TOP-EARNING INFLUENCERS
The five highest-paid stars on YouTube and TikTok last year scored millions from ads and merch—and a few landed mainstream TV and movie deals, too.
YOUTUBE 1. MrBeast $54 million # Subscribers: 88.8 million (See story, left.) 2. Jake Paul $45 million Q Subscribers: 20.4 million
Look who’s back: Paul returns to this list—he last made it in 2018, with $21.5 million—thanks to boxing matches. His three fights in 2021 accounted for 90% of his earnings.
3. Markiplier $38 million # Subscribers: 31.7 million
Few social media stars move merch like Markiplier, who saw strong sales from T-shirts, hoodies and other items tied to his Unus Annus label. He also filmed a TV adaptation of his postapocalyptic thriller podcast, the edge of sleep, which he hopes to sell to Netflix or another streamer.
4. Rhett and Link $30 million # Subscribers: 17.4 million
What started as the duo hosting a nerdy daily talk show, Good Mythical Morning, has grown into an empire of spinoff s and brand extensions, which in turn has boosted their YouTube views. One of their most successful efforts: Mythical Kitchen, a cooking series.
5. Unspeakable $28.5 million + Subscribers: 12.9 million
Unspeakable can’t shut up about Minecraft, recording YouTube videos in which he explains and plays the ubiquitous pixelated video game. Last year he sold the rights to his YouTube videos to Los Angeles startup spotter, betting he can use the cash to build his business more quickly.
TIKTOK 1. Charli D’Amelio $17.5 million # Followers: 134.4 million
Along with sponsorships from Dunkin’ and others, she and older sister Dixie (No. 2) Have a joint venture, social tourist, with clothing company Hollister and a Hulu series, The D’Amelio Show, that was renewed in November.
2. Dixie D’Amelio $10 million # Followers: 56.9 million
Aside from deals she shares with sis Charli (No. 1), Dixie is carving out her own career as a pop singer. She released two singles last year and toured as part of the Jingle Ball concert series alongside Ed Sheeran and the Jonas Brothers.
3. Addison Rae $8.5 million # Followers: 86.3 million
Her Netflix film, He’s All That, premiered in august and did well enough for her to land a multimovie deal with the streamer. Hollister rival American Eagle sponsors her.
4 (Tie). Bella Poarch $5 million + Followers: 87.7 million
She got her start in August 2020, posting a silly lip-sync video of “M to the B” by British rapper Millie B. It became the most-viewed TikTok that year. In the past year she’s done ads for Google, Prada and Tinder.
4 (Tie). Josh Richards $5 million # Followers: 25.6 million
The Canadian starred in the Netflix movie Under the Stadium Lights while launching his energy-drink line, Ani, and cofounding VC firm Animal Capital, which has raised $15 million.