Here Are 17 Celebrities Who Started Their Careers on Social Media

The way many celebrities became famous and launched their careers is often unknown, or at least we haven't looked back far enough to figure it out. You'd be surprised to learn how some individuals entered the industry.

Many of our favorite celebrities actually began their careers on social media, whether by doing things we've seen them do or engaging in activities they've never pursued since. Some started on YouTube, while others began on Instagram or other platforms, showcasing different talents.

Regardless, they all reached their current status thanks to social media, making it hard to imagine what life would be like without it. I mean, half of these individuals might not even have their careers if it weren't for social media.

Social media is such a significant part of our lives that I'm not surprised most of these people started on various platforms. Look at them now. We're going to dive into the past and explore how famous celebrities, such as Justin Bieber, began their careers.

Here are 17 well-known celebrities and how they started their careers on social media.

1. Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber is one of the many celebrities who were discovered on YouTube for their talents.

MTV / Via giphy.com

Here's a look at one of his past videos that got him discovered.

2. Cardi B

Cardi B was first discovered on Instagram and Vine, where people fell in love with her personality. This led to her appearance on Love & Hip Hop: New York, which ultimately resulted in her signing with a music label.

Capitol Records / Via giphy.com

Here's a look into how Cardi started her career.

5. Halsey

Halsey grew up with a love for music and shared it on her YouTube channel. This is where she gained fame, especially when her song "Ghost" went viral and kickstarted her career.

American Music Awards / Via giphy.com

Here's a peek into Halsey's music.

7. Kate Upton

Kate was a successful model from the age of 16, but her fame skyrocketed when a video of her dancing to "The Dougie" went viral across the internet.

Sports Illustrated / Via giphy.com

Here is the infamous "Dougie" video.

9. The Weeknd

The Weeknd began by sharing his music on his mysterious YouTube channel, where many wanted to know the face behind the music. This exposure helped his account reach people like Drake, which inevitably kickstarted his career.

FOX / Via giphy.com

Here's a peek into The Weeknd's music.

6. Alessia Cara

Alessia started by posting her music on her YouTube channel. Someone encouraged her to share her original music, leading to the release of "Here," which marked the beginning of her career.

NBC / Via giphy.com

Here's what her old content looked like.

7. Doja Cat

Doja Cat was already popular on SoundCloud and signed to a label, but her true fame didn't come until the release of her song and video "Mooo!"

RCA Records / Via giphy.com

Here's Doja Cat's video and song "Mooo!"

15. Bo Burnham

Bo went viral because of his song "My Whole Family..." which initiated a snowball effect, leading to his accidental fame. Since then, he has transitioned into comedy.

Netflix / Via giphy.com

Here's the song "My Whole Family..."

9. Shawn Mendes

Shawn began by posting covers on his YouTube channel, but he gained fame by sharing clips of his voice on Vine.

NBC / Via giphy.com

Here's some of his most famous Vines.

10. Darren Criss

Darren played the lead role in a parody by Starkid Productions about Harry Potter called "A Very Potter Musical." This role launched his career, eventually leading to his part in Glee.

SAG Awards / Via giphy.com

Here's what the musical looked like.

11. Liza Koshy

Liza began by sharing her comedy and hilarious personality on Vine, later becoming a TV star and internet celebrity by continuing to showcase her comedic talent.

American Music Awards / Via giphy.com

Here's a look at some of Liza's most popular Vines.

12. Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa initially found success in modeling but later gained recognition for her YouTube channel, where she shared her music, eventually leading to her signing with a label.

GRAMMYs / Via giphy.com

Here's what Dua Lipa's YouTube channel looked like.

13. Quenlin Blackwell

Quenlin Blackwell gained popularity on Vine, TikTok, and other social media platforms. She has gone viral multiple times and continues to build her career through social media, as well as modeling.

Quenlin Blackwell / Via giphy.com

Here's a look at one story that made her go viral.

14. Soulja Boy

At the start of YouTube, Soulja Boy went viral after posting his music to his channel, including the hit song "Crank That Soulja Boy." This could very well have been the first dance challenge.

VERZUZ / Via giphy.com

Here's the top hit that started his career.

15. Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan began by posting covers and vlogs on his YouTube channel, where he gained the fame that launched his career. Now he has two albums and a role in Boy Erased.

FOX / Via giphy.com

Here's a look at Troye's YouTube channel.

16. Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X started his career with his hit song "Old Town Road," which completely stunned the internet. He continues to engage in hilarious marketing while releasing chart-topping hits.

NBC / Via giphy.com

Here's his song "Old Town Road"

17. Dylan O'Brien

Dylan began by posting skits on YouTube, which became so popular that they led him to his role on Teen Wolf. He used his YouTube channel as his resume when auditioning for the role.

MTV / Via giphy.com

Here is one of Dylan's skits on his YouTube channel.

Many celebrities actually started their careers on social media, launching a whole new life for themselves. They began by sharing videos of their activities, demonstrating that social media truly works wonders for certain career paths and has a positive impact on the world.