YouTube is this vast wonderland that can ruin your life, one cat video at a time. Like any cheesy love affair, YouTube was created on Valentine's Day in 2005 and has been keeping our attention ever since. There are trillions of makeup tutorials, cute animal videos and people stupidly hurting themselves. The vastness of these videos could stretch across the World Wide Web a couple times over. Then there are people who have coined themselves “YouTubers.”
These people have taken to filming their daily activities, talking about their lives and interacting virtually with other members of the Internet. Some of these self-proclaimed web celebrities have made a living from making short videos or “vlogs” (video blogs). Some are prominent only on the Internet, but others have found fame in the real world. Viral videos create quite the fan base, and most of them are incredibly loyal. These YouTubers are very open about how their fans have helped them get to the level that they are now. Notable YouTubers such as Tyler Oakley, Todrick Hall and Grace Helbig are very big on engaging with their fans and thanking them for their success. Some have gone on to get hit television shows, write books and cookbooks, meet/interview huge celebrities and host awards shows. They are able to communicate with fans and create a bridge to other forms of celeb life for them. They are also able to be freer with their lives, choices, etc.
Todrick Hall, famous for viral videos such as Cinderoncé, 90’s Disney, Wizard of Ahhhs, and Beauty and the Beat, has earned himself an MTV show airing in August 2015. He has gotten recognition from people such as Beyonce and RuPaul, which caused his videos to get more hits. He has had multiple popular international tours with his entertainment company.
Grace Helbig grew a fan base with her witty, yet awkward vlogs with a few of her best friends while drinking and traveling, which caused the E! to take notice and give her a new form of talk show.
Tyler Oakley started making YouTube videos back before it was popular. He remained true to himself in every video: energetic, unapologetically flamboyant and up-to-date with entertainment news. He speaks highly of certain celebrities and organizations, so when he interacts with these groups, his fans rally behind him with their full support, which gives positive attention to each establishment. He has gone from speaking to a webcam to interviewing A-list celebrities, hosting The Trevor Project Live, and meeting with President Obama about youth issues.
Because these Internet celebs seem more relatable to "normal" people, they are able to reach a wider variety of fans. When average citizens watch their videos, laugh with them, understand their pain and humility, their connection grows. This is a bond that no celebrity has never been able to create before. Their creativity is shared and creates a community of art, acceptance and appreciation. These young vloggers are taking the world by storm and rightfully so. So, kids, keep taping your diurnal accomplishments because I can guarantee you that we’ll keep watching.
