Love, Eugene

The Try Guys
23 May 202418:32

Summary

TLDRIn a heartfelt video, Eugene Lee Yang announces his departure from The Try Guys after 10 impactful years on YouTube. He expresses deep gratitude to his colleagues and fans, highlighting his personal growth and the challenges of maintaining a digital presence. Eugene shares his excitement for new creative endeavors in film and literature, emphasizing his commitment to storytelling and the need for a clean break to focus on his mental health and personal passions. The video concludes with a promise of future reunions and a final sign-off, leaving a lasting impression of love and gratitude.

Takeaways

  • 🌟 Eugene announces his departure from The Try Guys after 10 years, expressing deep gratitude and love for his colleagues and supporters.
  • 😢 Eugene finds it emotionally challenging to close this chapter of his life but is committed to explaining his decision.
  • 👋 Eugene thanks Zach and Keith, referring to them as his 'bespectacled baby brothers' and praising their qualities and friendship.
  • 🎥 Eugene's passion lies in writing and directing, and he is working on his feature film with the support of Killer Films.
  • 📚 Eugene is also an author, with a novel and a graphic novel in development, showing his dedication to storytelling in different mediums.
  • 🕊️ The Try Guys will continue without Eugene, focusing on expanding their cast to include diverse voices and maintaining their presence on YouTube.
  • 📺 Eugene's final season with The Try Guys will be released, available initially at 2ndtry.tv and later on YouTube for free.
  • 💪 Eugene emphasizes that his decision to leave is personal and not due to any interpersonal conflicts within the group.
  • 🕰️ Eugene's schedule has become increasingly busy, making it difficult to balance his commitments to The Try Guys and his personal projects.
  • 🌐 Eugene discusses the challenges of being an online personality and the impact on his mental health, indicating that the digital space may not be the best fit for him.
  • ❤️ Eugene expresses his appreciation for the growth and connections made through social media, and his commitment to activism and representation.

Q & A

  • What is the main announcement Eugene makes in the video?

    -Eugene announces his official departure from The Try Guys, marking the end of his time on YouTube after 10 years.

  • How does Eugene describe his relationship with Zach and Keith?

    -Eugene refers to Zach and Keith as his 'bespectacled baby brothers' and 'tall and tiny nerd,' expressing deep gratitude and love for their friendship and collaboration.

  • What does Eugene mention about his future plans?

    -Eugene talks about his primary passions for writing and directing in film and literature, and he mentions working on a feature film, a novel, and a graphic novel.

  • How does Eugene address the changes in his involvement with The Try Guys over the years?

    -Eugene acknowledges that his gradual withdrawal from appearing in videos has upset some viewers and explains that working full-time became untenable due to his other commitments.

  • What is the reaction of Zach and Keith to Eugene's announcement?

    -Zach and Keith support Eugene's decision and express their love and pride for him. They also joke around to lighten the mood, showing their close bond.

  • What does Eugene say about the future of The Try Guys without him?

    -Eugene clarifies that The Try Guys will continue on YouTube and that they are planning to expand into a wider cast of diverse voices.

  • Why does Eugene feel it's necessary to make a clean break from The Try Guys?

    -Eugene believes a clean break is better for the healing process and to avoid any potential disappointment or confusion about his role in the group.

  • What are some of the personal struggles Eugene discusses in relation to his online presence?

    -Eugene talks about his private nature conflicting with the demands of being an online personality, the difficulty of discussing his identities publicly, and the mental health challenges he faced.

  • How does Eugene express his gratitude to his audience?

    -Eugene thanks his audience profusely for the opportunity and privilege of being a part of their lives, acknowledging the emotional connections and memories they've shared.

  • What is the title and theme of Eugene's upcoming graphic novel?

    -The graphic novel is titled 'Buckaroo' and is described as a twisted horror fantasy musical.

  • How does Eugene describe his experience with social media and its impact on his personal growth?

    -Eugene views his time on social media as an invaluable education that inspired him to champion progressive values and explore underrepresented talent.

