Owen Holt
Catching up with Our Favorite Host
By Kayla Marra
Owen Holt is a nineteen-year-old content creator from Florida who went viral seemingly overnight. Since his rise to fame, Owen has gone on to win season one of AwesomenessTV's hit series Next Influencer. He has since gone on to host the past two seasons!
When we last spoke to Owen in June 2021, he had just finished filming the second season of Next Influencer. Though he's extremely busy, we were lucky enough to sit down and chat with Owen about the third Next Influencer season, working with both AwesomenessTV and Paramount+, Philadelphia sports teams, and more!
A lot has happened since the last time we chatted in June! Congratulations on not only hosting Season 3 of AwesomenessTV’s Next Influencer on Paramount+ but the hosting “Vibe Room” Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! How has all of that been for you?
It’s been amazing. It’s truly just opened so many doors, with opportunities and meeting some of the coolest people ever. Being on “Vibe Room” and Next Influencer, they just have the most amazing talent. I am now really close friends with a lot of people. It’s basically changed my life for the greater good. I’m just very blessed to be in this position.
You won the first season of Next Influencer, hosted by Alex Warren, and you told us last time about how exhilarating it was to hear your name being called as the winner. How did it feel last season telling Ace B. King that he was season two’s winner?
It felt right if that makes sense. Like me announcing that and just hosting the entire season, it really made me feel like this is what I want to do. This is something I want to start putting more time and effort into. Hosting is what I’m talking about. It just felt so right and like I was in the right place. Just announcing Ace as the winner – he’s such a great guy, it felt so perfect that he was the winner. He’s the coolest person you’ll ever meet. It was awesome. It was truly awesome.
You can really tell between season two and season three how much more comfortable and confident you are with hosting. You can really tell that you’re finally getting in the groove– you’re killing it. from an outside perspective.
I appreciate that, thank you so much.
During the second season of Next Influencer, we saw a lot of drama and tea being spilled, so much more than in the first season. While the creators participating had to compete in challenges, what was the biggest challenge you had to overcome if any?
I would say that the biggest challenge I had to overcome was just making sure that the challenges were being played the right way. You saw that in season three as well. Like in episode three of season three, while I’m explaining a challenge in the challenge zone, bringing up drama on the challenge zone and leaves. It’s crazy, so when stuff starts happening during challenges, especially with season two, I really just got to be on my toes and make sure everything is going according to plan.
What was going on in your head when that whole thing went down as you were trying to explain a challenge, and you had a challenge happening two feet from you?
A couple of things were going through my head. Number one, I was like, “All right guys, come on, I want to play this challenge.” It’s a fun challenge that I was looking forward to. On the other hand, I love me some Next Influencer drama. So I was like, “Okay, okay, I’ll let you all do your thing. I’m not really intervening this time. I’m going to see what happens.” I was low-key loving it.
We’ve seen on Instagram and TikTok that you’ve kept in touch with some of season 2’s cast. What is the most fun thing you’ve done with them after all the craziness of the show has settled down?
Besides the “Vibe Rooms” that we always do – the “Vibe Room” is always fun having season two alumni and it’s always a great time – I would say the most fun thing that I’ve been doing with the season two cast is just keeping in touch with them. Calling them, texting them, and just seeing what they’re up to. It’s so cool seeing what everyone’s up to after the show because it was a crazy experience that we all experienced together. Keeping in touch with people and keeping that connection there is just the main thing for me.
Next Influencer is a crazy experience that you all went through together, so it’s great that you get to keep in touch and stay connected. Season three is streaming on Paramount+ rather than strictly on YouTube. What has it been like working with Paramount, as well as AwesomenessTV for this season?
It’s been a dream come true. When the first episode came out I logged into my Paramount+ account, because I already had one before this show. I’m a Paramount+ fan! When I clicked the app and logged in, I saw my show on the main page and I just couldn’t stop smiling. It was just such an amazing feeling seeing something like that on Paramount+. Paramount+ has been amazing to work with. I’ve met a lot of people like the social team and a lot of people there, it’s just great vibes all around. Also, we’re still killing it on YouTube. The same answer pretty much, we still love YouTube and Awesomeness. Awesomeness has changed my life, so it’s been an absolute dream come true with my show being on Paramount+.
How is the dynamic between creators different this season compared to seasons in the past?
I love this question! I feel like this season, the dynamic between the people in the house is that season three drama was basically the same thing every episode. It was good drama, but it was more of a lot of people not liking this one person. We’re going to be seeing that every episode, where I feel like, in season two, I felt like it was more of “okay, these two people don’t like each other”, “these two people don’t like each other,” and “these three people don’t like each other.” It was a lot of different crazy stuff happening all the time. Whereas in season three, it was a lot of people being friends but there’s this one person where all the drama is being caused from.
It’s definitely clear that the drama is all around one person rather than separate little groups. How has that been to deal with, rather than multiple little tussles here and there?
I’m a host that wants to make sure everything is fair. Even during the reunion, I want to make sure everyone gets a chance to speak. When it’s a big group versus a small person, I always try my hardest to make sure that the little person in the group can get their chance to say what they need to say. I’ve always made that a point, making sure everything is good and fair with all the contestants in the house. I think I’ve done a pretty good job with that.
For sure, you have dealt with that in both seasons, I don’t know how you do it!
(Laughs) It’s crazy, but it's part of the job.
Among all the competition challenges we’ve seen so far this season from “Booked and Busy” where creators must go through crazy loops to assemble a puzzle to “Merch Drop” where the teams have to design pieces for the Next Influencer merch line. Which has been your favorite to watch?
