For many fans, social media sensation Benjamin de Almeida doesn’t need any introductions. For the rest of us, he might have popped into our radars (aka algorithms) as the guy who judged this year’s Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest or for coining himself “Noah Centineo’s ugly cousin”. Well known for producing surrealist-style comedy, he has built a distinct image and partnerships (did Google or Dior just call?). With over 2.7 Billion views, it’s a fun trip to fall down the BENOFTHEWEEK rabbit hole. Originally from Canada, we caught up with Ben somewhere online as he splits his time between New York and Los Angeles when he isn’t booking last-minute random travel. With so many perfectly curated and calculative influencers and celebrities out there, Ben gives us the shock of recognition.
Regardless of the subject, you have a very satirical streak. Were you funny growing up? How would you describe your childhood?
Maybe a little funny growing up, but it was the type of funny where I thought people were laughing with me, but they were definitely laughing at me. I think that’s still the case a lot of the time now, but I’ve learned to try to work with it. I remember laughing so hard growing up that my arms would go numb because I wasn’t breathing, and I would just sit in a wheezy silence with my friends. I can’t remember the last time that’s happened.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve done for content?
I just got back from an abandoned asylum in rural Indiana. It was supposedly haunted and the venue for countless ghost-hunting YouTubers but I didn’t believe in any of that shit. What really scared me was when a bat flew directly into my face. I am an extreme hypochondriac so I made my friend come with me to the hospital so I could get rabies shots and they wouldn’t give them to me because I was literally unscathed. I was crying and on the verge of vomiting.
Which video has got the most interesting reactions?
I’ll use this word half seriously but I made a “documentary” on an internet personality that goes by the name “The Vegan Teacher”. I didn’t expect it to blow up to be my biggest video at all but it was interesting to see people perceive it completely differently than I had intended. She does so much harm to the image of people who eat plant-based and I wanted to show people that she is an extreme example and not at all the norm but I fear that was lost on some people. I think about deleting it like five times a week.
Is there anything you’ve wanted to cover but haven’t yet or anybody you haven’t worked with yet that you would like to?
I wanted so badly to investigate whoever was behind Skibidi Toilet. I did months of investigating and talking to contacts in Russia but it ultimately fell through. I would love to do mushrooms with Nathan Fielder.
I loved your Furry video. Do you have a favorite video to date?
I hate that video. It’s definitely on the chopping block of videos that will be deleted in the future. My favorite video is probably my nun video I posted a few months ago. It made me wanna get back into Catholicism. They are so at peace, and I am so stressed. I’m doing it all wrong.
What specific skills do you have that people don’t realize?
I love writing so much. I’d start a substack but I’m a couple of years late to the party. I also edit everything myself. It’s called YouTube, not WeTube. Why do people have two hundred employees to make videos for the internet? Take your ass back to Buzzfeed.
How Virgo are you?
I don’t know.
Let’s have some fun! Trends you would like to see left in 2024?
Grind culture, parasocial relationships, TikTok shop, the people that invented TikTok shop, the families and loved ones of those that created TikTok shop.
Are there any trends that you sported that you now regret?
My friends clown me incessantly for how I dressed during the “soft boy” era in 2020. Just these nasty color-blocked clothes and flowers on every surface. I wish I could go back in time and induce a three coma into nineteen-year-old me.
If you could live in any decade what would it be?
2100. I don’t think I will live long enough to see it myself, but I feel like that will be the last decade that people alive now will be able to perceive. We are going to look so weird to people born in 2200, if they can ever understand our dialect of English and if the human race is even around by then.
Go to karaoke song?
Superbass by Nicki Minaj or Callout by Atilla.
2025 fashion predictions?
Modesty and traditionalism to the extreme.
You travel quite a bit. Do you plan your outfits? What are your go-to pieces?
I try to leave half my suitcase empty when I travel so I can find new pieces wherever I go, but for the things I do bring, I’m a horrible packer. I’ll be nine hours deep in row 48 of a Delta flight freezing my ass off in a t-shirt because I didn’t bring a sweater.
Where would you like to visit in 2025?
I want to visit South America very badly! I thought my retina was detaching this summer and convinced myself I was going blind so I booked a same-day ticket to Peru to see it before I went blind forever. But I went to LensCrafters hours before the flight and they told me I was fine so I cancelled the trip. There and Antarctica are the last two continents that I have yet to explore, but there’s no real way to see Antarctica without ending up on Greta Thunberg’s hit list so I’ll pass on it.