  • What is the final message Eugene wants his audience to take away from his announcement?

    -Eugene emphasizes that his fans and the people at 2nd Try could never be the reason he left; they were all the reason he stayed.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Emotional Farewell and Gratitude

In this emotional segment, Rachel announces his departure from The Try Guys after a decade-long journey. He expresses immense gratitude and love for his fellow members, Zach and Keith, as well as the partners, staff, and audience. Despite the humor and banter among the group, it's clear that Rachel's decision to leave is heartfelt and difficult. He thanks Zach and Keith for the unforgettable experiences and assures that their friendship will endure beyond their time making viral videos together.

05:00

🎬 Transition and Future Projects

This paragraph discusses the transition within The Try Guys and Eugene's future projects. The group acknowledges that Eugene's departure has been anticipated due to his increasingly busy schedule. They clarify that there is no interpersonal conflict and that they support each other's decisions. Eugene hints at his new endeavors in writing and directing, indicating a shift from digital media to focus on his passions in film and literature. The Try Guys also reveal that they will continue to produce content, expanding their platform to include a wider cast of diverse voices.

10:04

📚 Commitment to Creative Pursuits

Eugene elaborates on his commitment to his creative pursuits outside of YouTube. He has been developing a feature film with Killer Films, which he describes as the unbridled expression of his soul. Additionally, he has been working on a queer fantasy duology and a graphic novel titled 'Buckaroo'. Eugene emphasizes the importance of focusing on these projects, which require his full dedication and represent his artistic vision.

15:04

🌐 Reflections on Digital Space and Personal Growth

In this reflective paragraph, Eugene discusses his experiences and growth within the digital space. He acknowledges the profound impact of social media on his personal development, particularly in terms of self-expression and representation. Eugene shares his journey of coming out and embracing his Asian heritage, as well as the challenges of maintaining privacy and mental health in the public eye. He expresses gratitude for the support and inspiration he has received from his audience and colleagues, and he looks forward to future opportunities to connect with them through his creative work.

💌 Final Thoughts and Sign Off

Eugene concludes his message with a heartfelt sign off, expressing his deep appreciation for the fans and the 2nd Try team. He emphasizes that his departure is not due to any negative experiences but rather a personal decision to pursue his passions and protect his mental health. Eugene leaves with a positive outlook, promising that he will continue to create and share his work, and he looks forward to future encounters with his audience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Departure

The term 'departure' refers to the act of leaving or going away from a place or a situation. In the context of the video, it is used to describe Eugene's decision to leave The Try Guys, which is a significant change in his professional journey. Eugene's departure is a central theme of the video, as he discusses his reasons and emotions behind this decision.

💡Gratitude

Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation or thanks. In the video, Eugene expresses immense gratitude towards his fellow members of The Try Guys, the staff, and the audience for their support over the years. This concept is integral to the video's message, as it sets a tone of appreciation and respect for the journey and relationships he has had.

💡Emotional

Emotional refers to relating to or involving feelings or emotions. The video script mentions that Eugene finds it hard to express how emotional this moment of departure is for him, indicating the deep personal connection he has with The Try Guys and the impact of his decision. It shows the authenticity and sincerity of his feelings.

💡Viral Videos

Viral videos are videos that spread rapidly across the internet, gaining a lot of views and shares. Eugene mentions that although his time in viral videos with The Try Guys may be over, their friendship will continue. This highlights the nature of their work and the platform that brought them fame and recognition.

💡Personal Decision

A personal decision refers to a choice made based on one's own values, preferences, and circumstances. Eugene's decision to leave The Try Guys is described as a personal one, emphasizing that it is based on his individual needs and aspirations. It underscores the video's theme of self-determination and personal growth.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to the state of one's psychological and emotional well-being. Eugene discusses the impact of his online presence on his mental health, suggesting that leaving the digital space is a decision made to preserve it. This concept is crucial to understanding his reasons for departure and the importance of self-care.

