<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="8322765" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="instagram-reels">Instagram Reels</keyword>, Facebook's <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword> rival, is launching in the US Wednesday. It provides users with another way to share content with their followers — in the form of super-short, spliced-together, soundtrack-based videos.</li><li><keyword id="819905" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Instagram">Instagram</keyword> Reels launched first in Brazil in late 2019, and has since been rolling out to countries like Germany, France, and India. Wednesday's launch will extend Reels' presence to the US, UK, and more than 50 other countries.</li><li>The launch comes as TikTok's 100 million American users worry about the app's ban in the US. President Donald Trump has stepped up threats to ban TikTok due to its ties to China.</li></ul><p>Instagram Reels is launching Wednesday in the US to provide users with another way to share content with their followers — in the shape of super-short, spliced-together, soundtrack-based videos. The launch comes just as TikTok's loyal fanbase is engulfed in a panic about a potential nationwide ban.</p><p>Like TikTok, Reels allows users to record short-form videos and edit them with a plethora of effects, as well as add in audio and music soundtracks. Reels' launch Wednesday also includes a rollout to users in the United Kingdom, Australia, and more that 50 other countries.</p><p>Facebook first started testing Reels <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-testing-new-tiktok-style-video-feature-reels-brazil-2019-11">with users in Brazil in November</a>, and has since rolled in in recent months to France, Germany, and India.</p><p>The similarities between Reels and TikTok are stark, and it's no secret Facebook is looking to target TikTok fans with the new feature. But Instagram's head of product, Vishal Shah, told reporters in a recent call that the timing of Reels' release is "coincidental," and that the company has been working on the new feature for a long time.</p><p>"[TikTok] certainly didn't invent short form video, but they innovated it," Shah told reporters. "We've been clear that formats in the past were inspired by other companies...I believe that consumers having choice results in better products."</p><p>Shah says that Reels will differ from TikTok in giving users a more built-out augmented reality platform, as well as offering them a way to make short-form videos inside Instagram, a place they already love and know how to use.</p><p>Both Instagram and TikTok have been relatively mum about breaking down their user numbers, but both have massive followings. TikTok has more than 2.3 billion global downloads, and recently said its US userbase surpasses 100 million users. Meanwhile, Instagram has more than 1 billion global users, and estimates put the platform's US userbase at <a href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-statistics/">between 100 million and 150 million</a>.</p><p>Facebook may also hope it has an upper hand over TikTok <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-us-ban-trump-administration-facebook-google-antitrust-china-bytedance-2020-7">due to its American roots</a>. When CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared in front of Congress last week over antitrust concerns, he painted Facebook as a story of homegrown American success, whose future is threatened by authoritarian China — where TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is located. </p><p>The debut of Instagram's Reels in the US comes as fears spike over TikTok's future in US, as President Donald Trump and his administration are threatening to ban TikTok nationwide. Although the path to a ban is not clear, TikTok's US users are already panicking and looking for alternatives to the platform in preparation. ByteDance has been looking to sell TikTok's US operations to an American company in an attempt to salvage its presence, and Microsoft has emerged as a potential buyer.</p><p>With the threat of a ban, Facebook isn't the only platform to try to offer a TikTok alternative. Several tech companies have apps similar to TikTok — including Triller, Byte, and Dubsmash — but no platform has yet to successfully rival TikTok's viral reach.</p><p>Since coming to the US in 2018, TikTok has grown into a <keyword id="6354632" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="social-media">social media</keyword> powerhouse and established itself as a staple of internet culture and social interaction for Generation Z. It has outperformed US-based apps with younger audiences such as Snapchat and Instagram in both <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-hits-15-billion-downloads-outperforming-instagram-2019-11">new downloads</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/users-spending-more-time-daily-on-tiktok-than-instagram-cowen-survey-2020-7">time spent</a>. </p>

Facebook's TikTok clone, Instagram Reels, launches today in the US as TikTok's future hangs in the balance

