When I first began following Adam Barto - known on social media as AbnormallyAdam - on Twitter a few years ago, I remember he had about 5,000 followers and was just as cheerful and welcoming as he is now. What I realized immediately was how bright and genuine he was. Now, with over 35,000 followers combined on his social media, and more than 64,600 subscribers on YouTube - with the numbers steadily climbing daily - Adam's heart hasn't changed a bit. He is as engaging, optimistic, passionate, and generous as when I first met him.

Exclusive interview with Adam

Adam and I have followed each other on Twitter for a while now with a shared interest in fandom and television. I have always been curious about what made him want to become a YouTuber and what inspired him to upload reaction videos of some of his favorite TV shows. Adam was kind enough to spend some time answering a few questions and sharing part of his story with me:

Kylie Hemmert (Blasting News): What drew you to YouTube?

Adam Barto: I think seeing how open people were and how YouTubers could just be themselves in their videos was so refreshing and so entertaining to watch.

KH: When you started uploading videos, did you think you would end up with as many followers and fans as you have now?

Did you intend to become a YouTube star or were you creating the videos for fun?

AB: No way. It still stuns me to see how far I've actually come and that people actually watch my videos. I originally began uploading videos for fun (on my old, old channel) because I enjoyed doing them. I didn't realise what would come from that four years later.

KH: Is there anybody that inspired you to start creating your own content?

AB: If I can remember correctly, Glozell, Grace Helbig and Tyler Oakley were three main personalities that had an influence on me. I remember thinking "I can do that, too," and I did.

KH: As a fan, I love watching your reaction videos because of how genuine you are.

Do you think the honest way you present yourself is part of the reason why your videos became so popular?

AB: To be honest, I think that plays a very big part in it. People love seeing how "myself" I am in my reactions and I've been told it's really refreshing to see genuine reactions and not fake ones.

KH: Out of the cast and/or crew of any show, who has noticed your content?

AB: Oh god, this is an exciting question. Okay, so Emily Andras, the creator of "Wynonna Earp," noticed one of my reactions and tweeted me to never change who I am. That honestly meant so much coming from her. "Shadowhunters" wise, Kat McNamara (Clary) has noticed two of my reactions and I am still shook to this day. And also Todd Slavkin, the showrunner of "Shadowhunters," tweeted me about them.

So I have a feeling they all know of me. It's crazy! Oh, and also the director of "Shadowhunters" 2x18, Amanda Row. I love her so much. She also followed me back.

KH: Is there a specific goal you are trying to reach in regards to your videos/platform?

AB: One of my goals is to reach 100,000 subscribers. It may not seem much to big YouTubers, but to me, it has been a goal of mine for so long. I'm actually having too much fun posting my reactions and am king of taking it as it comes. I'm always ready for more.

Hopefully, I want to make it my career. Baby steps. I also want to spread positivity and influence people to just be themselves which is really important to me.

KH: What other projects are you currently involved with?

AB: At the moment, I'm part of a "Shadowhunters" podcast with two other co-hosts where we discuss every episode and also some extra goodies for the hiatus. It's so much fun. Also, I've recently joined ShumDario News, an update account about everything Matthew Daddario and Harry Shum Jr. It's heaps of fun.

KH: It's obvious from watching your videos how passionate you are about the shows you watch.

What is it about a TV series that absolutely hooks you in?

AB: Definitely the characters (especially if they're gay) and the storyline. If I'm not invested in the story, I don't get excited and my reactions won't be that good. That's why I'm very selective in what shows I react to. It also depends on if my fans enjoy the show, too. I usually react to shows with LGBT characters/LGBT relationships because I feel like LGBT representation is so important in TV shows. Also, it's something I can personally relate to as well.

KH: If anyone were to ask you any advice on YouTubing, or creating your own content, what would it be?

AB: My advice is just be yourself. No one's going to watch you every week if you aren't 100% open with who you are and just generally happy to do doing what you're doing.

With the content side, find something that you enjoy filming. That makes the experience that much better.

KH: Is there a message you would like to share with your fans?

AB: I want to say thank you to each and every one of my fans who continue to watch and support my videos on a daily basis. I wouldn't be where I am today without all of you. So thank you so much, you've honestly changed my life.

Reaction videos and fandom

On Adam's YouTube channel, abnormallyadam, the charismatic YouTuber uploads reactions videos on: "Shadowhunters," "How to Get Away With Murder," "Supernatural," "Teen Wolf," "Wynonna Earp," "The Flash," "Supergirl," "Riverdale," and more, including music releases.

He does an excellent job of engaging with fans and followers on his Twitter; he even retweets posts from the many devoted viewers who are always delighted when he uploads a new reaction video:

As we touched on in our interview, there is a refreshingly genuine quality about Adam's videos because they are purely and truly how he feels about each episode or song he reacts to. Adam brings a certain light, energy, and joy to social media and especially to his YouTube channel that I know his fans appreciate.

I, for one, cannot wait to watch him reach all of his goals and to continue to rise like the star he is. Never change, Adam!
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