Quick Talk With Tyler Oakley

Teens compare themselves with images they see online. Do you feel a sense of responsibility?

YouTube has always been a diary for me. But regardless of my intention, if people are looking at what I do and are treating it like I’m a role model, it doesn’t matter whether or not I want to be.

I don’t know of many 35-year-old YouTubers. How will you adjust your act as you get older?

Who knows? If I still love it when I’m married with kids and I’m daily vlogging changing diapers, that’s cool. The past eight years are a scrapbook where I can look at any week going back to my freshman year of college and see what I was up to.

What makes what you do a talent?

There’s a lot that goes into it and makes it seem effortless. I very much want to show behind the scenes so that people can get a better understanding of it. When I think about my favorite creators, when you take away the editing and the lighting, they’re great storytellers. Being a part of a new type of entertainment makes me want to open my eyes and be less critical of other types of entertainment that I don’t really get. Who am I to say something is valid or not?

Your appeal comes from your relatability, but you’ve interviewed the First Lady. When will your life become unrelatable to your fans?

Authenticity is more important than attempting to seem relatable. I would rather be me than something that’s more retweetable.