Adrian James Holt, better known as Heart of Champions, previously Adrian Van Oyen, is an Australian candid camera and prank comedian. On his YouTube account he uploads "prank" videos, where he is filmed pranking the public. He has been interviewed by former Howard Government Minister Gary Hardgrave on 4BC. As of June, 2018, they have their sub-count hidden, but currently has 6 million views on his channel.
Controversy[]
Van Oyen's "prank" videos have also attracted some adverse comments. In September 2014, he was criticised by a number of individuals, including fellow YouTuber Laci Green for "exposing his penis to a distressed-looking young woman in public". Van Oyen also attracted criticism over a so-called "motivational book", The Key to Confidence with fellow YouTubers noting that the 35-page e-book, which cost $30, consisted mostly of celebrity quotes, pictures of Van Oyen's face, and song lyrics. It was also noted that Van Oyen's book contained basic spelling and grammatical errors.
In 2013 Lipton hired Van Oyen to promote Lipton Ice Tea via their "Really Really Ridiculously Refreshingly Refreshing Project", which featured Van Oyen engaging in pranks in Sydney CBD.
Personal life[]
- In 2012, Van Oyen was a photography student.
- In 2014, Van Oyen started DJing as a hobby and is now trying to persue his love for musi as a career.
Legal issues[]
In December 2012 he pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to impersonating a Queensland Rail ticket officer and to being a nuisance on public transport over his Awkward Train Situations video. The Magistrate released Holt on a six-month good behaviour bond and ordered he pay $60 to clean the train. A conviction was not recorded. In October 2013, he reported on Twitter he was going to court again for Awkward Train Situations 2 and he was listed as appearing in the Brisbane Arrest Court.
The Key to Confidence Controversy[]
In September 2014, Van Oyen released a self-help eBook entitled The Key to Confidence. While receiving a relatively positive reception from his fans, the book was slammed by Melbourne-based comedian and filmographer Lewis Spears, and was featured in his YouTube series 'LewReview'. The video became a viral sensation, receiving over 200,000 views within its first day online. Spears highlighted the book's price of AU$30 for 35 pages, as well as Van Oyen’s lack of expertise to write on the topic, professionalism in the editing of the book and apparent plagiarism. Van Oyen's Facebook page and YouTube account were inundated with abuse, as well as demands for answers for the apparent scam.