Welcome to YouTube Millionaires, where we profile channels that have recently crossed the one million subscriber mark. There are channels crossing this threshold every week, and each has a story to tell about YouTube success. Read previous installments of YouTube Millionaires here.
Four years ago, Chelsea Crockett was just a small-town girl from the St. Louis suburbs. Now, the 17-year-old reaches an audience of more than one million fans who look up to her for advice, inspiration, and beauty tips. Crockett, who is partnered with Big Frame, creates videos on her BeautyLiciousInsider channel, and true to its “insider” handle, the channel’s videos offer a close, personal feel. Here are Crockett’s thoughts on her successful channel:
Tubefilter: How does it feel to have one million subscribers? What do you have to say to your fans?
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Chelsea Crockett: Honestly, it’s so weird to know that at least one million people have enjoyed my videos enough to subscribe to them. I’m not sure how many football stadiums one million could fill, but I’m assuming a lot! (ed. note: about 14 of them)
As far as my insiders, I would like to say thank you for pushing me to be the best version of myself. I don’t think I would have nearly as much confidence, communication skills, or opportunities without you! I hope my videos, and getting to know me throughout the years, have inspired you to be your best self as well.
TF: You’re known as someone who a lot of girls look up to. Why do you think you’re such an inspiration for your fans?
CC: I think girls look up to me because I’m very vulnerable. I’m not afraid to say how I feel or what I believe, so a lot of girls respect that.
TF: What do you think is the most important piece of advice you’ve shared on your channel?
CC: One thing that I think I project more than anything else is to never to conform to someone else’s standards for you. Society could change us all if we let it, but how terrible would this world be if we were all the same? Stand out. Be different. Who cares what anyone else thinks?
TF: Who is someone who you personally look up to?
CC: I look up to my friend, Charis Lincoln. She also makes YouTube videos, and I met her through YouTube. She’s an amazing woman of God and has a truly amazing story of how her own life turned around while growing up as a teen. I’m going on a mission trip with her this summer to Alaska so I’m psyched!
TF: How do you balance your videomaking life with that of a “normal” teenager?
CC: I’d like to say that my life and my YouTube presence is balanced, but I’d be lying. It honestly is a struggle each week to even post one video because I love to be involved in school.
TF: Do you work with brands at all? If so, how do you decide who to partner with?
CC: I’ve worked with many brands in the past. I used to be so excited to work with them that I would take every opportunity! But now, I have to be choosy about which ones I do work with. I make sure I like the product I’m working with, and if I do, I’ll send the company an email back telling them I’d love to work with them!
TF: How did your web series on the Seventeen YouTube channel come about?
CC: About a year ago, I got an opportunity to be one of a few girls who were pushed in Seventeen magazine. Along with putting us in the magazine, they asked if we would like to have our own shows on their channel! Of course I was in, and the whole team from Seventeen and I spent a couple weeks coming up with ideas. #17before17 just seemed to fit! My 16th birthday had just recently past and the idea of this series was so exciting! We filmed about half of the show in California, and the other half in my hometown. I love this series so much, and it’s crazy I’ll get to look back at it when I’m an adult.
TF: As you grow older, do you believe the content you share online will change in any noticeable ways?
CC: Yes, for sure! I look back at the videos I’ve made three years ago, and to see how much my editing skills and presence in my videos have evolved, it’s crazy! I know as I grow older I’ll become passionate about many others things, so my videos will follow my passions!
TF: What’s next for your channel? Any interesting plans?
CC: Well, I have lots of projects and collaborations coming up! I’ve been working on expanding on my editing style as well! Sometimes it’s difficult to be different from other YouTubers because almost everyone uses Final Cut or iMovie, so I want to branch out into more plugins!
On Deck (channels that will soon reach one million subscribers): NiinaSecrets, benshortstuff, yamimash
