Internet sensation Kennedy Walsh went viral on Youtube in July of 2018 after a string of popular videos, her subscriber count skyrocketing from thousands to millions in just a few short months. Famously known for her witty personality, bold and beautiful bubblegum-like hair, entertaining vlogs and transformations into well-known celebrities, Kennedy has amassed a large following on countless social media platforms that only continue to grow.
Despite her newfound fame, nineteen-year-old Kennedy has remained true to herself as her lively and effervescent personality resonates with a number of people who just can’t get enough of the Youtube star. I spoke with Kennedy to discuss everything from her rapid growth and success on Youtube, unrealistic expectations put upon teenagers and her favorite TV shows.
Kaycee Wilson: In July of 2018, your Youtube channel started to gain a lot of recognition. Since then, you have managed to surpass 800,000 subscribers as well as attain a fairly large fanbase. What is it like having Youtube as a career and balancing the virtual world with the real one?
Kennedy Walsh: It’s weird — in the best way possible. It was always a dream of mine growing up to be a YouTuber, and now it’s real and I’m like… used to it. Sometimes I forget that I even have followers and it just feels like I have a bunch of internet friends who are really nice to me … which is the best!
Kaycee: On social media, you’ve mentioned plenty of times your ideal love life. Do you believe that there’s a lot of pressure put on teenagers today in terms of their love life, friendships and other general expectations as a result of unrealistic TV shows, movies and books?
Kennedy: Oh, yes. I’m a very introverted person, so growing up, I spent a lot of time inside watching movies and reading books. I feel like that really gave me a false perception of how life is supposed to be, and it’s led me to a lot of disappointment — ha! But it also led me to my great love for movies, TV shows and books which I feel like is a big part of my life.
Kaycee: On both your Youtube channel and Instagram account, you’ve spoken a lot about how having pink hair — something a lot of people may find daring and also wish that they had the courage to try — has led to you feeling more confident. How so?
Kennedy: I had been dying my hair black — my natural color is light brown — for about five years. I’m very pale so I often felt like my black hair made me look washed out or … like a vampire. When I got the urge to dye my hair pink I just had a feeling about it, and I always trust my gut. Pink hair just feels way more me, and having lighter hair makes me like my pale skin more since it’s not so harsh like the black was. I don’t think I’ll ever go that dark again, honestly.
Photograph taken by Andre Nguyen via Instagram
Kaycee: Your personality is like a breath of fresh air. How do you remain so breezy and lighthearted in a world of social media?
Kennedy: Aw, thank you! I try not to overthink things and just do what feels right. I go with my gut on most things and never try to force anything. I don’t really think of myself as breezy, but I sure would like to appear that way rather than overly sensitive… which I TOTALLY am NOT … (wink wink).
Kaycee: You are a big fan of both Harry Styles and Timothée Chalamet. If you had to pick between the two celebrities, who would you choose?
Kennedy: I get this question so much, and I’m kind of scared of it honestly. If I absolutely HAD to pick, I’d choose Timothée only because he seems more my type. Also, Harry Styles doesn’t even seem real. Like I can’t picture having a conversation with him, but with Timothée I can. Does that make sense???
Kaycee: When you aren’t working on things related to Youtube, what else do you like to do in your free time?
Kennedy: I love being with my family. If I leave the house it’s usually with my mom or sister to go shopping or something. But I spend a lot of time at home either watching a movie or reading a book. I can spend the entire day reading if I really love the book. I love seeing my friends, but they’re all away at college so I only get to see them every few months. Oh, and my cat. I love her. I spend a lot of time with her.
Photograph via Instagram
Kaycee: What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Kennedy: Oh gosh, I have so many. I just recently watched Skam which is a Norwegian show and it was SO good. I’ve also watched New Girl about eighty-four times. I’m going to be basic and say The Office, too, because it makes me laugh no matter how many times I watch it. I usually always watch Bob’s Burgers when I don’t feel good. Big Mouth is also a good one. I just watched Doctor Foster with my mom and it was AMAZING. I could go on about shows forever so I’ll stop myself now.
Kaycee: You’ve mentioned reading on your Youtube channel and Instagram account. What is your favorite book of all time?
Kennedy: As of right now, it’s a book called The Way I Used To Be. It’s about a girl who survived sexual assault, and it really stuck with me. I read it a few months ago when I was going through something mentally and cried the entire time. I literally read it in one sitting and only got up to get tissues because I was sobbing all over the book. It was gross. I highly recommend it if you’re not sensitive to that subject.
Kaycee: If you were to star in a movie about your life, what three songs would make the soundtrack?
Kennedy: What a good question!!! I already know I’m going to want to change my answers later.
1. “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane. Such a good song. I’ve heard it so many times and never get sick of it. It just gives me a certain feeling.
2. Any song by Lana Del Rey I literally don’t care what it is. “Video Games” or “Young and Beautiful” maybe. I don’t know. I would take any song of hers I could get. She makes me feel powerful.
3. “Bloom” by The Paper Kites. It just comes to mind. Another one of those songs that just sticks with you. Every time I hear it I mentally picture a cute montage of a couple.
This question was so hard — wow.
Photograph via Instagram
Care to follow Kennedy Walsh on her flourishing journey? Be sure to follow her on Instagram and subscribe to her on Youtube — that is, unless you aren’t already.
Featured Image via Instagram
