Exclusive: Blippi's Clayton Grimm Chats With Sassy Mama About Food, Fans & Filming In SG

In our exclusive interview, Clayton Grimm a.k.a. Blippi talks about what it's like to step into the role of the iconic YouTube character, plus all his favourite places and food in Singapore.
If you've got a preschooler at home, chances are you know of Blippi–a character who is curious, energetic, and always ready to dive into the world around him. But have you ever wondered about the person behind the bright orange glasses and suspenders? For those who don't know, Blippi–most recognisable for his striking blue-and-orange getup–first launched into fame on YouTube. The character was created and originally portrayed by Stevin John in 2014. Today, you'll find Blippi streaming on both YouTube and Netflix, primarily portrayed by Clayton Grimm, who also performs as Blippi on live tours.
We had a chat with Clayton, who recently spent two weeks in Singapore filming 20 new episodes featuring our sunny island! The episodes are a collaboration between Mediacorp and Moonbug Entertainment and are set for a July 2025 release. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about how he landed the gig as the iconic Blippi, what it's like to be recognised by tiny fans in public, and why feeding an elephant is way better than just reading about one. He also spills the deets on what he thinks about Singapore, his favourite Singapore attractions and local eats, and how playing Blippi has reshaped the way he sees learning and curiosity.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi there! I'm Clayton Grimm, an actor, writer, director, and musician based in sunny Los Angeles, California. I have the awesome job of playing Blippi, with his iconic orange glasses, who unlocks the wonders of the world for preschoolers, which helps to instil confidence and curiosity at a young age
I'm originally from Orlando, Florida, and later moved to New York City to study acting and French at NYU Tisch. In 2021, I made the leap to L.A., and recently got married, yay! When I'm not filming or exploring the world through Blippi's eyes, you'll find me diving into my many hobbies, including creating fun videos on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. I love learning new languages, travelling, painting, playing music, writing, video games, board games, golf, pickleball, and discovering the latest and greatest restaurants.
How did you get the gig as Blippi?
It all started in 2019 when I auditioned for Blippi The Musical while I was living in NYC. At the time, I was performing in theatre and teaching chess and music to elementary schoolers. After several callbacks, I got a call from Stevin John (the creator of Blippi), and I was thrilled to join the adventure!
Once the tour was paused during COVID, Moonbug Entertainment began looking for a second Blippi to keep up with the demand for educational content. I sent in a tape of myself improvising a Blippi-style fruit salad video (my wife helped film it!), and shortly after, I was flown to L.A. for an in-person audition. When restrictions were lifted, we began filming—my first official episodes even premiered on my birthday: May 10, 2021!
What has been the most challenging part of stepping into a character with such a massive following?
Honestly, I'm lucky that everything happened step by step; it wasn't like jumping into the deep end on day one. I didn't go straight to performing at the Dubai Expo in front of tens of thousands of fans! The biggest challenge has probably been the pace and variety of what we do. Between filming videos, travelling, and working on new projects, things move fast. But that's what makes it fun! Every day is an adventure. I love taking on new challenges, it keeps me growing and learning.
Do parents or kids ever recognise you in public? If so, what are some of the most memorable encounters with fans and parents?
They do! If I'm fully dressed as Blippi, it can literally stop traffic. Out of costume, I usually go unnoticed unless I'm somewhere like a theme park or filming on location.
While we were filming in Singapore, I was recognised almost every day, especially when I was with our film crew. One standout moment was visiting Marina Bay Sands, where we took tons of photos with families who spotted me out of costume. It's always so heartwarming to meet Blippi fans from all around the world!
Of all the places you've covered for Blippi, what has been your favourite place to film and feature?
Singapore has truly been one of my favourite filming experiences so far! Living here for over two weeks gave us a chance to go beyond sightseeing and really explore. The everyday adventures here are amazing, from the vibrant culture to warm people and unforgettable food.
One standout day was filming at Kim Choo Kueh Chang, where we dove into Peranakan culture and learned about kueh. It was a beautiful moment of cultural exploration—and very tasty, too!
What is your most memorable collaboration, and why?
Our recent collaboration with Disney was absolutely unforgettable, especially since I grew up in Orlando! Getting to film in the parks and see kids light up when they saw Mickey Mouse and Blippi was surreal.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience… and I may have eaten enough Mickey-shaped ice cream bars to last me until next year!
What's something playing Blippi has taught you about learning and curiosity?
Blippi is all about igniting curiosity in children, equipping them with the practical knowledge they need to confidently explore the world.
There's a huge difference between reading about an elephant and actually feeding one. That kind of multisensory play, where you see it, hear it, touch it, and even smell it, really makes information stick. Blippi reminds us that curiosity is the key to discovering how the world works.
What's a typical day off look like for you—completely Blippi-free?
My day off is usually pretty chill, because I get plenty of excitement on set! I'm not great at sleeping in, so I start the day early with coffee and CrossFit.
Then I might spend time painting, playing video games, studying Japanese, or diving into music. I love staying home and getting lost in a hobby; it's like my own little world of exploration.
We're stoked that you came to Singapore and will soon release a series featuring our sunny island. What top three places stood out to you, and why?
There were so many incredible spots, but my top three would be: Maxwell and Fortune Centre hawker centres, Sentosa Island and the Singapore Zoo. The food at the hawker centres was delicious, and there were great vegetarian options for my wife. Filming at the beach was like stepping into a tropical playground, and seeing elephants, lemurs, fennec foxes, and pelicans up close at the Singapore Zoo was magical. I didn't expect wild monkeys to follow us around—that was a fun surprise!
What is your favourite food that you've tried in Singapore?
How can I choose just one?! For breakfast, kaya toast with a soft-boiled egg is perfect. For lunch, I love bak kut teh. And for dinner? Give me chilli crab or grilled grouper any day. Food is such a big part of exploring a new place, it's like a flavour-packed form of cultural discovery!
Thanks so much for chatting with us, Clayton! We look forward to many more adventures with Blippi and are excited to see Singapore through Blippi's eyes once the new episodes air in July 2025!

