CAA Signs YouTube Stars With 170 Million-Follower Dhar Mann at Center of Creator Push
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 22
CAA Signs YouTube Stars With 170 Million-Follower Dhar Mann at Center of Creator Push
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 22
Summary
CAA has turned its creator division into a priority business, giving digital star Dhar Mann a 90-minute cross-department strategy session once reserved for top film and TV talent.
That shift reflects a broader effort to redefine how Hollywood values fame and revenue, with agents from scripted TV, film, publishing, consumer products, reality and brand marketing now working creator clients.
New signings include the Stokes Twins with 140 million YouTube followers, Ben Azelart with 51 million and Rebecca Zamolo with 23 million, while CAA has also poached creator-focused agents from rivals.
The expansion underscores how internet-native talent is moving from Hollywood's margins to its center, following recent commercial wins from creator-linked projects such as 'Obsession' and 'Backrooms.'
Can viral creators maintain their authenticity when their online art becomes a Hollywood blockbuster franchise?
Is Hollywood's creator gold rush a sustainable new model or just a bubble destined to pop?
Will AI that predicts film success make human 'internet whisperers' obsolete before their trend even begins?
How "Obsession" and the Creator Economy Drove a $370 Million Box Office Revolution in 2026
Overview
In 2026, "Obsession" became a box office sensation, breaking Hollywood norms by originating from a YouTuber rather than traditional studios. Its unique background forced the industry to rethink established rules and highlighted a new path for original storytelling. The film’s impressive financial performance, especially when combined with "Backrooms," helped push summer box office totals to new heights. Focus Features’ decision to keep "Obsession" exclusively in theaters extended its success, showing that compelling content from digital creators can attract large audiences and reshape expectations for how hit films are made and released.