By Ashley Brown, Entertainment Editor
YouTube, everyone knows about it.
Everyone has used the platform in some way, shape or form. Whether it be to look up hair or makeup tutorials, or to simply view a movie trailer, YouTube has become the go-to website.
The comedy and gaming side of YouTube is what we’re going to be talking about today.
Starting off the list is the green-headed Irishman, Jack- septiceye, who entertains some 15 million people with his videos.
Known for his upbeat personality and endless levels of energy, Sean has built one of the best communities on You- Tube. It’s a place someone can go to vent. A place where you’ll be surrounded by friendly faces who don’t judge or look down upon each other. The Jacksepticeye community is a family – an energetic place one can go to laugh and brush off problems in one’s life. Here, no one is judged. They’re welcomed with open arms and supported.
Sean started off his career while he was in college, al- though back then it was nothing more than a hobby. His life took a huge turn when he had entered a PewDiePie shoutout contest and was one of the selected contestants.
While many may argue that PewDiePie was the one to give him his success, it’s not entirely true. Yes, the shoutout did help. It put the spotlight on Sean and his channel and gave him a chance at making a career out of YouTube. Keeping the subscribers and viewers is where Sean himself came in. People would not have stayed if his videos weren’t worth the time.
Throughout the years, Sean has held true to himself and his morals. He has never let go of his roots. There’s no boasting or selishness on the channel. When one is watching him, they are addressed as a friend – not as a fan. When he talks, it feels like he’s talking directly to you, not to a camera.
It’s an extremely special feeling.
He is, without a doubt, a friend that will be there for you thick and thin. All you need to do is hit play (and turn the volume down. Never forget the volume).
The next mention deserving recognition would be Markiplier, who currently stands at an impressive 17 mil- lion subscribers.
Known for his unique laugh and soft heart, Markiplier has developed a community that strives to help those in need. A community that strives to make the world into a better place. Twelve hour charity sessions are held once every month on his channel; the money is donated to char- ities including the Red Cross, Humane Society, and many others. There is so much more to his channel. It’s not just a place you can go to laugh. It’s place you can go and feel like you’ve made a difference.
Similar to Jacksepticeye, Mark has developed a connec- tion with his audience. He has shared stories from his past; stories and events that many of us would be uncomfortable bringing to the public.
His father’s death being one of them.
He doesn’t look for sympathy. He doesn’t expect his audience to grieve for him. He releases information like this because he can trust us. He knows that if he releases a short vlog about feeling lonely at one in the morning, he can look through the comments and receive nothing but loving messages.
He lifts our spirits and we will do the same for him.
With a total of 54 million subscribers, PewDiePie has topped the charts as the most subscribed YouTuber on the platform.
Being the top dog of YouTube does come with its set- backs. Felix is someone who isn’t afraid of making jokes and references meant for adults. He doesn’t put on a mask and pretend to be someone when he’s recording. He comes forward with the ‘this is me, if you don’t like it, leave,’ attitude. This makes him an easy target for the media.
He’s been challenged by online sources. Articles have been written stating things that were not true. As soon as he’d address the issue through his channel, the articles are either taken down or changed. He hasn’t let the media and false reporting tear him down and that is something his fan base admires about him. We’ve seen the things the media have said about him and we’ve seen the outcome of it. He’s lost partnerships and ties with companies because of a false article that was written out of spite and hatred.
Before believing an article, read the entire thing and give it some thought.
If Felix did the things written, he would no longer be a paid entertainer on the platform. He would not have such a large audience. Take a look in the comments of a video addressing the media, (he has many up – they’re very seriously titled) and look at the amount of support he gets.
The support he gets is overwhelming and easily drowns out those wishing to bring him and the community down.
While there are three YouTubers listed here, all loved for their different personalities, there’s something they share in common. Despite their popularity, they have not forgotten their roots.
It’s easy to lose sight of one’s roots, especially when one’s gained a popular and idolized status. All three You- Tubers listed have stayed true to their morals throughout their journey. They address sensitive topics at times, including depression, suicide, and anxiety. While they do say that they’ve never suffered from these illnesses, they express their willingness to learn about it.
They are there for their viewers. They read through comments, reply to comments, read tweets from their audience, reply to tweets. They go to conventions and spend hours standing in one area just to meet individual fans.
While they’re normal men making ridiculous videos on YouTube for some, they’re heroes for others. It takes an important person to make someone laugh while they were crying.