💡Narrative Projects

Narrative projects involve the creation of stories, often in mediums such as film, literature, or graphic novels. Eugene talks about his passion for writing and directing in these spaces, indicating a shift in his career focus. This is a key aspect of his future plans and represents a significant part of his personal and professional identity.

💡Coming Out Journey

A coming out journey refers to the process of publicly disclosing one's sexual orientation or gender identity. Eugene reflects on his own coming out journey, which was shared with the audience through his online presence. It represents a transformative and empowering aspect of his personal growth and connection with the audience.

💡Representing

Representing means to act or speak on behalf of a group or to embody certain characteristics. Eugene discusses representing his Asian heritage and the importance of showcasing diverse and nuanced aspects of different backgrounds. This concept is tied to themes of identity, diversity, and representation in media.

💡Clean Break

A clean break is a complete and clear separation from something. Eugene mentions establishing a clean break from The Try Guys for the sake of clarity and to avoid any potential disappointment for the viewers. It signifies the importance of clear boundaries and the desire for a positive transition.

💡Artistic Vision

An artistic vision refers to the unique perspective or creative direction of an artist. Eugene talks about tackling his new projects with unwavering conviction in his vision, indicating a strong sense of purpose and dedication to his creative work. This concept is central to his decision to leave and pursue his passions.

Highlights

Eugene announces his official departure from The Try Guys after 10 years

Expresses gratitude and love for Zach, Keith, partners, and staff

Eugene's emotional struggle to close this chapter of his life

Heartfelt thanks to Zach and Keith for their friendship and support

Eugene's humor and self-deprecation about becoming a 'Guncle'

Comedic banter among The Try Guys lightens the mood

Eugene's schedule has been busier, hinting at his departure

Clarification that there is no interpersonal conflict or drama

Eugene's decision is in consideration of their collective work

The Try Guys will continue on YouTube without Eugene

Eugene's pride in the team's vision for the next era of 2nd Try

Plans to expand the platform with a wider cast of diverse voices

One last season of classic Try Guys videos featuring Eugene

Eugene's focus on writing and directing in film and literature

Eugene's feature film is in active development with Killer Films

His novel, a queer fantasy duology, will be released in 2025

Eugene's graphic novel titled 'Buckaroo' is in the works

Eugene's struggle with the demands of being an online personality

His decision to leave for the sake of preserving mental health

Eugene's appreciation for the growth and connection with the audience

Eugene's coming out journey and the support from the community

Eugene's final message of thanks and hope for future reunions

Transcripts

00:02

- [Rachel] You ready?

00:07

(Eugene sighs)

00:13

- Dear friends, well, it's my time.

00:20

I've wanted to have this heart to heart with y'all

00:21

for quite a while now.

00:24

It is with immense gratitude

00:26

and unconditional love for Zach, Keith, our partners,

00:30

our staff, and all of you who have supported us

00:34

that I'm announcing my official departure from The Try Guys.

00:39

After 10 profoundly impactful years,

00:40

my time here on YouTube has come to an end.

00:44

There's no version of this announcement

00:45

in which I can properly express

00:47

how emotional this moment is for me,

00:50

how hard it is to close such a meaningful chapter

00:53

of my life.

00:56

But in the spirit of so much of my digital work,

01:00

I'm gonna give it one last try.

01:02

I want to preface this by giving my heartfelt thanks

01:06

to Zach and Keith, my bespectacled baby brothers,

01:10

my tall and tiny nerd.

01:12

I have no idea how we ended up

01:14

on this wild journey together,

01:15

but I couldn't have asked for better, smarter,

01:19

weirder, funnier, and above all kinder individuals

01:23

to have ridden alongside.

01:26

It's been a great irreplicable honor

01:29

that I will always treasure.

01:30

And though our time in viral videos may be over,

01:34

our friendship is forever.

01:37

Even if I'll hate it when your spawn call me Guncle

01:39

in the future,

01:41

I shall train to become the best goddamn gay uncle

01:44

in recorded human history.

01:46

Keith, you are such a shining light,

01:49

truly the most physically gorgeous specimen alive

01:52

with those long legs and huge mouth.