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Facebook is planning to bring its competitor to <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword> — called Reels — to <keyword id="819905" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Instagram">Instagram</keyword> users in the US in early August, an Instagram spokesperson told Business Insider.</li><li>Reels, which has already debuted in India and other select countries, will live inside of Instagram Stories as an option for sharing short-form video content similar to that on TikTok.</li><li>Beijing-based TikTok first <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-app-online-website-video-sharing-2019-7#to-trace-the-history-of-this-incredibly-popular-short-form-video-sharing-app-its-important-to-note-that-tiktok-didnt-start-as-tiktok-6">came to the US in 2018</a> and has grown into an overwhelmingly dominant social platform, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-hits-15-billion-downloads-outperforming-instagram-2019-11">outperforming US-based apps</a> that have attracted younger audiences, like Snapchat and Instagram. </li><li>Instagram's planned US debut of Reels comes as TikTok's future in the country remains uncertain. The Trump administration recently said it's considering banning the Chinese app in the US, opening the door for US tech companies to roll out new features catered to the TikTok audience.</li></ul><p>Facebook will soon debut its competitor to TikTok's popular short-video format to US Instagram users as the Trump administration weighs a country-wide ban on the viral Chinese app.</p><p>Instagram plans to roll out Reels, a new format that will live inside of the app's Stories feature, to the US in early August, a company spokesperson told Business Insider. Like TikTok, Reels will allow users to record and edit short-form videos with audio and music soundtracks. </p><p>Instagram users will be able to create and share Reels to their Stories, and access their short-form videos in a new, dedicated tab on their profiles. Public accounts will have their their videos shared on the app's Explore page, and can choose whether or not their Reels content appear on their profiles and in followers' Feeds.</p><p>As for similarities drawn between TikTok and Reels, an Instagram spokesperson said in a statement that "no two services are the same."</p><p>"TikTok specifically has harnessed real consumer behavior, and done amazing things. We've also seen the rise of short-form video on Instagram, and think we can create something in a way that makes sense for our community," the spokesperson told Business Insider. "This responsiveness to consumer demand is competition at work and one of the longtime hallmarks of the tech sector. It increases choice, which is good for people."</p><p>Facebook first started testing Reels <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-testing-new-tiktok-style-video-feature-reels-brazil-2019-11">with users in Brazil in November</a>, before rolling out last month to France and Germany. The early August rollout will include the United Kingdom and around 50 other countries, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/facebook-readies-global-launch-its-tiktok-competitor-n1234013">NBC News reported</a>.</p><p>The debut of Instagram's Reels in the US — and in India in early July, as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/instagram-reels-is-being-quietly-tested-in-india-just-days-after-the-tiktok-ban/articleshow/76768337.cms">reported by Business Insider India</a> — comes as concerns over TikTok's livelihood in both countries has created an opening in short-form video-sharing. The Indian government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-bans-tiktok-dozens-of-other-chinese-apps-security-concerns-2020-6">recently banned new user downloads</a> of TikTok and other Chinese apps amid a bloody border dispute with China, where the app's parent company ByteDance is based.</p><p>TikTok has been facing greater scrutiny in the US over how much access and influence the Chinese government is afforded over user data and content moderation. Most recently, multiple government officials — including <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-considering-banning-tiktok-2020-7">President Trump himself</a> — have threatened banning the app. TikTok has more than 2 billion global downloads and an estimated <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-banning-chinese-social-media-app-tiktok-security/story?id=71647269">US userbase at as high as 80 million</a>.</p><p>So far, TikTok has been able to brush off lawmakers' calls for investigations and national security experts' warnings. In June, TikTok <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-india-china-ceo-kevin-mayer-ban-employees-first-test-2020-6">appointed a US-based CEO</a> in June to try to distance itself from its Chinese roots. But the imminent threat of TikTok disappearing from the US has already signaled panic among users, and led <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-ban-competitors-capitalizing-instagram-reels-youtube-byte-dubsmash-2020-7">tech companies to take advantage of the chaos</a> to lure the app's loyal following to their competing platforms.