Online Essentials is a weekly column where we introduce you to an influential digital content creator in their own words.
Vine may be shutting down, but one of its biggest stars is just getting started. The All-American babyfaced bro Logan Paul made a name for himself on the soon-to-be defunct platform with physical comedy routines condensed into three beats for six-second videos that tell their own mini-stories. Following in the longstanding tradition of Buster Keaton, his pratfalls and dumb jock persona have much more in common with Jim Carrey and the “Jackass” guys.
More impressive than harnessing the power of Vine to showcase his specific talents, Paul has left the platform in the dust as he launches a burgeoning acting career. Earlier this month, he appeared alongside former Disney Channel star Peyton List in “The Thinning,” a post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world where population control is dictated by an aptitude test given in high school, now available on YouTube Red.
IndieWire asked Paul our own version of the Proust questionnaire, going straight to the source for some insider knowledge about the funniest online videos, viral trends, and YouTube challenges. These are his emailed responses.
READ MORE: As the Internet Mourns, Vine Experiences a Revival: The 10 Best Vines (a Subjective List)
What are the last three videos you watched?
Haha. Don’t judge me but… a video of people inhaling sulfur hexafluoride because it makes your voice deeper, a clip of Donald Trump being rushed off stage and a video of two kids reenacting into my dab video with Kevin Hart.
Last video you shared?
A video explaining why Japanese toilets are better than American toilets because I’m trying to convince my friends we need to go to Tokyo.
What viral trend do you wish would die a fiery death, never to return?
I actually don’t mind viral trends. I think most of them are inexplicably really funny.
Ghost pepper challenge or cinnamon challenge?
Ghost pepper. So much more entertaining.
If you had to deliver a eulogy for Vine, what would the last line be?
Revine for revine?
Kill, Shag, or Marry: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, and The Rock.
Yo who says “shag” hahaha
What Midwestern food trend does Hollywood not know it’s missing out on?
Gotta be corn fritters. Delish.
What celebrity would you most want to run your Twitter account for a day?
Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Dude’s a G. Genius.
Who is the next Logan Paul?
Not sure I’ve seen one on the Internet yet… probably a good thing haha.
Paul’s most recent project, “Logan Paul Vs,” produced by Studio71, has him braving potential life-threatening challenges including wrestling a bear, Navy Seal training, bull riding, wilderness survival, and more. Check out the exclusive clip below.
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