One of the most successful “OG” YouTube channels has its original faces back. Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox reunited and reacquired the Smosh YouTube channel, which they both started in 2005. The Wrap reports that the pair have regained ownership of the comedy brand purchased by Defy Media in 2011. The channel took off when Padilla and Hecox recorded a video of themselves lip-syncing the theme to Pokemon. Padilla left Smosh in 2017 to pursue independent creator work. One year later, Defy Media collapsed, jeopardizing Smosh’s future. In 2019, Smosh was purchased by Mythical Entertainment, which is owned by YouTube stars Rhett and Link. Now Smosh is entirely back in the hands of the original iconic duo.
Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox Get Smosh Back
Padilla and Hecox took to YouTube to announce their reacquiring of Smosh. The pair looked back on the successful channel they created for fun as high schoolers. The content resonated with many viewers, and the pair were among the first famous YouTubers to make a career off the platform. Their rise to fame occurred alongside Ryan Higa, iJustine, and PewDiePie.
However, the demand became so high that they needed help. Defy Media took the Smosh brand to amazing heights, resulting in improved qualities and even a movie. However, Padilla grew frustrated with the deviation from the original content they made together. After six years, Padilla left Smosh to pursue his endeavors on his channel.
Padilla’s channel is most notable for his I Spent A Day With series. In that series, he interviewed groups and people such as transgender people, cult survivors, death row survivors, other famous YouTubers, and more. After the pair announced they had reacquired Smosh, Padilla interviewed Hecox on the series.
Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox intend to return the original Smosh channel to the sketch comedy that made it famous. The Smosh Pit and Smosh Games channels will also continue.