Multihyphenate Bo Burnham kicked off his career by embracing his most distinctive talent: composing and performing comedic songs, which he posted on YouTube. Despite what he calls the “mountains of content” available on the internet, he was able to parlay an initially meager channel into widespread fame. Let’s dive into how people like Burnham—and maybe, one day, you—can successfully convert content creation into Hollywood stardom.
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An internet personality is someone who gains a significant following due to their presence online using social media sites, video upload services, blogs, or any platform used to share content and engage with followers.
Many internet personalities are able to take their social media stardom and transform it into Hollywood access and real-life fame.
Internet celebrity examples
- Drew Afualo initially went viral for a TikTok video listing red flags in men. Her videos roasting bigoted men gained her millions of followers, which she turned into podcasting, hosting gigs (including for the 95th Academy Awards pre-show!), and a book deal.
- Rob Anderson made waves on TikTok and YouTube for his hilarious “Gay Science” series discussing stereotypes and representation. He was able to leverage that into a NYT bestselling book, sold-out live comedy tours, and a Meta Reels content partnership for the 94th Oscars.
- Andrew Bachelor, better known as King Bach, was the most-followed user on Vine before turning his attention to TikTok after the former platform went under. He navigated to a full-fledged acting career, including roles on “Black Jesus” and “The Mindy Project,” and in films “Meet the Blacks,” “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” and “The Babysitter” and its sequel.
- Madison Beer caught many an eye—and ear—with her song covers. When Justin Bieber shared her rendition of Etta James’ “At Last,” Beer became a household name, replete with a record deal, acting roles, and a Grammy nomination.
- Charli D’Amelio is probably the person that comes to mind when you think of viral TikTok dances, but she’s so much more than the reason “Renegade” haunted the cultural imagination throughout the latter half of 2019. The competitive dancer took over the entertainment world at large when her family signed with United Talent Agency. Since then, she’s appeared in a Super Bowl ad, starred on the reality show “The D’Amelio Show,” won the 31st season of “Dancing With the Stars,” written a book, and launched the clothing brand Social Tourist.
- Amelia Dimoldenberg forged a path in the industry by taking an age-old idea (interviewing celebrities) and adapting it into something novel (conducting said interviews inside fried chicken restaurants). Her YouTube series “Chicken Shop Date” quickly made her an internet icon, allowing her to land gigs as documentary host for “Meet the Markles,” brand ambassador for Olay, and red carpet correspondent for the 96th Oscars.
- Reece Feldman (aka Guy With a Movie Camera) initially shared insights about his work as a PA on TikTok. Soon, his robust knowledge of the industry, high-caliber energy, and snazzy fashion sense made him what the Hollywood Reporter calls “the Gen Z authority on entertainment.” He gets paid to create content for Paramount and Prime, has collaborated with countless A-listers such as Christopher Nolan and Jenna Ortega, and was even invited to the 2024 Met Ball.
- Mark Fischbach, alias Markiplier, gained notoriety for his “Let’s Play” gaming videos on YouTube. He found mainstream success upon signing with a talent agency—including hosting podcasts, founding a clothing line, and filmmaking.
- Khaby Lame gained traction for his hilarious silent videos making fun of so-called life hacks, soon making him TikTok’s most-followed user. His gift for mime catapulted him into the public eye via partnerships with Hugo Boss, State Farm, and “Fortnite,” plus appearances for “Italia’s Got Talent” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”
- Tefi Pessoa isn’t just a pop culture aficionado, though that is what brought her to the public eye. She’s also a voting advocate and mental health activist who became InStyle’s interviewer to the stars due to her highly authentic TikTik content and millions of followers.
- Wildlin Pierrevil amassed a large following on TikTok and Instagram for his unique takes on everything from weaponized incompetence to “Harry Potter.” He’s now making a name for himself in the world of screen and theatrical acting, including the series “Normal for Now” and the plays “Choir Boy” and “Tina—The Tina Turner Musical.”
How to get famous on social media
1. Find your niche.
Whether it’s performing comedy skits, calling out bigotry, or singing covers of your favorite songs, figure out your specific area of expertise or interest and then dive deep.
2. Choose your platform(s).
If your content leans toward short-form videos, try TikTok or Instagram; if it’s longer-form videos and gaming content, YouTube or Twitch; and if it’s primarily images, Instagram.
How to Become an Influencer in 6 Steps 3. Create quality content.
Post content that is unique, engaging, and informative—bonus points if it tells a story, is topical or trending, and motivates your audience.
4. Stay active.
Beyond consistent posting, one of the primary elements that turns an everyday social media user into an internet celebrity (and beyond!) is regular interaction. Make your voice heard by engaging in online conversations, responding to comments, and building a community.
