As we step into 2012, we thought we’d take a quick look back at some of 2011’s most popular articles on stated. We’ve pulled together a list of the 5 most-viewed feature interviews and 5 most-viewed posts from the Stated Daily blog. It was a close call, with some hugely popular pieces just missing the top 5. We’d love to highlight all of them, but we’d be here until next year.
So without further ado…
Top 5 Feature Interviews of 2011
Girl power ruled last year, leading the pack with their diverse talents in various disciplines. (The men trailed just behind—number 6 would be our conversation between legendary Yes lead singer Jon Anderson and Jimmy Gnecco of Ours).
1. Grace Helbig
When we published our February launch interview, Grace had just launched her Daily Grace YouTube channel (although she’d been posting on MyDamnChannel for nearly three years), and had just a few thousand subscribers. Not even a full year later, Grace has passed 100K subscribers and become a true Internet celebrity, featured on the YouTube homepage in a Google Chrome ad just last week. She’s now a regular correspondent for Attack of the Show on G4, where she’s interviewed celebrities from the Harry Potter cast to The Lonely Island. She somehow still finds the time to perform improv weekly at The Peoples Improv Theatre, and shoots and edits You Deserve a Drink for fellow tuber Mamrie Hart. We’re convinced she’s a robot.
2. Virginia Elwood
Tattoo artist and entrepreneur Virginia Elwood continues to work her magic at New York Adorned. Her Pedaler Clothing line for cyclists, from which she’s generously provided hoodies for some of our lucky subscribers, continues to grow in popularity and skill.
3. Veronica Belmont
Veronica Belmont is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is she host of Tekzilla on Revision3 and Qore on The Playstation Network, but was also named one of Gizmodo’s “25 Most Viral People on the Internet” for her ability to use social media—namely Google+—to push a story into the viral stratosphere.
4. Kimbra
Aussie singer Kimbra is clearly set to break any moment in the US. Her funky vocals are a mix of pop and jazz influences including Nina Simone, and her Day-Glo videos match her unique flair for style.
5. Sara Blake/ZSO
Sara / aka “ZSO” continues to captivate with gorgeous illustration, a hybrid of hand-drawn and digital artistry. She recently took part in the Letterpress Show at New York Writes Itself, as well as the We Can Create conference in New Zealand. Her prints regularly sell out on Fab.com, and her work is featured in publications and on websites all over the world.
Top 5 Stated Daily Posts
1. SOTD: Grain Edit
Part of our ongoing series of “Site of the Day” posts websites that catch our eye, Grain Edit celebrates classic design from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s and has an impressive following. If you haven’t already, take a moment to explore the site’s deep library of artwork interviews, and articles.
2. Video: Zeitgeist 2011 Year in Google Searches
Google’s year-end video stylishly recapped the incredible year using its own searches and YouTube videos as a vehicle to capture the cultural zeitgeist. While a shameless promotion for Google, it effectively highlights the importance technology and social media played in 2011, from the Arab Spring to the raid and killing of Osama Bin Laden.
3. Artist to Watch: Christopher Brian King
Our short Q&A with book cover illustrator Christopher Brian King highlighted a talented and successful young artist who master of his unique craft. In his own words, King helps “people tell their stories using words and pictures” and has an incredible ability to encapsulate an entire novel in one image.
4. Ger: To Be Separate
We had the pleasure of meeting actor and model Ger Duany in New York this year. One of the Lost Boys of Sudan, he became a child soldier separated from his family when he was 10. After bouncing between refugee at camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, he was brought to the United States at the age of 14. Award-winning Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu and Ger now share his story in the film, Ger: To Be Separate, which traces his path from childhood through his July 2011 return to South Sudan to search for his family and celebrate the country’s independence.
5. Stated at NY Comic Con: Holy Cosplay, Batman!
For our second year at New York Comic Con, we brought along our Contributing Photographer Mark Wiggin to capture the crazy costumed crowd and collect their characters’ famous last words. We had a great time meeting the hilarious and creative people featured in our resulting slideshow.
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What was your favorite piece of 2011? Who would you like to see us interview in 2012? Let us know in the comments below and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+! Also be sure to sign-up for free updates by email.
Thanks to all of our readers and our tremendous artists for making 2011 a great year! We’re coming up on our official one-year anniversary in February, and simply can’t wait to share even more interviews, launch our new Stated Profiles short interviews on the Stated Daily blog, and more exciting features and series to come.
Happy New Year!
Ryan
Co-Founder/Editor
Ryan Swearingen | 
