30 OG YouTubers & Where They Are Now

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Learn what these YouTubers do outside of vlogging
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Did you spend your childhood or teenage years watching YouTube? We can’t blame you! The early days of YouTube were home to many fascinating YouTubers, from lifestyle vloggers to gamers. But what are they up to now? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into some of the most popular old YouTubers to find out whether they’re still posting and where they are now.

Who are the OG YouTubers?

  • Shane Dawson: Known for his controversial comedy videos and deep dives on other YouTubers
  • PewDiePie: Once the most-subscribed-to YouTuber, known for his “Let’s Play” video game content
  • Bethany Mota: A popular fashion and lifestyle blogger known for her fashion hauls, DIYs, and makeup content
  • GloZell: A comedy YouTuber known for her cinnamon challenge video and green lipstick
  • Jenna Marbles: a popular YouTube comedian who posted humorous content about the female experience
1

AmazingPhil

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  1. Phil Lester, better known as AmazingPhil, first began posting YouTube videos in 2006. He was one of the first notable British YouTubers and grew an audience through storytelling, vlogs, challenges, and comedy sketches. He is also widely recognized for his collaboration with fellow YouTuber and life partner Dan Howell (danisnotonfire).[1]
    • Where are they now? Lester is still active on YouTube and continues to post content with Howell. Lester came out as gay in 2019, and, in 2025, confirmed his long-term relationship with Howell. The two have also published a book, created games, and appeared in several TV shows and movies.
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2

Bethany Mota

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  1. Popular in the 2010s, Bethany Mota was a fashion and lifestyle vlogger known for sharing fashion hauls, DIYs, makeup, recipes, and other lifestyle content. She had 9.5 million followers by October 2015.[2]
    • Where are they now? In 2014, she appeared as a guest judge on Project Runway and competed on season 19 of Dancing with the Stars. She has also collaborated with JCPenney, Forever 21, and Aéropostale. She launched her own fine jewelry brand, Atom&Matter, in 2019, and hosted and produced the influencer competition show Follow Me in 2023.
3

Connor Franta

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  1. Connor Franta uploaded his first YouTube video in August 2010, and at his channel’s peak in 2017, he had more than 5.67 million subscribers. He joined a collaboration channel called Our2ndLife (or O2L) in 2012, though he left the group in 2014 due to personal issues.[3]
    • Where are they now? Franta has been involved in several entrepreneurial enterprises, including a clothing line, music curation, and a coffee and lifestyle brand named Common Culture. He has also published several books, including A Work in Progress (2015), Note to Self (2017), and House Fires (2021).
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4

Danisnotonfire

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  1. Daniel Howell, also known as danisnotonfire, uploaded his first YouTube video titled “HELLO INTERNET” in 2009. He was a fan of AmazingPhil, and the two soon began collaborating together, creating a shared gaming channel called DanAndPhilGames.[4]
    • Where are they now? Dan and Phil still post content together. Following a hiatus from YouTube, Dan came out as gay in 2019. In 2025, he and Phil confirmed they’re in a relationship, and together they have published a book, created games, and appeared in various TV shows and films.
5

Fred

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  1. Fred is a character created by Lucas Cruikshank. Cruikshank first started posting as Fred, a 6-year-old with a very high-pitched voice, in 2006 on a channel he started with his cousins. In 2008, he started an official Fred channel, and by 2009, it became the first YouTube channel to have over 1 million subscribers.[5]
    • Where are they now? Fred became a popular franchise, with Cruikshank appearing on TV shows like iCarly and Hannah Montana, as well as starring in 3 movies and his own television series. Cruikshank now posts content under his real name.
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6

GloZell Green

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  1. GloZell first rose to fame with her viral cinnamon challenge video, and she’s known for her green lipstick. She often posted comedy skits, song parodies, and lip sync videos to her YouTube channel.[6]
    • Where are they now? GloZell appeared on the YouTube Premium series Escape the Night in 2016, and in 2018, she appeared as Little Debbie in Ralph Breaks the Internet. In 2025, she was a contestant on season 29 of Worst Cooks in America on the Food Network. She still occasionally posts on YouTube.
7