5. Optimize and adjust.
Learn about each platform’s algorithm and best practices, review your analytics, and revise your posting strategy accordingly. To get started, check out our guides to the TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube algorithms.
How to go from internet celebrity to mainstream success
6. Grow your following.
Build a loyal fanbase across platforms; if you’re lucky, you can turn this into other opportunities and land auditions.
For example, Bach started making videos after noticing that he wasn’t landing roles at auditions. “I thought to myself, ‘I need to make a following to break into this industry,’ ” he said. “So I started making these YouTube videos, so I could make a reel. So I could show these directors and producers that I had talent. And in creating these reels and these videos, fans started to follow me.” On top of making content for his reel, Bach said that after getting his first few million followers, the top three agencies called to try and sign him.
How to Make a TikTok Video 7. Diversify your content.
While starting with niche content is a great way to gain traction online, expanding your repertoire will help you appeal to a larger fanbase. Think of how Afualo started including subjects beyond calling out sexism in her posts, or how Burnham began performing standup comedy instead of only comedic songs.
8. Refine your personal brand.
After you figure out exactly who it is you are and what you offer the world of entertainment, strive to create a cohesive brand image across platforms.
9. Network.
Whether it’s local internet personality meetups or big-name events such as Spark Summit and the Streamy Awards, attend and connect with other content creators and people who can help you get a leg up in the industry.
10. Find representation.
A talent agent or manager can help you connect with people and opportunities you might otherwise miss.
11. Bonus: Expand to traditional media.
Once you have a solid content collection, following, and representation, look for options in traditional entertainment related to your skill set. If you post funny skits like Bach, you might seek comedy roles, and if you’re a mental health advocate like Afualo, perhaps a book deal is in your future. It’s all about using your internet popularity as a jumping-off point toward mainstream success.
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Embrace your multidimensionality. Although finding your niche is a necessary step on the path to becoming a social media sensation, it’s also important to remember that your identity is multifaceted—and to represent that online. “The way that TikTok talks about niche…is taking away the primary benefit that marginal people who are coming online really get to receive, which is that they can exist in their multidimensionality,” Pierrevil explained.
Value your time. Try not to spread yourself too thin if doing so might compromise the quality of your work. Markiplier had to make a difficult choice after being asked to perform in “Five Nights at Freddy’s” when filming coincided with that of his own movie, “Iron Lung.” After some contemplation, he turned the role down. “It was one of those things where I had to make a call,” he said. “I wouldn’t expect them to compromise the quality of their project for me, just like I would hope they wouldn’t expect me to compromise my own movie on their behalf.”
Take (careful) risks. The path to worldwide renown requires some strategic gambling. “It was a calculated risk that I almost got fired for,” Feldman admitted about posting his behind-the-scenes videos. “I made one video there as a test thing, and I was like, ‘Well, this could either be the end of my time here or it could be the start of something cool.’ And it was the latter, thank God. The video got millions of views, and Prime [Video] reached out and was like, ‘Don’t do this again, but do it with us.’ ”
Avoid comparing yourself to others. Focus on your personal journey and look to others for motivation—not comparison. “Comparison is the thief of joy,” Beer noted. “Because there are always going to be people who are technically better than you, there’s going to be someone who can do your job better, who looks better, who dresses better, that’s just life. I don’t compare myself to these artists because I’m proud of my journey.”
Let your authentic self shine. Be honest, showcase your personality, and stick by your word. “My new rule is that if I don’t find it interesting, I’m not going to talk out of my ass for views—that’s cheap,” Pessoa said. “I want to stick by everything that I say and I want people to feel like they know me. If I’m not doing this to be known for who I am or to represent the way my family raised me or who my friends are, well then what am I doing it for?”
Lame similarly finds that genuineness is key. “When I started making videos, people told me to get a proper job,” he explained. “But I continued to make videos because that’s what I like doing, even though no one was watching them.”
Being authentic also means avoiding pandering to your audience—or as Afualo advises, don’t be a pick-me. “If your approach to connecting with anyone…is based on superiority, then it will never provide a stable foundation for a meaningful relationship of any kind,” she wrote in her book, “Loud.”
Find inspiration in the world around you. Pay attention to situations and discussions in your everyday life that might resonate with others. “I’m inspired by a lot of different things,” Anderson said. “I’ll get back from a trip and write little observational notes that could eventually develop into a sketch. I’ll listen to music and jot down ideas for TikToks that match the lyrics. I’ll collect ridiculous news stories and compile them into one idea. I have a list of hundreds of ideas in different stages of being baked. Sometimes I’ll hold onto one for a while until it feels right.”
