Chris Klemens
super creator and comedian extraordinaire, Chris Klemens, met up with us in Brooklyn where he goes when he’s not at his other place in Delaware. good thing we caught up before his whirlwind of New York Fashion week activities because he’s probably still wiped out. we have no doubt you will find satisfaction with all things Chris…weather it’s his YouTube channel, Chris vs. The People podcast or his Middle Kid merch when you need a new hoodie. so scroll on down and check some snaps from our Brooklyn stroll as he share’s a bit about his path/success, summer highlights, style, bleached haircare and one of his bare essentials that comes pre rolled.
the bare magazine: can you break down the path from the beginning to where you are now with your Chris vs. The People, man on the street, and establishing such a devoted following…what do you think is the key to your successes?
Chris Klemens: I started doing this whole thing back when having social media was labeled as “embarrassing.” I did it because it was a hobby - it was fun, creative, new. There was no playbook, no one to look up to, you just kinda threw stuff at the wall and hoped for the best. But I always knew what I wanted, and honestly, I’ve worked so hard for it. A lot of the success just came from not giving up. I used to compare myself to these massive YouTubers who were everywhere at the time, and now, 13 years later, to be where I am is crazy.
bare: we respond to your incredible raw authenticity and compelling uncensored thoughts ...what peeks your curiosity about life/human behavior the most?
CK: I just think everyone has a story, like, literally everyone. And what’s so wild is that no two are the same, but when you really strip it down, we’re all kind of the same in different fonts. That’s why I love talking to people on the street, you never know who’s gonna say something that totally hits, even if they’ve never been in your exact situation. It’s such a cool reminder that we’re all more connected than we think. And honestly, I love being that nosey bitch who gets to dig into people’s lives. But seriously, making people feel safe enough to open up to a total stranger with a mic? That’s really special. Everyone’s got something to say, and I’m just out here trying to get the tea in the most human way possible.
bare: If you were to wrap up some highlights of your summer what would they be?
CK: This summer was kinda wild. First of all, I fell in love. Then I saw Beyoncé four times, yes, four, and before anyone says anything, yes it’s a little insane but I busted my ass for years. and also, she is the greatest performer of our generation. No regrets at all. I also got to spend a ton of time with my nephew and my best friends’ kids. The summer started with me wrapping up my tour, which was amazing, and then, for balance, I got a third-degree burn on my ankle because of course I did. But honestly? Burn and all, it was a pretty good summer.
bare: love your eclectic personal style! how would you describe it ...and do you have favorite shopping outlets or brands you gravitate towards?
CK: I genuinely can’t put my style in a box, mostly because I wake up every day feeling like a completely different person. Some days I want to dress like I just walked out of The Row, and other days I’m giving full-on gothic Hot Topic wet dream. Fashion’s just fun, you know? There’s so much out there to play with, and I love putting random stuff together and making it work. I think the only consistent thing about my style is that I actually have one.
bare: you have a love/hate relationship with your hair...it seems! Have you found a few go-to products to help with the bleached brilliance?
CK: So, I used to get a fresh buzz every other week, like clockwork. Growing up, I had all different hairstyles, mostly because I didn’t really know what to do with it, and I was definitely trying to fly under the radar. But recently, I’ve decided I’m growing it out again. I really love the bleached with roots look but my god, it’s a nightmare to maintain. Shoutout to K18’s molecule hair oil and mask because they’ve literally saved my hair. And Kerastase? She’s so worth it. My hair’s been feeling so good lately, I’m like one step away from auditioning for the live-action Rapunzel so hit me up, Disney.
bare: you do a little east coast Delaware/Brooklyn commute. What do you dislike or love about each place?
CK: I bought a house in Delaware to be closer to my family, which is super special to me but it can get boring real fast. Like, there’s only so many times you can romanticize a Christiana Mall run. So to keep myself from fully spiraling into cottagecore suburbia, I dip out to Brooklyn when I’ve had enough of the silence. It’s such a nice balance, Delaware is peaceful, and then New York is just pure chaos in the best way. I go out to dinner, wear whatever insane outfit I’ve been gatekeeping in my closet, and no one even blinks. Meanwhile in Delaware, if I wear anything other than a hoodie, it’s like I’m lady gaga in a meat dress. Leaving LA and moving out here has been such a shift, the energy’s different, the pace is different, but it’s kind of perfect. I get to fly under the radar when I want, and pop out when I don’t.
bare: anything coming up on the horizon you’re excited about? Do you check out scripts for a future acting gig?
CK: No scripts at the moment, but I am reviewing a few! But what I’m really hyped about is that my brand, Middle Kid, is finally releasing sweatshirts, and this isn’t just like, throw-a-logo-on-a-blank merch. This is the first product I’ve fully designed from the ground up. I’ve been working on this hoodie for literal years, picking fabrics, obsessing over the color, every tiny little detail. I’m honestly so excited… and also kind of nervous. But I made sure everything was done ethically, that everyone involved is being paid fairly like, we did the homework behind the scenes to make sure it’s all solid. Not to toot my own horn but I really did something with these. I can’t wait for people to see them and wear them!
bare: please list your top 6 Bare Essentials
Dogs, obviously, emotional support everything. My family, my friends, my boyfriend - love them, can’t live without them. Sativa Unlimited pre-rolls because… let’s not lie to ourselves. A good film camera. A car. And a good mattress!
Founder & Editor in Chief - The Bare Magazine
