Every once in a while, influencers go viral in social media for a number of reasons. Some gain more followers for their funny, inspiring, creative, or outrageous content. Some just go viral for all the wrong reasons. We were able to grab the opportunity to sit with Zach Jelks aka “Undos”. We talked about life as an influencer, the best things about it, and its most dangerous pitfalls.
Who’s Zach Jelks?
Zach Jelks is a 20-year old American content creator popular for his dance covers and hilarious “meme-able” content. He calls himself “Undos”, a name he got from a random name generator. Since the word “undo” was already taken, he added an “s” to the end and the rest was history.
He started posting his videos on instagram in 2017 and gained a small following. However, Undos reached a stagnant point in his instagram career. He knew he had to expand his social media reach. He doubted Tik Tok’s power during the beginning, saying that it seemed too childish.
Beyond the rolling cameras and fame, Undos is just like any of us. By 2022, he aims to get his college degree.
On His Life as a Social Media Influencer
He never expected that being an influencer would pay him dividends in the future. He told us that he never knew people could make money out of being an influencer. Undos said:
“I love seeing people laugh, it brings me so much joy. For It wasn’t ever about the money. I didn’t even know you could make money from being an influencer nevertheless what an influencer even was or what it meant. “
For him, the main driving force for entertaining others is his desire to make others happy. He also loves the “connecting with people” aspect of being an influencer. The relationships he has built surely seem like his most prized possession.
“Cancel Culture”
On the more serious side of things, he also told us his least favorite part of being an influencer. He said that he doesn’t like it when influencers are not expected to make mistakes like other humans. He told us:
“My least favorite part about being an influencer is not being allowed to make a mistake. In the social media world today, influencers are under a microscope and every move we make is broadcasted to millions of people”
For him, the biggest enemy right now is the blown-out-of-proportion concept of “Cancel Culture”. Undos told us that cancel culture was not meant to become the monster that it is now. He told us:
“…if an influencer makes a mistake or even sometimes doesn’t make a mistake people are looking and trying so hard to cancel them which I think is very toxic and doesn’t allow space for growth and change. Most influencers are pretty young and cancel culture pushes the narrative that everyone has to be perfect and mistakes are not allowed…”
His Future
Undos aims to expand to other content creation platforms. He aims to start his own YouTube channels and collaborate with other influencers; building lifelong relationships along the way. As for the specific job, he just told us that he wanted to make people happy and appear on televisions to showcase his personality.
Oh, he plans to move out to California too. Here’s what he had to tell us about his plans for the future:
“The Covid-19 pandemic has changed my perspective on life in general. I was the person that was content with being where I am and not going out and seeing the world. After this I definitely will take advantage of traveling!”
Make sure you keep yourself updated on his career. Follow his Instagram account and Tik Tok! If you want more Tik Tok news, read here how this Tik Toker navigates through the platform as a black content creator
Opinions expressed by AsianBlurb contributors are their own.
Faiz Imran is a teenage (May 17, 2002) entrepreneur and self-made millionaire behind various successful companies such as Fismma.com