My favorite was probably the one where people had to be blindfolded. It was day two, the second challenge. Christian literally is blindfolded, then tries to jump through some circular thing in the challenge, misses it, jumps onto the floor. Everyone’s laughing, and you see me in the background, and I just dropped to the floor. (Laughs) That was so funny. I think I have to put that at the top of my list for that moment from Christian.
What would you say is your favorite challenge overall between the season you competed in and the two seasons that you’ve hosted?
You’re asking some good questions! Including season one, season two, and season three, I would say my favorite challenge has got to be something that I participated in, so I got to narrow it down to season one. No, I take it back! The diss tracks were just so fun to watch from the start and then the end results. The diss tracks are insane, they all need to be signed with Capitol Records!
All biases aside, do you have a favorite diss track?
Man, oh man, Kayla! I would say no, I don’t have a favorite. I think they’re both very equal. I think the girls have some things that are better in their diss track and the boys have some things that are better in their diss track, so I can’t choose one. I don’t know how the judge of the challenge was able to choose the winner.
Other than competitions, what would you say is the biggest general challenge between the creators this season?
Definitely the rankings because that’s literally how the winner is decided. It’s staying up late nights. It’s making alliances. It’s making sure that your alliances are pulling through. It’s making sure that there are no snakes in your alliance. It’s also making sure that you’re having good relationships with everyone in the house, so that way you get a high ranking.
What do you think is the most important skill or attribute to have while competing in Next Influencer?
I would say that the most important skill if you're trying to win would probably be to always just be a very communicative person. You don't want to be quiet. We saw Matt from season two. Everyone liked him, but he was quiet. He was always ranking like seven or eight. So, even if everyone likes you and you're nice to everyone, you can't be quiet. You've got to be in there. The same with season one and season three. Christian was killing it – he was a top-three finalist. Noah was killing it. Evan was killing it. That's why they all finished in the top three. You really can't just be quiet and away from any of the drama. Also, you don't want to be too involved in the drama, or else your rankings will be affected.
Let’s talk about the new “Vibe Room” podcast! What is your favorite part about hosting “Vibe Room?”
My favorite part is definitely interacting with the fans. We have these segments every episode called “Fan Questions.” It's just so cool to be able to pull comments from episodes that I see and then answer the questions that the audience wants to know because that's what this is all about. It’s about the watchers, the viewers, and the fans. When we can get them involved in any aspect in the “Vibe Room,” I'm all for it.
Last season for “Vibe Room,” you were co-hosting and this season you are not co-hosting. How is that different, better or worse, than in the past?
I would say that it was definitely good that I had a co-host for the first season of “Vibe Room.” If you compare the first few episodes to my current episodes, I [was] very much more reserved and quieter. I feel like Marcel being there helped me bring that and bring that energy out a little bit. When he wasn't on it anymore, I feel like I started to get the hang of it by myself. I feel like I'm much more comfortable now. I just love everything about the “Vibe Room.”
On the “Vibe Room,” you’re always thrown in the middle of the drama. Is it difficult for you not to pick a side and not get too caught up in it?
I would say no to answer that question, just because I feel like everything I say on the “Vibe Room” is truly my position. If I'm balanced on a subject, it's because I'm balanced on a subject, or a topic, or a drama, or whatever. Like I said, I like to hear both sides. Everyone has their own side to their own story. When someone does try to loop me in or get me on their side, my guard starts to stand up a little bit. I want to be careful.
You’re so well-seasoned now and you’ve had enough practice dealing with this kind of stuff, so you know how to clear your aura and keep the vibes good.
Only good vibes! But that doesn't happen sometimes in the “Vibe Room.” We’ve got to try our best.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice, whether that be advice about life or hosting Next Influencer, what would you say?
I would say to season one Owen who, in a challenge, hid his heart and one of the easiest places to find in a hide and seek challenge, don't hide it where you hid it, hide it somewhere else. You lost that challenge, and I can't believe you did that, that was so dumb. I was so upset when I lost that challenge because I love that challenge. That's a challenge that I've seen on other reality shows. I was so looking forward to winning it, and I just did it and I was so upset. On a serious note, I would say any advice would just be to keep doing what you're doing because in the future, you are going to be basically living your dreams, so don't change anything. Keep your guard up with people and always put in 110% whatever you do. That's what I would say, keep doing it.
Do you have any advice for aspiring creators who hope to compete in the show in the future?
The advice is to DM me and I’ll hopefully get you guys a casting tape and get you guys on the show because season four is right around the corner and we are looking for people to compete. So if you're interested, make sure to hit me up and I will see what I can do. I got you guys.
We are based right outside of Philadelphia, and we noticed that you seem to like Philly sports. Where did your love for our teams come from and would you say is your favorite team and why?
My love for Philadelphia sports came from some of my family, who is from Philadelphia. Ever since I was four or five years old, they've just been adopted me into the Philadelphia sports fandom. You would see me in jerseys from like six, seven, eight, nine, ten, when I just got obsessed with sports. I can't choose one favorite sports team, I got to choose two, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia 76ers. Fly, Eagles, Fly! Let’s go, Sixers! We’re on the come up. We’ve got James Harden and we’re going for the title this year. And the Eagles, we’re Super Bowl winners. Let’s just take a look at this Super Bowl ticket, which I was at in 2018! (Pulls out framed Super Bowl ticket.)
As a Philadelphian, I’m so jealous right now!
It was insane, I can’t put into words how amazing that was being there when the Eagles won.
Check out Owen in Next Influencer season three, streaming now on Paramount+, and don't miss the season finale on March 19th on the AwesomenessTV YouTube channel!
Copyright ©2022 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: March 7, 2022.
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