Ah, the age-old question posed to children by their well-meaning adult overlords: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Back in my day, the kids’ responses ranged from the aspirational (astronaut, president) to the heroic (firefighter, police officer) to the slightly more obscure (doctor, lawyer). And yes, there were always a few wannabe pop stars and actors scattered among us, with yours truly proudly claiming the acting title. Oh, the dreams of youth!
Fast forward two decades, and here we find my son and his peers, staring into their devices like the future is a TikTok filter. Believe it or not, their most common career aspiration is that of a “YouTuber.” Yes, the idea of making simple videos while raking in loads of cash is irresistible. I know because, like a moth to a flame (or perhaps a moth to a glowing screen), I too dared to dream big as I launched my YouTube channel, AngieTalks.
Let me offer you a little slice of truth pie, though: it’s not as simple as the charming thumbnails would have you believe. Transforming into an internet sensation requires a level of effort that would make even a triathlete pause in exhaustion. The quest for YouTube fame is not a leisurely stroll but a grueling marathon filled with the frantic shuffling of video ideas, strategies, and prayers to the algorithm gods. And like my hopes, the direct route to financial success is more of a meandering path full of uncertainty.
My grand entrance into the world of YouTube was courtesy of my dear friend Qbanguy, who—get this—had nearly 1 million subscribers before I so much as touched a camera. I achieved my five seconds of fame (twice removed) by gracing his channel with my appearance in various comedy sketches, which inadvertently channeled some new eyeballs my way when I finally launched my own gig.
Initially, I dove headfirst into the world of comedy shorts, convinced I would be a viral sensation overnight (spoiler alert: I was about as misguided as a cat in a dog park). You see, the YouTube viewership is as stable as a juggler on a unicycle, and what works one day can flop harder than my attempts at baking. Over the years, I’ve tried everything: spicy food challenges, mystery box openings, storytelling, mukbangs, and yes, even party games. The effort involved is substantial, and the financial rewards? Well, let’s just say they’re akin to finding a penny on the sidewalk—pleasant but hardly life-changing.
This year, I decided to take a leisurely sabbatical from creating content—because why not? Burnout is the new black. However, I’m dusting off my production skills and bringing in Moug for a little added spice. And guess what? We are wide open for suggestions! Want to see us try interpretive dance while taste-testing mystery foods? We’re in! Want to watch us fail spectacularly at DIY projects? Where do we sign up?
While I’m re-emerging from my creative cave, why not take a moment to explore my channel? Head on over to YouTube.com/AngieTalks and hit that subscribe button—it might just be the most enlightening thing you do all day. After all, the only thing standing between you and true digital enlightenment is a single click!