01:55

After today, you are undeniably the hottest Try Guy.

01:59

Zach, you're an absolute rock star.

02:02

Every opinion you have is 100% correct,

02:05

and I want to proclaim on record

02:07

that I am the Letty Ortiz to your Dom...

02:11

Guys, come on. I'm not saying all of this.

02:13

- No, this is so much better than I ever imagined.

02:15

Keep going, keep going.

02:15

- Yes, the more emotional you get,

02:17

the more everyone's gonna be okay with it.

02:18

- Can you cry on cue?

02:20

That would be so good for this.

02:21

- Oh my gosh. Crying in the thumbnail.

02:22

That'd be tits!

02:23

Give it to us!

02:24

(everyone laughs)

02:25

- Rachel, will you please make them stop?

02:27

- Yeah, you can't do this.

02:28

It's a sincere video.

02:30

You can't make him fake cry.

02:31

- Okay.

02:33

- Make him take off his shirt

02:34

so we can objectify him one more time.

02:35

- You being naked would be tits!

02:37

(Zach laughs)

02:39

- If y'all are gonna keep doing this,

02:40

then just come over here

02:41

and join me in presenting a few points.

02:44

- Okay. So should we do the whole three guys one couch?

02:48

- Absolutely not.

02:49

- Dang.

02:50

- Kind of invented the couch, but, okay, whatever.

02:55

- That being said,

02:56

the three of us have always held a mutual,

02:58

empathetic understanding about when the right time was

03:01

for me to take a bow.

03:02

- Some of you may have seen this coming for a while,

03:04

as Eugene's schedule has gotten busier

03:06

over the past few years.

03:08

We thank you for your patience

03:09

regarding a formal clarification.

03:11

We wish we could have told you sooner,

03:13

but certain circumstances

03:16

outside of our control kind of challenged the three of us

03:18

to come together in solidarity,

03:20

and I'm very glad that we did.

03:22

- Me too.

03:23

So I'd like to reiterate, in case anyone misinterprets this

03:27

as some kind of interpersonal ill will,

03:29

that this is the furthest thing from drama.

03:31

We have been through the worst version of that together.

03:34

And all of my decisions have been made

03:36

in consideration of what we built.

03:39

And these two will always have my undying support,

03:42

even if it happens to be from afar.

03:44

- As you've witnessed with other notable goodbyes this year,

03:47

there's a myriad of motivations for YouTubers to step away.

03:50

Some are retiring, others are burnt out.

03:53

Many have issues with the platform itself,

03:55

as you've heard us talk about before.

03:57

But again, our shows, they're not leaving YouTube at all.

04:00

- Yeah, we're staying.

04:01

I mean, he's leaving. - He's leaving.

04:02

- I'm leaving. They're staying.

04:03

But it's still a very personal decision for me,

04:05

which I'll expand on later in this video.

04:07

Rest assured the three of us have been discussing

04:10

and planning these major changes together

04:12

for a very long time now.

04:14

- Of course, there's really no perfect time for this.

04:17

This was always gonna be bittersweet, and we know that.

04:20

We agreed though that now makes the most sense

04:22

considering all the exciting new things

04:24

that are happening at the company and in our lives.

04:26

- Speaking of which,

04:28

I just wanna say that I'm so, so, so proud of these two

04:32

and our staff for your vision.

04:35

Did I just elbow your stomachs?

04:36

- Yeah, elbowed my belly.

04:37

- I'm trying to express affection.

04:39

- It was good. - You're almost there.

04:41

- What do I do instead?

04:43

If I go down...

04:44

- If you go down it will be less affectionate

04:46

or more affectionate,

04:47

depending on the type of affection you like to give.

04:49

- You were telling us how proud you are.

04:50

- I was. Okay.

04:51

Speaking of which,

04:52

I am so, so proud of these two and our staff

04:56

for your vision and hard work for the next era of 2nd Try.

05:00

Now one of our long-term goals has always been

05:03

to use the privilege of our platform

05:05

to expand into a wider cast of diverse voices.

