288,000 Jelly Beans Later, Singing Internet Superstar Kina Grannis Is Born

If you haven't seen her music video on YouTube, watch now… seriously, watch below. Over 22 months, 2,460 frames, 1 still camera, and 288,000 jelly beans later, singer-songwriter Kina Grannis had her music video for "In Your Arms," which turned her into an overnight internet star. We talked to Kina about her newfound viral superstardom and more. Meet Kina!

It is admirable how much hard work went into the making of this video--did you worry at any point about if this whole thing was going to turn out the way you envisioned?
I think the biggest concern was whether we were ever actually going to finish it. We went into it having no idea how long it would take... so when 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, etc, passed by, and we were not even close to done, it was a bit worrisome.  

When you first started batting ideas around to do a video for "In Your Arms" did you know you wanted to work with director Greg Jardin? How did you find him for this project?
Greg directed the music video for "Message From Your Heart" when I was in a competition called Crash The Super Bowl and we've stayed in touch since. The funny thing is, when I reached out to him for another video, it was originally for my song "Valentine." After listening to the album he was really interested in doing something with "In Your Arms." I wasn't planning on making a video for "In Your Arms" at the time, but I loved the idea so much I had to do it!

And when he said he wanted to do jellybean art in a video format, did you love the idea right away?

Oh, I was definitely into it right away.  It's always been important to me to use music videos as an opportunity to do something really unique and special, so when I heard the idea I was sold.

Did you and the team eat a lot jelly beans during the making of the video? What's your favorite flavor?
The team was a little better at controlling themselves than meh [laughs]. We definitely ate some jelly beans over those 22 months. My favorite flavors are chocolate pudding, green apple, pina colada and cotton candy.

How are you feeling about the great response to this video?
I think everyone is pretty ecstatic about the response--we're all blown away really. At this point, it's obvious those 22 months of work were worth every second.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise our viewers/readers.
I have two snakes... I love skydiving... I have dance parties with myself.

If I weren't a performer, I would be a _____________.
No idea… nutritionist? therapist? herpetologist?

What is your favorite late-night bite?

Sundubu (korean tofu soup)

What is your favorite thing between two buns?

Anything, so long as there is avocado involved.

What is a charity or organization you support?

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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