When a wildfire raged through the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, social media personality Alex Choi grabbed his camera and dirt bike to document the devastation. His video, which captured the destruction, has garnered nearly 673 million views on Snapchat.
Choi, 25, gained internet fame for his automotive exploits, including a YouTube video featuring a helicopter shooting fireworks at a Lamborghini. He says he wants to focus on documenting news events, providing a unique perspective for a younger audience.
Social media platforms like Snapchat play a critical role in how younger adults get their news, with 1/3 of U.S. adults regularly getting their news from Facebook, YouTube, and other social media platforms. Snapchat has over 443 million daily active users, mostly between the ages of 13 and 24.
Choi rode his dirt bike through the fire zones, accessing areas that were difficult to reach. He documented an elderly man using a garden hose to protect his home, which was the only one left standing in the neighborhood.
Choi’s goal is to make sure his content is not too disturbing for younger viewers, but still delivers important news. He has received praise for his reporting, with many crediting him with helping to spread awareness about the devastating wildfires.