</p><p><a href="https://support.google.com/youtube/thread/18138167?hl=en">YouTube has started</a> testing its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-tiktok-rival-shorts-video-sharing-app-google-firework-2020-4">in-app feature for short-form video</a> with a "small group" of people, and developers have discovered <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/13/snapchat-tests-tiktok-style-navigation-for-exploring-public-content/">Snapchat could be switching</a> out its horizontal swiping motion for TikTok's signature vertical swipe. Smaller apps, like Byte, Triller, Likee, and Dubsmash, have also seen <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-users-focus/tiktoks-u-s-users-prepare-for-life-without-the-video-app-idUSKCN24F13A">an increase in downloads</a>, according to Reuters. </p>

Instagram's rival to TikTok will come to the US in early August

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword> has surpassed 2 billion all-time global downloads across iOS and Android devices, <a href="https://sensortower.com/blog/tiktok-downloads-2-billion">according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower</a>.</li><li>The accomplishment comes on the back of a record-setting Q1: TikTok saw 315 million installs, which Sensor Tower reports is the most downloads any app has ever had in a single quarter.</li><li><keyword id="798358" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="social-platforms">Social platforms</keyword> across the board have seen a surge in popularity in recent months, as people under coronavirus-related lockdown adjust to staying at home and find new ways to connect with others.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>TikTok has now surpassed 2 billion downloads on mobile devices after seeing a surge in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p>The video-sharing app already had a monstrous start to 2020, attracting 315 million new installs since January, according to <a href="https://sensortower.com/blog/tiktok-downloads-2-billion">app analytics firm Sensor Tower</a>. That reportedly is the most downloads any app has ever gotten in a single quarter.</p><p>TikTok, known for the viral, short-form videos its users create, has seen a surge in popularity in the last several months as countries were placed under lockdown orders and people continue to adjust to <keyword id="6360041" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="life">life</keyword> indoors. Users have filled TikTok with light-hearted content providing an alternative to coronavirus-related news, including <a href="https://www.insider.com/tiktok-doctor-dances-viral-portland-oregon-hospital-2020-4">doctors taking dance breaks</a>, people sharing <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/tiktok">DIY fashion</a> and home renovation projects, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/coronavirus-birthdays-creative-ideas-tiktok-2020-3">quarantined families</a> <a href="https://www.insider.com/boyfriend-proposes-family-watching-on-video-call-in-viral-tiktok-2020-4">making creative uses</a> of <a href="https://www.insider.com/tiktok-themed-dinners-caitcanoe-derek-princesses-hooters-airplane-2020-3">their time at home together</a>.</p><p>TikTok's 315 million first-quarter downloads dwarfs numbers out of other platforms, but social apps across the board have seen significant boosts in usage and downloads since the pandemic started. In Q1, Facebook accrued 186.1 million mobile downloads, and Instagram saw 151.8 million installs.</p><p>TikTok has become the go-to launchpad for memes and <keyword id="1532112" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="internet-culture">internet culture</keyword> since it was launched by the China-based company ByteDance <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-app-online-website-video-sharing-2019-7">in September 2017</a>. When TikTok debuted in the US less than a year later, it became the next best thing for creators since Vine, the video-sharing Twitter shut down in 2016.</p><p>The 2 billion downloads mark comes <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-hit-1-billion-downloads-surpassing-instagram-in-2018-2019-2">just over a year after</a> TikTok reached 1 billion downloads globally. It took the app nearly 1.5 years to reach its first billion. </p><p><div type="image" title="tiktok sensor tower 2 billion downloads" height="930" width="1450" msid="75480909" hostid="261"></div></p><p>US-based companies and startups have made several attempts at their TikTok competitors, but none have been able to reach the level of popularity that TikTok has achieved and is continuing to build upon. The only platform to have found comparable success in the US was Musical.ly — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-app-online-website-video-sharing-2019-7">which ByteDance acquired in 2017</a> before shutting it down a year later to merge it into TikTok.