Zoella, Lilly Singh, Rhett & Link, Smosh: where 2016’s YouTubers are in 2026

Ten years ago, these four were everywhere on YouTube. As the “2026 is the new 2016” nostalgia wave swept social media (BBC covered it in January), we checked what each is publicly up to now. Only sourced, public activity is included.

Zoella: a long break, and a donkey sanctuary

The Tab reported on Aug 4 that Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes had not posted properly on social media since wrapping up Vlogmas at the end of last year, and that her August series Vlogust had not returned. It said the online break had stretched to almost seven months. We have not found a newer update from them, so treat that as the picture as of early August.

She has not explained the break. The Tab pointed to what she said in last December’s Vlogmas: “We just need to end it while everyone still loves it.” The outlet noted that neither of them has confirmed they are leaving YouTube for good, and its link between the two is its own reading.

What is documented: the BBC reported on Aug 11 that Mid Sussex District Council approved their plan for a donkey sanctuary on a five-acre field near their West Sussex home, with work not to begin until archaeologists investigate the site.

Lilly Singh: from Superwoman to media founder, and back to sketches

Entrepreneur reported on Mar 18, 2025, that Singh co-founded HYPHEN8, billed as the first dedicated network for South Asian YouTube creators, with Skara Ventures. It handles direct ad sales and brokers brand deals.

Now she is heading back to her channel. In an interview published on YouTube’s blog on Oct 15, according to PPC Land, she said she received “countless notes” in Hollywood about making her work “more palatable,” “more marketable,” or “less niche.” She also said her film Doin’ It could not be seen by many longtime fans in India, the UK and Trinidad and Tobago because of traditional distribution deals. PPC Land notes the blog belongs to YouTube, which has its own commercial interest in that story.

Rhett & Link: Good Mythical Morning on Netflix

The Hollywood Reporter reported on July 14 that Good Mythical Morning, Mythical Kitchen and Last Meals would join Netflix starting Sept 7, debuting there the same day they are uploaded to YouTube. THR said the show has run since 2012 and has more than 10 billion views.

Smosh: still a full cast

Bleeding Cool reported on Oct 9 that Smosh officially added Courtney Theophin, Eli Gonzalez, Emily Wirth and Tatyana Guchi to its cast, bringing it to 18 people including founders Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla. The four had been appearing as “Friends of Smosh.” Arasha Lalani is leaving to pursue independent projects.

Why it matters now

Ten years on has meant different things: a quiet break, a creator moving back to YouTube from Hollywood, a Netflix deal, and a channel that keeps growing its cast.