Tyler Oakley, once a prominent internet personality and LGBTQ+ advocate, experienced a meteoric rise to fame in the early days of YouTube. However, his subsequent decline has left many fans and observers wondering what went wrong.
Short answer, What Happened To Tyler Oakley? – Once a prominent internet personality, Tyler Oakley’s influence waned as YouTube evolved, and his content lost its unique charm. Factors like overexposure, creative stagnation, and competition with newer creators contributed to his decline. Despite setbacks, Oakley remains hopeful for a comeback.
In this extensive blog post, we take a deep dive into Tyler’s journey, examining his rise to prominence, the peak of his career, and the factors that led to his eventual downfall.
We also shed light on his personal life, Twitch streaming endeavours, and various projects that may have played a part in his changing fortunes.
Why not check out other blogs in our What Happened To Series including Smosh, Alex Day, SourceFed, Andrew Tate, PewDiePie and more.
The Early Days
Tyler Oakley’s ascent began in 2007 when he started uploading videos to YouTube while studying at Michigan State University. His relatable, humorous, and heartfelt content quickly gained traction, and his channel grew exponentially.
As an openly gay creator, Tyler used his platform to champion LGBTQ+ rights, earning him a dedicated fanbase and notable partnerships.
| Year | Subscribers (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 0.1 |
| 2011 | 0.5 |
| 2013 | 2.5 |
| 2015 | 7.5 |
The Peak
At the height of his career, Tyler was featured in various media outlets and partnered with major brands such as Taco Bell, Pepsi, and Warby Parker, further solidifying his status as a social media powerhouse. He even interviewed then-President Barack Obama on his channel in 2015, discussing topics like education and healthcare.
Oakley’s advocacy work also garnered him accolades, such as the Trevor Project’s Youth Innovator Award and GLAAD’s Davidson/Valentini Award.
Personal Life
Tyler Oakley was born on March 22, 1989, in Jackson, Michigan. He has been open about his struggles with eating disorders and mental health, often using his platform to raise awareness and help others.
Oakley came out as gay at the age of 14 and has been a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community ever since.
Although he keeps his romantic life relatively private, he occasionally shares glimpses of his relationships and friendships on social media.
Scandals and Controversies
Tyler Oakley has generally maintained a positive public image, but he hasn’t been immune to controversy. In 2014, he was involved in a public spat with fellow YouTuber Liam Payne, a member of One Direction, over Liam’s support of a reality TV star with controversial views. This led to a temporary rift between Tyler and the One Direction fanbase.
Another controversy arose when Oakley criticized the YouTube series “Escape the Night,” claiming it was problematic for casting an all-white main cast. Some viewers felt that his comments were hypocritical, as Oakley had been part of predominantly white casts in other projects.
The Fall
Despite his early success, Tyler Oakley’s influence began to wane as competition increased, and his content started to lose its unique charm. The rise of newer, more dynamic content creators also played a role in his declining relevance.
| Year | Subscribers (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 7.9 |
| 2019 | 7.4 |
| 2021 | 7.0 |
Factors contributing to his fading relevance included overexposure, creative stagnation, and the evolution of the YouTube platform itself, which increasingly favoured algorithm-driven content.
Additionally, Tyler’s decision to focus on his podcast, “Psychobabble,” and other projects resulted in less frequent video uploads, further distancing him from his core audience.
Twitch Streaming and Other Projects
Tyler Oakley expanded his online presence beyond YouTube by venturing into Twitch streaming in 2020. While his Twitch channel amassed a decent following, it never quite reached the same level of success as his YouTube channel. Oakley primarily streamed “Among Us,” “The Sims 4,” and other popular games, but as the streaming platform became more saturated, his content struggled to stand out.
Aside from Twitch, Oakley pursued various projects, such as publishing a book, “Binge,” in 2015, which became a New York Times bestseller. He also appeared on television, participating in the 28th season of “The Amazing Race” and hosting his own talk show, “The Tyler Oakley Show,” on the Ellen Digital Network.
However, these endeavours likely took time and focus away from his main YouTube channel, making it more difficult for him to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape of social media.
Reflection on Career and Possible Comeback
In recent interviews and social media posts, Tyler Oakley has been open about his struggles with maintaining relevance in the digital space. He acknowledges the difficulty of adapting to new trends and platforms while staying true to his authentic self.
Nevertheless, Oakley remains hopeful for a potential comeback, expressing interest in exploring new forms of content and collaborating with other creators.
As new generations of creators continue to emerge and the digital landscape evolves, it remains to be seen if Tyler Oakley can recapture the magic that initially propelled him into the spotlight. However, his legacy as an LGBTQ+ advocate and trailblazer in the world of online content creation remains undisputed.
Conclusion
Tyler Oakley’s story serves as a cautionary tale for online content creators. While his rise to fame was meteoric, maintaining relevance in the ever-evolving world of social media can be challenging.
As new generations of creators continue to emerge, it remains to be seen if Tyler Oakley can once again capture the magic that initially propelled him into the spotlight.
Regardless of his future endeavours, Oakley’s impact on the LGBTQ+ community and the digital world will continue to be remembered and celebrated.
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