The internet wouldn’t be the same without Tony Talks and his personas

*Photo credit: Paris Steward Tall Tower Studios

Antonio Baldwin a.k.a Tony Talks has been making the internet ROFL for years with his online content. While YouTube gave him his big break (of which he boasts over 2 million followers), fans can find his hilarious skits, characters, and wigs all over social media. The Virginia native has created a lane for himself that only he (and his different personas) can exist in.

Comedy videos aside, that lane also consists of a variety of brand sponsorships, including partnerships with TikTok, Hornitos Tequila, Google, Airbnb, and more. Tony can also add award-winning content creator to his résumé. He sports a 2023 Queerty Award for “Fav Insta-Follow” and his latest nomination in this year’s “Webseries” category further cements why his fans are obsessed with his cinematic universe. 

INTO spoke with Tony, as part of our Get INTO It Series, where we chatted about his cinematic universe, the queer content creators he wants you to look out for, and his upcoming project that will leave fans gagged. 

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What three words would you use to describe your content and why?

Fun, escape, and unique! “Fun” because I believe you can sense the enjoyment I had while filming the content as you watch. In my opinion, content like that is more enjoyable to engage with. I chose “escape” because the goal of my pages is to provide a getaway from whatever the audience is going through in their day-to-day life. “Unique” was humbly chosen because I genuinely feel that each video offers a different experience. I work hard to ensure that you have no idea what comes next while watching a single piece of content on my page! 

Speaking of content, you won a Queerty Award for “Fav Insta-Follow” in 2023, now you’re nominated this year for a Queerty Award in the “Webseries” category. What has changed about your content creation since winning a Queerty last year? 

I feel that now, more than ever, you can truly see the fun I’m having with my content. For me, that’s a HUGE change because my goal has always been to simply have fun with whatever I’m doing. I’m being myself and bringing all of myself to the table, and it’s beautiful to be recognized for it. 

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Your nomination in the “Webseries” category is for the “Tony Talks Cinematic Universe.” Did you ever think your content would grow into a cinematic universe when you started creating online? 

Honestly, the “cinematic universe” title literally made me scream when I saw it. I have always lived in a different world, and my content is createdfrom this different world. This category made me realize that you guys love living here just as much as I love creating in it. 

The Tony Talks Cinematic Universe is definitely a part of queer pop culture and we can’t get enough. However, what do you think queer pop culture needs more of now? 

Representation! I feel queer pop culture is always talked about but not celebrated enough. It’s just as important and needed as any other culture; however, sometimes it seems like it gets the credit behind closed doors. That’s why I was so excited the minute I discovered the Queerties! I truly feel it’s the beginning of showing all other cultures show much we belong and are needed.

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Obviously, there are millions (over 2 million on YouTube, to be exact) who are obsessed with your content. So, what’s the movie, song/album, film, or TV show you’re obsessed with right now and why? 

Believe it or not, Barbie and Everything Everywhere All at Once. These two movies are as important to me as breathing. I won’t ruin it for anyone, but they are actually quite similar. Let’s just say bothend with a valuable lesson about how we should be present in our human experience, and movies like that will always have a special place in my heart. 

We’re fans of your work, and I’m sure you have content creators you’re fans of. So, who are the queer content creators we should be on the lookout for? 

Ah, there are so many; I always root for anyone bold enough to live in their truth publicly. If I had to name a few: @Mainlymannie, @Jay.nedaj, @Yeaitstyg, @Nene_la_shiro, @Bryanthediamond, @HeyOceanKelly, and many more! 

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Finally, what’s next for Tony Talks? 

Believe it or not, I used to STRESS over that question because I felt like I always had to have an answer! Honestly, friend, I don’t know, and I’ve never been so excited about that. To be honest, I feel a lot of people don’t know and pretend they do. I literally have no idea what I’m doing tomorrow. What I can say is I’m currently writing a musical that I KNOW will have people SHOOK. I plan to “experience” more this year and engage physically with my audience in a way I haven’t. Lastly this year, listen to me, you WILL see Tony Talks on a screen bigger than your phone!

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