18 Influencers Who Successfully Became Real Hollywood Stars

18 Influencers Who Successfully Became Real Hollywood Stars

From phone screens to silver screens, a new kind of star has rewritten Hollywood’s rulebook. These creators built empires on clicks and comments, then cashed them in for roles, records, and red carpets.

You’ll recognize the handles—but their résumés now stretch far beyond viral loops. Read on to see who actually made the leap, and how they turned influence into staying power.

1. Liza Koshy

Comedic timing and kinetic energy powered her rise from six-second bits to studio-backed leads. Liza Koshy parlayed Vine and YouTube momentum into Netflix’s Work It, where her physical comedy translated into punchy choreography and heart.

Hosting Double Dare and Chopped Next Gen showcased a nimble knack for live banter, turning game-show chaos into charming TV. That on-camera ease, honed across countless uploads, now reads as professional polish.

The secret sauce is versatility: slapstick one moment, sincere the next. Casting directors value reliability, and Koshy arrives ruthlessly prepared—an instinct born from self-producing. She understands beats, edits, and audience rhythm, which compresses learning curves on set. As streaming platforms chase hybrid talents, she fits like a key.

Brand partnerships and philanthropy also reinforce staying power. With dance, hosting, and acting aligned, her portfolio feels future-proof. Expect more genre hops, bigger ensembles, and increasingly bold choices.

2. Bo Burnham

Self-aware and razor sharp, Bo Burnham evolved from bedroom rhymes to directing Sundance darlings. YouTube’s early stage gave him space to dissect fame, anxiety, and performance—all threads that weave through Eighth Grade and his contribution to Promising Young Woman. His special Inside doubled as a pandemic time capsule and a masterclass in DIY production. Comedy was the entry point; craft became the destination.

As an actor, Burnham plays restraint like a note, letting silences do heavy lifting. Behind the camera, he favors empathetic lenses, guiding nontraditional leads to truthful beats. That sensitivity resonates with audiences tired of gloss. He’s proof an internet wit can become a cinematic humanist.

Expect his future projects to test format: musical tension, staged realism, and small disasters made big. Few creators pivot so gracefully from punchline to poignancy—and stay funny.

3. Colleen Ballinger (Miranda Sings)

Off-key bravado birthed a character that marched straight into Netflix. Colleen Ballinger’s Miranda Sings turned cringe into currency, morphing a YouTube persona into Haters Back Off, complete with lore, supporting cast, and sitcom arcs. Translating a live-wire character to longform required rebalancing: less rapid-fire bits, more emotional scaffolding. The show gave Miranda history, dreams, and delusions that ripened into plot.

Ballinger’s discipline underpins the absurdity. She manages voice, posture, and dramatic escalation like an athlete, then drops into sincerity to keep audiences invested. That duality—ridiculous yet revealing—earns repeat viewers rather than drive-by clicks. In television, that matters.

Touring and digital overlaps amplify her reach. Licensing, books, and sketch spinouts bolster longevity beyond a single series. Whether Miranda resurfaces or evolves, Ballinger’s command of character engineering keeps her relevant in a fickle algorithmic climate.

4. Lilly Singh

Swagger and sincerity forged a path from “IISuperwomanII” sketches to network late night. Lilly Singh made history anchoring A Little Late with Lilly Singh, bringing YouTube pacing to monologues and sketches that tackled identity, hustle, and humor. Hosting demanded a new muscle: interviewing with warmth while landing jokes under time pressure. She adapted by leaning on writer’s-room rigor and nimble improv.

Beyond the desk, Singh’s production savvy drives autonomy. She executive-produces, plots brand deals with intention, and diversifies across books, podcasts, and activism. That mosaic turns a personality into a platform—exactly what TV needs in a fragmented era.

The late-night run sharpened her narrative instincts for future projects. Expect dramedy, unscripted hybrids, and creator-led studios seeking authenticity. Singh’s trajectory proves digital fluency can redraw television’s borders without losing heart or humor.

5. Kian Lawley

From collaborative skits to dramatic stakes, Kian Lawley charted a patient climb. Early YouTube fandom translated into roles like Before I Fall and The Chosen, where he traded quick cuts for character arcs. Film sets forced slower cooking—rehearsals, retakes, and emotional continuity. That shift can stall influencers, but Lawley embraced the craft and found a steadier register.

He excels in grounded ensembles, blending textured vulnerability with teen-movie tempo. Casting directors value his built-in audience, yet it’s the on-camera restraint that sustains casting beyond novelty. Quiet moments—eye shifts, pauses—signal continuous growth.

With genre fare booming on streamers, his catalog fits nicely: YA, thriller, and supernatural. Expect incremental steps rather than a single breakout. The method is working: fewer gimmicks, more roles, and a focus on credible performances that outlast platform trends.

6. Logan Paul

From notorious vlogs to marquee spectacles, Logan Paul engineered a high-wire reinvention. Acting in The Thinning and its sequel offered initial credibility, but live entertainment supercharged his second act. The pivot to WWE showcased athleticism, persona control, and business instincts, turning boos into box-office energy. Few creators convert controversy into mainstream bookings so decisively.

