Soft White Underbelly is a powerful YouTube channel created by photographer Mark Laita.
He posts documentary-style interviews with marginalized people, gaining huge popularity with over 6.5 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 590,000 followers on TikTok. You can also find his work on Instagram.
In this blog, we’ll explore who Mark Laita really is—from his background and rise to fame to what makes him stand out as a creator.
How old is Soft White Underbelly?
The channel was launched back in 2016, which means it will be turning nine years old in 2025. Its official birthday is April 25th, making it a Taurus—just like Al Pacino and Renée Zellweger!
Where is Soft White Underbelly from?
The channel is based out of Los Angeles, California.
Creator Mark Laita set up his studio in the city's Skid Row neighborhood, which is where most of the interviews are filmed.
Soft White Underbelly's family and personal life
Mark Laita grew up in a creative household, with a father who worked in car design and a mother who was a model.
He was previously married and has two daughters, one who is a volleyball player and another who works as a model.
Soft White Underbelly's journey as a creator
Soft White Underbelly's success comes from its raw, humanizing interviews that give a voice to people often overlooked by society.
- Creator Mark Laita was a professional photographer who wanted to do more than just take pictures, so he started filming interviews in his Skid Row studio.
- The channel exploded in popularity after a 2019 interview went viral, jumping from 3,000 to over 500,000 subscribers in just a few months.
- Today, the channel has over 6.5 million subscribers, and Laita continues to share powerful stories while also fundraising for his subjects.
- The unique name was inspired by a Winston Churchill quote and the original name of the band Blue Öyster Cult.
What kinds of followers does Soft White Underbelly have?
The channel's audience is a mix of curious minds, mostly young to middle-aged adults interested in social issues and real-life stories. If you're fascinated by psychology and documentary-style content, you'll fit right in.
Viewers are often looking for a deeper understanding of people from the fringes of society. They get really invested, binge-watching interviews and following the stories of recurring individuals.
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