By Paul Salfen, AMFM Magazine
I sat down with Shuang Hu, the Australian-Asian actress, comedian, and content creator who’s rewriting the rules of entertainment. With 13 million followers across platforms, a resume boasting The Family Law (SBS/Netflix) and Ronny Chieng: International Student (Comedy Central/Netflix), and now the groundbreaking series Baby Shu and Fwends, Shuang isn’t just creating content—she’s building an empire, one chaotic, hilarious, high-concept episode at a time.
And here’s the history-making twist: Baby Shu and Fwends is the first licensed YouTube series to land an exclusive streaming deal with Tubi. Starting October 31, viewers can binge the first five episodes on Tubi, while Shuang rolls them out weekly on YouiTube. It’s a hybrid model that feels like the future of entertainment—creator-driven, audience-first, and gloriously unfiltered.
From COVID Skits to 13 Million Fans: The Algorithm Was Her Co-Pilot
Shuang’s journey began in the most 2020 way possible: locked down, making skits, and accidentally going viral.
“I started making comedy skits during Covid,” she recalls. “After a few weeks, one went viral. I think I was one of the ‘Covid creators.’ Everyone was stuck at home with nothing to do. TikTok’s algorithm just… found my people.”
And find them it did. Her sharp, absurd, Gen Alpha-skewing humor—think rapid-fire punchlines, exaggerated characters, and zero chill—hooked a young, obsessive audience.
“Kids will watch something they love 20 times,” she laughs. “I watched The Little Rascals like it was my job. Adults? One and done. But kids? They’re loyal. If you hook them, they’re in.”
Baby Shu: Black Mirror Meets Goosebumps, Gen Alpha Style
Enter Baby Shu, the emotionally unhinged teenage anti-hero at the center of Shuang’s new series. She’s not your average kid. She’s a walking glitch in reality—imaginative, chaotic, and dangerously unfiltered.
Each standalone episode drops viewers into a new surreal nightmare:
- AI dolls coming to life
- Body swaps gone wrong
- Memory wipes
- Algorithmic dystopias
“It’s Black Mirror meets Goosebumps,” Shuang says, “but filtered through the unhinged lens of a teenager who’s seen too many TikToks.”
The result? Dark comedy, sci-fi satire, and social commentary—all wrapped in controlled chaos and childhood logic turned inside out.
The Tubi Deal: A Creator Economy Milestone
Tubi isn’t just streaming the show—they’re betting on the creator economy. Shuang is one of the first creators with an exclusive content deal, complete with a dedicated “Creator Us” section on the platform.
“It feels like mainstream media and digital media are finally converging,” she says. “I’m excited to see where this goes—especially with TikTokers now on SNL. Maybe that’s next for me.”
(She’s auditioned for SNL twice already. Third time’s the charm?)
The Pivot: From Chasing Algorithms to Building a Studio
Last year, Shuang hit a wall. Viral skits were fun—but they weren’t fulfilling.
“I was chasing the algorithm,” she admits. “I’d already made an Amazon movie. Doing shorts felt like going backwards. Social media wasn’t the goal. Acting, writing, filmmaking—that was the dream when I moved to LA.”
Then came the epiphany:
“I have 13 million followers. YouTube is my Netflix. Every channel is a TV show. Why pitch to studios when I can just… make it?”
So she did. Baby Shu and Fwends was born on a bare-bones budget, fueled by passion, a killer story, and a crew that believed in the vision.
“You don’t need millions to make something great,” she says. “You need a story people care about and people who are hyped to help.”
Advice for the Next Generation: Hone Your Craft
To the kids (and adults) blowing up her DMs with “How do I do what you do?”—Shuang’s advice is simple:
“Give yourself two years. Learn the craft.”
“I didn’t start with TikTok. I studied filmmaking. I write. I act. I edit. I know every role in production. That’s why I can execute. Talent isn’t luck—it’s preparation.”
The Hail Mary Moment: Moving to LA with Nothing but a Visa and a Dream
When asked about her Hail Mary moment, Shuang doesn’t hesitate:
“Moving to LA. I knew no one. My parents are educators—Dad has a PhD in engineering, Mum’s a brilliant sketch artist. No one in entertainment. I packed my savings, got my visa, and just… went.”
That leap changed everything.
What’s Next? Season 2, a Queensland-Funded Pilot, and World Domination
Right now, Shuang is:
- Editing a vertical trailer for Baby Shu and Fwends (because reels wait for no one)
- Writing Season 2 (“We’ve got the first episode drafted”)
- Filming a pilot in Australia, funded by Screen Queensland
- Pitching, creating, grinding
“I want to bring the whole gang back,” she says. “And keep making. That’s the job.”
Final Thought: Little Shuang Would Be Proud
From a shy kid who could barely say “today is good” in class to a global creator with millions watching her every move—Shuang’s journey is proof that betting on yourself pays off.
“I only get nervous speaking to adults now,” she jokes. “Kids? I’ve got their language.”
And now, with Baby Shu and Fwends streaming on Tubi and YouTube, she’s speaking to an entire generation—loud, proud, and gloriously unhinged.
Watch Baby Shu and Fwends now on Tubi (binge the first 5 episodes) and YouTube (new episodes weekly). Follow Shuang Hu on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube—she’s just getting started.
Interview conducted by Paul Salfen for AMFM Magazine November 2025.