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Straits Times

4 hours ago

• Straits Times

BTS member Suga discharged from South Korean military service

K-pop group BTS member Suga finished his military tenure as a social service agent on June 21. PHOTO: AGUSTD/INSTAGRAM SEOUL - K-pop group BTS member Suga was discharged from the South Korean military on June 21 , the seventh and final member to complete the country's mandatory national service amid expectations of the band's comeback from a hiatus. Suga finished his military tenure as a social service agent on June 21 with little fanfare as fans looked forward to his reunion with the rest of the band, a K-pop sensation since it started up in 2013. 'We confirm that Suga effectively completed his alternative service on June 18 by using his remaining leave. His official discharge date is June 21,' BTS' label, Big Hit Music, said in a statement. Unlike with his BTS bandmates, there was no public event planned to mark Suga's release because of overcrowding concerns. The seven members of the group put their global music careers on hold in 2022 to begin their military service, starting with Jin in December that year. South Korea's mandatory national service can be for terms of up to 18 months. Shortly after his official discharge, Suga posted a message on fan community platform Weverse, saying he was 'sorry for the disappointment and concern caused by what happened last year', and also apologising to his bandmates. In 2024, Suga was fined 15 million won (S$14,037) by a court for drunk driving while on an electric scooter. The group is expected to hold its largest-ever world tour in 2026, an NH Securities entertainment analyst said in a report. Entertainment group HYBE, which manages BTS, is closely monitored by securities companies. Details of a reunion have not been released. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

AsiaOne

6 hours ago

• AsiaOne

'A source of love, joy and kindness': Mediacorp baking show contestant dies aged 35, husband pays tribute, Entertainment News