In the ring, timing and storytelling are everything; he studies both. Camera awareness from years online transfers into crowd psychology, producing razor-sharp spots built for replay. Sponsorship savvy wraps it in gold foil. The package sells.

Expect calculated film cameos and reality-adjacent projects tailored to his showman strengths. The lane is spectacle, monetized relentlessly. Whether you cheer or groan, the booking sheets don’t lie: he’s become a reliable draw with crossover wattage and unusual durability.

7. King Bach (Andrew Bachelor)

Six-second swagger became a full-length calling card. Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor distilled comedic confidence on Vine, then scaled it into film and TV with The Babysitter and Greenland. His hallmark is elastic physicality—faces, timing, cheeky bravado—adaptable from sketch beats to scene work. Casting sees him as a utility hitter: pop in, spike energy, steal laughs, exit clean.

Action-comedy hybrids suit him best, where chaos needs charisma to stay fun. He’s sharpened dramatic instincts too, dialing down antics when stakes rise. That gear-shifting keeps directors returning; flexibility is gold on a tight schedule.

As streaming fuels punchy ensembles, expect Bachelor to broaden into producing and spotlight vehicles. The goal: shepherd the same audience that championed his vines into longer arcs. Momentum remains sturdy, powered by deft crowd-pleasing instincts and professional chops.

8. Addison Rae

Choreography met camera-ready charm, and suddenly a TikTok feed became a casting pipeline. Addison Rae headlined He’s All That on Netflix, shouldering a reboot with influencer-era flair. The performance blended dance polish with rom-com beats—a smart match for a debut. As critics debated, audiences clicked, validating her draw as a new-school lead.

Training has intensified since, with acting coaches and strategic brand alliances refining her screen presence. Music drops and fashion deals widen the umbrella, reinforcing image consistency. Hollywood loves a multi-hyphenate who markets effortlessly between scenes.

Expect more genre experiments and ensemble roles to build range. The playbook is classic star development, just accelerated by algorithms. If she keeps pairing choreography with characterization, the jump from social to cinema won’t feel like a stunt—it’ll look like a plan.

9. Chase Hudson (Lil Huddy)

Moody aesthetics and pop-punk revivalism smoothed his crossover. Chase “Lil Huddy” Hudson leaned into Downfalls High, a stylized music-film hybrid that showcased magnetism more than monologue density. The project bridged fandoms: TikTok loyalists met music video cinephiles, boosting credibility on both sides. He plays intensity well, letting attitude carry narrative weight.

As a musician, he’s learned setcraft—lighting, blocking, and presence—which pays dividends on screen. Directors can mold that raw charisma into character work with focused coaching. The brand is cohesive: leather, eyeliner, earnest angst.

Next steps likely include ensemble teen dramas and soundtrack-heavy features. With the right mentor, depth will catch up to aura. For now, he’s proof that vibe can be a viable on-ramp to acting, provided the work ethic matches the fan fervor.

10. Noah Beck

Athletic poise and clean-cut charm made Noah Beck a magnet for fashion and brand shoots. As campaigns stacked up, the camera comfort translated into early acting steps, with coaches shaping diction, beats, and listening skills. He approaches scenes like drills—repeatable reps, incremental gains. That sports mentality reduces ego and accelerates improvement.

The screen archetype is clear: supportive boyfriend, collegiate lead, or charming rival. With time, he’s edging into more textured roles, leveraging a grounded presence rather than flash. Casting appreciates reliability, and he shows up prepared.

Expect streaming romances, holiday films, and guest arcs to build credits. Fashion keeps the profile hot while craft catches up. If he keeps choosing projects that test range without overreaching, a solid catalog will form—one photogenic frame at a time.

11. Camila Coelho

Runway fluency evolved into screen confidence for Camila Coelho. Fashion vlogs taught her framing, color, and presence—skills now leveraged in TV appearances and major modeling campaigns. On-camera elegance is her currency, but she’s adding narrative savvy, learning to anchor scenes rather than pose within them. The result is a polished, cosmopolitan persona with range.

Behind the glamour, she’s a disciplined entrepreneur, steering beauty brands and philanthropic initiatives. That strategic backbone reassures studios and sponsors alike: reliability with global reach. Portuguese and English fluency expand markets, making her a transatlantic asset.

Expect travel-lifestyle series, fashion-centric dramas, and hosting gigs that blend expertise with storytelling. She’s crafting longevity by merging editorial aesthetics with approachable warmth. In a crowded field, that blend feels distinctive—and scalable across platforms.

12. Hannah Stocking

Science jokes and sketch chaos set the stage for bigger experiments. Hannah Stocking parlayed Vine and YouTube virality into acting and producing digital films, often in ensemble comedies that reward timing and fearlessness. She’s a structural thinker, mapping setups and payoffs with an editor’s eye. That pre-visualization helps low-budget shoots punch above weight.