Grace Helbig

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  1. Grace Helbig began posting YouTube videos in 2007 and rose to prominence with her comedy vlogs. She later became the co-host for the podcast This Might Get Weird alongside Mamrie Hart, and she has published several novels.[7]
    • Where are they now? Grace is still hosting This Might Get Weird, and in 2015, she created and hosted her own talk show on E!, though it only lasted one season. From 2021 to 2025, she was a voice actor on the HBO Max series Jellystone!
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8

Hannah Hart

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  1. Hannah Hart’s YouTube channel rose to fame with her comedy series My Drunk Kitchen, in which she gets intoxicated and cooks different foods.[8] She also frequently collaborated with Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart, and the three of them starred in both Camp Takota and Dirty 30.
    • Where are they now? Hart was a guest judge on season 12 of Food Network Star, and in 2017, her series, I Hart Food, premiered on the Food Network. In 2019, she began hosting a digital series called A Decent Proposal on The Ellen Network, and she currently streams on Twitch.
9

iJustine

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  1. Justine Ezarik, known to the internet as iJustine, got her start in 2007, when she uploaded a YouTube video titled “300-page iPhone bill,” which quickly became a meme. She has over 1 billion views on her channel. She’s known for her vlogs, lifestyle content, and tech reviews.
    • Where are they now? iJustine still posts on YouTube and has also ventured into acting. She has appeared in several TV shows, including Law and Order: SVU, The Vampire Diaries, Criminal Minds, and The Bold and the Beautiful.[9]
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10

Jackie Aina

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  1. Jackie Aina was one of the first beauty gurus on YouTube and is known for being a pioneer of Black and Brown women in the beauty industry. She notably held makeup brands accountable for their lack of accessibility to darker shades.[10]
    • Where are they now? She still makes beauty and lifestyle content, and launched another account called LavishyJackie to highlight home decor, cleaning content, and organizational videos. In 2020, she and her husband, Denis Asamoah, founded FORVR MOOD, a fragrance brand specializing in perfumes and candles.
11

Jacksepticeye

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  1. Jacksepticeye started posting YouTube videos in 2012, and his channel reached 10 million subscribers by 2016. His videos focus on gaming, comedy, and vlogging. Due to the success of his channel, he made it a full-time career by 2014.[11]
    • Where are they now? Jacksepticeye is still making YouTube videos and began streaming exclusive content on Twitch in 2018. He is also the founder and owner of Top of the Mornin’ Coffee, and co-founded the clothing brand Cloak with Markiplier, though he is no longer associated with the brand.
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12

Jeffree Star

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  1. Jeffree Star got his start on MySpace, but transitioned to YouTube after he founded his makeup brand, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, in 2014. He promoted his brand through his makeup tutorial videos, leading to the success of his channel. He is the 2nd most-subscribed-to beauty guru on YouTube.[12]
    • Where are they now? Jeffree Star is still running his cosmetics brand, and he also started selling yak meat from his Star Yak Ranch in Wyoming. He often uses TikTok livestreams to sell his products.
13

Jenna Marbles

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  1. Jenna Mourey, better known as Jenna Marbles, was a popular YouTube comedian who specialized in comedy videos about the female experience. One of her most notable videos is titled “How to Trick People into Thinking You’re Good Looking.”[13]
    • Where are they now? In 2020, Jenna Marbles went on an indefinite hiatus from YouTube after taking accountability for controversial videos she posted early in her career. She is married to her long-time partner, Julien Solomita, and they live private lives with no internet presence.
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14

Joey Graceffa

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  1. Joey Graceffa first started posting YouTube videos in 2007 at age 16. He runs multiple channels, where he posts vlogs, video game content, and reaction videos. His channels have a combined total of more than 2.9 billion views.[14]
    • Where are they now? Graceffa still posts on YouTube regularly. He also appeared on the 22nd and 24th seasons of The Amazing Race, and created Escape the Night, an immersive reality web series on YouTube Premium.
15