05:08

- So we like to think that we're not really losing Eugene,

05:10

but we're gaining so many more perspectives

05:12

that deserve the opportunity to shine.

05:15

However, we cannot let Eugene go

05:16

without filming one last season of classic Try Guys videos.

05:20

- And you can watch those episodes starting tonight

05:23

at 2ndtry.tv.

05:24

They're also gonna be here available on YouTube

05:26

for free at a later time.

05:28

Either way, I'm gonna miss you, buddy.

05:30

- Yeah, 'cause, you know, we love you.

05:33

- Oh. I love you all too.

05:37

Come here. Come here.

05:39

- Okay.

05:39

- Come here.

05:40

- Let's go for it.

05:41

- This is a real one.

05:42

- This is nice.

05:43

- All right, now, if you would be so kind,

05:46

I'd like to spend my last moments here

05:47

with our beautiful, incredible audience.

05:49

- Makes sense.

05:50

- Cool.

05:51

- [Zach] Okay.

05:54

- I...

05:55

(Keith and Zach giggle)

05:56

- [Keith] Wee!

05:57

- [Zach] Woo!

05:57

Where do you wanna get lunch?

06:00

- I'm the one leaving.

06:01

This doesn't make sense.

06:02

- [Zach] Oh, it's so bright.

06:03

- [Keith] Oh my god.

06:03

- It's fine. Okay.

06:04

I'll wait till their bit's done.

06:06

How are they gonna get back inside?

06:08

I want to be fully transparent

06:09

about my reasons for leaving YouTube.

06:12

And some of these have been difficult

06:13

for me to find the confidence to express,

06:15

but y'all deserve a comprehensive explanation.

06:19

Well, first, in regards to my time,

06:22

which is the primary issue we've cited,

06:25

yes, I have become enormously inundated with work.

06:28

I'm the busiest I've ever been in my entire life,

06:31

and I'm so, so thankful to be committing my blood, sweat,

06:34

and tears into projects that mean the world to me.

06:38

Projects that have been in rigorous development

06:40

for many years, which I'll elaborate more on in a bit.

06:43

Now, as you know, once they required my undivided attention,

06:47

I couldn't appear as often as I used to in videos.

06:49

And it hasn't gone unnoticed

06:51

how much my gradual withdrawal has upset some of you.

06:54

And I am truly sorry for that.

06:57

To express this as simply as possible,

07:00

working full-time here became untenable,

07:03

and it's evident that I can't continue keeping one foot in.

07:06

So this amorphous arrangement

07:07

where people end up asking the very fair question,

07:10

"Is Eugene even a Try Guy anymore?"

07:13

that will only disappoint all parties involved,

07:16

especially you, the viewers who have stood by us.

07:20

So for clarity's sake,

07:23

we've decided to establish a clean break

07:26

because clean breaks are ultimately better

07:28

for the healing process.

07:29

And I sincerely hope to guest star in future videos,

07:32

and I don't wanna risk them being tainted

07:34

by any embitterment.

07:36

I want us to collectively look forward

07:38

to those reunions with joy.

07:42

Now onto what I've been working on.

07:44

My primary passions are writing and directing

07:46

in the film and literary spaces.

07:48

And my focus has always been on fiction,

07:50

behind the camera and the pen.

07:52

And that has never changed.

07:54

And to hope to achieve any success in those spaces,

07:57

gosh, it requires a lifetime of commitment.

08:00

And first, my feature film.

08:03

I've been writing and developing

08:04

what will be my directorial debut for some time now.

08:08

And we are in the active stage of packaging,

08:10

and I am thrilled to be bringing it to life.

08:13

The incomparable creatives at Killer Films

08:16

believed in my script

08:17

and have been working tirelessly with me

08:19

for the past few years to get to this critical point.

08:22

And I can't share more yet, but believe me when I say

08:24

that it is the unbridled expression of my soul,

08:29

and I have never been more determined and inspired.