</p><p>Most recently, <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/youtube-plans-shorts-to-rival-tiktok">The Information reported</a> that YouTube is working on Shorts, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-tiktok-rival-shorts-video-sharing-app-google-firework-2020-4">an in-app feature</a> for shortform video-sharing. Google, YouTube's parent company, had also previously been rumored to be in talks to acquire a TikTok competitor called Firework, the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-weighs-acquisition-of-rival-to-video-app-tiktok-11570213344?utm_source=Triggermail&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Post%20Blast%20bii-digital-media:%20Google%20considers%20buying%20TikTok%20competitor%20%7C%20Apple%20bundle%20tests%20poorly%20among%20music%20labels%20%7C%20BBC%20revamps%20iPlayer%20interface&amp;utm_term=BII%20List%20DMedia%20ALLDMedia%20ALL">Wall Street Journal reported in October 2019</a>. </p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-launched-tiktok-competitor-called-lasso-2018-11">Facebook released a TikTok competitor</a> in November 2018 named Lasso, but the app has remained quiet since its debut. Vine's cofounder launched an app called Byte in early 2020, which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/byte-app-download-numbers-vine-popularity-tiktok-competitor-2020-1">has seen some initial success</a> in download numbers, but has yet to birth any internet stars or viral memes. Triller, advertised as a music-discovery app, <a href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/10/24/tiktok-rival-triller-funding-round/">is banking on partnerships</a> with major music labels to rival TikTok. Although lip-syncing app Dubsmash has been instrumental in launching some TikTok-famous dances — <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/13/style/the-original-renegade.html">notably, the "The Renegade"</a> — it has only around one-third of the US downloads of TikTok, according to Sensor Tower data <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/31/dubsmash-songs/">provided to TechCrunch in early 2020</a>.</p>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-app-2-billion-downloads-record-setting-q1-sensor-tower-2020-4">Business Insider</a>

TikTok surpasses 2 billion downloads and sets a record for app installs in a single quarter

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e84f028487c22701f4cbe5b-2000/untitled design 59.png" alt="youtube tiktok" /><p class="source"><span>Noam Galai/Getty Images; John Phillips/Getty Images for TechCrunch</span></p><p class="caption">YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, left, and TikTok global head Alex Zhu.</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>YouTube is reportedly planning to launch a shortform video-sharing feature before the end of 2020 designed to rival the viral platform TikTok, The Information reports.</li><li>The feature, called "Shorts," will live as a feed inside the existing YouTube mobile app, meaning users can make use of YouTube's licensed music and songs.</li><li>TikTok, which is just over two years old, is nearing 2 billion downloads worldwide. The app has exploded in popularity and influence, especially as a launchpad for memes and Generation Z culture.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>YouTube reportedly plans to launch a shortform video-sharing feature inside its mobile app by the end of 2020 in an attempt to make a dent in the surging popularity and impact of TikTok.</p><p>The feature is called "Shorts," and will live within YouTube's existing mobile app, <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/youtube-plans-shorts-to-rival-tiktok">according to The Information</a>. It seems the feature will mimic to concept of TikTok: a feed of super-short videos that act as an alternative to longer vlogs and clips that appear on YouTube.</p><p>With <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-nears-2-billion-installs-coronavirus-2020-3">nearly two billion downloads</a>, TikTok has become the go-to launchpad for memes and internet culture since it was launched by Chinese-based company ByteDance <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-app-online-website-video-sharing-2019-7">in September 2017</a>. When TikTok debuted in the US just under a year later, it became the next best thing for creators yearning for a replacement for Vine since Twitter shut it down in 2016.</p><p>But Shorts may be able to pose a real threat with its roots tied to YouTube, the most popular video-sharing platform in the world that's been around for more than 15 years. Because Shorts will exist inside YouTube's app, users will be able to harness the established platform's extensive library of licensed music and soundtracks when making videos. It also means that YouTube won't have to convince users to download another app onto their phones to use Shorts, and  creators who have built up millions of subscribers on their existing YouTube channels won't have to convince their fanbase to migrate over to another app for more content.