[dropcap]Step[/dropcap] into the realm of YouTube vloggers and you’re bound to bump into Grace Helbig. Amongst other famous acts to arise out of homegrown YouTube channels – like Tyler Oakley, Jenna Marbles, or Lilly Singh – Grace has become a wildly popular YouTube comedian across various social-media platforms. Her YouTube channel currently sits at over 2,700,000 subscribers, and she’s in town this week to perform stand up at the Just For Laughs comedy festival.
The Varsity: How do you think YouTube has changed since you first started your channel?
Grace Helbig: I think YouTube, since I’ve started my channel, has really picked up as an establishment that hosts quality talent rather than being a site where people post videos they’ve made at home. It’s become a platform that celebrates talent, and now, YouTubers are reaching to new heights to not only make an impact in the world, but [also] to make a difference in people’s lives.
TV: To what do you owe your success?
GH: I owe my success to the viewers who take the time to watch my videos everyday. They are lovely people who enjoy the content I put out and it makes me happy that I have this wonderful family with me, supporting what I love to do. It’s you guys that really make the difference and allow me to accomplish my dreams.
TV: What is the most important piece of advice you’ve received?
GH: “Have fun” is something that’s very important to me, and I find that when my life gets busy and I have to work, I forget it sometimes. It’s good to know that whatever you’re doing in life should entice you and make you excited about it… the second piece of advice was actually given to me recently by a person Hannah Hart and I are working for in a project, and he said “Even if you’re having a bad day, try to make the people around you happy.” I thought that was such an amazing thing to say because that’s what I love doing. I love to make people laugh and hearing their laughter makes my day.
TV: To those thinking of starting up a YouTube channel, what advice would you give to them?
GH: Just do it! I find that people nowadays are thinking too much — worrying about the brand they’ll portray and what kinds of content they should put out. It’s about finding what you’re passionate about and then exploring where you go from there. It’s an exciting journey that’ll only begin when you upload that first video.
TV: How do you stay grounded?
GH: I think it’s just surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who don’t take life too seriously. My friends Hannah Hart and Mamrie Hart are people who have a similar mindset in that they want to go out and achieve success, but in the end know who they are and love the people in their lives.
TV: If you could completely master a skill that you don’t have now, what would it be?
GH: If I could master a skill, it would be to learn how to sing, because I’m just baffled at the idea that humans are able to produce such amazing sounds from their mouths. I’d love to know how they do this mysterious, amazing thing. And the other would be to cook. I’m trying a little bit at home, practicing really hard to get things done properly – but it’s still in the making.
Grace Helbig will perform at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Sept. 26 as part of the Just For Laughs comedy festival.