08:32

Now if you're unfamiliar with the industry,

08:34

it's an exceedingly rare and blessed opportunity

08:37

to be able to, one, get a movie produced at all,

08:40

and two, gain the trust of others as a filmmaker.

08:44

It requires 110% of my investment,

08:47

both physically and emotionally.

08:48

And I'm finally at a place in my journey

08:51

as an artist to tackle this

08:53

with unwavering conviction in my vision.

08:55

And on top of that,

08:56

the same can be applied to the literary world.

08:59

I hold tremendous reverence for the writing process

09:02

and am committed to proving myself as an author.

09:05

So many aren't afforded this extraordinary opportunity,

09:09

and I really don't want to squander it.

09:11

As some of you know,

09:12

I've been hard at work writing my novel,

09:14

which is the first in an epic queer fantasy duology

09:17

with the brilliant folks

09:19

over at Macmillan and Feiwel & Friends.

09:21

Due to certain unforeseen circumstances,

09:24

we've had to push the release date.

09:25

So you can expect it to be available next year in 2025,

09:29

and I cannot wait for you to read it.

09:32

Separately, I've also been writing my first graphic novel

09:34

with Vault Comics,

09:36

a twisted horror fantasy musical titled "Buckaroo".

09:39

And you can expect more news about that

09:40

and many other developments I can't mention yet

09:43

in the very near future.

09:45

My devotion is to creating original stories

09:47

that will fundamentally thrive in other mediums.

09:50

This all brings me to a crucial message

09:52

that I humbly want to emphasize.

09:54

While yes, these projects are time consuming,

09:57

I haven't necessarily prioritized them

09:59

because I view the digital space as somehow beneath them.

10:04

No, no.

10:05

I have worked here online proudly for a decade

10:08

and will always champion how profound

10:11

and spectacular this medium can be.

10:14

But after this past decade of work,

10:17

of being invited into your homes,

10:19

of having the privilege of getting to know so many of you,

10:25

I've come to terms with the fact

10:26

that this simply isn't the right space for me.

10:31

The internet can be a fun, rewarding, fantastic place

10:34

where many creatives shine,

10:36

including my colleagues who are so, so talented

10:38

at what they do.

10:40

In truth, more often than not,

10:42

I've experienced the opposite effect

10:44

and leaving will be the best decision

10:47

for preserving my mental health.

10:49

Now it makes me wildly uncomfortable to divulge all of this

10:52

as I don't want to come off like I'm complaining.

10:55

I can never stop repeating how deeply fortunate

10:57

and thankful I am to have ever, ever been on this platform.

11:02

But I'm going to try to open up as eloquently as possible

11:05

because I really do care about all of you watching

11:07

who might have come to care about me.

11:10

I was always a private person,

11:13

which has continually been at odds

11:15

with the demands of being an online personality.

11:18

Relatability, vulnerability, accessibility,

11:22

all keywords you're familiar with

11:24

about what makes a great YouTuber.

11:27

Unfortunately, these weren't second nature to me,

11:31

even though I tried my best.

11:33

I really tried.

11:35

I already contend with a complex relationship

11:37

with my identities,

11:38

so to have to casually discuss and publicize them at length,

11:41

often in a positive and humorous manner,

11:45

was exceptionally tough.

11:47

This is an unscripted comedy channel after all,

11:49

and that is why I removed myself completely from podcasting.

11:53

I was trying to find ways to set boundaries

11:56

and protect myself.

11:58

But as someone who heavily saturated your screens

12:00

for so many years, it might have come off

12:03

as me growing distant and disinterested.

12:07

And if you have ever felt that way

12:09

and if my colleagues have ever felt that way,

12:12

then please know that that was never ever my intention.

12:16

In all honesty, I was enduring more anguish,

12:21

especially after involuntarily going viral

12:23

for something so agonizing and demoralizing.

12:28

Demand for my openness only grew.

12:30

Strangers have been quick to tell me

12:32

that I owe them my feelings

12:34

and that I owe them my time to appear in content

12:37

and that it's all just part of the job.

12:39

Now contrary to the brave face I try to put on,

12:41

I've always been profoundly aware of others' expectations.

