Where Alaskan Bush People Star Bam Bam Brown Was Before The Fame

It's hard to picture any cast member of "Alaskan Bush People" living a life outside of the wilderness, or even what their lives were like before their popular reality show debuted on the Discovery Channel in 2014. However, each member of the Brown family did have a life outside what's shown on TV, and for Joshua "Bam Bam" Brown, it wasn't as off the grid as you may have thought for someone who had been living in the bush.

In fact, the second oldest brother of the seven Brown siblings was not only on the grid, he even had a pretty active online presence before his family found fame. Bam Bam would frequently upload videos about his life to his own YouTube channel under the name AlaskaBamBam. At the time, he was living in Alaska and would show facets of his life, which included videos of nature, his sisters, and a road trip photo montage. The reality star appeared to have stopped making YouTube videos when his show "Alaskan Bush People" became big since his last videos posted are already 10 years old!

In one particular YouTube video Bam Bam created, the Discovery star showed off what appeared to be six-pack abs! Even before fame, it was clear the Brown brother had been working on his physique. But what is probably most surprising is that Bam Bam also had shorter. exceptionally  blonde hair, which is much different than the dark, long locks he shows off on the show!

Bam Bam briefly stepped out of the spotlight

Bam Bam Brown found fame by starring alongside his family on "Alaskan Bush People," but eventually stepped away from the spotlight for a bit after finding love. In 2016, the second eldest Brown brother left the show to be with a "city girl," more specifically one of the show's producers, Allison Kagan. Regarding the decision to leave his family homestead, Bam Bam told People that, "I felt like it was the right time to follow my heart." While it appears he made the right decision, the reality star added that he had a hard time adjusting to life outside of the bush, saying "just trying to navigate walking down the sidewalk is an experience."

It was not Bam Bam's plan though to stay away from his family and the show forever. He explained, "I hope we can blend our lives together and I can take her back to Alaska." Yet, before their return, the couple decided to take on a new adventure, which involved living on a boat. He explained on Facebook, "Alli searched and found the old ferry just before she was going to be sold for scrap!" He continued, "We have been gutting and renovating her ever since."

While Bam Bam appeared to love life on the water, he eventually returned to "Alaskan Bush People" in 2019 when his mother, Ami Brown, was diagnosed with lung cancer. It appears fame lead Bam Bam to find love, but didn't change how the reality star feels about his family.