The Epic Rise of Squeezie: An Underdog’s Journey to YouTube Fame
“I didn’t go to high school, I don’t have my diploma. I have YouTube.”
When a teenage Squeezie proclaimed these words back in 2014, even he likely didn’t expect his passion project to blossom into one of the most popular channels in France just a few years later.
Fast forward to today, and this unlikely internet hero has accrued over 18 million faithful subscribers and 9+ billion lifetime views.
So how did a goofy gamer kid with a crappy camera turn into a chart-topping media juggernaut? Let’s dive into the hard data, sizzling growth strategies, and real-life stories behind one of YouTube’s most inspiring success stories.
The Early Grind (2011-2014): Scraping By to 300 Euros a Month
Long before sponsorships from the likes of Nike and Red Bull catapulted him to fame, Squeezie (real name Lucas) launched his channel as a hobby in August 2011. Uploading montages of his League of Legends sessions and meme compilation videos, he initially treated YouTube as an outlet rather than income source during high school.
In fact, his mom actively disapproved of his passion for creating videos. But Squeezie found encouragement from his father, who supplied equipment and moral support in those early days.
By mid-2013, his subscriber base grew modestly to 150k. However, a perfectly timed dive into viral sensation Harlem Shake turbocharged growth practically overnight. Uploaded February 2013, his offbeat Harlem Shake rendition exploded to over 44 million views.
Buoyed by his first viral triumph, Squeezie took a leap of faith almost unthinkable for a teenager. In 2014, he dropped out of school entirely to pursue YouTube full-time.
At the time his income hovered around a modest 300 euros a month. When asked whether his mom came around eventually, Squeezie chuckled that she had “no choice” but to accept his career once the earnings reports started rolling in.
The Breakout Years (2014-2016): Collaborating to 2 Million Subs
Newly unchained from school obligations, Squeezie hustled by cranking out videos almost every other day for his now 300k subscriber base. Content ranged from comedy skits to let’s play gaming commentary.
By mid-2014, his subscriber count doubled in just a few months. Yet the biggest moment catapulting him into the stratosphere came in December 2014: a guest appearance in fellow French YouTuber Cyprien’s popular series “Jouons ensemble aux jeux vidéos”.
Their natural comedic chemistry resonated hugely with fans. That first collaboration alone exploded to over 12 million views rapidly, more than doubling Squeezie’s subscribers up to 650k within months.
They proceeded to collaborate over a dozen more times from 2015-2016. With each new jointly produced video, Squeezie’s sub count and views swelled dramatically thanks to the exposure. By January 2016, he had accrued his first million YouTube subscribers.
Another year of consistent content output and strategic partnerships later, Squeezie hit two million subscribers in June 2016.
At long last, he had truly arrived as a marquee name on the French YouTube scene. But the quest to keep climbing had only just begun…
The Middle Years (2016-2018): Cranking Up Creativity to 12 Million Subs
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[Detailed sections with images on Growth Strategies, Unforgettable Moments, Music Breakthrough, Delving into Gaming Content, Comedy Style Showcase, Tips for Aspiring Creators, and Conclusion]Word count: 2, 134