

We often hear about social media's power to destroy. From messy breakups to overindulgent or overly provocative posts that unveil your insecurities, test your self-esteem or rob you of your productivity, it's easy to label digital platforms as the culprit of our complications. But like with everything in life there's balance, and in the case of social media, it lies within its power to create. It has enabled many to bypass the middleman and turn a "no" into a "yes" by proving that there's a market for what is being offered, and those social media stars who chose to use it for good have witnessed how moments can be monetized at simply a click of a button.
For Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor, social media not only gave him a voice, it gave him control—turning a fresh out of college grad into a well-paid content king in a matter of months.
In just six seconds, he has amassed 2.2 million loops and counting on his latest Vine post. It’s titled “Superman’s girlfriend’s new hairstyle,” and is a comedic spin on the comic book character’s supposed kryptonite: his girlfriend’s new neon green tresses send him into a series of convulsions.
In a world where becoming a celebrity seems as easy as uploading a video and garnering a large following, King Bach reigns supreme. The Canadian-born actor hailing from West Palm Beach, Florida has turned what for many is an unprofitable pastime into a multi-million dollar career—complete with movie roles, television deals, and the launch of his own production company, Bach Enterprises. It’s quite the come-up for someone who just a few years ago couldn’t even get callbacks from castings.
Social media has allowed those who would previously have been overlooked to build their own bridge and walk right over the gatekeepers of Hollywood. In an industry where only dollars make sense, being crowned the top Viner with a 15.3 million following proves that hard work and strategic execution can catapult a career beyond fifteen minutes of fame. For the Florida State University alumn, it was all about putting his business degree—and his talent—to good use.
Despite the expectations of his Jamaican parents, whom Bach says thought he would join the family career path in corporate, he packed his bags and relocated to Los Angeles soon after graduating in 2010 to pursue his dreams of acting and filmmaking.
Before The Fame
In 2011, just a semester shy of graduating with his Master’s at the New York Film Academy, Bach dropped out of school, but not before his short film, Agent Steele, made its way to NBC’s Dateline. Yet, despite having his foot in the door with the success of his first project, Bachelor still struggled to land acting gigs. “I was doing a lot of auditions and castings and I would always be in the room with people who had a bigger following,” says Bach on our call. “I was like the only way I can master that is if I can create my own following. So I did just that.”
Bach turned to YouTube, uploading his first video for Bachelor’s Pad TV channel on March 2012, which, according to Vanity Fair, he did with his own personal funds earned from his return on Apple stock investments. But producing high-quality content for $5,000 to $35,000 a video proved to be costly, so when fellow friend and Viner Brittany Furlan introduced him to the six-second platform for a fraction of the cost in May 2013, he didn’t hesitate to begin creating captivating content for his community of followers. It was just the break that he needed. Within five months, he had gained 2.5 million followers. “It was new and nobody was creating content like I was—viral videos that were six seconds,” he said.
The Breakthrough
It wasn’t long before sponsors and television came calling. In fact, he says that at about 300,000 followers, he had already started padding his pockets, charging sponsors such as Samsung a reported $1,000 per 100,000 followers. At a current 15.3 million followers, that’s a lot of zeroes. In addition, he landed regular gigs on shows like House of Lies, Wild’n Out, and Black Jesus, and throughout 2015 he continued making appearances on a number of television shows, but it’s the big screen that he had really set his eyes on.
Like many of his comedic predecessors, such as Jim Carey and Marlon Wayans who got their break on In Living Color, Vine has become more of a platform to launch Bach’s career, and a potential means to an end. Towards the end of 2014 he told The New Yorker, “When I start doing movies, that’ll be the time to pack Vine in. Quit when you’re on top. Be the king.”
With the recent release of his first feature film Fifty Shades of Black, where he plays Jesse opposite comedic kings, Marlon Wayans and Mike Epps, his ongoing loyalty to the digital app still has yet to be determined. Though he recently told Timein reference to leaving his Vine fans, “I can’t just leave them hanging,” there’s been a noticeable decrease in the consistency of his posts.
Regardless, you can’t blame the 27-year-old for putting Vine on the backburner while he heats it up on the big screen. This year alone he will star in at least four feature films, including the upcoming release of Meet the Blacks, a spoof on horror film The Purge. Bach plays the boyfriend of Mike Epps’ daughter, who attempts to confront Epps about his disapproval for dating his daughter on the one day of the year where murder is legal. Similar to many of his Vine skits, Bach’s role is an over-exaggerated stereotype of the black male that often times comes off crude, but to be clear, he doesn’t intend for comedic roles to be the culmination of his career. “I do it all. I do acting, comedy, and I have a dramatic movie that’s coming out. I don’t limit myself, I just like having fun,” he says.
Taking risks with his craft is a part of the game that he enjoys playing, and it’s a fearless approach for someone who once said that his biggest mistake was doubting himself and not going after certain opportunities that could’ve benefited him. “You can’t be afraid to fail. If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re not going to succeed. The only way to learn is by failing; nobody learns by doing good all of the time. You learn from the mistakes you make along the way.”
Luckily, he has the support of many of the same comedians that he grew up watching, and who have witnessed his seemingly overnight success in part due to the digital platform that has launched the careers of a number of his peers. “All of them really put me under their wings and gave me tips here and there. They basically told me to don’t give up, just keep going.”
