Dennis Vareide opens up about breakups, bankruptcy and his daughter

– Are you Bamble’s eldest son?

– No, I don’t want to say that. Remember that Bamble has, after all, raised Bård Hoksrud himself.

And that is almost the only thing Storting politician Bård Hoksrud (50) and Dennis Vareide (33) have in common. Apart from the fact that they are both from the small municipality of Bamble, they have both been very successful – in their respective fields.

– The worst thing I’ve ever experienced

Ever since 2010, Vareide has made it big on YouTube. He first started a channel in English, but it was only when he paired up with his friend Preben Fjell (33) and formed the channel “Prebz og Dennis” that it really took off in the many boys’ and girls’ rooms around the country.

Combined on both channels, he raked in over a quarter of a billion views. For many, the duo were the first and biggest YouTube stars Norway had to offer. And several also claim that the work they put in has been ground-breaking for those who came afterwards – and wanted to create online content – for fun.

In 2018, the news came that the popular YouTube channel had reached its terminus. Vareide says that it was the right decision, and adds that in many ways they gave up.

– We had had our heyday. And I think it was important for us that we could both develop in other ways.

– Personal bankruptcy

Not an influencer

But online content, he has by no means stopped. In addition to being an active YouTuber, he has also racked up thousands of likes on both TikTok and Instagram, channels where he has over 200,000 followers – together. At the time of writing, the most watched video has a whopping one million views.

– But I’m not an influencer. Let me just point out. I don’t really like that term at all myself. Because I am a content creator. I create content, and am not interested in imposing my opinions on others.

– But aren’t content creators and influencers in the same category?

– Nope. There is a delicate balance there. I create content that I think is fun, but I make sure that it doesn’t contain advertising or false praise that things get better if you buy this product. I create content – and so I’m just deeply grateful that it hits as many people as it does.

Showing off the girlfriend

He acknowledges somewhat humbly that he has a large catchment area. Some of those who follow him have been with him from the start of his YouTube career. Others have jumped on the bandwagon after Instagram and TikTok became the new big thing. And some have fallen head over heels for his reality appearances. Recently, he was also among those who had to lose weight on TV in “16-week hell”.

“Am I really that fat?”

– There have been some reports that not everyone is so happy to be called by the casting there. How was it for you?

– Haha, no, I was a bit there too. I originally said no to participating, and then I thought to myself: “But am I really that fat?”. I took a look in the mirror and took a few small steps first. But then I realized what a wonderful opportunity I had been given – proper guidance, skilled people and diet plans in an orderly framework. So when they called again a little later, I politely accepted. And I’m happy about that now, but there were some tough times.

And there have been some tough times for Vareide. Not only has he known Johnsrud Sundby’s relentless training regime in the reality show, but he also had enough to manage in his private life.

During filming, he and his girlfriend broke up. Before Christmas, he was also able to share the awful news that he was going to be declared bankrupt in the New Year.

Reveals violations

As for the financial part, Vareide admits that it was entirely his fault. He received a tax claim that became too difficult to handle. He says that he had been doing his own accounts for a long time, but that the tax requirement put an abrupt stop to that.

– It was an expensive lesson, let’s just put it that way. Now I’ve got an accountant who knows those things, which were too difficult for me. Nothing is done on purpose, of course, and I have cooperated throughout. I’m paying it off as best I can, but it’s been tough. That is the flip side of the coin.

– I shared both the news of the breakup and the bankruptcy myself on social media. If you are a public figure, it will come out sooner or later. Then it’s good to be the one who can come out with it yourself, so that you avoid speculation. It’s not nice, but that’s life sometimes. You get through it – so now my focus is on my daughter.

– I was terrified

– But how are you as a father?

– Oi, that is difficult to answer. But I hope I’m a good dad. Playful. Steady? Being a father is an absolutely wonderful feeling, and I’m looking forward to growing up with her.

– Do you think it will be easier for her to come to you with non-traditional career aspirations?

– I haven’t thought about that, really. But I will support her regardless. If she wants to work on something I’ve never heard of – go for it. But she must have a concrete plan on how it will be carried out. I think that is important.

Found solace in computer games

– How was it at your house? When you said you wanted to be a YouTuber?

– They are both teachers, but they have always supported me in what I have done. It is a legacy I will pass on to my daughter.

At 17, he lost his father. He is open that it is not something he talks about lightly, and admits that it was a demanding period. In that difficult time, he fled into the computer universe, and then found belonging, togetherness and support.

– There are so many positive aspects of gaming. And it is so important to shed light on them. Of course, there should be moderation there, but in that period when life was a little extra tough, it was nice to be able to travel into that world. It is very social and it can be helpful for some. But, it’s also been a number of years now. And it’s not just gaming that I’m doing now.

And that’s right. He has published the books “The King of the Boy’s Room” and “Party Games for Terrible People”. Both written during holidays. In addition, he has also released the game “Mafia birthday”, an idea he came up with during one of his “breaks”.

“Farm celebrity” Dennis has become a cohabitant

On top of it all, he is also working on a very ambitious municipal project – where he will visit all the municipalities in Norway.

– It’s just fun. I deal with the things I find fascinating, and the goal is certainly to manage and visit them all, but it takes time. One of my followers commented that it would take me around 7-8 years to visit them all, if I took 1-2 municipalities a week. I also read that King Harald (87) had the same goal, but I think he is missing around 10 municipalities, and he is approaching 90. So it is clear, this has not been done in one fell swoop, but the goal is to take everyone – preferably before I turn 80.

– But will there be more reality too?

– We’ll see. If I want to, I’ll probably say yes. I obviously need the money, he says with a smile, before continuing;

– But now we have to round off. Because I have some bills I have to pay.

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