At just 23 years old, award-nominated actor, producer, and television personality Kalen Allen has catapulted into the mainstream media, reaching millions of people worldwide across his social media platforms and through his content online. Discovered in 2018 by renowned talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, Kalen first made a name for himself through his hilarious “Kalen Reacts” videos, giving colorful and witty commentary on culinary concoctions online. It was one of these videos that caught the attention of Ellen, and he was invited to appear on the show. Ellen knew she had found something special in Kalen, and offered him an opportunity to collaborate and produce content for her digital platforms.
Today, Kalen holds a regular guest spot on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and often takes his trademark wide-brimmed red hat and infectious personality to high-profile events, such as the Billboard Music Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards as Ellen’s correspondent. He also has his own weekly digital news series, “OMKalen,” where he gives kind commentary on hot topics and trending stories of the week.
On the digital front, Kalen’s videos boast an impressive 259+ million views across all Ellen platforms and is growing by the day. His work has also earned him a plethora of award nominations, including a Model D Award nomination and win for Best Host in a Web Series or Channel. He was also a finalist in the Best Weekly Unscripted Series and Best Use of a Digital Influencer in a Web Series categories for Model D. He is currently nominated for Best YouTube Comedian at the 2019 Shorty Awards, and was recently honored with the Social Influencer Award at Better Brothers Los Angeles 2019 Truth Awards.
You can check out his videos here here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdJ6lcxroo4
More here: https://www.youtube.com/kalenallen
While Kalen continues to entertain on television, he will soon make his feature film acting debut in Seth Rogan's "Untitled Pickle Comedy" for Sony Pictures. Based on the 2013 New Yorker novella “Sell-Out,” the comedy follows an immigrant worker at a pickle factory that is accidentally preserved for 100 years and wakes up in modern-day Brooklyn. The film, which also stars Maya Erskine (“Insecure”) and Sarah Snook (“Succession”), is directed by Brandon Trost ("The Disaster Artist") and will premiere in 2019.
Originally from Kansas City, Kalen attended Temple University in Philadelphia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. He has a big place in his heart for charity, and actively supports The Point Foundation, which empowers aspiring LGBTQ+ individuals to achieve their full academic and leadership potential.
Kalen currently resides in the Los Angeles area. You can follow him at @thekalenallen!