5 YouTube Stars Who Make Millions

Forbes releases second annual list
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 6, 2016 1:59 PM CST
5 Highest-Paid YouTube Stars of 2016
In this Oct. 28, 2013 file photo, Felix "PewDiePie" Kjellberg's arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Ender's Game" at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.   (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)

YouTube: for some, a way to kill time watching cat videos; for others, a way to make millions. Forbes has released its second annual list of the highest-paid YouTube stars:

  1. Felix Kjellberg, aka PewDiePie: The video gamer, who adds his own commentary while filming himself playing games, has around 50 million subscribers—the most of anyone on YouTube, per TubeFilter. Adding to his moneymaking: a book, a YouTube Red series, and a mobile game. 2016 total: $15 million
  2. Roman Atwood: The prankster, whose first-ever YouTube video involved making people on the street think a cooler full of water was about to overturn on them, has also made money on a tour, a feature film, an upcoming book, commercials and brand deals, and an online store. 2016 total: $8 million

  1. Lilly ‘Superwoman’ Singh: The rapper-comedian-dancer did a world tour last year that resulted in a documentary this year; she also has her own line of lip gloss. 2016 total: $7.5 million
  2. Smosh: The comedy duo, which has seven YouTube channels, made big money, in part, off sponsored content; Schick razors paid for a video series. 2016 total: $7 million
  3. Rosanna Pansino and Tyler Oakley: Tied for fifth place, Pansino (who has a "geeky baking show") and Oakley (an LGBT activist who makes "diary-like" videos) made $6 million apiece.
Click for the complete list, or check out last year's. (More YouTube stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X