Last Saturday, YouTube sensation Jenna Marbles graced the newly renovated Page Auditorium for a comical heart to heart with the audience. Brought by DUU's Speakers and Stage division for a moderated question and answer session, Marbles responded to a variety of questions from the audience members, ranging topics from her career, her life and popular culture.
Jenna Marbles, whose real name is Jenna Mourey, is currently the highest subscribed female-run channel and the seventh most subscribed channel overall on YouTube. Mourey, best known for her videos such as "How To Trick People Into Thinking You're Good Looking" and "How To Avoid Talking To People You Don't Want To Talk To," has generated over one billion views. Mourey produces weekly content that includes satirical sketches, internet challenges and inspirational videos for her more than 15 million subscribers.
The night broke straight into Mourey's trademark quirkiness when Mourey was asked a question about whether she's had any awkward interactions with fans. She recounted an awkward moment at her hotel, hours before the performance where she was having difficulties riding a hover board in the lobby.
"I was going, 'Ahhhh' and then I fell and dropped all of my belongings and people were laughing at me," Mourey recalled. "I was like, 'You're welcome for the show.'"
This zany and authentic personality Mourey possesses is what has contributed to her likability as a YouTube star. After getting a MacBook computer, Mourey was introduced to YouTube when she uploaded a video presentation for a class at Boston University because her MacBook lacked a CD burner. Eventually, Mourey started making videos of funny things that her friends would do, and this practice eventually led to her first viral video.
"I didn't realize that it [YouTube] was a community, and that people would search for something and watch something," Mourey said. "Why were people watching this? For a giggle! And I just went from there."
The rest of the night followed with some more routine questions that were met with her land sharks routine, Sarah Palin impression, her Whip/Nae Nae and a recitation of her Hillary Clinton presidential parody rap to the scheme of Nicki Minaj's "Only."
"I enjoyed the event, and it was really cool to see a YouTube star on stage who was relatable and truly funny," said sophomore Alex Guevara. "The night as a whole, despite some questionable moments, was a great way to spend the evening."
A common theme to the interview was night life, specifically Shooters and whether Mourey was going to be there. Quite a few students asked Mourey if she would stop by the epicenter of the Duke social scene after her time on stage, an idea Mourey entertained but didn't follow through with.
"I definitely did some dumb stuff when I was in college," Mourey said. "I once shotgunned a few beers and then fell through a door. No one else was drunk... I did it all with my keys so my flash drive was ruined. I woke up the next morning in class, and I was like, 'Where am I?'"
The show had a few serious moments talking about gender and cultural appropriation in popular culture. Mourey was quick to downplay anybody who thought she shouldn't be so outgoing or open about certain taboo subjects like sex because she was a woman. However, she noted that she isn't a "full-blown feminist" but that she believes in women's rights and female empowerment. Regarding criticisms of Miley Cyrus's dreadlocks as cultural appropriation at MTV's Video Music Awards last week, Mourey said that while people may call it what they will, people need to "perhaps be more understanding" and aware of how certain acts or displays "might affect other people."
Some students felt that the culture-oriented questions were a departure from the fun and quirky atmosphere Mourey tried to foster.
"I thought that the idea [of having a question and answer format] was a good concept, but I think some of the questions were awkward and the moderation and execution of the night was not the best," said sophomore Priya Alagesan.
Mourey left Duke with a message about how to live life and be true to one's authentic self.
"I think that it takes a wise person to know what they don't know in life," Mourey noted. "People tell me constantly what I should be doing, what I shouldn't be doing. I'm like, dude you're freaking lying right now. Nobody knows anything."
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