Top Creators List: The Business Behind Social Media's Most Powerful Influencers | Forbes

Armed with smartphones and armies of faithful fans, these 50 social media sensations are building fortunes by redefining the rules of entertainment, advertising, and stardom.
Social media has created a shortcut to celebrity fortune and fame. The eight-figure paydays once reserved for box office idols, stadium-filling singers and G.O.A.T athletes now flow to young influencers broadcasting their lives via smartphones. Welcome to the age of the selfie-made millionaire.
Creators including Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Khaby Lame, Hudda Kattan and Felix “xQc” Lengyel are harnessing Instagram, Tiktok, KZbin, Snap and Twitch to bring home annual earnings of $10 million and beyond.
The inaugural Forbes Top Creator list highlights the 50 social superstars leveraging a combined 1.9 billion followers across social networks to earn $570 million in 2021 alone. Their average age is just 31. Next year’s windfall stands to be significantly richer as popular personalities shift from influencers to owners, using their massive reach to start their own ventures-clothing lines, beauty empires, TV series and fast food chains.
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[@twentysvn]

Every single interview was mind-numbing. Not everyone earning money has a story to tell. I promise. It’s okay to skip these people.

[@lkmuni9355]

stop crying and go do something with your life🤣🤣

[@janetperez7998]

So fascinating that with minimal talent how far a person can actually go in life!

[@TheMidnightNarwhal]

Considering we live in a capitalistic society it really surprises me it took you this video to understand this.

[@Huru_]

I wrote my initial comment before @4:16 but yeah, Forbes is definitely going to sh*t.

[@thatguynamedzeus5091]

We need to get CoryxKenshin on the Forbes list next

[@Hyshler]

AGREED

[@snipar8161]

wheres my juicer

[@oliverlarosa8046]

Interesting time we live in.

[@romanpoet22004]

Tik Tok is the most cancerous than cancer itself.

[@erickmarquez506]

Where's LTT now understand his passive agresive Rant... Lol and many others... Forbes is a Joke this days... Forbes is the New Verge.. or maybe The Verge is the New Forbes... Just saying...

[@aristotelischaniotakis9599]

I don't want to be a walking billboard. Yall have fun!

[@zz-jj9sc]

did xqc so dirty 😂

[@mr.nobody7914]

I like how Forbes...IS PROMOTING ONLY FANS..... BY CALLING IT CREATORS 🤯😲...

[@jerry-rw4zq]

Only fans🤔 when did forbes became pervert?

[@nabil32a]

who is being rewarded for having of

[@mucool328]

How many dislikes did this video get ?

[@deathlarsen7502]

2x more than likes. 233 like 460 Dislikes

[@Stanlayy-em4fk]

I'm going to expose a little known secret to you guys. ALL celebrities are social influencers. EVERY SINGLE ONE

[@SoloMotivation]

I cannot thank you enough. Words cannot express how much you gratitude i have for helping me reach 500 subs. *Way to 1k...* *THANKS I LOVE YOU*

[@mikemyers62637]

This story was the stupidest thing Forbes has ever done. These people have literally created nothing.

[@karaboraphahlelo1541]

this video is about to get so much more dislikes, just watch edit: I'll be one of those dislikes xqcL

[@jacobdun9898]

False prophets

[@himaldutta9277]

Yeh...another bull list

[@IlIlIllllllI]

MY STRIMMER TOP RIGHT EZCLAP

[@deathlarsen7502]

yeah sure mad e1MM in 6 hours, how stupid is forbes