If you’re over 24, chances are you’re unaware of YouTube’s biggest names. And yet an industry of drama and gossip has millions gripped – and makes serious money, explains Elena Cresci
It was the Internet fight to end all Internet fights. Tati Westbrook vs James Charles; beauty YouTuber vs beauty YouTuber. Their spat was kick-started by a 44-minute video Tati posted in May after James supported a rival’s haircare supplement. In it, she disowned her former friend, accusing him of predatory behaviour towards straight men (accusations he denied) and of betraying her trust. James lost three million subscribers, despite a tearful apology video.
In short, it was a salacious saga – and with a barrage of tweets and reaction videos posted minute by minute, in certain corners of the Internet it felt like the news story of the year. But if you even heard about it, there’s a good chance your first thought was… who on earth are these people?
Welcome to the world of the YouTube megastars: A new yet hugely bankable generation of Internet celebrity. As the second-most popular social media platform after Facebook – and perhaps the one most driven by personality – YouTube has now become a breeding ground for influencers with massive followings.
LA-based Tati, 37 – aka GlamLifeGuru – has around 10 million subscribers for her relatable make-up tutorials. Many people credit her as paving the way for younger stars like James, 20, who lives in New York; she even mentored him when he started uploading his videos three years ago. Since then, he’s built an audience of 15 million subscribers, and brought Birmingham city centre to a standstill in January when 8,000 fans flocked to the Bullring to meet him.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2019-Ausgabe von Grazia.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2019-Ausgabe von Grazia.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
More Than It Seams
Who says lace can’t be hewn from leather? Or that paper can’t sit on the body like a weathered old sweater? In a time of rampant production and boundless creativity, is material the final frontier for designers? When all else seems lost to the algorithm, fashion’s deceptive ingenuity requires us to look a little closer
Under The Needle
With filler-face phasing out, we are embracing the natural aesthetic but not how you might expect it
BUILDING A LEGACY
Driven by passion and a commitment to quality, this brand is making a mark in the luxury furniture market with a perfect blend of local artistry and global design
A WALK DOWN FIFTH AVENUE
From high fashion to historic landmarks, this coffee table book explores how Fifth Avenue became the heartbeat of New York's cultural and social scene
NO SEX, MO' PROBLEMS?
At a time when sex seems to be everywhere, women are experiencing a dip in their sexual desires. We find out why
TABLE FOR ONE, PLEASE
In a world obsessed with couplegoals, here’s why taking yourself out for a date might just be the ultimate love story
THE DREAM CANVAS
In the city that wholeheartedly embraces its role as a global cultural hub, the second edition of Art Mumbai promises to redefine creativity and innovation
SPRING FORWARD
Of hits, misses, and everything in between this season at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI
LUST-WORTHY LUXURY LABELS
To Light Up This Wedding Season
ICONIC DESIGN MEETS A MOBILE FUTURE
The new Dell XPS is designed for new age content creators and suave C-suite