At just 19 years old, Gen Z social media star Chase Keith has accomplished many notable feats. Collaborating with Disney? Check.
Millions of followers on social media? Check. The viral voice behind many of the most hilarious TikTok videos? Check!
The Teen Magazine had the chance to interview the multi-talented teen about everything and anything. From modeling to social media, Chase tells us all.
photo by Tylor/Serena @alohatylor
The 411 On Social Media's Influence
With no doubt, social media can open a lot of doors when you have a huge fanbase. This is no exception for Chase: with 1 million followers on Instagram and 2 million on TikTok, there have been a lot of opportunities that have come from his platform.
When asked, "What is the best opportunity you have been given from gaining a large follower base?", Chase responds that he's been able to branch out in many different ways.
photo by Antonio Schuelke @schvelke
"There are so many career opportunities that are available where you don't even just have to make videos," says Chase, "You can get into social media marketing. You can help market ads on social media- work with brands and companies making ads, become an ad designer yourself, design stuff for other people. You could even be a producer, make music, you can do whatever it is that you want to do."
"There are just endless possibilities; endless opportunities to the point that it is certain that you can find a job you want to do. It does have its limits, however, so I would say to just be careful."
On Modeling Professionally
Chase is a professional model signed with the prestigious IMG agency- the modeling agency that has signed the likes of Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Gisele Bündchen, and more.
We had to ask: how did his journey with modeling begin?
photo by Tati Bruening @illumitati
"I started out by just taking pictures in Ohio a while back and then I eventually came out here in California," answers Chase.
"I originally got scouted by this fake modeling agency. I did the whole runway show and that was when I found out it wasn't a real agency.
I was like, "Oh no, we were gonna get signed!" Then, my friend was like, "Hey man, the recruiter from IMG is following you!" and I couldn't believe it. I was like, "What?""
"I ended up having a meeting with [the agent], then eventually signed with IMG. [The agency] has been a bit busy and they're still getting back online, so I haven't gotten a lot of work, but I am being patient."
The World Of Fashion
How would you describe your fashion style?
"I am not sure how I would describe it," Chase muses, "I suppose I just like to be creative with it."
"I like wearing some stuff from the 90s, you know, sweaters or tops from that era. I definitely have a skatewear/streetwear vibe when it comes to fashion, and I also wear a lot of black."
photo by Krissy @krissysaleh
"Overall, I'm not exactly sure how to describe my fashion sense, but I definitely think I have a pretty cool fashion sense," laughs Chase.
Chase's Advice On Confidence
What advice would you give to those struggling with their confidence?
"Struggling with confidence? Hmm... I actually still struggle with my confidence a lot," Chase shares. "Not as much as before- it was super bad before," he adds, "But I would definitely say that watching what you eat and trying to consistently better yourself helps."
"Before, I wasn't bettering myself or bettering my body. I wasn't doing this or that that I needed to and because of that [mindset], I wasn't treating my body right."
photo by Tati Bruening @illumitati
"In order to get healthy, you need to start off by loving yourself. You need to start treating your body right."
"I would say you can start this by going in small steps, trying positive affirmations, you need to eat right and even just working out here and there helps," Chase advises, "But once you start treating your body right and you get your body healthy, then your mind is healthy as well. You're going to start feeling more confident overall and looking in the mirror thinking 'I look better, healthier', and that really helps."
An Influential Piece Of Advice
What is a piece of advice that was given to you that still has an impact on you today?
"It may sound super corny and super silly, but it is so true- which is to treat others how you would want to be treated," says Chase. "I try my hardest to stick by that. Regardless of who it is, friends or people I am getting introduced to, I try to treat everyone kindly."
"I also try to always look on the brighter side of things in every situation, so that I am able to get through it," Chase tells us.
"I believe that if I put good karma into the world, then I am going to get good karma back. Even with that in mind, it takes more energy to be negative than it does to be positive," says Chase, "You know what I mean? It is harder to be mean to people than to be nice to them."
