Stars from YouTube jumped off computer screens and into the Bandra amphitheatre in Mumbai on March 1. And they ensured that the first YouTube FanFest (YTFF) with HP was a roaring success. Put together by YouTube and Branded Ltd, the performers at the fest had 14.6 million subscribers and over 1.2 billion views between them. By the way, the event was sold out within 48 hours of the show’s listing! Here’s what some of the participants had to tell t2.

Lilly Singh (Superwoman)

Channel: Superwoman

Subscribers: 2,316,083

About: The Canadian YouTube comedian puts up videos revolving around simple ideas, from “how my parents see things” to “how girls get ready”.

On YouTube: “I started my YouTube channel when I came out of depression. Something inside me switched and I decided I didn’t want to be sad anymore. Since then, I’ve set out to make people laugh and smile in the hope of being that switch for someone else. Also, I’m really weird and I feel the world should see it!”

On YTFF: “It’s been so great learning new things. Everyone I’ve collaborated with so far does things differently from me when it comes to shooting and scripts. To be honest, they’re much less lazy! I’m definitely getting inspired.”

Scherezade Shroff

Channel: FashionTube and Scherezade Shroff

Subscribers: 22,493 and 2,411

About: The Mumbai model’s channel covers the latest beauty and style trends and includes tutorials.

On YouTube: “I think YouTube has made everyone’s life simpler. If you don’t know the meaning of something, you Google it, and if you don’t know how to do something you just YouTube it and voila! I had all this knowledge on fashion and beauty and nowhere to share it until a network approached me to work on their beauty/fashion channel. Soon I had 21,000 subscribers and realised that this is what I wanted to do for life. So I launched my own channel, Scherezade Shroff. I try to help girls with all their beauty, fashion and hair-related woes and make some fun tutorials for them.”

On YTFF: “I have had such a great time collaborating with other YouTubers from India and across the globe. I shot some really cool videos with Superwoman and Bethany Mota.”

Maati Baani

Channel: Maati Baani

Subscribers: 10,922

About: They explore world music. Nirali Kartik is on vocals and Kartik Shah on guitars, keyboards, vocals and electronic sounds.

On YouTube: “It’s such a great time for musicians and artistes who have talent, thanks to platforms like YouTube. With Hindustani and folk music as the protagonist, we wanted to experiment with different genres of music.”

On YTFF: “It’s the first time in India that fans are not only enjoying a concert by their favourite artistes, but also getting to hang out with them. We are very excited to meet one on one with our fans!”

Michael Stevens (Vsauce)

Channel: Vsauce

Subscribers: 6,915,478

About: So, what colour is a mirror... is the five-second rule true... how much does a shadow weigh...? If you think these are cool questions, check out Michael’s channel.

On YouTube: “I started Vsauce three years ago. It has become a place where I and nearly seven million other curious people can explore the limits of human knowledge, the joy of learning, and the benefits of being curious about our world.”

On YTFF: “This is my first time in India and I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to meet Vsauce viewers in India!”

As told to Mathures Paul
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