Internet royalty Brittany Broski comes to SU

While scrolling on Instagram two weeks ago, Eliza Halteman stumbled upon a post announcing Brittany Broski’s visit to Syracuse University’s campus. Immediately, she started shaking out of pure shock and excitement. 

Halteman, a sophomore in the Setnor School of Music, has been a certified Brittany Broski fan since her “kombucha girl” days. After waiting in line for two hours, her dream of seeing Broski live finally came true.

“She is my ride or die,” Halteman said. “I’ve seen every video, every Tik Tok … she’s part of my every day.” 

University Union hosted a sit-down talk with Broski Monday evening. Kyle McMahan, a sophomore in the Bandier program, moderated the event.

The Goldstein Auditorium morphed into Broski’s medieval-inspired talk show set for the night. Broski and McMahan both wore cold crowns – which she shoved over her messy high bun – and purple capes. A Hogwarts Great Hall-esque backdrop glowed on a screen behind them. The event was in true Royal Court style, right down to the miniature plastic chalices of dirty soda offered to guests. 

Broski is a multifaceted online figure most commonly known for her YouTube content, including The Broski Report and Royal Court. In 2019, the Texas native went viral for her layered reaction to tasting kombucha for the first time in a 21-second clip. 

She has witnessed exponential growth since her early days on the Internet. With nearly 8 million followers on TikTok and 3 million subscribers on YouTube, Broski’s has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and a Streamy Award in 2023. On her social media and YouTube channel, she posts content about pop culture, her personal interests, and Internet humor.

On Royal Court, Broski has interviewed a plethora of A-listers and Gen-Z favorites. Trixxie Matel, Colman Domingo, Marcello Hernandez, Rachel Sennott, and the recently acclaimed disco king himself, Harry Styles, have all visited Broski’s kingdom. 

Some attendees in the crowd have stood by Broski from the start. 

SUNY ESF freshman Evelyn Mizer has watched her videos since Broski’s virality six years ago. 

“I adore her,” Mizer said. “I’m from Texas, she’s (from) Texas, so it’s like we’re one in the same.”

Mizer attended the event embracing the Royal Court theme, fashioning a gold sequin top and a fur vest. 

The conversation on stage followed the typical royal court structure. It began with McMahan questioning Broski under an intense spotlight and ended with a multitasking nightmare — drawing her own royal crest. At the same time, McMahan posed even more thought-provoking questions. 

Audience members immediately gasped in unison when McMahan clapped his hands and the Goldstein spotlight hit Broski’s face. She seemed shocked as well by the tables turning, letting her one-of-a-kind cackle howl through the microphone. 

Throughout the event, Broski let her untamed humor rip. During her nearly 40-minute conversation with McMahan, she revealed that if she were any fidget toy, she would be a TabaSquishy, She also shared her experiences heckling at Medieval Times Dinners, and when asked to draw Otto the Orange, she said, “Otto the Orange, mama that’s Donald Trump.” 

Halteman tunes into her content every day because of Broski’s raw humor and relatability. 

“It’s just a product of her mind. You can tell that she loves it and I’m very happy for her with how popular it’s gotten and the level of guests that she’s built up,” Halteman said. 

After the three-part conversation with McMahon, students from the crowd asked Broski questions from her music taste to general life advice. 

She emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy friendships, shared that Rosalís’s “LUX” album defines her life right now and talked about her days as a witness in Mock Trial. 

Broski even revealed that the signature glasses she wears in every Royal Court episode were originally from her witness costume. She said she liked to embody an old woman while on the stand. 

Broski also let her serious side show, offering students her personal wisdom on career professionalism, including her research and interview process for Royal Court. Every time she mentioned Styles’ name, the auditorium would erupt in approving screams. 

UU allowed attendees to take a slice of Broski home with them. A stuffed green dinosaur sat waiting on every floor seat. Broski-themed posters, stickers, and decks of cards were all for the taking. 

Fans demonstrated their awe of Broski with constant screaming, occasional barking and echoing laughter. And Broski reciprocated the love. She mentioned how much her fan base means to her on multiple occasions. Even encouraging all the students to graduate, as someone with high levels of respect for academia. 

“There’s no me without Broski nation,” Broski said.