YouTube has created many an Internet celebrity over its eight years, a number of whom have remained on the site, gaining a loyal following, and have made a nice amount of cash as well (thanks to the Google AdSense program and other opportunities stemming from their YouTube fame). One memorable example is singer Tay Zonday, whose 2007 song<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEwTZ2xpQwpA" target="_blank" target="_blank"> "Chocolate Rain" </a>became a viral sensation. His recent versions of the "Skyrim" theme and "Call Me Maybe" each received millions of views.
Meet the YouTube famous —
YouTube has created many an Internet celebrity over its eight years, a number of whom have remained on the site, gaining a loyal following, and have made a nice amount of cash as well (thanks to the Google AdSense program and other opportunities stemming from their YouTube fame). One memorable example is singer Tay Zonday, whose 2007 song "Chocolate Rain" became a viral sensation. His recent versions of the "Skyrim" theme and "Call Me Maybe" each received millions of views.
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Craig Benzine, who goes by <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwheezywaiter" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Wheezy Waiter"</a> on YouTube, used to be just that: a waiter who started posting video musings about his job. He then quit to become a "vlogger" full time.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Craig Benzine, who goes by "Wheezy Waiter" on YouTube, used to be just that: a waiter who started posting video musings about his job. He then quit to become a "vlogger" full time.
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The Denton, Texas, YouTuber who goes by Laina went viral instantly. Her first video, spoofing Justin Bieber fans - you know the one, with those "crazy eyes" - went viral both on YouTube and in GIF form. She has since embraced the character of "Overly Attached Girlfriend" and her 880,000 subscribers can't get enough of it.
Meet the YouTube famous —
The Denton, Texas, YouTuber who goes by Laina went viral instantly. Her first video, spoofing Justin Bieber fans - you know the one, with those "crazy eyes" - went viral both on YouTube and in GIF form. She has since embraced the character of "Overly Attached Girlfriend" and her 880,000 subscribers can't get enough of it.
courtesy Francesa Murray
Mitchell Davis'<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Flivelavalive" target="_blank" target="_blank"> "LiveLavaLive" </a>show can only be described as YouTube art. One never knows what to expect with each new video.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Mitchell Davis' "LiveLavaLive" show can only be described as YouTube art. One never knows what to expect with each new video.
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Anthony Padilla, left, and Ian Hecox form the comedy duo <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fsmosh" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Smosh,"</a> who started by simply lip-syncing old kids' TV theme songs. Now they have an astonishing 12.9 million subscribers on YouTube.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Anthony Padilla, left, and Ian Hecox form the comedy duo "Smosh," who started by simply lip-syncing old kids' TV theme songs. Now they have an astonishing 12.9 million subscribers on YouTube.
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Felicia Day launched the Web series "The Guild" on YouTube in 2007. It became a hit with the gaming community on which it was based, and before long was one of the most popular Web series out there. Day now runs the YouTube channel <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fgeekandsundry" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Geek and Sundry."</a>
Meet the YouTube famous —
Felicia Day launched the Web series "The Guild" on YouTube in 2007. It became a hit with the gaming community on which it was based, and before long was one of the most popular Web series out there. Day now runs the YouTube channel "Geek and Sundry."
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Yosemitebear Vasquez gained popularity with his awe-inspired description of a<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOQSNhk5ICTI" target="_blank" target="_blank"> double rainbow</a> in 2010. The YouTuber recently joined <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fpeople%2FYosemitebear">CNN iReport.</a>
Meet the YouTube famous —
Yosemitebear Vasquez gained popularity with his awe-inspired description of a double rainbow in 2010. The YouTuber recently joined CNN iReport.
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Swedish comedian Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg aka <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2FPewDiePie" target="_blank" target="_blank">"PewDiePie"</a> is currently the king of YouTube subscribers with nearly 15 million.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Swedish comedian Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg aka "PewDiePie" is currently the king of YouTube subscribers with nearly 15 million.
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Taryn Southern's "Hot4Hill" video went viral during the 2008 election and she has kept at it on <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Ftarynsouthern" target="_blank" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, while her acting career has also taken off.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Taryn Southern's "Hot4Hill" video went viral during the 2008 election and she has kept at it on YouTube, while her acting career has also taken off.
