which is a romantic comedy, and I play his best friend. I also did an episode of ‘Workaholics.’ Now we’re just working on this show to sell to network TV.
What advice do you give those who come to you seeking tips on how to build a presence on social media?
King Bach: Just be consistent. I was making three videos a day, every day – seven days a week. So if they really want to be great at something, they have to put in the time and put in the effort. There’s no shortcuts around it.
What would you tell your younger self if you could speak with him now?
King Bach: Keep on going. Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t change a thing. You gon’ be alright. And don’t date Teresa. Stay away from Teresa. She was a girl when I was 15.
Check out King Bach hosting the Streamy Awards via Youtube on Oct. 4. Join the conversation on Twitter with @streamys using #streamys; follow Streamy Awards on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Vine as well as Snapchat – username: streamys.
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