Lilly Singh

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  1. Lilly Singh, also known by her username Superwoman, began making YouTube videos in 2010. The following year, she created a second channel called SuperwomanVlogs, where she posted about her daily activities and behind-the-scenes footage from her videos. In 2015, she ranked 8th on Forbes’s list of the World’s Top-Earning YouTube Stars.[15]
    • Where are they now? Singh still posts on YouTube and has acting credits in Ice Age: Collision Course and Bad Moms, and produced, wrote, and starred in the film Doin’ It. Most notably, she hosted her own late-night talk show, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, though it ended after 2 seasons.
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16

Liza Koshy

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  1. Liza Koshy originally gained popularity on Vine, then moved to YouTube, where she posted comedic videos featuring various characters, all played by herself. She also shared lifestyle vlogs that helped her channel become one of the fastest-growing in history.[16]
    • Where are they now? Koshy has taken a step back from YouTube to focus on other endeavors. In 2018 and 2019, she worked as a carpet host and arrivals correspondent for Vogue at the Met Gala. She has also appeared in Netflix’s Work It, KPop Demon Hunters, Summer of ‘69, and The Naked Gun.
17

Lohanthony

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  1. Anthony Michael Quintal, better known as Lohanthony, started making videos at age 10. His video “Calling All the Basic B*tches” went viral in 2012, and by 2015, he reached one and a half million subscribers.[17] He was admired for his sassy attitude and for being openly queer.
    • Where are they now? In 2020, Quintal removed most of his videos and posted a 41-minute-long video titled “Jesus Delivers – Surviving Sexuality,” in which he renounced his earlier videos and homosexuality. Many fans and fellow YouTubers were disappointed and speculated that he had been a victim of conversion therapy, though he has denied this.[18]
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18

Markiplier

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  1. Mark Edward Fischbach, known to the internet as Markiplier, joined YouTube in 2012 and quickly gained popularity for his “Let’s Play” videos of indie horror games. His channel reached over 94,000 subscribers within the year.[19]
    • Where are they now? Markiplier still posts on YouTube regularly, though he has taken a few hiatuses over the years. He has also voice-acted in the Cartoon Network series Villainous, starred in a podcast drama called The Edge of Sleep, and even started an OnlyFans account, which crashed the site when it was launched in 2022.
19

Michelle Phan

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  1. Michelle Phan was one of the original beauty gurus on YouTube and was known for her makeup tutorials. She started posting videos in 2007, and in 2010, she became Lancôme’s first Vietnamese-American spokesperson in history.[20]
    • Where are they now? Phan took a hiatus from YouTube from 2015 to 2019, and in that time, she launched and relaunched her cosmetics brand, EM Cosmetics. She was also a founder of the beauty subscription brand Ipsy.
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20

Nigahiga

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  1. Ryan Higa, also known as nigahiga, began posting YouTube videos in 2006 and was one of the most popular creators during the platform’s early years. He was best known for his comedy videos, and he was the first person to reach 2 million and 3 million subscribers.[21]
    • Where are they now? In 2020, Higa took a hiatus from YouTube and started streaming on Twitch, where he reacts to his past videos and broadcasts video game content. He has also published a memoir titled Ryan Higa’s How to Write Good and has appeared in the films Tell Me How I Die (2016) and Finding ‘Ohana (2021).
21

NikkieTutorials

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  1. Nikkie de Jager, better known by her username NikkieTutorials, was one of the first beauty gurus on YouTube. She is most known for her bold eye looks, full coverage makeup tutorials, and the famous “Power of Makeup” video, which inspired a viral trend.
    • Where are they now? In 2020, NikkieTutorials came out as transgender and revealed that she had been transitioning since her early teens.[22] In 2021, she launched her own beauty brand, Nimya. She is still posting on YouTube as of 2025.
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22

PewDiePie

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  1. Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, began his YouTube channel in 2010, primarily posting Let’s Play videos of horror and action video games. His channel was one of the fastest-growing in 2012 and 2013, and he became the most-subscribed on YouTube on August 15, 2013. He then diversified his content and began posting vlogs, comedy shorts, formatted shows, and music videos.[23]
    • Where are they now? PewDiePie still posts on YouTube, though he has faced controversies for using racial slurs and antisemitic language. He released his own video game, PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist, in 2015, and in 2022, he and his wife, Marzia, moved from England to Japan. They had a son in 2023.
23