</p><p>US-based companies and startups have made several attempts at their own apps to take on TikTok, but none have been able to reach the level of popularity that TikTok has achieved and is continuing on which to build. The only similar platform to have found comparable success in the US is Musical.ly - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-app-online-website-video-sharing-2019-7">which ByteDance acquired in 2017</a>, then shut down a year later to merge into TikTok.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-launched-tiktok-competitor-called-lasso-2018-11">Facebook released a TikTok competitor</a> in November 2018 named Lasso, but little has been heard from the app since its debut. Vine's cofounder launched an app called Byte in early 2020, which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/byte-app-download-numbers-vine-popularity-tiktok-competitor-2020-1">has seen some initial succes</a>s in download numbers but has yet to birth any internet stars or viral memes. Triller, advertised as a music-discovery app, <a href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/10/24/tiktok-rival-triller-funding-round/">is banking on partnerships</a> with major music labels to rival TikTok. Although lip-syncing app Dubsmash has been instrumental in launching some TikTok-famous dances - <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/13/style/the-original-renegade.html">notably, the "The Renegade"</a> - it has only around one-third of the US downloads of TikTok, according to Sensor Tower data <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/31/dubsmash-songs/">provided to TechCrunch in early 2020</a>.</p><p>Google, YouTube's parent company, was rumored to be in talks to acquire a TikTok competitor called Firework, the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-weighs-acquisition-of-rival-to-video-app-tiktok-11570213344?utm_source=Triggermail&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Post%20Blast%20bii-digital-media:%20Google%20considers%20buying%20TikTok%20competitor%20%7C%20Apple%20bundle%20tests%20poorly%20among%20music%20labels%20%7C%20BBC%20revamps%20iPlayer%20interface&amp;utm_term=BII%20List%20DMedia%20ALL">Wall Street Journal reported in October 2019</a>. It's unclear where those discussions are at now, but they could have been dropped now that YouTube is planning to release Shorts sometime this year.</p><p>"We don't comment on rumors or speculation," a YouTube spokesperson told Business Insider.</p><p class="tagline"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/stories-slide-deck?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=ctgr_bii&amp;itm_term=ctgr_leadgen&amp;itm_content=socialmedia&amp;itm_campaign=stories-slide-deck"><img src="https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5bd375adcd6f3842155a1a29" alt="Exclusive FREE Report: The Stories Slide Deck by Business Insider Intelligence" style="width: 100% !important" /></a><br /><br />Featured Social Media Articles:<br />- <a href="/influencer-marketing-report">Influencer Marketing Industry</a><br />- <a href="/social-commerce-report">Social Commerce</a><br />- <a href="/ar-in-social-media-report">AR in Social Media</a></p>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-covid-19-social-distancing-looks-from-maxar-satellite-2020-3">How social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic looks from a satellite</a></h3>                    <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/GM59twSl-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;"></iframe>            

YouTube is reportedly planning to launch an in-app rival to viral video-sharing app TikTok before the end of 2020

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48070155.cms" /><br />
<br /> It looks like the Dubsmash fever is getting hold of every second <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> celebrity. After Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Shah Rukh Khan, the leading lady of Bollywood, <keyword id="6357860" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anushka-Sharma">Anushka Sharma</keyword> has hopped onto the bandwagon.<br />
<br />
The Dubsmash debut of the pretty actress came on a special occasion; she recently crossed the 5 million mark on the social networking site Twitter.<br />
<br />
The video also came with a personal message for her Twitter followers, who have been making her feel special since her Twitter debut in 2009.<br />
<br />
Here is what she had to say, or rather sing, to mark the special occasion.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Just realised Ive reached d 5 million mark.So here's a msg 4 y'all sharing my life here wid me &amp; makin it special 😘😘😘 <a href="http://t.co/tIu2ai5oKa">pic.twitter.com/tIu2ai5oKa</a></p>
	— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnushkaSharma/status/620532392755904512">July 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>It is also to be noted that Anushka’s beau <keyword id="6354486" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Virat-Kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> became the first Indian cricketer to cross the same, 5-million mark on Twitter. He had also joined Dubsmash a few days back, and now was the turn of his sunshine Anushka to follow suit.<br />
