Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

KFC Follows 11 People On Twitter And One Of Them Is L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson

herb.jpg
(Photo courtesy of Herb Wesson, via Facebook)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

On Thursday, a Twitter user made a discovery to rival Einstein's theory of relativity: fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken follows exactly 11 people on Twitter, and those 11 people are the five members of the Spice Girls and six men named Herb. Or, to put it another way, "11 herbs and spices," much like the listed ingredients used in a "secret blend" to season Colonel’s Original Recipe® chicken.

One of the six Herbs KFC graced with a follow is none other than L.A. City Council President Herb J. Wesson, Jr. Wesson told LAist on Thursday that he had not been aware that he'd made KFC's exclusive Twitter list, but proclaimed the news "very cool." When asked how he felt about being one of KFC's 11 Twitter follows, Wesson responded, "I understand it, because I am extremely spicy sometimes, and KFC is all about spice."

Wesson's own relationship with KFC dates back to his youth growing up in Ohio, where he says he was always "first in line" for the fast food chain's seasonal BBQ chicken: "I eat Original Recipe. I'm the Original guy." Now, Wesson says, he'll still "go over to KFC and buy 4 or 5 pints of their coleslaw" to serve at family barbecues. We asked Wesson asked whether he thinks KFC knows about his affinity for its product, to which the Councilmember responded, "They need to know."

"I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want—to be up there with Victoria and Baby Spice," the City Council president added.

In addition to Councilmember Wesson, KFC's other Herb follows include Santa Clara University Head Coach Herb Sendek, Pasadena-based MMA fighter Herb Dean, Deseret News reporter Herb Scribner, jazz musician Herb Alpert and Green Bay Packers football cornerback Herb Waters. An eclectic mix of Herbs, to be sure, and one that doesn't appear to be linked by any common thread (other than the fact that all six Herbs are Twitter-verified.)

Sponsored message

"I noticed the follow a few weeks back. I thought it was weird to followed by KFC. Like. What? And then I checked and saw they were following 11 other people, including the Spice Girls! How cool," Deseret News staff writer Herb Scribner told LAist in a DM.

"Crazy how it went so viral today. I really hope KFC will give all of us —both the spice girls and the Herbs — some free chicken for a year or something," he continued.

LAist reached out to KFC for comment on their Herb selection process, but did not immediately hear back. We will, of course, update as this story develops.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today