Welcome to Created, the newsletter that’ll never break up with your inbox. Here’s what we got today:
- How TikTokers are turning breakups into businesses
- Closer look at Kai Cenat's Streamer University
- Best thumbnails of the week
New Trend: Break Up With Your BF...Then Post About It?
Is nothing private, anymore?
Breaking up with your significant other used to mean curling up into a ball.
Now, a slew of Gen Z creators are posting about their breakups — and getting big views and even bigger paychecks.
Sure, being vulnerable on camera is one thing. But is this taking it going too far?
The "Business" of Breaking Up
Amelia Samson and Bridgette Vong are the biggest creators leading the trend.
After Amelia ended an 8-year relationship, she posted a tearful video followed by many heartfelt posts that netted 600K followers on TikTok.
Bridgette, on the other hand, used to post gym videos with little traction. Then she made a video about ending a 5-year relationship…and it went viral.
She followed up with vlogs, healing routines, and dating updates.
Soon, Bridgette quit her job and paid off $15K in debt through brand deals.
But it's not all roses.
Just ask Nick Champa. For years, he was known as one half of TikTok’s “biggest gay couple.”
Then they broke up. Upon announcing it, Nick’s TikToks got over 4.4 million likes in a week.
Then things took a turn for the worst. The couple’s combined 26M followers demanded answers. Brand deals dried up.
Then the unthinkable: Nick quit TikTok altogether to focus on his acting career.
Our Take
Be careful what you become known for.
This “breakup” content reminds me a lot of the family vlogs that dominated YouTube around 2017.
But two things happen:
- They faded because it's exhausting to publicize your private life that much.
- They faked drama in their relationships on camera which led to real problems off camera.
I predict the same will happen with these “breakup” creators.
Anybody posting about their breakup has to ask themselves: is this the kind of content I want to make for another year? How about the next 5 years?
If not, they won’t last and those 15 seconds of fame aren’t worth it.
Kai Cenat's Streamer University Gets 1M+ Applications
Watch out Harvard. Here comes…Kai Cenat?
With a Harry Potter–inspired launch video, Kai Cenat welcomed the “first-ever class of Streamer University” — then dropped a link to apply.
Within minutes, he got over 1M applications. The site crashed. Submissions flooded in.
But how’s it been going so far?
Backstory
Kai Cenat’s Streamer University isn’t another online course.
It’s a real college-campus experience for creators — free flights, free housing, and a full weekend to collaborate, create, and, in Kai’s words, “make chaos.”
Streamer University is open to all types of creators — not just Twitch streamers. TikTokers, YouTubers, rookies, and veterans are all encouraged to apply.
Cenat says he’s looking for creators with energy, ambition, and “that flair.”
And he’s putting real money behind it: over $500,000 to make sure every student has the best setup — cameras, mics, PCs, you name it.
Kai even said he’d try to appear in everyone’s streams.
Applicants Are Going All Out
Submissions so far have ranged from heartfelt to hilarious:
- Chocolate Girl Eats dressed as Lil Wayne and rapped about lasagna
- Estie submitted a full-on business proposal for why “studs” should be part of the creator lineup
- Weezoe streamed from his house with his kids yelling in the background
“I’m not confirming or denying anyone,” Kai said during his stream. “But if your sh*t is cringe, GG.”
Our Take
There’s a generation of young people who don’t want to go to real university.
But a weekend learning from favorite creators? That’s a dream.
Kai is giving them access, mentorship, and most importantly — a moment. One that says: this path is real. This job is real. And community is the best kind of curriculum.
As Streamer University takes shape, one thing is already clear: the demand is overwhelming.
Over 1 million people raised their hands. Now Kai just has to pick who makes the cut.
🎯 Weekly Roundup: Thumbnails
Here’s why we love these YT thumbnails. Hopefully, they inspire your next one.
- A restaurant on top of a mountain makes you wonder how it got there (Harrison Webb)
- Lens and case close-up highlight how customizable the phone is (MKBHD)
- Strange red container with ‘Skatepark Inside’ stops your scroll (Kelly Wakasa)
- Gigantic sinkhole + ‘ONE HOUR DOWN’ text creates a powerful mystery hook (BRIGHT SIDE)
🖼 Extreme Makeover: Thumbnail Edition (Submit Yours)
In our recent interview with The Stokes Twins, I said I’ll re-design your thumbnails if you read our newsletter.
So let’s do this! To submit, just reply to this email with your thumbnail and channel link.
We’ll pick a few to redesign. Just like we did with this thumbnail above.
Totally free. After all, our goal is to be the most helpful newsletter for creators.
If we get a lot of submissions, we’ll do this more often.
🚀 Weekly Outlier
This video by Cinthia Lin has 1.9M views, which is 12.9 times higher than the channel’s average. Here’s why it took off:
- Rare Inside Access: Offers first-hand footage from Shein’s supplier village, something rarely shown online.
- Personal and Risky: A local creator goes undercover, making the investigation feel raw, human, and authentic.
- Thought-Provoking: Explores the workers' reality and systemic pressures, prompting viewers to reflect on their role.
💰 Job Board
- ADateWithHistory is looking for a 2D animator
- Nurses To Riches is looking for a video editor
- Jack Roberts is looking for a YouTube strategist
🏆 The Created Referral Program
Know someone who’d also love this newsletter? Refer them and get gifts.
Refer 1 friend: you’ll get my Infinite Ideas book. It’s my 8 best tips to find viral ideas for your next upload.
Refer 5 friends: you’ll get my Top 50 Thumbnails book. It includes a detailed breakdown of why they work so you improve your packaging.
Trust me, these books are packed with more tips than most paid courses.
Copy this unique link and email, text, or post it: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]
👋 See You Inside
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– Jon
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