<br />
Here is Virat, dubsmashing in his own style.<script>(function(d, s, id) {  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;  js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.3";  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>

	
		<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/virat.kohli/videos/870134996406938/">
			<p>
				Dubsmash-ed it!</p>
			Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/virat.kohli">Virat Kohli</a> on Wednesday, 1 July 2015</blockquote>
	



Anushka Sharma follows beau Virat, everywhere

<p><em></em></p><p><em>Hi, this is Dan Whateley, filling in for Amanda Perelli who is on vacation this week. </em><em>W</em><em>elcome back to Insider <keyword id="1112328" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Influencers">Influencers</keyword>, our weekly rundown on the influencer and creator economy. </em><a href="http://newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/influencerdashboard"><em>Sign up for the newsletter here.</em></a></p><p>This week, my colleagues Amanda Perelli and Sydney Bradley looked into what "micro" influencers — creators with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/types-of-influencers-on-social-media-micro-macro-nano-classification-2020-1">between 10,000 and 100,000 followers</a> — can earn from brand deals on <keyword id="819905" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Instagram">Instagram</keyword>.</p><p>These lower-follower-count influencers aren't as well known, with many only working part time as digital creators. But they're also a big draw for brands who can pay them less for sponsored content while <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/micro-influencers-are-top-category-to-hire-marketer-survey-2020-3">still getting high levels of engagement</a> on posts. </p><p>Setting the right rates can be tricky for these part-time creators. Some micro influencers told Business Insider that they're frequently low-balled when it comes to compensation. Brands will offer them "gifts" or free products rather than a paycheck in exchange for their content.</p><p>"I always tell my clients that when you are in negotiating with brands, you want to make sure that you aren't low-balling yourself," said Britney Turner, a micro influencer with around <a href="https://www.instagram.com/itsbritneynicole_/">27,000 Instagram followers</a>, who is also a content creator coach.</p><p>Sydney and Amanda spoke with four influencers who had under 50,000 Instagram followers about how they set their rates when negotiating paid sponsorships with brands.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-money-micro-influencers-charge-instagram-brand-sponsorships-2020-8">Read the full breakdown here.</a></p><h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wme-strategy-for-negotiating-influencer-brand-deal-instagram-youtube-2020-9">A top WME agent walks through the process of negotiating influencer brand deals</a></h2><div type="image" title="Fanjoy" height="750" width="1000" msid="77912406" hostid="261"></div><p>Sydney spoke with WME's Carolyn Moneta, who spearheads the Hollywood talent agency's "Digicomm" team, about how the agency negotiates brand deals for its talent.</p><p>The company represents top digital creators like Addison Rae Easterling, David Dobrik, and Lilly Singh.</p><p>Moneta said that most of the partnerships that come out of Digicomm are six- to seven-figure deals, with some even culminating in eight-figure exits for talent.</p><p><strong>Here are some questions she and her team ask of brands and collaborators:</strong></p><ul><li><p>What are the broader career-driven implications of pursuing this opportunity?</p></li><li><p>What is the positioning of this brand in the product category? What are industry trends and historical context telling us, etc.? WME will discuss this with the talent and their manager (if they have one).</p></li><li><p>For digital creators, they need to evaluate <em>why </em>the brand is engaging. Is it because of who the creator is and what they stand for, or is it because of the measurability of their channels? (WME prefers the former when it comes to answers here.)</p></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wme-strategy-for-negotiating-influencer-brand-deal-instagram-youtube-2020-9">Read more about WME's step-by-step playbook for negotiating a brand deal, here.</a></p><h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/beverly-hills-investigating-tiktok-influencer-collab-house-clubhouse-2020-8">The city of Beverly Hills said it's 'investigating' the TikTok influencer mansion Clubhouse</a></h2><div type="image" title="Daisy Keech" height="1789" width="2386" msid="77912408" hostid="261"></div><p>A representative from Beverly Hills confirmed to Business Insider that the city was "investigating" the popular influencer mansion Clubhouse after reports emerged that the house had recently held a large gathering.