How The Internet Helped These People Become Millionaires
The internet has helped a number of ordinary people gain near-instant success and fame, all by doing what they love most and sharing it with the world. And it’s no chump change either — internet stars can rake in millions of dollars. Check out some the stories of some people who launched their success online below. How the internet helped these people become millionaires.
Kayla Itsines
Itsines, a personal trainer, really got her start in 2014 with a simple online workout regimen, Bikini Body Guide (BBG). Her exercises were roughly 28 minutes long, and focused on a more flexible approach to nutrition and diet. She has since released two best-selling books, and has landed magazine covers and commercials. She now has over 10 million Instagram followers, and credits a lot of her success to being active on the platform and listening to her fans. Her Sweat app, which features a wide variety of fitness content and programs by different trainers, has been mega successful, with more than 30 million downloads. Her and her partner’s net worth is estimated to be over $486 million.
The Weeknd
Did you know that The Weeknd got his start by sharing his music on his YouTube channel? He became almost an immediate online success, even getting recognition from Drake. The initial mystery surrounding him only added to the hype, and shortly after he was signed by Republic Records. Among the dozens of awards that he’s won are three Grammys and nine Juno awards. He’s performed with stars like Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Kendrick Lamar, and contributed tracks to many major film franchises. His net worth is now estimated to be between $50 and $92 million. Other successful musicians who go their start on YouTube include Justin Bieber and the duo Karmin.
Logan and Jake Paul
These brothers got their start on Vine, sharing short videos of stunts and pranks. They now have tens of millions of YouTube subscribers, and are among YouTube’s highest paid celebrities, both making the top 10. They’re each estimated be worth about $11.5 million — not bad for internet pranksters. They’ve both landed TV roles as a result of their success, with Logan Paul going on to land multiple film roles and two Teen Choice Awards in 2017.
Chris Moneymaker
Chris Moneymaker was a regular guy who played online poker in his free time, and found success with an $86 one-table satellite tournament, through which he qualified for the World Series of Poker Main Event. He was relatively unknown at the time and ended up winning first prize, worth $2.5 million. He’s since traveled the world as a professional poker player, and his total earnings have surpassed $3.6 million. Now, Chris is celebrating his origin story by traveling around the country to offer regular people the chance to play a $25,000 no-limit hold’em tournament for $86.
Jenna Marbles
Marbles studied psychology as an undergrad and grad student, eventually working odd jobs to pay the bills. In 2010 she started making funny YouTube videos, and achieved almost instant success with more than five million views in her first week. Due to her success as a YouTube star and comedian, she’s gone on to land roles in several films and web series, and has produced a major film. She even has her own wax figure at Madame Tussauds. She now has more than 18 million YouTube subscribers and her net worth is estimated to be between $2.5 and $5 million.
Daniel Middleton
Middleton initially started out with a YouTube channel focused solely on gaming, and catered to a younger audience. His account, DanTDM, has since expanded to feature non-gaming videos, including videos that focus on his personal life, and he is now beloved by children and adults alike. He’s written a graphic novel, created and starred in a web series for YouTube, and has won two Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. He is among the highest-paid YouTube stars, reportedly making more than $16 million in 2017. His net worth is estimated to be about $20 million.
Images by by Gerd Altmann / CC0
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