Colleen Ballinger

Colleen Ballinger is a comedian, actress, and internet personality best known for creating the character Miranda Sings, a comically untalented and egotistical singer who became one of YouTube’s most recognizable characters. Ballinger began uploading Miranda Sings videos in 2008, and the character’s over-the-top personality, signature red lipstick, and delusional self-confidence quickly attracted millions of viewers. The channel grew to become one of the most subscribed comedy channels on YouTube.

The success of Miranda Sings extended well beyond YouTube. Ballinger took the character on multiple sold-out national and international tours, performing live comedy shows to packed venues. In 2016, Netflix picked up a scripted series based on the character called Haters Back Off, which ran for two seasons and gave Ballinger the opportunity to flesh out Miranda’s backstory and world. She also published a bestselling book in character as Miranda Sings.

In addition to the Miranda Sings channel, Ballinger maintained a popular personal vlogging channel where she shared her daily life with millions of subscribers. This dual-channel approach allowed her to connect with audiences both through comedy and authentic personal content. She documented major life events including her marriage to Erik Stocklin and the births of their children, building a loyal community of followers.

Ballinger’s career faced significant challenges in 2023 when she was the subject of public controversy regarding her interactions with younger fans. The fallout impacted her public presence and brand partnerships. Prior to this, she had built an estimated net worth of $10 million through YouTube ad revenue, touring income, the Netflix series, merchandise sales, and brand deals, making her one of the highest-earning female creators on the platform.