Her performances toggle between heightened absurdity and earnestness, a necessary elasticity for online-native storytelling. As runtimes lengthen, she’s refined control, dialing back maximalism to let scenes breathe. Producer credits underscore ambition beyond cameo status.

The next logical leap is a streamer sitcom or action-comedy vehicle with stunt-lite sequences. Expect partnerships with stunt coordinators and comedy showrunners to expand her toolkit. She’s evidence that digital-first production fluency translates into on-set leadership and durable screen presence.

13. Amanda Cerny

Precision timing and athletic physicality made Amanda Cerny a natural fit for action-comedy. After Vine fame, she landed in The Babysitter: Killer Queen and a slate of Netflix projects, bringing polished stunt-adjacent movement to punchlines. Years of self-producing skits cultivated an instinct for camera angles and rhythm. That toolbox travels well to set.

She thrives in roles that demand confidence with a wink—capable, playful, and ready to sprint. Directors appreciate her reliability and willingness to workshop beats. As budgets expand, she’s positioned to anchor mid-tier genre flicks that live forever on streaming algorithms.

Producing remains a parallel lane, ensuring creative control and pipeline consistency. Expect globe-trotting heist comedies and tight, kinetic thrillers. With brand partnerships fueling visibility, Cerny’s screen arc looks sustainable: agile, audience-aware, and primed for bigger swings.

14. Justin Bieber

A YouTube discovery story became a modern pop fable. Justin Bieber moved from grainy covers to platinum tours, then sprinkled acting cameos that played with his public image. The key is self-awareness: he leans into myth, poking fun while delivering undeniable hooks. Media training and stagecraft make him a camera natural.

As a cultural fixture, he toggles between vulnerable documentary subjects and glossy performances. That duality keeps interest high during quieter release cycles. Cameos, voice roles, and music-driven features suit his profile, adding filmic footnotes to a dominant music career.

Expect selective screen appearances aligned with album eras and fashion collabs. When he does act, it’ll likely amplify brand narrative rather than chase Oscars. And that’s fine—few stars manage longevity across so many life chapters with this much commercial gravity.

15. Shawn Mendes

Vine snippets turned into stadium serenades, then a cuddly crocodile co-star. Shawn Mendes parlayed online traction into chart-topping albums and a lead voice role in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. His gentle tenor and earnest presence translate well to family fare, where warmth is the main currency. The screen version of Mendes feels approachable, humble, and open.

Tour documentaries doubled as training wheels for on-camera comfort. He’s learned to carry narrative beats while staying authentically low-key. That skill set points toward musicals, rom-coms, and prestige cameos that leverage musicality.

Expect incremental forays into scripted roles, timed around album cycles. With careful coaching, he could anchor a music-driven drama. The brand remains wholesome but maturing—a sweet spot for studios betting on longevity and repeat viewership across age groups.

16. Troye Sivan

Hushed intimacy and sharp aesthetics define Troye Sivan’s evolution. From YouTuber to pop auteur, he’s built a visual language that seamlessly crosses into film and television. Roles in Boy Erased and The Idol tap his understated magnetism, favoring suggestion over spectacle. He occupies space like a mood—quiet, specific, compelling.

Music videos serve as laboratories for tone, color, and performance style. That precision informs acting choices, where he calibrates micro-expressions with care. Directors use him as an anchor in stylish, emotionally charged worlds.

Expect more auteur-driven projects, queer narratives, and artful indies. He’s less blockbuster bait than festival favorite, and that’s a lane with real staying power. When music and film cycles align, the synergy feels intentional, not opportunistic—a model for modern, multi-medium storytelling.

17. Jacob Sartorius

Youthful hooks introduced Jacob Sartorius, but persistence kept him in the frame. He grew from social media singles into small-screen roles, trading viral loops for episodic consistency. Acting classes and studio reps gave him tools to listen, react, and sustain a character across scenes. That’s the slow craft influencers often skip—and he didn’t.

He fits youthful ensembles: the earnest friend, the sensitive lead, the music-leaning classmate. That archetype aligns with his fanbase, making casting feel organic. As he ages up, scripts with coming-of-age grit will test depth and nuance.

Expect guest arcs, teen dramas, and music-tied projects that let him perform on and off camera. The trajectory is steady rather than flashy, but reliability builds résumés. With each credit, the internet-kid label fades and the actor one settles in.

18. Grayson and Ethan Dolan (The Dolan Twins)

Symmetry and hustle turned pranksters into producers. Grayson and Ethan Dolan pivoted from YouTube spectacle to behind-the-camera credibility, directing music videos and sharpening production chops. Twin intuition doubles as creative shorthand on set, trimming time during blocking and edits. They’ve learned to translate vibe into visuals with a clean, modern stamp.

On screen, they sell buddy chemistry; off screen, they sell efficiency. Building a reel outside the algorithm gave them access to clients who speak in storyboards, not thumbnails. That’s a serious shift—and a durable one.

Expect a move toward branded content, short-form narrative films, and eventually a feature debut. Their audience will follow, but the goal is new respect from crews and critics. If they keep stacking tasteful, well-crafted pieces, the “YouTuber” prefix will quietly vanish.