Web Stars: 3 YouTube Personalities You Can’t Miss

YouTube has given people the ability to express themselves in a dynamic and accessible way via vlogging. These YouTubers have watched their viewership go from hundreds to thousands to millions. Not only do they provide original, engaging content, they also shoot, cut and edit all of their own material. Check out three personalities you won’t want to miss in 2013:

TRÉ MELVIN

The Jumpstart: This college sophomore never imagined how one simple video, originally recorded to combat boredom during fall break in 2011, would change his life. After sharing it with friends, they encouraged him to upload it on YouTube. “It just spread like crazy. Everybody kept telling me to make more, so I would make one after the other, and it basically became the show, This is a Commentary.” (Viewer discretion advised). Melvin’s channel boasts more than 200,000 subscribers and more than 29 million views.

Change of a Lifetime: “[It happened] when I started the show and put all of my time and effort into the shows and trying to keep up with my fan base,” Tré says. “I realized this is what I want to do for the rest of my life— not [just] YouTube, but entertainment.” The actor and playwright has taken on TIAC as a full-time job and plans to move to California this year to pursue a career in the film and television industries.

While viewers enjoy Tré’s comedic commentaries as he brings various characters to life, he credits his success to his loyal fanbase. “I love knowing that the 12 hours I put into making a video can change somebody’s life forever, [even] if it could be as big as stopping somebody from committing suicide or [keeping] somebody [from] having a bad day.”

TARA

NOVEL NICHE: Tara, also known as MissPTV90, compares her channel to a pot of gumbo. With her charismatic smile and bangs laid for the gods, it isn’t unusual for Tara

to bust out in song or mimic a movie scene in the middle of a video. “While my niche is pop culture, one day I may do a haul, [and] some days I’m giving advice. It really depends on the day,” Tara says. “I love it because my viewers truly motivate me to continue doing videos and express my creativity.”

PRIME POSSIBILITIES: “The opportunities that have come from producing videos are amazing. I have the opportunity to be a part of Walter Lathem’s channel. [He’s] the originator of the ‘Kings of Comedy,’” Tara says. Her channel’s popularity is undeniable, with more than 15 million views since its start in October 2011. (One video alone had 400 comments.) “Having my own show over there is so exciting and so much has come from that as well,” she adds. “I want to be the voice for my generation, kind of like the Oprah of my generation.”

FASH

ENTERPRISING IDEA: As a true Lover4Fashion, 24-year-old Fash jumped on the YT scene when she saw a need that wasn’t being met. At the time, there weren’t many African American women focusing on beauty on the popular video-sharing Website. “I think this is what drew people to my channel. Viewers thought, ‘There’s another

woman who looks like me who’s giving hair and makeup tips.’ That’s very inspirational to me.” Her fab insights on fashion styling, cosmetics artistry and affordable shopping have attracted more than 10 million views to her channel.

BOSS BRANDING: Whether she’s showing women of color how to rock a red lip or taking us along on a retail trip, the wardrobe and hairstylist is using YT to brand herself in the fashion industry. “I love what I do,” Fash says, laughing. “When people started wanting to book me for personal shopping and personal styling, I [said] OK, I can take this seriously. YouTube has given me the boost to follow my dreams.”

What are some of your favorite YouTube personalities? #SoundOff and follow Jamie on Twitter @JayNHarrison.