Have you ever thought of combining your love for artistes and fried chicken?

Amelia Dimoldenberg dreamt it and made it happen. 

The creator and host of the hugely popular YouTube series Chicken Shop Date, Amelia has carved out a unique space in the entertainment industry by staying true to herself and relentlessly pursuing her vision. 

Her story is a testament to the power of taking action, a willingness to put herself out there, and harnessing her distinctive personality.

Taking Action and Following Her Curiosity 

Amelia’s path to success wasn’t handed to her; it was built from the ground up through sheer initiative and perseverance. 

Her journey began as a columnist of a youth magazine. 

Driven by a desire to understand grime music and to engage in conversations around it, she started interviewing local musicians. 

A pivotal personal motivation also fueled the show’s premise: she had never been on a date and thought framing interviews as dates would be a great way to meet someone.

The leap from print to video was intuitive for Amelia, who realized the quirky interactions in her interviews would be even funnier if filmed. 

Despite having no prior experience in video production, she embraced the challenge. Early on, production was bootstrapped: she relied on friends for free help with editing and camera work, and even convinced chicken shops to let them film without payment. 

For years, she didn’t earn money from YouTube views and funded the show herself through retail jobs and early social media influencing work.

Amelia faced numerous rejections, with major media companies like Channel 4, BBC, and Vice turning down her concept or offering shockingly low amounts (e.g., £500) to buy the copyright, which she consistently refused. 

Even with early episodes garnering only a thousand views, she persistently pitched her content to blogs. Her enduring philosophy, which she credits as her favorite motto, perfectly encapsulates her journey:

“If you want something to exist sometimes you have to create it yourself”.

Willingness to Put Herself Out There

Stepping into the spotlight, especially with an unconventional approach, requires significant courage. 

Amelia has always been comfortable operating outside her comfort zone, acknowledging her nervousness but embracing new challenges as a necessary part of growth. 

She often played Parks and Recreation before filming to mentally prepare and hype herself up before interviews, telling herself, “You’re funny”.

As her profile grew, Amelia actively sought to expand her reach beyond Chicken Shop Date. She pursued red carpet interviews, starting with the MOBO Awards in 2017, viewing it as a strategic way to establish her name in America and internationally. 

Despite initial nerves, particularly at events like the Golden Globes, she embraced these opportunities, eventually becoming the Oscars’ social media correspondent.

Highlighting her Personality

Her distinctive interview style, characterized by dry, sarcastic, and deadpan humor, was a deliberate choice to be the “antithesis of a bubbly presenter”. 

She embraced her unique and natural personality which was refreshing to her guests. 

Amelia’s success is intrinsically linked to her unique personality and how she has cultivated it into a recognizable brand. 

Her trademark interview style is wry, flirty, and awkward with a wink, making her stand out. She describes her on-screen persona as an “exaggerated version” of herself, perfected through editing to amplify the awkwardness and humor. 

Amelia Dimoldenberg’s journey shows that with courage, persistence, and the willingness to truly be yourself, alternative career dreams are not just possible—they can lead to extraordinary success. 

She remains a testament to the idea that a unique voice, nurtured with passion and drive, can truly win in life.

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