Instant Alert: MEET THE YOUTUBE MILLIONAIRES: These are the highest-paid YouTube stars of 2015

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   MEET THE YOUTUBE MILLIONAIRES: These are the highest-paid YouTube stars of 2015 by Maya Kosoff on Oct 15, 2015, 1:19 PM YouTube has exploded since it first launched in 2005, becoming the de facto launchpad for the next generation of internet celebrities. It's no secret that YouTube's biggest stars are using sponsored videos and advertising to make a living on the platform, in addition to just making a name for themselves. But who on YouTube is getting paid the most?  Forbes just published its look at which YouTube stars make the most money. The publication based its rankings on raw, pre-tax estimates of earnings that are derived from "data from Nielsen, IMDB, and other sources, as well as on interviews with agents, managers, lawyers, industry insiders, and the stars themselves." Forbes says most of the YouTube millionaires on its list get paid through ads, previews, and sponsored videos. Some of the people on its list also have their own side businesses and book deals. SEE ALSO: Meet the 30 most popular Vine stars in the world 8. (tie) Rosanna Pansino Income: $2.5 million Rosanna Pansino has the nerdiest baking channel on YouTube — and also the most popular of any baking channel on the platform, period. Pansino's "Nerdy Nummies" channel puts a nerdy spin on normal recipes, including videos for food creations like "Pi Pie Pops" and "Princess Peach Cobbler."     8. (tie) Roman Atwood Income:  $2.5 million Roman Atwood's prank-filled YouTube channel almost seems more in line with the humor you'd typically see from any number of massively popular Vine stars. Atwood was recently dubbed YouTube's "most appalling prankster" — he's pretended to kill his own toddler twice, to film his girlfriend's reaction. He's also filmed many less horrifying prank videos for his channel. 8. (tie) Lilly Singh Income: $2.5 million Lilly Singh does everything from comedy sketches to music videos on her one-woman YouTube channel. Singh also has a YouTube star nickname — Superwoman— and a rabid fan base. Her videos have also landed her on the Collective Digital Studio network, which has more than 700 channels of creators.    See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011