What Happened to YouTube’s Early Stars? Revealed

Some became legends. Some vanished. One never left.

This video uncovers the rise, fall, and legacy of five iconic early YouTubers:
– Philip DeFranco, the newsman who stayed
– Shane Dawson, the idol who fell
– Lonelygirl15, the fiction that felt real
– Peter Oakley, the wise gentleman of YouTube
– Smosh, the comedy duo that built an empire

From viral fame to quiet exits, scandals to reinventions, this is the untold story of YouTube’s original creators — and what became of them when the spotlight faded.

🎥 Featuring original editing, archival clips, and a thoughtful look back at the wild early days of YouTube.