Rhett & Link

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  1. Rhett McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln “Link” Neal III are a comedy duo known for creating and hosting the YouTube series Good Mythical Morning. They also have secondary shows and channels, including The Mythical Show and Mythical Kitchen.[24]
    • Where are they now? Rhett and Link still post on YouTube and hosted the podcast Ear Biscuits from 2013 to 2025, when they announced an indefinite hiatus. They also perform live musical comedy and have released two complete albums. Additionally, they’ve appeared in various TV shows and have published multiple books.
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24

Shane Dawson

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  1. One of the most recognizable names in YouTube history, Shane Dawson started his career doing comedy sketches, which were met with a ton of controversy. Following the backlash, he took some time off and transitioned into doing longer-format videos about conspiracy theories, as well as deep dives on other YouTubers, such as Jeffree Star, Jake Paul, and Tana Mongeau.[25]
    • Where are they now? In 2020, Shane Dawn’s YouTube channels were demonetized after his past controversies resurfaced. In 2023, he married his long-time boyfriend Ryland Adams, and they welcomed twin sons via surrogacy later that year.
25

Simply Nailogical

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  1. Cristine Rotenberg, or Simply Nailogical, rose to fame by posting her nail art tutorials to YouTube. This soon expanded to other types of videos, including chaotic experiments usually involving her favorite beverage, tea.[26]
    • Where are they now? She stepped away from her main channel in 2022, though she’s still active on her secondary channels and podcast, SimplyPodLogical. In 2019, she founded Holo Taco, a nail polish and nail care brand.
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26

Smosh

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  1. Smosh is a sketch comedy-improv collective founded by Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox. It was one of the most prominent YouTube channels in the 2000s and 2010s, and the pair won several awards, including Streamys, Webbys, and Shortys. They’ve amassed over 11 billion lifetime views across their various channels.[27]
    • Where are they now? Padilla left Smosh in 2017 to start his own YouTube channel, then returned in 2023 to purchase Smosh back from Mythical Entertainment with Hecox, making it an independent production. In 2026, Padilla and Hecox will reprise their voice roles in The Angry Birds Movie 3.
27

Troye Sivan

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  1. Troye Sivan got his start in 2007 when he uploaded videos of himself singing to YouTube.[28] In 2012, he began posting vlogs, as well, most notably his video with Tyler Oakley titled “The Boyfriend Tag.” That video earned them a Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Collaboration.
    • Where are they now? Sivan left YouTube to pursue his music career. He is now a Grammy-nominated pop musician with 3 studio albums and collaborations with several successful artists, including Charli XCX, Ariana Grande, and Tate McRae. He also appeared in The Idol on HBO and the Golden Globe-nominated film Boy Erased.
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28

Tyler Oakley

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  1. Tyler Oakley began posting on YouTube in 2007, and gained popularity for his vibrant personality, lifestyle vlogs, Q&As, and celebrity interviews. At its peak, his channel had over 8 million subscribers.
    • Where are they now? Oakley has sporadically posted on YouTube in recent years. In 2020, he revealed he was a landlord, but stepped awayfrom the job after learning more about the housing crisis. He streams on Twitch, appeared in season 2 of Escape the Night, launched a podcast called Psychobabble, and even participated in season 28 and 31 of The Amazing Race.[29]
29

Vlogbrothers

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  1. Vlogbrothers is a YouTube channel created by brothers John and Hank Green. They have over 4.1 million subscribers and post about a wide range of topics, from personal updates and inside jokes to discussions about important issues. The brothers also started two educational channels, Crash Course and SciShow.[30]
    • Where are they now? The vlogbrothers channel is still active, and both brothers have also found success outside of YouTube. John Green is an author most well-known for his YA novels Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars. Hank is the best-selling author of An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. The brothers also cofounded VidCon in 2010.
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30

Zoella

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  1. Zoe Sugg, or Zoella, began her career as a YouTuber in 2009 and gained over 10 million subscribers. She was best known for her fashion, beauty hauls, and “favorites” videos, and her second channel, MoreZoella, was home to vlogs about her daily life.[31]
    • Where are they now? Zoella released her debut novel, Girl Online, in 2014, and has since released 2 sequels, a non-fiction book, and The Magpie Society duology alongside co-writer Amy McCulloch. In 2016, she released a collection of homeware products. She has two daughters with her fiance Alfie Deyes.

