By STEPHANIE CHEN

They’re not your everyday celebrities. But given their phenomenal popularity on YouTube, it would be wrong to deny Rachel Anderson and Kodi Brown that title.

The world’s No.1 YouTube channel, PewDiePie, run by Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, has a staggering subscriber count of more than 35 million. That’s more than Australia's and New Zealand’s populations combined.

While it's obviously on a smaller scale, Brown’s entertainment channel boasts more than 260,000 subscribers and Anderson’s beauty channel "Rachelleea" has attracted a hefty following of 70,000 people. For both, it is how they make their living.

YouTube conventions, such as VIDinc, which was held in Sydney in August, roll out the red carpet for these internet royals. These events have been known to attract thousands of fans who travel long distances and pay more than $300 a ticket to catch a glimpse of their idols, while PR representatives flock to sponsor them.

Brown and Anderson are no strangers to such an idea. They are regularly recognised on the streets and fans are not shy to ask them for autographs, photos and hugs.

They also maintain working relationships with some of the world’s biggest brands.

“We’re working on something with [Chinese tech giant] Lenovo … [We’ve worked] with adidas," Brown says.

Some YouTubers have extended their business ventures from advertising to extensive entrepreneurship, authorship deals and Hollywood roles.

American make-up demonstrator and entrepreneur Michelle Phan, considered by many the first online beauty guru, has her own makeup brand Em and owns the subscription service Ipsy, which is estimated to bring in more than US$84 million a year.

Korean-American actor Ki Hong Li found a strong following by collaborating with YouTube channel Wong Fu productions, before being cast in the box office hit Maze Runner.

British beauty vlogger Zoella (aka Zoe Sugg), who has about three million subscribers, released her first book Girl Online late last year. She sold 78,109 copies in the first week, setting a record for a debut author, well surpassing both Harry Potter and 50 Shades of Grey.

A sign of her now-mainstream success is that Madam Tussauds announced this month that Zoella would be added to its waxworks collection.

Meeting Brown and Anderson, it’s not difficult to see why they’re receiving so much attention. It was easy to spot Anderson’s perfectly curled locks and Brown’s bright smile from the crowd at Fed Square as they greeted their fans with respect.

Fan Charlotte, who met Anderson and Brown in Sydney, texted them: “THANX FOR THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE”. When asked why she enjoyed watching YouTubers such as Anderson, she replied that it was “for confidence, support, happiness, and a place to forget my sadness”.

Something to aspire to

It’s not surprising then to see people, both young and older, aspiring to make a career out of YouTube. However, despite the travelling and glamour YouTubers seem to bask in, making it a success is a full-time job.

Victorian YouTuber Crystal Conte vlogs about fashion and beauty, as well as videoing her everyday life with her husband Dean. She has built 24,000 subscribers, and has a strong presence on Facebook and Twitter.

Anderson says that for all the glamour, it's "tough".

Audiences on their social media platforms are constantly buzzing and corporations from around the world hand them daily opportunities.

“You go straight to [the] computers and just start working. You have to catch up on all the social media – Instagram, Facebook, emails … it’s because you weren’t there for eight hours," she says.

Anderson and Brown also have their share of critics and "haters". The online abuse they receive is both endless and startling. Brown receives racist taunts focused on his skin colour. Anderson is often told she looks ugly or hideous without makeup. 

Their subscribers are also a target, with abusers sending insults via private messages and also on public forums. 

Anderson says she has to constantly censor hurtful or damaging comments. But it's worth it, clearly.

As the sun sets at Federation Square, she considers the impact on her life.

“I guess it comes to a point where you have to start living a different lifestyle,” she says, before catching sight of another YouTuber who was busy taking a selfie intended for their own social media. 

Suddenly Anderson's demeanour becomes excited as she remembers a vital task that she had forgotten to carry out.

“Oh I have to snapchat too!” she says. She and Brown head over to join their fans for photos and light conversation.