What started as Tyler Oakley’s YouTube channel back in 2007, has now led one accomplishment to another. Now, he’s signed with Ellen DeGeneres.
Matthew Tyler Oakley, known as Tyler Oakley, is originally from Jackson, MI. He’s known for his YouTube videos and podcasts. Besides being a humorist, he is an author and activist.
The 27-year old is a social rights advocate and seen to be the most eminent LGBTQ voice on YouTube. He’s also quite the pop culture phenomenon.
Oakley’s first book called Binge was published in October 2015. This piece of writing is personal and silly, written by Oakley who has now gained more than 10 million followers through social media.
His YouTube channel has more than 8 million subscribers, with new videos everyTuesday and Friday. Oakley has more than 5 million Twitter followers and more than 6 million Instagram followers.
“I think people watch us because they might not feel like they have somebody that they can connect to,” Oakley said on the first episode of The Amazing Race.
With that being said, Oakley is in the midst of fighting for first place on the 28th season of The Amazing Race with Korey Kuhl. CBS premiered the season in February 2016 and will end mid-May. Consequently, the podcasters are in the top three for the finale and may just be adding yet another accomplishment to the list.
Beyond this, Oakley has earned several other awards in 2014. He won Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Male, Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Collaboration – The “Boyfriend” Tag, Streamy Entertainer of the Year and Streamy Activist Icon of the Year.
It’s no wonder DeGeneres wanted him on her team. On May 4, the American comedian and TV talk show host announced the deal made with the social media star. They will be pairing together to make a variety of original digital projects. They also plan to develop projects for television viewing.
The new Ellen Digital Network (under the banner of EDV) is meant to “create a robust, premium cross-platform advertising and integration opportunity for brands to associate with the compelling and engaging original content Ellen produces.” Besides DeGeneres’ YouTube channel, it will include features on her website EllenTV.com, ellentube, mobile applications, as well as popular channels over social media like Twitter and Instagram.
“I’m so excited for the Ellen Digital Network,” said DeGeneres in the press announcement.
She added, “I’ll get to showcase amazing talents like Tyler Oakley and tWitch. Plus, I’ll finally prove to the world that my pets can speak in human voices.”
There is much to come for Oakley as he adds onto his accomplishment list, and he hasn’t even hit the age of 30 yet! That deserves a round of applause.
Did We Win A Million Dollars?!
Written by Jordan Crowley
