Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Duchamp.
Hi Ken, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ever since I was a kid, I have been obsessed with storytelling. Whether it was through a camcorder, an old phone, or anything with a lens, I was always filming something.
As a young Asian American kid, I noticed there wasn’t much representation in Hollywood, so I really wanted to get into the entertainment industry. After high school, I was not entirely sure what path to take. Part of me wanted to go into film and TV, the other part leaned toward business.
To support myself, I picked up some part time gigs and ended up working with a few YouTubers. I was shocked when they casually told me they were making around 60,000 dollars a year. That moment shifted something in me. I made a silly video, posted it, and forgot about it until my phone started blowing up. My Gmail was going crazy and I actually thought something was wrong with my phone. That video had gone viral.
Not long after that, I made the decision to drop out of school and commit to this creative life full time. Within four months, my channel KenDuchamp had grown to over 300,000 followers. Since then, I have had the chance to work on shows, collaborate with other creators, and even start a few businesses, all thanks to what I have learned through content creation.
In 2024, I launched a new YouTube channel called Ken’s Camera Roll (Hey Kids This Is Your Dad). It is a personal project, a vlog style diary where I leave life lessons, stories, and reflections for my future children. I do not have kids yet or even know who their mom is, so this project is equal parts meaningful and surreal. I am excited to see where it leads.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been a lot of different challenges I have had to face. Early on, it was just letting people in my life know I was choosing an unconventional path. Going after something creative instead of a traditional job or degree is not always something people get right away.
Lately, something new I have been dealing with is losing loved ones. That kind of thing hits different. It really made me think about what I want to leave behind. That is honestly a big part of why Ken’s Camera Roll matters to me. It is not just content. It is something real. Something that will live on.
I have also noticed how perfectionism has been holding me back more than I thought. I used to feel like everything had to be perfect before I could upload. But now I realize you just have to start. You figure it out along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I feel like I stood out early on being a Vietnamese-American influencer creating comedy content, especially since representation was and still is pretty low in that space. Over time I’ve gradually evolved. I’m passionate about storytelling and hope that comes through in everything I create.
Lately, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some great friends on YouTube shows and livestreams. It’s been a refreshing new chapter. I also host a podcast called UnKenventional with Ken Duchamp where I sit down with close friends and dive into their personal experiences.
Now, I’m excited to explore this next phase of my life through leaving behind video diaries my future kids might one day watch.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Hi Voyage readers. I’m Ken Duchamp, and I’m excited to have you follow my journey. If you’re into fun and creative vlogs, I’d love to have you check out my channel and hang out!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenduchamp
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kenscameraroll
