How King Kenny Rose from Humble Beginnings to BBC Stardom
The YouTuber's journey from a challenging upbringing to a finalist on Celebrity Traitors highlights his determination and evolving career.
Kenny Oghenovo Ojuederie, known online as King Kenny, has emerged as a prominent figure on the BBC, reaching the final of Celebrity Traitors. His path to this point has been marked by significant personal and professional challenges.
Growing up in Watford, Hertfordshire, Ojuederie described his childhood as "horror" due to severe financial hardship. As one of 14 siblings, he recalled wearing inexpensive shoes from ASDA while his schoolmates wore branded sneakers, and his meals often consisted of simple staples like rice, butter, and sweetcorn.
Ojuederie began his YouTube career at age 16, creating prank videos and vlogs. His early efforts were hampered when his mother's camera broke, forcing him to work jobs at McDonald's and ASDA to afford a replacement. He pursued media studies at Brunel University of London before fully committing to his online content creation in 2013.
His career saw a notable incident in October 2016 when he was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense while filming a prank dressed as a chainsaw-wielding clown on his university campus. He was later released on bail and apologized, stating that those involved in the prank were aware of his actions.
In 2019, Ojuederie joined The Beta Squad, a collective of British YouTubers that includes Chunkz, AJ Shabeel, Sharky, and Niko Omilana. The group has amassed over 11 million subscribers.
Beyond his online presence, Ojuederie is also a boxer who has competed in several tournaments. He announced his retirement from the sport in May due to a rib injury.
His recent foray into television on Celebrity Traitors has brought him wider recognition. Initially a contestant identified as a Faithful, Ojuederie was recruited as a Traitor midway through the series. His performances have led to speculation among viewers about his relationship with fellow contestant Maya Jama, fueled by their on-screen interactions. Despite fan speculation, sources close to the pair have stated they are long-time friends who previously collaborated on Beta Squad videos.
Ojuederie has also launched a music career, releasing his debut single shortly before the Celebrity Traitors finale, with lyrics referencing his role on the show. He enlisted comedian Romesh Ranganathan, a fellow contestant, to appear in his music video.