From Online Content Creator to TV Personality Kalen Allen

Q: How did you get started on Youtube?

A: I technically didn’t start on YouTube. My first food reaction video was made in November 2017. It was not something that was intentional. I just happened to come across a video and something in my spirit told me to record a video reacting to this. I recorded the video and posted it on Twitter. When I woke up the next morning, it had gone viral. After that, I decided to make more. I started YouTube because I thought I should have a library where these videos can be. I also put the videos on Instagram and Facebook. I’ve been able to diversify the content and have a strong following on several platforms because I made sure to share it on each platform and create a community in each place. 

Q: You’re super popular on the biggest content creation and social media platforms, like Youtube, TikTok, IG, Twitter, etc. Do you have a favorite when it comes to expressing yourself?

A: I don’t have a preferred platform, per se. I think I just know what content works best, depending on where it’s going. Also, I think I often write very differently because I consider myself to be more of a hybrid creator because I work in TV, as well as with digital content. I worked on the Ellen DeGeneres Show for five years, and now I’m at Food Network doing shows with them. I don’t necessarily create or curate specific content. I make content based on what I’m feeling at the moment or something in pop culture that’s trending. I think it’s about being strategic and figuring out how different formats can work in different places.

Q: You have expanded your career to unbelievable heights, even  doing correspondence and co-hosting on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. How were you able to branch out onto other mediums of entertainment, including television?

A: I was only doing the food videos for a month before I got a call from Ellen. So I think the answer to your question is manifestation. I knew what I wanted and I align myself with what I knew I wanted. I told myself, “This is where I’m going to go ,and I’m not going to accept anything less than that.”

Q: What was your experience like working on the Ellen Show?

A: It was a world-class experience. To this day, I feel like I had a front-row seat to a masterclass of what it’s like to work in TV. Having that experience, I was able to get a glimpse of who I could be and what I could see for myself in my future. I got to work red carpets for the Billboard Music Awards and the VMAs. I got to host the Britney Spears Las Vegas residency announcement. These are things that I would have never imagined myself doing. The show also provided so much visibility for me and gave me opportunities from doing American Pickle with Seth Rogen and With Love on Amazon Prime. Because of the show, I was able to reach millions of people on a global basis, which is what has been able to afford me a lot of  opportunities in my life.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

A: I would have to say the highlight of my career was hosting the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Because going viral for my digital content and food reaction videos happened by accident, it wasn’t necessarily something that I wanted to do. It wasn’t a passion of mine. But when I hosted the show, that was the moment that I said, “This is what I want to do. This is what I’m supposed to be doing.” I knew that at that point that somewhere down the line I wanted to have a talk show.

Q: What is your advice for up and coming Black content creators? Youtubers, TikTokers, etc?

A: Do everything without expecting to be appreciated or rewarded? And that does not mean that you won’t ever be rewarded or that you won’t ever be appreciated, but find the audience that does appreciate you and just continue to make great content. Network horizontally. Find people that you can partner with. Find a cohort that you are able to make magic with. There’s a lot of resources in that. 

Q: You are also a very talented singer. Was singing something that you were always interested in?  (Do you have any?) What are your future plans for new music?

A: Singing is actually the first thing that I ever did. I used to sing at multiple events in my hometown, Kansas City. I used to sing the national anthem at my high school basketball games and at Temple University. I’ve also done over 25 musicals and when I was in college my major was Theater.. Music has always been in my genes. It’s something that has always been a passion of mine. I do not want to be a recording artist, but it’s a way for me to express myself creatively as an artist. I released a Christmas EP, For Christmas Sake in 2020 and now I’m working on another one  called Growing Up Christmas. Also, on December 2, I’m going to do a Christmas show at 54 Below in New York City. 

Q: How do you think social media has created a space for Black people to be themselves?

A: I think social media has absolutely created a space for black people to be themselves. However, I do not believe that social media is paying us adequately and providing us with the same exposure and opportunities that are offered to our counterparts. and I don’t know about you, but I get tired of having to work twice as hard, even with the privileges that I have had. There is a lot of having to prove yourself. When I am in a lot of these spaces, I notice that there are very few people that look like me that are getting the same opportunities. A lot of Black content creators that we still reference today have not been paid adequately and are struggling in their day to day lives today. I think it’s unfortunate that black creators are often only used for laughs but never given the rewards. 

Q: You’re known for your hilarious personality and warm and optimistic energy. What is your advice for people struggling to stay positive in these current trying times? 

A: My advice is stillness. Whenever my world starts to get too chaotic, and when what’s going on in the world starts to weigh on me, I disconnect. I stop, recenter myself, and I try to find a sense of belonging. I ask myself, “What is going on with me internally and how do I heal this? How do I take care of myself?” You cannot pour from an empty cup. I believe that if you are trying to bring joy to the world, you have to start within and you have to be able to take care of yourself. You can’t take care of other people if you’re not taking care of yourself.

Q: What’s next for Kalen Allen? Anything coming up that you can tell us about 

A: I promise you, you’re gonna see a lot more of me on Food Network. Also, please get your tickets to come see me at 54 Below in December is going to be an absolutely wonderful experience and Holiday Spectacular that I’m so excited for. Now that Ellen is over and I am living in New York City, I’m in the space of figuring out, “Who is Kalen at age 32? And how do I get there?” I think now I’m in a space of producing more of writing more of finding my own products. Someone that is a big inspiration to me is Quinta Brunson. Watching her journey from making viral videos to creating content for Buzzfeed to starring and creating Abbott Elementary,  is proof that there is so much left that you can do and that you do not have to be stuck in a box. No matter how many times someone says no, someone will eventually say yes, and you have to trust your timing for your own journey.

All photography credit Emily Assiran