Hailing from a small town in Ohio, the Rhodes Bros never imagined any of this would happen. After college, Aaron and Austin Rhodes made the courageous decision to move out of their small hometown to a big city. Originally planning on New York, Aaron and Austin ultimately decided that Los Angeles was a better fit. However, the big move didn’t come without a few bumps in the road at first. “Coming from a small town where it is extremely cheap and easy to live to one of the most expensive cities in the country was really difficult. We didn’t get any help from our parents, so we just had to make it work,” says Aaron. Luckily they had generous friends who let them sleep on their couches for seven months while they worked as hosts at a local restaurant. Aside from working, Aaron and Austin wanted a way to connect and meet new people in Los Angeles. Getting started on YouTube, Austin says, “It was all just really random. Someone we knew, Davey Wavey, was doing it and after talking to him, we thought it would be a fun thing to start doing. We were new to LA and wanted to share that with people. This city can be very overwhelming, so it gave us a sense of direction when we first got here.” Although YouTube became a way for the Rhodes Bros to connect with people in Los Angeles, they actually met Davey Wavey through Instagram, and ever since he has become not just a friend, but also a mentor to the twins. “He’s taught us a lot of the logistics and strategy that goes on behind a
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successful channel,” says Aaron. “YouTube has so many creators on it that it’s easy to get lost when you’re starting out, so it was nice knowing someone successful and willing to help us break into it,” adds Austin. The brothers admit that their favorite videos to film are their adventures around Los Angeles. They believe that footage is more real, with no second takes, so they can show off their personalities a little more. Scrolling through their channel, you will find a wide variety of videos, from funny challenges to entertaining How To’s. “Austin and I always just try to keep it as real as possible and I think that’s what sets us apart. We’re just two goofy kids from the middle of nowhere that have no idea what we’re doing, but try to pretend that we do everyday and hope it works,” says Aaron. “But that’s also the beauty of it,” adds Austin, “Because it keeps everyone wanting to get better and better. It’s just fun to share our lives with people.” There is one video that you definitely won’t want to miss while looking through the Rhodes Bros YouTube Channel: the twins’ coming out video to their father through a heartwarming, emotional phone call. “We just really wanted to start 2015 in a very honest way and show people that we’re just like them,” Aaron admits, “we all have secrets, so by sharing ours publicly with our father we hoped that it would inspire others to break down those walls and do the same.”