What Happened to Blippi? Here’s Why a Different Actor Sometimes Stars on the Popular YouTube Channel
Blippi has provided children with educational entertainment since 2014. Children and parents alike have grown attached to the family-friendly YouTube channel. The channel’s host, Stevin John, has gained a considerable following due to his interaction with children that has helped teach several kids new things. Lately, a different actor has taken over the channel appearing in a few recent videos, causing parents to wonder: What happened to Blippi? Here’s why another actor has taken over the popular YouTube channel.
‘Blippi’ follows the titular character as he discovers new things
Blippi is a channel on YouTube that John started in 2014 to provide edutainment to kids from ages 2 through 7. The show features a childlike character with a curious and energetic persona, much like his audience. Blippi wears an orange and blue beanie hat, orange suspenders, a blue shirt, and an orange bow tie that helps add to his personality as a friendly character.
John posted the first episode of the show in January 2014 on YouTube. Before long, the channel had gotten popular among parents who loved Blippi’s enthusiasm and teaching and entertainment skills. In 2019, the show partnered with Jazwares LLC, a master toy dealer, to sell a wide selection of merchandise ranging from toy vehicles, clothing, and educational toys based on the show.
The popular kids’ show is dubbed in other languages, including German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic. Since the show started, the channel has amassed more than 14 million subscribers and gained 10 billion views.
What happened to Blippi, and who’s the new actor?
While John had primarily been the face of his widely popular character, he has become largely missing in action in recent episodes. On May 8, 2021, the channel uploaded a new video without the original character.
Although the new actor had an almost similar infectious enthusiasm and a charming personality, he couldn’t fill the large shoes left by the original Blippi, leaving many fans confused and some parents annoyed.
Dozens of parents took to social media to express their disappointment over the replacement. The parents felt disappointed by the channel and John for not realizing that although their young ones were little, they would identify the lack of continuity with the actors.
Several of the complaints seemed to address the insufficient warning of the casting change, with many parents feeling sidelined. However, a post by the show’s official Instagram account mentioned the change the day the episode dropped.
The post featured a series of pictures with a slide that read, “Due to popular demand, we are bringing more Blippi from the live show to you all! Don’t miss the launch of Learn With Blippi tomorrow on Blippi’s YouTube channel. Who’s ready?!” The pictures in the post featured the ever bubbly John, but upon moving to the next slide, the new actor’s face popped up.
The actor, Clayton Grimm, also appeared in Blippi’s live tour in 2019. Grimm’s appearance on the live show earned him the nickname “Blippi from the live show,” which explains the show’s post.
The original Blippi has a baby on the way
John has been entertaining and teaching kids for seven years, but now he has one on the way. According to Parents, the 33-year-old and his fiancée Alyssa Ingham are expecting a baby. The news might explain why John has been noticeably absent from his show. Perhaps he is preparing to make more time for himself and his new family.
John made the announcement through his Instagram account on Oct. 27, 2021, with a photo of him kissing his fiancée, who was holding a strip of ultrasound photos. The soon-to-be dad seemed excited as he declared, “Parenthood coming 2022.”
