YouTube personality and self-proclaimed leader of the Beyhive, Todrick Hall is Sasha Fierce reincarnate.
And so the entertainer, director, and choreographer kicked off MTV’s 24-hour Beyoncé–Thon, a very-public stab at giving the channel a Guinness World Record for longest dance relay — a 24hr dance-off to Beyonce songs. Hall famously choreographed the routine for ‘Yonce’s “Blow” (“It was really easy because I do Beyoncé in my every day life,” he told me), he delivered Bey in a Cinderella x Beyoncé mashup, Cinderoncé, after catalyzing his internet fame during Glee‘s public casting call. But most recently, he’s doubled-down online, launching the Twerk Du Soleil Tour, teaming up with Virgin America for a v. fierce safety dance video, and landing his very own docu-series on MTV that’ll take viewers into the making of his weekly YouTube videos.
During his eighth hour clocked in at the Beyoncé-thon, Hall and I discussed all things Bey (“I’m the leader of the Beyhive. I’m in the Beygency”), American Idol vs YouTube and why his docu-series will serve as a reality check to upcoming YouTube stars.
I think if Beyoncé were to follow one celebrity on Instagram, she’d probably follow Beyoncé, too. Am I right?!
A lot of my followers came from her shouting me out twice, and then hiring me to collaborate with her on the choreography for “Blow”.
What was that experience like?
Amazing. She’s very, very hands on, more so than people would probably think. When she didn’t like something she was very vocal, and is just focused on getting the best product out.
Which one of her dance routines would you perform to make a Guinness World Record for the longest dance relay?
A merge between “Single Ladies” and “Until The End of Time”…for 24 hours straight.
Thank you @beyonce for posting!
Before YouTube there was your stint on American Idol back in Season 9. Do you find any similarities between the two?
There are some. You have to make strategic moves whether you’re online or on Idol. With AI, every week was like you’re making a chess move. On YouTube you have to make sure you stay fresh, people are always going to be questioning you and waiting for you to do bigger, more creative things. So in that way, they’re very similar. Every week I try to do something different, but still something that’s on brand.
YouTube stars seem to have more control over what that “on brand” is.
With YouTube, you’re branding yourself. There are managers who help [YouTube personalities] guide their career in the right direction, but personally I created a brand without realizing it and I turned to my followers and asked what they wanted to see, and that was cool. On AI, you have publicists and stylists, but on YouTube you have to be a bit more hands on, you have to be your own publicist, agent, manager, stylist.
Any big lessons you’ve learned along the way so far?
Things that I used used to tweet or say I wouldn’t do anymore now because I understand the power you have when you’re online. On the Twerk Du Soleil Tour, I realized how much of an impact I have on kids – social media desensitizes us and “likes” don’t really equate to actually meeting fans.
What kept you motivated after AI and Glee didn’t pan out?
It’s crazy because when some people get knocked down that’s there reason to run home and tuck their tail between their legs and go back to what’s comfortable – but for me I’m just wired differently. From the time I was a kid if I couldn’t do something that was ingredient I needed to keep pushing. When I didn’t get American Idol, or I didn’t get Glee or lead roles on Broadway I was just like, “I don’t need to be on Glee or Broadway. I can make it.” I can be my own performing artist like American Idol. Perform Broadway musicals mixed with pop culture, and make my own Glee and put it on my own YouTube channel. I can get the recognition for it and be perceived the way I want to be perceived. It seems to be a blessing in disguise, because otherwise I wouldn’t have this story, or have the opportunity with MTV to show the process that goes behind creating my videos for YouTube.
What can we expect from your docu-series “Todrick”? How will it be different from what’s already out?
Unlike a lot of other reality shows, we’re real friends. MTV didn’t put anyone on the show who isn’t involved in the system. There’s no drama, there’s no fighting, no drinking, people aren’t sleeping with one another. People will get to see the process that goes into creating YouTube videos with my team of friends. Which is great because the way we work is so unconventional and fast paced, and something that a random person couldn’t just jump into. It’s just been an amazing experience.
Sounds like future YouTube stars should take notes while watching. What’s the one thing you hope people glean from your show?
I hope I can be the reason why kids launch their own YouTube channels. I want people to know that were in we’re in America in 2015 and nothing is impossible. I’m a black gay man from a farm, getting all these opportunities. I have a TV show and it’s not even an issue because that’s the world we live in today. I want our show to inspire YouTube kids, and every week remind people that they can get up and do their own thing. The world is your oyster, get up and decide what you want and put forth energy towards your goal, and it can happen. I genuinely believe that.
Follow Todrick Hall on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.