Creating Music
A secret you might not know about is that Chase creates music. "I haven't really spoken about my music or have been interviewed for it," Chase shares. The Teen Magazine is glad to be the first!
"I definitely think of David October as my alternative music persona," says Chase. "I would like to think of myself as a Childish Gambino type- as he has Donald Glover, but there's also that other side, which is Childish Gambino."
"There is also this type of Joe Keary vibe from Stranger Things," explains Chase, "His music is like Joe- he really didn't say he creates music and he didn't promote it. He just kind of put stuff out there for fun, just to express himself musically."
photo by Antonio Schuelke @schvelke
"So, that's kind of how I would like to do it," Chase says. "I just started, it's not as if my songs are still big."
"I just started out and I don't really tell anyone when I put stuff out, I just put it out there," Chase says, "Actually, I think I promoted my song maybe twice. I did it once on Instagram and then sort of slid it in there."
I was like a secret and not many people noticed.
We had to know: when did his love for music really begin? All throughout social media, it is evident Chase truly enjoys music- but how did he get to create songs himself?
"I actually started making songs with my friends in Ohio," Chase answers, "I was making songs with my friends years ago and they were super silly songs. They were just really fun, freestyle songs."
photo by Phil Shaw @p.hil
"At night when I am bored I'll make tunes," Chase tells us, "I've done some stuff with Ben Troy, who is very gifted musically. I know he's gonna do some really big things. Benny Belson is also very talented and will do very big things too. I've made some songs with them and might drop that officially soon."
"But that's about it," laughs Chase, "I just like having fun with it and I don't take it too seriously. If I ever do drop some more music, then it is definitely gonna be on the fun side- I don't want anybody to take it super seriously."
Monkeys and Doggos
What is your favorite animal and do you have any pets now?
"I love monkeys," Chase says enthusiastically, "I have always loved monkeys. They are just so cool. I even have a monkey with glasses."
"As far as pets go, I have my little dog, Video, who is a little monster. I swear. He freaking bites my toes," Chase tells us, "But it's okay. I love the little rascal."
"I've always been a dog person though. Like we always had dogs when we lived in Ohio. I honestly love every animal, but between my monkey and my little dog- it just feels right."
A Different Kind of Pet: Pet Peeves
What is one of your biggest pet peeves?
"Okay, I actually have two really big pet peeves," Chase shares with us, "One is people. Well, more so what people are."
"I have great intuition and can tell when someone isn't genuine. Or if they're just a sycophant, using someone for clout because that person is famous on social media," he continues, "I can tell when someone is trying to do that to me or when it's happening in general, and I don't like it. I don't even tell people that I am on social media unless they ask me."
photo by Tylor/Serena @alohatylor
"I prefer genuineness when it comes to conversations and people. I don't want them perceiving me in a certain way, I just want to be treated like a normal person."
"My other biggest pet peeve is when you're with a group of people and someone isn't included. I like for everybody to be involved and having fun, especially since I used to be that kid, the kid who would be left out not too long ago."
On Dating & Fans
Would you ever be friends with or date a fan? This is a question that is definitely for all of the fan girls out there.
"Haha, I get that," says Chase, "It obviously depends a lot on the situation. I am friends with some of my fans, but I honestly consider all of my fans to be friends."
"It does really depend though, because Hailey Bieber used to be a mega Justin Bieber fan, going to all of his meet and greets, and now look at them. So, you know, it is possible but it depends."
photo by Tati Bruening @illumitati
Keep Up With Chase Keith
Thank you Chase for this amazing interview! It was an insightful, brilliant talk about everything and anything... and a lot of new things you now know about the Gen Z star.
Be sure to keep up with Chase on social media. Find him on Instagram at @chasekeith, TikTok @johnstamosfanpage1, and YouTube at @Chase Keith.
