After 147 “Kahla Johnson, Intern Please” YouTube videos, the senior broadcasting major is preparing to depart for her debut as a new intern for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Johnson first came in contact with “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Oct. 15. After sending a personal message to Ellen’s YouTube account for the first time, one of DeGeneres’s employees began correspondence with Johnson. That was a big day for Johnson, as it was also the day the Columbus Dispatch article on her videos was published, as well as the release of her “Gangnam Style” parody, “Kahla Style.” Ten days later, Johnson got word that she would be hired at “Ellen.”
Junior vocal performance major, Andrew Szczerba was a “Kahla Style” participant and said he is very excited for Johnson’s opportunity. He said Kahla is the right person for the internship.
“She is one of the most genuine and dedicated people I know,” Szczerba said. “She puts her heart and soul into everything she does, and it shows. I can’t wait for Ellen to get to know and love Kahla just like we do here at Otterbein.”
Lucky for Szczerba, DeGeneres’s intern staff already seems to like Johnson. Johnson was in contact with three different people prior to the news that she became an intern, but kept to secrecy since nothing was official. The first two contacts were from DeGeneres’s social media department. They found her videos, but she was interviewed by the internship coordinator.
While awaiting communication with the other interns, she said she feels that her drive and passion are skills that will distinguish her from coworkers. She said she’s most excited about participating in the show’s production as well as audience participation.
“She’s worked really hard on her production skills,” communication professor Janice Windborne said. “She has a really good imagination, a positive attitude.”
Windborne said the videos not only show Johnson’s determination, but also that she’s a good producer and will deliver what’s asked of her..
“She created (videos) with people she didn’t pay, (who) just did it because of the energy and enthusiasm that she shared with them and got them to feel,” Windborne said. “That’s a really good producer, and she’s going to a place where that’s what it’s all about.”
Senior broadcasting major Danny Lebsock said he believes her internship will have a lasting impact on Otterbein’s Journalism and Media Communication Department.
“I think it may . . . inspire people in the department to go for their dreams, even if they think they might be out of reach,” Lebsock said.
Johnson will begin her internship on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” starting Jan. 2, 2013.
The internship will last until her graduation in May 2013. She will move out to Los Angeles just after Christmas day to move in and get settled. Her first orders of business once in LA are to find a church home and go sightseeing. Johnson plans to start a blog and weekly video updates for all of her family, friends and fans.