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After posting many videos as the childlike character <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Ffred" target="_blank" target="_blank">Fred Figglehorn </a>starting in 2006, Lucas Cruikshank eventually ended up with three feature-length TV movies about the character for Nickelodeon.
Meet the YouTube famous —
After posting many videos as the childlike character Fred Figglehorn starting in 2006, Lucas Cruikshank eventually ended up with three feature-length TV movies about the character for Nickelodeon.
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Jenna Mourey, aka <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fjennamarbles" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Jenna Marbles" </a>is the most popular woman on YouTube, with nearly 11 million subscribers. She has multiple claims to fame with videos like "How to trick people into thinking you're good-looking," "Things Girls Lie About" and "Drunk Makeup Tutorial."
Meet the YouTube famous —
Jenna Mourey, aka "Jenna Marbles" is the most popular woman on YouTube, with nearly 11 million subscribers. She has multiple claims to fame with videos like "How to trick people into thinking you're good-looking," "Things Girls Lie About" and "Drunk Makeup Tutorial."
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Comedian <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fkassemg" target="_blank" target="_blank">KassemG </a>often interviews Californians on their views on issues of the day.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Comedian KassemG often interviews Californians on their views on issues of the day.
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<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fmichellephan" target="_blank" target="_blank">Michelle Phan's </a>makeup and beauty tips have earned her a staggering 5 million-plus subscribers.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Michelle Phan's makeup and beauty tips have earned her a staggering 5 million-plus subscribers.
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<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2FMacbarbie07" target="_blank" target="_blank">Bethany Mota's </a>fashion vlogging has made her an icon to more than 3 million subscribers.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Bethany Mota's fashion vlogging has made her an icon to more than 3 million subscribers.
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Musician and comedian <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2Fboburnham" target="_blank" target="_blank">Bo Burnham's</a> YouTube presence led to multiple albums and appearances on Comedy Central.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Musician and comedian Bo Burnham's YouTube presence led to multiple albums and appearances on Comedy Central.
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<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2FMyHarto" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hannah Hart's </a>twice weekly YouTube series (Thursdays are "My Drunk Kitchen") have captured the attention of more than 785,000 subscribers.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Hannah Hart's twice weekly YouTube series (Thursdays are "My Drunk Kitchen") have captured the attention of more than 785,000 subscribers.
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Teenager Greyson Chance's cover of the Lady Gaga song<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DbxDlC7YV5is" target="_blank" target="_blank"> "Paparazzi"</a> has drawn well over 50 million clicks in the past three years, and his friendship with Ellen DeGeneres surely hasn't hurt his music career, either.
Meet the YouTube famous —
Teenager Greyson Chance's cover of the Lady Gaga song "Paparazzi" has drawn well over 50 million clicks in the past three years, and his friendship with Ellen DeGeneres surely hasn't hurt his music career, either.
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One night in 2007, Chris Crocker had had enough. The coverage of Britney Spears' various troubles at the time caused him to record the heartfelt, tear-filled plea <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkHmvkRoEowc" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Leave Britney Alone!" </a>Nearly 50 million views later, Crocker's life was documented in "Me @ the Zoo."
Meet the YouTube famous —
One night in 2007, Chris Crocker had had enough. The coverage of Britney Spears' various troubles at the time caused him to record the heartfelt, tear-filled plea "Leave Britney Alone!" Nearly 50 million views later, Crocker's life was documented in "Me @ the Zoo."
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True to her name, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2Fdailygrace" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Daily Grace" </a>Helbig's Monday through Friday YouTube series covers just about every topic under the sun, and her 2 million-plus subscribers look forward to it.
Meet the YouTube famous —
True to her name, "Daily Grace" Helbig's Monday through Friday YouTube series covers just about every topic under the sun, and her 2 million-plus subscribers look forward to it.
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<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2FArtieTSMITW" target="_blank" target="_blank">Brandon Hardesty's</a> spot-on recreations of famous movie scenes (with every character played by him) caught the attention of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DxFPwI3r4c-I" target="_blank" target="_blank">Jimmy Kimmel</a> and he has since appeared in multiple movies and TV series, most notably as a live-action Eric Cartman on "South Park."
Meet the YouTube famous —
Brandon Hardesty's spot-on recreations of famous movie scenes (with every character played by him) caught the attention of Jimmy Kimmel and he has since appeared in multiple movies and TV series, most notably as a live-action Eric Cartman on "South Park."
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