Fourteen Years and 4.3 Million Subscribers Later with Alonzo Lerone

We’ve grown to love the outspoken and kindred spirit that is Alonzo Lerone. He is one of my favorite Youtubers. Since uploading his first video in 2008, he’s grown and displayed that consistency is key to achieve any goal. Alonzo Lerone has turned a simple rant video into an entire platform where he curates videos of different segments such as dumbest tweets, dumbest fails on the internet, viral memes, weird food combos, clapbacks, roasts and more. Adding his famous catch phrase “Get A Dictionary” to represent his content. Alonzo created a following of 4.3 million YouTube subscribers that absolutely loves him and all that he creates. From his ‘Get A Dictionary’ merch, coffee mugs and tee’s that show incorrect word spellings he’s come across over the years. His honest and unapologetic reactions to the things people post on social media keeps his platform growing abundantly. So what’s in store for Alonzo Lerone? How has he changed over the years? Has he reached his peak? Let’s find out.

Alonzo, I love how you’ve responded to the negativity over the years with comedy. You’ve even produced videos addressing the unfavorable things said about you. That’s truly something that has to be mastered.
You have to flip it into a positive. I say that all the time. If you don’t get negative comments, you’re still stuck in the box. When I got my first negative comment, I was like okay there’s two ways I can do this. I can fight negative with negative or fight the negative with positive.

How did your phrase “Get A Dictionary” stick? Because in your earlier days you began with “Get a book or Go back to history class.”
My dad! My dad would always say get a dictionary whenever I asked him how to spell a word. He’d either say you have a dictionary right there or get a dictionary. And when it comes to my videos, I didn’t start with the dumbest tweets. So It kind of just flowed into that years after I started YouTube. And yes, it’s been working! People are still looking at those older videos expecting me to say it. But “Get a dictionary” will always be with me.

How big of a responsibility is keeping your YouTube family entertained? You have 4.3 million subscribers, that’s enormous!
Well, I don’t pay attention to numbers like that now. It gives me motivation though. But I must admit when I first started I would compare my following to other Youtubers. Like okay, he has this many subscribers and he and I started at the same time. But the more I thought about the numbers, the more I lost focus. I’m glad that people are still with me but it doesn’t give me that much responsibility. It’s the longevity in what I do that keeps people pumped up for what I do.

How do you balance your life now? Your personal life and your career.
I’m still trying to get the hang of it because it’s more routine now. I’ve been working for myself for more than a decade. And I know I don’t have to work Monday through Friday but I do. And when I go on trips in my personal life I usually record or I’m editing something which is me working. It gets kind of hectic. So I’m still trying to find that balance but it’s not that far off.

What do you do to maintain your mental health? Do you read or meditate?
Ooh, I need to meditate. I do read but I usually just concentrate on breathing. And focus on everything that’s going on around me. The signs and things of that nature.But I actually started looking into meditation recently. Turn off all the distractions and be at one.

You’re part Filipino. What have you learned about that side of your origin?
I spent probably two years in the Philippines. So, I don’t know much to gather but the culture of the Philippines are so loyal. When they find out that I’m half Filipino they automatically embrace me. And I’m like oh wow! I haven’t really been digging into the history of it but I love the ambience. I want to go back to the Philippines and experience that lifestyle. I want to go to the markets and get that experience that I did as a child while being there.

Since the passing of your mother, how has your perception changed? Not having that parental guidance. Also, what teaching has stuck with you?
My mom was my number one supporter. The first year she passed I was busy, busy, busy. I kept myself busy. It would distract me. I love escaping from things. And it’s not always good to be distracted. Because when the dust settles you’re always left with those thoughts. And now it’s like she wouldn’t want me to suffer like that and she wouldn’t want me to slump either. She’d want me to keep going. While she was here, she wanted me to do that. She was happy that I could travel and do things I want. So that transition made me want to do more of what I was already doing. She would always tell me don’t give up, keep going!

What’s in store for Alonzo Lerone?
I see myself doing voice animations and branching out doing more than just YouTube. I see the success of my longest series Dumbest Fails. But my goal ultimately is to be bigger and broader. There are so many things but mostly I want to move around. I like where I am because it’s comfortable but I can’t stay here. I see some guest appearances here and there. (laughs) But I’ll need a teleprompter to guide me. I’m bad at remembering lines. So a little of that here and there.