Felix Kjellberg, also known as PewDiePie, is the most popular individual creator on YouTube with over 109 million subscribers. However, his career has been plagued with controversy, leading to him being labelled the “most controversial star” on YouTube. Starting as a video game reviewer on YouTube, PewDiePie became famous for his unique style of humor and collaborations with other creators. However, he has faced criticism for his use of offensive language and insensitive comments, leading to major brands pulling out and his show being cancelled by YouTube. Despite this, PewDiePie remains the most subscribed individual creator on YouTube to date.
PewDiePie: Inside the World of YouTube’s Most Controversial Star
Introduction
Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, is a Swedish YouTuber with over 109 million subscribers making him the most popular individual creator on the platform. Despite his massive following, PewDiePie’s career has been plagued by controversy, earning him the title of the “most controversial star” on YouTube. This article explores the world of PewDiePie, examining his early career, rise to fame, and the controversies that have defined his career.
Early Career
Felix Kjellberg was born in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1989. He attended Chalmers University of Technology where he graduated with a degree in Industrial Economics and Technology Management in 2011. During his time in college, Kjellberg started a YouTube channel under the username PewDiePie, where he would post videos of himself playing and reviewing video games.
At the beginning of his career, PewDiePie’s videos were relatively unknown. It wasn’t until he started playing and posting videos of the horror game “Amnesia: The Dark Descent” that he began to garner attention. PewDiePie’s videos of Amnesia quickly went viral, earning him a massive following and helping establish him as one of the biggest names on the platform.
Rise to Fame
As PewDiePie gained popularity, he began to branch out to other types of videos beyond just gameplay commentary. His videos began to feature more skits and bits, along with collaborations with other YouTubers. PewDiePie’s unique style of humor and irreverence endeared him to his fanbase and helped him stand out from other creators on the platform.
PewDiePie’s rise to fame reached new heights in 2012 when he became the most subscribed YouTuber, overtaking the then-holder of the title, Smosh. PewDiePie’s popularity continued to skyrocket, with his channel growing exponentially over the next few years.
Controversies
Despite PewDiePie’s massive success, his career has been plagued by controversies. In 2017, PewDiePie faced widespread criticism after making several videos containing anti-Semitic jokes and references. Major brands whose commercials had run on his videos quickly pulled out, and his show was cancelled by YouTube’s premium service.
In 2019, PewDiePie was once again the center of controversy after the New Zealand mosque shooting. The shooter had referenced PewDiePie in a livestream before committing the attack, leading to accusations that PewDiePie’s brand of humor was contributing to the rise of far-right extremism.
PewDiePie has also been criticized for his use of racial slurs and insensitive comments, along with controversies surrounding his relationship with other creators and the platform itself.
Conclusion
PewDiePie’s career has been one of the most significant successes in the history of YouTube. His unique style of humor and content helped him become the most subscribed individual creator on the platform, a title he still holds today. However, his career has also been defined by controversy, with his use of offensive language and jokes leading to widespread condemnation from critics.
As PewDiePie continues his career on YouTube, it remains to be seen what new controversies may arise. With his massive following and platform, PewDiePie has the potential to influence millions of viewers, making it all the more important for him to be mindful of the content he creates and the messages he sends.