From giving away life savings to getting embroiled in million-dollar lawsuits, the stories of youtubers who went broke are as diverse as they are surprising. Fame on YouTube often comes with financial ups and downs, and while some creators thrive, others find themselves facing bankruptcy. Here, we dive into the stories of well-known YouTubers who saw their fortunes disappear, exploring the choices that led to their financial downfall.
Boogie2988: From Riches to Bankruptcy
One of the most dramatic stories of youtubers who went broke is that of Boogie2988. An early YouTube star, Boogie started his channel in 2006, creating comedic videos featuring his character, Francis. His relatable content and openness about his struggles quickly attracted millions of subscribers, and by 2019, he had amassed 4.5 million followers and was earning over $100,000 annually.
However, Boogie’s financial troubles began after his divorce, which caused him to lose 50% of his assets. While many fans supported him through this challenging time, his reputation took a hit after a Reddit thread exposed some of his controversial behaviors. This led to a decline in subscribers and views, dropping from 10 million to just 2 million monthly views. Sponsors abandoned him, and his financial situation worsened.
Instead of cutting back on expenses, Boogie made reckless financial decisions, such as taking out a $100,000 loan to purchase a Tesla Model X while still owing on his mortgage. Although he initially found success with cryptocurrency investments, he eventually lost everything in the market, relying on fans for support. By 2023, a documentary revealed that he had gone from $750,000 in savings to facing bankruptcy—a cautionary tale of how quickly fortunes can change in the world of YouTube.
Ivan Bianco: The Costly Mistake of Leaking a Crypto Wallet
Boogie2988 wasn’t the only one among youtubers who went broke due to cryptocurrency misadventures. Ivan Bianco, known for his channel “Fraternity Dat Crypto,” lost over $60,000 in mere seconds. Ivan, who had been making blockchain gaming content for years, accidentally exposed the key to his crypto wallet during a live stream. Viewers quickly took advantage of this slip-up, draining his wallet and leaving him devastated.
Feeling as though his life was over, Ivan filed a police report, but to his surprise, the thief later returned a portion of the stolen funds. While Ivan’s story had a relatively happy ending—recovering around $50,000—this incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in live streaming sensitive information. His story stands out among youtubers who went broke as an example of how even a small mistake can have significant financial consequences.
Andrew Hales: From YouTube Stardom to Working at Taco Bell
Andrew Hales, the creator behind the popular channel “Losing All Hope Was Freedom,” enjoyed success with his lighthearted prank videos and interviews, amassing over a million subscribers. However, behind the scenes, Andrew battled depression, and he eventually lost his passion for creating prank content.
During the pandemic, his channel suffered as he struggled to adapt to the new restrictions, and his income dried up. Simultaneously, he picked up costly habits like excessive drinking, traveling, and overspending on rent. He amassed over $50,000 in credit card debt and failed to save for taxes, ultimately forcing him to work at an Amazon warehouse and Taco Bell to make ends meet.
Despite hitting rock bottom, Andrew made a comeback by reintroducing interviews on his channel, showing that sometimes the road to recovery starts with returning to what you love. His story of resilience is a unique chapter in the tales of youtubers who went broke.
Tasha K: Sued for Millions by Cardi B
Some youtubers who went broke found themselves in financial trouble due to legal battles, and Tasha K is one of the most notable cases. The media personality, known for her controversial takes and celebrity gossip on her channel “Unwine with Tasha K,” found herself in a fierce legal battle with rapper Cardi B. It all started in 2018 when Tasha K made defamatory claims about Cardi B, leading to a lawsuit in which Cardi was awarded $4.1 million in damages.
Tasha K’s assets, which included a few luxury items and her YouTube channel, were not enough to cover the massive payout. In 2023, she declared bankruptcy, retaining only a fraction of her previous wealth. Her story remains a reminder of how the spread of false information can have severe financial consequences, making her one of the more dramatic cases among youtubers who went broke.
Matthew Beem: Risky Investments and the Gamble That Paid Off
Matthew Beem’s story is perhaps the most unconventional among youtubers who went broke. Known for his extravagant challenges and videos, Matthew spent thousands of dollars attempting to gain the attention of popular YouTubers like Logan Paul and MrBeast. His high-risk strategy included buying $50,000 worth of loans to create a custom car for Logan Paul—only to have the video flop.
Despite facing severe financial losses and struggling with debt, Matthew took another risk by creating a custom car for MrBeast. This time, his gamble paid off. Although the initial video didn’t perform as well as expected, a simple thumbnail change transformed its performance, eventually garnering millions of views. Matthew’s perseverance turned his story of financial ruin into one of redemption, proving that calculated risks can sometimes lead to incredible payoffs.
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Lessons from Youtubers Who Went Broke
The stories of these youtubers who went broke share a common theme—how quickly fortunes can change when poor decisions, risky investments, or unexpected circumstances come into play. While some, like Matthew Beem, managed to turn things around, others, like Tasha K, are still dealing with the consequences. These tales remind us that the path to YouTube stardom is not always lined with gold and that financial success can be as fleeting as a viral video.