Story + Styling / Phil Gomez
Glam / Rory Alvarez
Photos / Andrew White and Sam Bates
Video / Weston Flemmons
Photo Assistant / Nas McKay
Editing / Andrew White, Sam Bates and Weston Flemmons
Location / The Marquis Theatre
Kalen Allen meets us at the top of the side stage stairs at the Marquis Theatre, radiating a vibrant energy that instantly lights up the room. Polished and sharp, he exudes the same charisma that captivated millions in his viral videos. Yet, the Kalen sitting across from me is so much more than “the guy who reacts to food.” He’s an actor, singer, storyteller—and above all, a person fiercely committed to living authentically and unapologetically.
“The funny thing is to me the videos are the outliers. This feels normal. Even at that time, I was in school for theater, I got my degree in theater and film with a concentration in acting. ”Kalen says “The goal was always to act and perform. So now, I see it as an opportunity for people to actually see what I’ve done my entire life. And this is probably more of who I am at the core, because the food videos were an accident.” A happy accident for a broke college student trying to make it work.
That “accident” turned into a launchpad, leading to viral fame and eventually to a hosting role on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. But for Kalen, this was just the beginning. His path has always been about evolution, and he’s quick to make one thing clear: he’s not defined by those early viral moments.
“People always ask, ‘Kalen, when are you going to do more food videos?’ And I’m like, honey, just consider me Rihanna—it’s not coming back!” he says with a laugh. “It doesn’t fulfill me artistically anymore. I’m the thing, I’m the moment”. And whether he’s on Broadway or sitting in front of you’re still going to get Kalen.
Kalen’s recent turn on Broadway in Elf is proof of this. The role lets him shine as his authentic self. “I don’t mind being typecast,” he explains.
“I just like entertaining and I’m okay with doing roles that are close to me or close to who I am because that’s the funny. And that’s what I care about.”
That philosophy is woven into everything Kalen does, from acting to music. His latest album, Christmas Memories, is a reflection of his growth and his ability to embrace every side of himself. “The album journals my life through the lens of Christmas,” he says. “It starts with adult Kalen and goes back to baby Kalen. It’s a reflection of all the different versions of me and the idea that we don’t have to stick to just one version of ourselves.”
As a Black queer man, Kalen is aware of societal pressures to conform. “They want us to be one certain way,” he says. “One thing that’s so irritating to me is when I get dressed up they’re like, oh, you’re like a young Billy Porter, and I’m like,Ya’ll act like Billy Porter was the first person to put on any clothes.“ But you don’t see people saying, ‘You’re like a young Neil Patrick Harris,’ to a Troye Sivan.”
Despite these challenges, Kalen remains true in his mission to show up authentically. “I’ve conditioned myself to do the work without needing validation. I do it because I believe in myself and for future generations to see it’s possible.”
That determination to stand in his truth has led him to places he once dreamed of, from hosting events for Michelle Obama’s or having a relationship with Oprah. “When I think about iconic moments, like, for instance, going to the White House, being like,yeah, this is my eighth time here” He recalls. “The other day I was watching me and Mariah Carrie’s collab for the 25th anniversary of “All I Want for Christmas is You”, and being able to look at that stuff, especially looking at stuff when I was younger, in thinking of how much I’ve grown and changed, I think that’s the gift.”
Maintaining joy in a demanding career isn’t always easy, but Kalen has learned the importance of boundaries. “It’s being aware but not in it,” he explains. “People underestimate how much work this is. My goal is to work now and retire later.”
Looking ahead, Kalen is focused on building an empire. Balancing acting, music, content and a master’s degree in journalism from NYU. Soon he will be teaching. “I’ve always wanted to teach,” he says, visibly lighting up at the thought. He’s set to teach a summer course on content creation and journalism, bringing his expertise to the next generation of storytellers.
With Elf closing in January, Kalen plans to take a well-deserved break. But he’s also laying the groundwork for future endeavors, “My goal is to create a foundation for myself where I am no longer reliant on others to approve or dictate my opportunities. I want to create something sustainable that allows me to thrive independently, without having to depend on brand deals to pay the bills. In essence, my next big project is me.” The vision is the Kalen Allen Network, where each platform serves a distinct purpose with specific types of content. For example, Facebook will focus solely on cooking, TikTok will launch a podcast in the works, Instagram will act as the central hub for promoting everything, and platforms like Threads and Twitter will engage audiences with pop culture polls, and hot topics. This will make his content more impactful and streamlined for audiences to know where to find it.
Kalen’s story isn’t about going viral; it’s about transformation. It’s about defying expectations, embracing evolution, and showing the world what’s possible when you live authentically. Whether it’s on Broadway, a cheeky holiday tune, or teaching, he just wants people to see all the different facets of Kalen.
And with every step forward, Kalen Allen is doing just that—a journey that is a crash course in authenticity, resilience, and staying true to your dreams. From viral videos to Broadway and beyond, he’s proving that with talent, hard work, and a little bit of faith, anything is possible.
Check out the exclusive images below:
Full look, KidSuper. Shirt + Flower Broach, Vintage. Shoes, Dr. Martens.
Full look, HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE. Hat, Kabute. Shoes, Dr. Martens. Eyewear, Luar.
Full look, UGG. Jewelry, ALEXIS BITTAR.
