Welcome to Small Talk, a series where we catch up with the internet’s favorite Extremely Online individuals offline.
It’s hard to define Connor Franta.
We can try though. He’s done a lot, achieved even more, and has allowed the internet to witness it all. Franta began his YouTube career in 2010, as a 17-year-old in his hometown Minnesota. He’s a veteran of the YouTube scene, but found true following and community with his coming out video.
In 2014, Franta took to his channel to come out as gay to his significant amount of subscribers, who had been following his journey for four years already. The six and a half-minute video garnered over 12 million views. It’s very much still watched and referred to, far beyond the headlines he made when the video was first posted seven years ago.
But his career spans well beyond YouTube. Franta has photographed the likes of Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, has released a limited-edition collection of clothing and his own line of coffee for Common Culture, and started an influencer playlist-focused record label Heard Well.
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Franta won “Favourite YouTube Star” at the 42nd People’s Choice Awards, was honoured as YouTube’s Creator for Change in 2019, and (just to top it off) won the Governor’s Award in 2015 for his fundraising efforts for the Thirst Project, a nonprofit working to end the global water crisis by building freshwater wells in developing communities. These various accolades don’t even touch upon his writing: no less than three books. House Fires, the latest in his wealth of works has just been published this month.
Like his social media content, the book is a mish-mash of dreamy photographs, reflections on the trials and tribulations of modern life, and insight into the queer community in North America. His essence, just as it is on his YouTube channel, is so conversational and friendly that you feel as if you’re sitting across from him, sharing a cup of tea. Here’s an indicator:
“The past can eat shit in comparison to the promise the future holds for LGBTQIA+ people. It’s nowhere but up from here. And luckily, since many thing have yet to be done by us (be elected president of the United States, be an astronaut who stands on the moon, win an Olympic gold medal in Solo Synchronized Swimming…well, just kidding, we all know ONLY gays have won that…I digress) the world is our oyster!”
Credit: Mashable composite / Simon and Schuster
It’s this soulful presence of Franta, infused with humour but also an underlying push for a more inclusive future, that have grabbed the attention of his millions of followers. Twitter: 8.8 million, Instagram: 4 million, YouTube: 4.98 million subscribers and counting. It’s safe to say he is a Very Online Individual, but one who has used this impact to advocate for equality, speak about mental health, and incentivise transparency.
I spoke to Franta to find out more about how he balances the immense responsibility of such a dedicated following, as well as his career as an online activist and human.
Mashable: You found a lot of support and traction in your coming out video, posted back in 2014. What legacy do you hope that will leave?
Connor Franta: Giving yourself to the world should be a joy, not a fear. I hope that video continues to enlighten, and remind people that there is no other way.
Can you tell me a little bit about your new book?
House Fires is a collection of personal narratives, bleeding poetry and vibrant film photography from the past years of my life. The pages depict the emotional warfare with my past, the daze that comes with wandering through modern times in search of purpose, and the electricity from tomorrow’s potential.
Each of your books is very personal and poignantly illustrates parts of your life. How do you find sharing that part of yourself with such a large audience?
Writing it down is often relieving, but gifting it to a stranger can be nothing short of petrifying. It’s peppered with deeply vulnerable pieces; things some of my closest friends don’t even fully know. At times, it makes me feel almost naked even when I’m fully clothed.
How has your writing changed over time?
I like to think I’ve found a way to intertwine pain and humor more effectively. Just when you think I’m going to slide steel into your heart again, I’ll toss a niche pop culture reference right between your two front teeth. You know, just to ease the tension.
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You have a large online presence. How do you deal with the inevitable negativity online?
Hate is a single drop within in an ocean of love. I try to remind myself of that, and stay grounded in who I know myself to be. Also, anyone who’s willingly lashing out at a stranger in a Twitter reply on a Tuesday morning clearly needs to get a hobby. Try baking, it’s peaceful.
On a brighter note, how has social media shaped your career and your writing?
I wouldn’t be here today without social media and the millions of people who’ve connected with the art I’ve shared on it. From the cultural insight to the creative inspiration to the informational access, it has shaped every aspect of who I am as a person today. And for that, I’m indescribably grateful.
What are some of your favourite pieces of content to share online?
Poetry and photographs. It’s almost like they bring color to my day. After completing the process for one of them, I’m dizzy with fulfilment.
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