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References

  1. ↑ https://the-phandom.fandom.com/wiki/AmazingPhil
  2. ↑ https://thetab.com/2023/07/06/og-us-youtubers-now-jenna-marbles-bethany-mota-shane-dawson-lucas-cruikshank-tyler-oakley-joey-graceffa
  3. ↑ https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/ConnorFranta
  4. ↑ https://the-phandom.fandom.com/wiki/Daniel_Howell
  5. ↑ https://thetab.com/2023/07/06/og-us-youtubers-now-jenna-marbles-bethany-mota-shane-dawson-lucas-cruikshank-tyler-oakley-joey-graceffa
  6. ↑ https://thetab.com/2023/07/06/og-us-youtubers-now-jenna-marbles-bethany-mota-shane-dawson-lucas-cruikshank-tyler-oakley-joey-graceffa
  7. ↑ https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Grace_Helbig
  8. ↑ https://www.mashed.com/617457/the-untold-truth-of-my-drunk-kitchens-hannah-hart/
  9. ↑ https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/IJustine
  1. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a35523393/jackie-aina-profile-interview-2021/
  2. ↑ https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Jacksepticeye
  3. ↑ https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Jeffreestar
  4. ↑ https://thetab.com/2023/07/06/og-us-youtubers-now-jenna-marbles-bethany-mota-shane-dawson-lucas-cruikshank-tyler-oakley-joey-graceffa
  5. ↑ https://thetab.com/2023/07/06/og-us-youtubers-now-jenna-marbles-bethany-mota-shane-dawson-lucas-cruikshank-tyler-oakley-joey-graceffa
  6. ↑ https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Lilly_Singh
  7. ↑ https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/liza_koshy
  8. ↑ https://www.distractify.com/p/what-happened-to-lohanthony
  9. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/youtuber-lohanthony-anti-gay-video
  10. ↑ https://theboar.org/2026/01/markiplier-from-youtuber-to-movie-star/
  11. ↑ https://8list.ph/og-youtubers-where-they-are-now/
  12. ↑ https://8list.ph/og-youtubers-where-they-are-now/
  13. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51104236
  14. ↑ https://8list.ph/og-youtubers-where-they-are-now/
  15. ↑ https://rhettandlink.fandom.com/wiki/Good_Mythical_Morning
  16. ↑ https://thetab.com/2023/07/06/og-us-youtubers-now-jenna-marbles-bethany-mota-shane-dawson-lucas-cruikshank-tyler-oakley-joey-graceffa
  17. ↑ https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Simply_Nailogical
  18. ↑ https://8list.ph/og-youtubers-where-they-are-now/
  19. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/troye-sivan-music-video-evolution-8472683/
  20. ↑ https://thetab.com/2023/07/06/og-us-youtubers-now-jenna-marbles-bethany-mota-shane-dawson-lucas-cruikshank-tyler-oakley-joey-graceffa
  21. ↑ https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Vlogbrothers
  22. ↑ https://8list.ph/og-youtubers-where-they-are-now/

About This Article

Raven Minyard, BA
Co-authored by:
Raven Minyard, BA
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Raven Minyard received her BA in English and Creative Writing from Sweet Briar College in 2020. While in college, she served as the Coeditor-in-Chief of Sweet Briar's literary magazine Red Clay and has since gone on to write for publications such as The Zillennial Zine and Halloween Every Night. Raven recalls reading articles from wikiHow's early days during her childhood and is thrilled to now write for their content team. She enjoys learning about new interests and topics with each article she writes and hopes to help audiences of all backgrounds continue to learn new and exciting things.
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