YouTube celebrities Vito Frezza, left, and his dad, Chris Frezza of Sterling Heights seen here reviewing a hot new product from Cheetos. GINA JOSEPH – THE MACOMB DAILY
Some fathers go fishing with their kids.
Some like to build things.
Others who enjoy sports might watch a baseball game on television or grab a glove and play catch.
Chris Frezza of Sterling Heights and his son, Vito, review hot snacks, some flaming hot, and other food sent by companies who want their honest opinion, which they share on their live stream YouTube show, “Vito The Kid.”
When they started doing reviews Vito was just a boy.
Now he’s a teenager and they have a following of fans excitedly awaiting their next foodie challenge.
“We were walking through the mall and a couple of girls started yelling, ‘VIto. Vito’” said Chris, knowing his son was embarrassed at first but also very excited about the attention he received. .
The father and son show launched in 2015. Back then it was mostly candy and fun snacks for kids that they reviewed but since interest in their opinion has grown so has the list of stuff they’ve been asked to review. McDonalds wanted their take on the McRib sandwich and before Mountain Dew released its new dark flavor guess who got to try it out? Even Chevrolet tapped the team for a review.
“They flew me out to San Francisco,” Chris said, referring to himself and another YouTube celebrity invited on the Chevy Find New Roads tour. “Then they gave me the keys to a Camaro and a credit card. They told us we had two days to get to Los Angeles and that the trip needed to be documented.”
To make it interesting Chris took a few detours that included a stop at the Winchester Mystery House, Monopoly Park, and Griffith Observatory. They also hit popular film locations like Marty McFly’s house from “Back to the Future.”
Vito, who was too young to make the trip but will soon have his driver’s license, smiled as his dad talked about one of the coolest reviews they’ve done since launching their YouTube show and while they do get free stuff and a few dollars here and there that’s not why they do it.
“It’s kind of like our way of hanging out and spending time together,” said Vito, who is a tenth-grader at Henry Ford II High School.
Chris concurred.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Chris said, although admitting Paqui’s Carolina Reaper Pepper One Chip Challenge was not good for him or his gallbladder. “The company sent us the chips. Then they challenged us to eat one chip without drinking anything for 15 minutes.”
Vito took a peck at the chip and a minute later grabbed for the water. Chris swallowed the whole chip and managed to last five minutes before reaching for a drink. They lost the challenge but got 2 million hits on YouTube.
Vito said most of the kids at school think it’s cool what he and his dad do.
He’s also heard from fans online saying, “I wish my dad would do something fun like that with me.”
Leslie Frezza said she’s amazed that her husband and son are still at it.
“I can’t believe they’re still motivated to come up with creative things to do,” she said. “I don’t know how they do it.”
“It’s been an evolution,” said Chris, who works in information technology for the Suburban Cooperative Library and is also gaining a following as a dad who shares corny jokes and parenting tips on YouTube’s shorts platform. In fact one of his recent videos was highlighted in a YouTube blog titled, “Summer is Just Around the Corner and We Are Celebrating with the #SummerLoading Trend on Shorts.”
The article sheds light on Chris’ participation in the viral #SummerLoadingWithYouTube trend, captivating viewers with his humorous approach to Michigan’s transition from winter to summer. Moreover, it acknowledges his niche expertise in dad jokes and dad advice videos, where he skillfully combines humor and insightful guidance, resonating with viewers of all ages.
“I am incredibly honored to be featured in the YouTube Blog,” Chris said. “It is a privilege to have my efforts recognized on such a prominent platform. I am grateful for the support of my viewers and thrilled to continue sharing my passion for entertaining and providing helpful Dad-related content.”
Next week, while many families are camping, Chris, Vito and Leslie will be heading to Vidcon in Anaheim, Calif., where digital culture takes center stage. It’s a vacation and a working trip that will give Vito and Chris a chance to meet the world’s leading digital creators, platform innovators and their fans in one place.
This fall, Vito will be close to graduating high school. After that, who knows?
“This could be part of whatever he does but that’s completely up to him,” said Chris, who has no plans of hanging it up anytime soon. “I wouldn’t mind doing this as a retirement gig.”
YouTube Shorts Channel for Comedy – youtube.com/@chrisfrezz
YouTube Channel for Chris and Vito – youtube.com/@chrisfrezza