This article was first published in the November 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
The YouTubers are taking over. From Zoe Sugg to Tanya Burr, Alfie Deyes to ThatcherJoe, social-media stars (and, in some cases, their ghostwriters) are churning out novels, memoirs and comic books this month, confident that their millions of subscribers will get them on the bestseller lists. But to find out who'll be big next year, look beyond YouTube: the next generation of stars is building fanbases (and generating cash) on Snapchat, Vineand elsewhere. Here's WIRED's guide to the next Zoellas.
Lele Pons
Aka Lele.Pons, Vine
Miami-based Eleonora Pons, 19, was not a social media enthusiast. But that changed when she discovered Vine. Her six-second clips of sketches and jokes have helped her amass more than nine million followers, and a flurry of internet accolades.
Brian Wyllie
Aka tsm_theoddone, Twitch
Canadian Wyllie, 26, spends up to ten hours live-streaming his video-gaming sessions on the platform. Since 2011, he has attracted more than 800,000 followers and 185 million views. Of course, it has its other rewards: "I've earned enough to be well off for the next ten years," he says.
Sallia Goldstein
Aka saliasnap, Snapchat
Sallia Goldstein uses Snapchatto turn her life into a cartoon. The 24-year-old trained engineer is also a advocate of science. "I would love to encourage my Snapchat audience to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths)," she says. https://www.snapchat.com/
Evan and Jillian
Aka EvanTubeHD, YouTube
EvanTubeHD wasn't even born when YouTube was founded in 2005, but since his dad Jared started uploading reviews of toys in 2011, their channel has picked up almost two million subscribers. The pair claim it generates about $1.3 million a year.
Amanda Oleander
Aka amandaoleander, Periscope
Amanda Oleander, 25, downloaded live-streaming app Periscope two days after its release in May 2015. By July, the Los Angeles-based artist had amassed 34 million hearts (Periscope's version of likes) and now 300,000-plus followers watch her marathon online sessions.
Taylor Nikolai
Aka taylor.nikolai, Snapchat
Nikolai, 27 used to be big on YouTube, but the real success arrived when he launched @WTFfacts, his Snapchatchannel. "I've been invited to events that I never would have been invited to otherwise," he says. "I've even begun to get cast in movies."
Kyle Landry
Aka kylelandrypiano, Twitch
Based in Boston, US, Kyle Landry moved to Twitch this year after having made a name for himself on YouTube. Since then, his live-streamed piano sessions have attracted millions of views. Improvisation is his speciality: "Everything comes from the top of my head," he says.
Jérôme Jarre
Aka jeromejarre, Vine, Snapchat
YouTube mid-size celebrity, Vine grandee (8.5 million followers) and Snapchat star Jérôme Jarre has effectively transformed his social-media talent into a job. A Frenchman based in New York City, the 25-year-old is also a talent agent for up-and-coming social-media stars.
Photography: Getty
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
