VidCon 2016: Catching up with YouNow star Hailey Knox
This past weekend at VidCon, YouNow, the four-year-old livestreaming platform, sponsored the community stage along with a broadcast booth on the creator floor. While YouTube, Instagram, and Vine were in attendance, the excitement around YouNow was palpable.
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The platform continues to grow rapidly and already boasts more than 100 million user sessions per month.
When we interviewed CEO Adi Sideman last week, he specifically called out Hailey Knox, the platform’s first big star. And when someone “makes it” on an up-and-coming platform, it has a snowball effect: more and more promising creators join the platform.
In addition to YouNow’s official presence, Knox was on site as the platform’s first “Featured Creator” (which, I learned at VidCon as an observer, is a major honor). She was also there to celebrate the release of her first EP, which debuted on S-Curve Records.
We caught up with Knox, who discussed her new album and what it’s like to create for YouNow
Found Remote: What do you hope to accomplish at VidCon this year?
Hailey Knox: I hope to meet as many creators as possible and celebrate the release of my EP "A Little Awkward." I also am looking forward to hanging out and collaborating with all of the people I watch online.
FR: When getting started, why did you opt to broadcast on YouNow versus YouTube or Vine?
Knox: I find it more fun to broadcast live on YouNow as opposed to recording videos and waiting for feedback. When I'm live, I receive feedback within seconds. If I play an original, the viewers/Hailiens let me know instantly whether they like it or not.
FR: How does your new album reflect your work and experience performing for YouNow audiences?
Knox: On YouNow I show my geeky side and most teens can relate to my weirdness. Also, I am "A Little Awkward" on YouNow.
FR: What does YouNow offer creators that other platforms don't?
Knox: One feature that YouNow offers is the ability to guest. Guesting with other broadcasters allows you to talk with them face to face, almost as if you're on a FaceTime call with them! The guest feature lets you talk with your favorite broadcasters and start to build relationships with them. I’ve done guesting with both Andy Grammer and Pentatonix!
FR: With so many opportunities coming your way, why do you continue to develop your base on YouNow?
Knox: YouNow is where I began and I've made so many friends on the site. We're like one big YouNow family! I enjoy broadcasting live on the platform and love watching fellow broadcasters. YouNow has helped me a ton in gaining exposure and has been extremely supportive of my music.
Listen to first single "Geeks," the first single off the EP