Jacob Sartorius on Internet Fame, Bullying, and His Music Career

Rise to Internet Stardom

• 💡 Jacob Sartorius began his online career on YouNow at age 13, quickly gaining a significant following.
• 🚀 He leveraged other platforms like Vine to build his audience, eventually amassing 25 million followers on Musical.ly.
• 🧠 His early strategy involved managing his accounts through his mom's name to appear older, a tactic he calls "finessing the game."

Navigating Fame and Bullying

• ⚠️ Sartorius experienced significant bullying in middle school due to his online success, leading to threats and daily principal meetings.
• 🏫 He transitioned to homeschooling and later a private school to escape the negative environment, eventually moving to Los Angeles.
• 💬 He reflects on how small-town mentality can sometimes frown upon success beyond their immediate bubble.

Music Career and Personal Life

• 🎶 Sartorius is actively working on his music career, aiming to become a major pop star.
• 💔 He discusses the complexities of relationships, mentioning a current private relationship and the challenges of public scrutiny.
• 🎤 He has performed at venues like the New Jersey arena and Hershey Park, and is excited about future performances, including at the NFL shop during the Super Bowl.

Social Media and Authenticity

• 📱 Sartorius acknowledges the impact of social media on mental health and advises taking breaks from technology.
• 🤔 He believes future generations will study social media in history class, seeing it as an ancient form of communication.
• ✨ He emphasizes the importance of being authentic and true to oneself, moving away from trying to fit in.

Reflections and Advice

• 🎭 Inspired by figures like Jim Carrey, Sartorius values deep character immersion and maintaining a private self.
• 💡 He shares advice on following one's heart and emotions, acknowledging that it's okay to feel confused.
• 🎯 He highlights the importance of self-reliance and personal growth, even when facing relationship challenges, as reflected in his song "Better With You."