Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Chinguun Sergelen about Kid of the Year

All That‘s Chinguun Sergelen has emerged as one of the most dynamic performers of his generation. So, it seems only fitting that he’s teaming up with Nickelodeon, TIME, and TIME for Kids for their inaugural Kid of the Year initiative. He and his fellow committee members have recognized five extraordinary young leaders who are making a positive impact on the world. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to catch up with Chinguun to chat about the special, which is airing tonight on Nickelodeon, TeenNick, and Nicktoons at 7:30 pm ET.

PC: You’re on the Kid of the Year committee. How did this opportunity come about?
Chinguun: I’m also on Nickelodeon’s All That, and this opportunity came to me through them. They approached me with the opportunity to be one of the influential kid celebs to join two kid reporters from Time for Kids, and I was honored to be chosen to join the initiative and help pick the Kid of the Year!

PC: What can fans expect from the special?
Chinguun: They can expect a lot of amazing kids doing amazing work for problems the world is dealing with and obviously some comedy from yours truly. They can see some funny sketches from everyone, raps, and singing by Sky Katz and Young Dylan and some good debating from Little Chef Ivy, Raunak Singh, and Tiana Shirmins.

PC: How challenging was it narrowing the twenty finalists down to five?
Chinguun: It was super challenging because all the kids are amazing in their own ways, so it was super hard. They all deserve the award, and I can’t think of a better way to show off their talents. But since only one can win, it was super tough.

PC: What was it like collaborating with the rest of the committee and Trevor Noah?
Chinguun: Working with the rest of the committee and Trevor Noah was amazing. They are all so cool and fun to work with. They each inspire me to be like them. I will never forget this experience.

PC: What has it meant to you being a part of this special?
Chinguun: It meant a lot. Seeing all these kids is really inspiring to me because they are all working hard so our future generations can have a good life. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

PC: Besides Kid of the Year, where can fans see you next? What’s ahead?
Chinguun: Since corona happened, All That hasn’t been filming, but our special holiday episode will air on December 17 at 8:30 p.m. (ET) on Nickelodeon. Make sure you guys watch it!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Chinguun: Jujutsu Kaisen.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Chinguun: A Silent Voice.

PC: Favorite book?
Chinguun: The Boruto manga series.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Chinguun: Aladdin.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Chinguun: Any classical musician.

PC: Hidden talent?
Chinguun: I can binge-watch four thousand hours of anime a day.

To keep up with Chinguun, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Kid of the Year tonight on Nickelodeon at 7:30/6:30c.

Photo Credit: Nickelodeon