As to his dating life, that, like Vine, has also become subservient to his slew of projects. “I’m not really looking for anything, I’m just keeping focused and keeping my eye on the prize of what I moved out here to do,” he says.
After all, building a legacy where he’s paid to do what he loves and create his own opportunities takes a certain level of dedication—no distractions permitted. Besides, if you ask the modern-day king of comedy, King Bach just wants to have fun.
Check out King Bach in Meet the Blacks, in theaters April 1st.
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
Watch the full episode below:
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
6 Tabletop Sex Positions That'll Unlock You & Bae's Most Primal Desires
Something I will never tire of is finding new ways to bring new layers to intimacy. A wall you use as momentum, a bathroom sink to help you keep your balance as he worships you on his knees, a shower that is usually for cleansing but evolves into a sacred ritual of shared intimacy.
My favorite kind of sex is the kind of sex that prioritizes pleasure and connection. So, technically and thankfully, I can say most of my sex life has been quite pleasurable throughout the years. But the memorable encounters for sure take the cake. One such encounter actually took place on a kitchen counter, and with it unleashed inhibitions in ways I never anticipated while unlocking levels to top-tier sex. And that, that involved a kitchen counter.
Why Kitchen Counter Sex Just Hits Different
What is it about having your hips pressed into the edge of a kitchen counter that lets out something so primal in you? The cool-to-the-touch feel of the countertop against exposed skin as you rise to meet him again and again. The urgency in every movement. The playfulness of repurposing an everyday space for something far more erotic. If you’re looking to bring that energy into your own sex life, keep reading for positions and tips to explore.
1. The Bounce House
They don’t call it Bounce House for nothing. In this position, the penetrating partner lies flat on their back on a sturdy table or counter while the receiving partner straddles them, knees bent and facing away. With their hands gripping the edge of the surface for support, the receiving partner slides or bounces at their own pace, owning the rhythm, the motion, and the view.
According to sex therapist Michael Aaron, Ph.D., who spoke with Women’s Health, the receiving partner placing their legs between their partner’s creates a tighter sensation, while staying fully astride allows for more bounce and range of motion. Either way, this one puts the receiver in full control, and you know we love a good woman on top position. Pleasure and power? Say less.
2. The Bicycle
Well, you know what they say about riding a bike. In the case of this table top position, it's the receiving partner who is the rider...but not in the way you think. While lying back on a sturdy surface or a table, the receiver will bring their knees toward their chest, bending them as if in a cycling motion. The penetrating partner stands at the edge of the surface, grabbing the receiver's ankles, and guides themselves inside, slowly so as to savor the moment. This angle puts everything on display for the penetrating partner while allowing for deep, connected thrusting for the receiver.
To take things up a notch , the receiving partner can touch themselves or flex their thighs to control the depth or the rhythm. Because, who says only one person gets to have control?
3. Counter Offer
How could we be at the table and not use it to eat? Enter: Counter Offer. In this oral-focused sex position, the receiving partner perches on the edge of a counter or table, lying back or sitting upright with legs parted or bent for comfort. The penetrating partner kneels or stands between their thighs, depending on the setup and the kind of attention they’re ready to give. No doubt, this one’s all about access and intention.
With the vulva front and center, the height makes it easier to maintain eye contact, use hands freely for things like breast play or incorporating toys, and take their time with every moan-inducing taste. And that’s on five, six, seven, ATE.
4. Standing Doggy
Standing Doggy is what happens when a classic like doggy style gets an upgrade. Instead of being on all fours on a bed, the receiving partner bends over a hard surface like a table or counter, keeping their hips aligned at its edge. The penetrating partner stands behind and enters from the back, using the angle to go deeper and create a strong, steady rhythm. This one offers maximum control and visual appeal, especially if the penetrating partner reaches around for a little extra clitoral stimulation throughout thrusting.
This angle can get intense quickly, so bonus points if the receiving partner engages their pelvic floor muscles or shifts their weight to adjust how the pressure hits, especially if your goal is to hit that G-spot sweet spot.
5. Top Shelf
Men's Healthcalls this one "Yourself on the Shelf," but we like to call it "Top Shelf" because it's giving full view, full grip, and climax potential that's hard to top. The receiving partner sits on the edge of a sturdy table or counter while the penetrating partner stands in front of them and slowly slides in, thrusting while keeping them in position. From there, legs can wrap around their waist, arms can encircle their back, and the closeness at peak ecstasy? Chef's kiss.
If you have the core strength, add lifting to the menu for the final strokes leading to orgasm. Otherwise, allow the surface to the heavy lifting and enjoy the pleasure.
6. The Thumper
What better way to remind yourself that you're both the snack and the entrée than with a little tableside service courtesy of The Thumper? This position has the receiving partner kneeling on a sturdy table or counter (keyword: sturdy), hands gripping the edge or braced in front for support. The penetrating partner can then either kneel behind them (if there's room for two), or stay anchored on the ground with both feet planted on the floor (similar to the previously mentioned Standing Doggy). It all depends on the mood.
Kneeling on the table offers just the right amount of leverage for deep, steady strokes. The receiving partner can play with tightness by either keeping their knees closer together for a snug grip, or open their knees wider to invite more access, depth, and stretch. The Thumper is versatile that way, and the most important thing? The receiver gets to be the main course. Yum.
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