Michelle Goh, the owner of 2112 Bakery at Bugis, has died at the age of 35 on June 17. The mother-of-two had joined season 2 of Mediacorp baking show 'Creme De La Creme' in 2024, and was placed sixth out of eight contestants on the show. Her husband, who only gave his name as Ken, announced her death in a post on the bakery's social media accounts on the same day. "It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that I share the passing of my beloved wife, Michelle Goh, who left us on June 17, 2025," he wrote. "She was a source of love, joy and kindness, and her memory will forever remain in our hearts. While words cannot express the pain of this loss, we find comfort in remembering the beautiful life she lived and the love she shared with all who knew her." He added in his post that she would be cremated at Mandari Crematorium Hall today (June 21). Michelle's cause of death is unknown and she leaves behind her husband and two young children. Michelle shared that she started her business as a home-based bakery in 2019, after leaving her job as a nail technician, reported 8days. At the time, she was diagnosed with depression and found comfort in baking. She later opened a bakery in Toa Payoh, and subsequently relocated to OG Bugis in December 2024 due to poor business. She also has a rojak and popiah stall at Yew Tee Square, and a snack stall at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, which is operated by her mother. It is currently unclear if the businesses will continue to operate. Despite participating in Mediacorp's baking competition show, the exposure did not result in more sales for her bakery and she lost $19,000 from her Toa Payoh bakery, she told 8days. She added that her husband had asked then if she wanted to shutter the business, but she "didn't want to waste [her] efforts" and needed time. In December 2024, Michelle posted a TikTok and Instagram Reel and spoke about her struggles in operating a business. She said tearfully in the Reel: "To be honest, having a business is serving us right, because we could have just gone out and work. But [operating a business] is all about our commitment, passion and being proud of ourselves and making my parents and my kids proud." She added: "I feel good whenever I leave the shop at night. I kept smiling to myself knowing that this is how far [I had come]. But there is too much stress going on." @ Not negative but just real feeling. ♬ original sound - 2112 Bakery [[nid:718794]] Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928 Shan You Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 6741-0078 Fei Yue's Online Counselling Service: Tinkle Friend (for primary school children): 1800-2744-788

International Business Times

15 hours ago

• International Business Times

Fact Check: Did the Royal Air Force Paint a Jet in Pink for Pride Month?

A satirical post claiming a Royal Air Force jet was painted in pink for Pride Month has gone viral, prompting serious discussions online despite its comedic intent. Shared on June 1 via X (formerly Twitter), the post sparked outrage, sarcasm, and confusion, amassing over 1.1 million views and hundreds of comments. The post read, "Photo of the Day: This F22 from 7175Sqn has been painted pink to celebrate the start of Pride Month," alongside an image of a bright pink jet. It further claimed the aircraft would be repainted every four days to match each rainbow color for £80,085 per paint. The image and text soon appeared on Facebook as well, where users debated the purpose and cost of such a move. Some questioned military priorities while others saw it as political pandering. "Starmer prepares for war, meanwhile, what's the real preparation going on in real time here in the U.K," read one Facebook post sharing the claim and photo. Under the original X post, one user commented, "Putin will be quaking in his boots, pathetic." The main point of discussion quickly shifted toward the perceived use of government funds and the symbolism of the gesture. While some supported the idea as a form of inclusive celebration, others viewed it as unnecessary or even fictional. Yet, the tone of the post and the exaggerated cost failed to alert many viewers that it was, in fact, satire. Fact Check A spokesperson from the Royal Air Force confirmed there were no plans to paint any aircraft for Pride Month and clarified that the "7175 squadron" mentioned in the post does not exist. Additionally, the base "RAF Luton" is fictitious. In reality, the account "RAF_Luton" on X is known for its satirical military-themed posts. Its bio clearly states it is the "assumed official Twitter account of the world's most mysterious & secret (and fictitious) military base." Despite this, many users seemed unaware of its parody nature. The pink plane image contains a watermark for site used by flight simulation hobbyists to design virtual aircraft. Reuters could not confirm if the photo was created on the platform, and the site didn't respond to a comment. Hence, it's clear that the RAF has no plans to paint jets for Pride Month. The viral claim originated from a parody account known for fictional content.