12:45

And if I'm unable to satisfy those expectations

12:48

while staying true to myself,

12:51

then maybe it's just not right.

12:54

And many of you watching

12:55

have probably experienced something similar

12:56

in your own lives,

12:57

that poignant moment when you know deep down

13:02

that it's time for a change.

13:05

Even if it hurts and even if it's hard, you know what?

13:08

That change can be wonderful for everyone involved.

13:11

And that is why I know

13:13

that this simply isn't the right space for me

13:17

and that that should be okay.

13:21

I sincerely hope that it will be okay for all of you.

13:25

And how I best express myself

13:26

has been through narrative projects

13:28

and ones that I can be fully immersed in,

13:31

ones that can be guarded and intentional,

13:34

long-term and precious,

13:35

because that's where I'm most comfortable and energized,

13:39

when I'm translating my identity, cultures, family history,

13:43

and demons into work that can be dark

13:46

and radical and strange and provocative.

13:49

And while I also have made so, so many memories here

13:52

that I'll always cherish, in the end, I can't stay.

13:58

I wish I could be better at all of this for you

14:00

and for my friends here at 2nd Try.

14:03

I wish I found an alternative way to make this work

14:05

because many YouTubers manage to flourish

14:08

while protecting their peace.

14:10

But the best, brightest version of myself

14:13

is the me that can disappear behind my work,

14:17

and that should be okay.

14:19

I chalk some of that up to how I've always had

14:21

to navigate my privacy and presentation,

14:23

which tends to be an integral part of the queer experience.

14:27

It's why I've always relished experimenting with fashion

14:30

as it's a way for me to transform

14:34

into an alternate higher version of myself

14:37

that's dazzling and powerful and self-possessed.

14:41

You witnessed me learning how to paint my fantasies

14:44

through clothing in real time.

14:46

I bring this up

14:47

because I don't want the summary of my issues

14:49

to diminish the countless occasions

14:52

where I have genuinely felt growth, connection,

14:56

and happiness.

14:58

A vital aspect of my time with y'all online

15:00

was my coming out journey.

15:04

That was undeniably raw and real.

15:07

And I have grown so much louder and prouder

15:09

about such a controlled, buried part of myself

15:13

that was largely due to how emboldened I became

15:17

because of so many of you out there,

15:19

and I am eternally grateful for that.

15:24

I've also become uncompromisingly secure

15:26

and appreciative of my representing of Asianness,

15:30

of my Asianness.

15:30

So much of that is thanks to the climate

15:33

I was incredibly lucky to be a part of online

15:35

where we carved out spaces to show more multifaceted,

15:38

nuanced aspects of our unique backgrounds.

15:42

To even be considered a voice in our community

15:44

is an honor I hold dear every waking moment

15:47

because I was someone

15:49

who had always felt so voiceless before.

15:53

Fuck! I'm not supposed to cry.

15:55

Overall, I've undergone an invaluable kind of education

15:58

that could only happen through social media.

16:01

It's inspired me to champion progressive values

16:04

even when the world tries to stamp them out.

16:07

I fully embrace the power of activism,

16:10

and I'm more dedicated than ever to lead projects

16:12

that explore and employ underrepresented talent.

16:16

My time here with you has helped shape those principles,

16:20

and I aim to never ever lose that energy.

16:26

And although I've confessed the more stressful facets

16:28

of my 10 years on YouTube,

16:30

if I ever happened to make you smile or laugh or cry,

16:36

then please know that you were instrumental

16:38

in keeping me going 'cause you inspired me.

16:43

Because regardless of the platform,

16:44

to be able to share essential parts of myself,

16:48

to garner an emotional response,

16:51

and to have a spirited discourse,

16:53

all of that qualifies as art.

16:56

It constituted a meaningful relationship between us.

17:00

And it ended up making me learn how to smile

17:03

and laugh and cry too.

17:09

And you, my dear friends, have my profound thanks

17:11

for the opportunity and privilege

17:13

to have been a part of your lives.