As we consistently grow in the digital world, it is become very apparent that you should be using social media in a way to advance your presence and make yourself known in your own unique way. With sites like YouNow, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and so many more continuing to grow exponentially each and every year, many young people are taking this initiative in getting their creative juices out there and making their mark on society. That can truthfully be said in many different ways about The Merrell Twins, who have taken their social media fame and brought it to unexpected heights in a short amount of time.
The Merrell Twins, named Veronica and Vanessa, are originally from Los Angeles however I had the pleasure to meet them on the red carpet last week at the 8th Annual Shorty Awards, which was held in the belly of the beast in Times Square at the New York Times Center. These girls have become huge in social media, with a budding YouTube and YouNow channel that has developed thousands of followers, likes and so much more. They are even parlaying that onto the small screen with appearances on the Golden Globe winning show Jane The Virgin. On top of all of that, they were big winners at the Shorty Awards last week, winning YouNower of The Year, over some stiff competition.
I sat down with them late last week to discuss all of this and so much more. Take a look.
How did it feel to attend your first Shorty Awards last week?
Attending our first Shorty Awards was an incredible honor and experience to be there. We got to meet some of our favorite YouTubers like Rhett and Link. It was very cool being in New York City because the city has a certain vibe that no other city has. It’s a very special place and we love NYC!
What did it feel like when they called your name?
We were so shocked! We hesitated for a second then we saw “Merrell Twins” on the screen and we looked at each other in shock! We were so happy and nervous and barely remember what we said!
What do you attribute your success to in order to get to where you are now?
In terms of our YouTube channel and our YouNow broadcasts we attribute our success to being consistent and not giving up even when things get tough. We also choose to be ourselves and not be afraid to be authentic with our audience. It’s important to honor your own uniqueness because that’s when great things can happen! We also work very hard and are committed to everything we’re involved in.
Furthermore, what inspired you to start doing this in the first place?
We have loved and enjoyed making videos since we were seven years old. It wasn’t until we were fourteen that we created our YouTube channel which was inspired by watching other YouTubers like Ryan Higa and D-trix. We were timid at first about posting our videos so it took us several months to finally have the courage. When we finally posted our first two videos, we were surprised at how many views and subscribers we got.
For each of you- who is your favorite singer right now? Favorite TV show? Favorite movie?
Vanessa: I’m really into a group called Chainsmokers. They have a unique style and I love how all their songs don’t sound the same. My favorite TV show is Arrow and movie is always going to be any Star Wars movies.
Veronica: I have so many favorite singers but one that I always listen to is Jack Johnson, not the Viner. He’s a great guitar player and I’m always learning his songs on my guitar. My favorite TV show is Teen Wolf and my favorite movie is also all Star Wars movies!
Who are your celebrity crushes?
Vanessa: Cristiano Ronaldo, the soccer player and Stephen Amell.
Veronica: Chris Pratt and even though he’s not alive, I love the young Marlon Brando!
What do you plan on doing next with YouNow and anything else in your careers?
We really love YouNow and the interaction it provides with our fans. We wish we could broadcast more often but our schedules don’t allow us. We’re freshmen in college so we hope we can broadcast more often this summer when school is over. We’re excited for the path that YouNow is on and we plan to always broadcast. Last fall we filmed a movie called “The Standoff” which will be released some time this summer. It’s a great cast and we’re excited to be a part of this movie.
We have a small recurring role on a CW Network TV show called “Jane the Virgin”. We feel so honored to be a part of this very special and talented cast. We also have many projects with Awesomeness TV that we’re excited about!
Anything you want to say to your plethora of fans?
We are so thankful and extremely grateful for the support and love we get from our fans! They’re called “Twinners” and we love to say that “Twinners are Winners”! We see a lot of positivity among our fan base and we love that! Especially in a time when there’s so much negativity in our world, it’s important to be loving and kind to one another. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for our fans and that’s the truth. They have made a lot of things possible for us and we are humbled and grateful for them.