</p><p>The investigation was first reported in the <a href="https://bhcourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/082120Fissue.pdf">Beverly Hills Courier on August 21</a>.</p><p>Clubhouse, which was launched after cofounder Daisy Keech (6.1 million followers) left another popular creator group, <a href="https://www.insider.com/tiktok-hype-house-facing-power-struggle-legal-dispute-2020-3">The Hype House</a>, earlier this year, is an influencer group and physical house in Beverly Hills. It's one several popular influencer content "collab" houses in the Los Angeles area.</p><p>Clubhouse rotates its members as a part of its business model. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqgZ3SomvgU">Keech and others recently left the group</a>, and new members like influencers Katie Sigmond (649,000 followers) and Teala Dunn (3.3 million followers) joined.</p><p>Other LA-based influencers have recently caught the attention of local governments for throwing parties during the pandemic. Sway LA members Bryce Hall and Blake Gray were <a href="https://www.insider.com/bryce-hall-charged-blake-gray-tiktokers-birthday-party-la-2020-8">charged with a misdemeanor</a> by the city, which alleged they had violated its "Safer LA" health order and its "Party House Ordinance."</p><p>A spokesperson for Clubhouse said that the group was working with Beverly Hills to resolve the situation, and said that they weren't "aware of any on-going investigations."</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/beverly-hills-investigating-tiktok-influencer-collab-house-clubhouse-2020-8">Read more about the investigation here.</a></p><h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-reels-most-used-short-form-video-apps-among-influencers-2020-8">Influencers share which short-form video apps they're using, as platforms like Triller, Byte, and Instagram's Reels battle for market share</a></h2><div type="image" title="Instagram Reels" height="554" width="738" msid="77912410" hostid="261"></div><p>With <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword>'s ownership status <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-has-chosen-buyer-could-announce-deal-tuesday-report-2020-8">in limbo</a>, competitors have been pushing hard to court its users in the US.</p><p>But TikTok remains the short-form video platform of choice among influencers, according to a new survey of 875 US-based creators by the influencer-marketing agency Obviously.</p><p>68% of respondents to Obviously's August survey said they were using TikTok. About half (52%) of influencers told Obviously that they were using Instagram's Reels. Those two were out in front by a wide margin.</p><p>Just 7% reported using <keyword id="4682542" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="triller">Triller</keyword>, and less than 5% named Byte, Dubsmash, and Likee as apps that they use.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-reels-most-used-short-form-video-apps-among-influencers-2020-8">See the full list of short-form video apps that influencers have adopted, here.</a></p><h2>More creator industry coverage from Business Insider:</h2><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-coronavirus-is-changing-influencer-marketing-creator-industry-2020-3">How the coronavirus is changing the influencer business, according to marketers and top creators on Instagram and YouTube</a> (by Amanda Perelli, Dan Whateley, and Sydney Bradley)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-money-youtube-pays-creators-for-200-thousand-views-2020-8">A YouTube creator explains how much money she earns per 1,000 views — and what she's made from videos with 200,000 and 250,000 views</a> (by Amanda Perelli)</p></li></ul><div type="image" title="Brianna Nichole" height="2730" width="3640" msid="77912411" hostid="261"></div><h2>This week from Insider's digital culture team: </h2><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/bryce-hall-age-bio-tiktok-cheating-partying-peeing-banned-playlist-2020-8">TikTok star Bryce Hall could face jail time after being charged for his giant 21st birthday party. Here's how he methodically built his bad boy brand, from peeing off a balcony to pandemic partying.</a> (by Kat Tenbarge)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/jeffree-star-new-boyfriend-andre-marhold-relationship-drama-ex-girlfriend-2020-8">Jeffree Star's rumored boyfriend came out of nowhere and is already causing drama.</a> (by Kat Tenbarge)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/ffactor-diet-health-problems-emily-gellis-tanya-zuckerbrot-2020-8">Women claim they experienced hair loss, gastrointestinal distress, and eating disorders while following the F-Factor diet. The founder says it's an anti-diet campaign to ruin her.</a> (by Rachel E. Greenspan and Anna Medaris Miller)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/att-lily-actress-milana-vayntrub-commercial-harassment-online-comments-instagram-photos-2020">The actress who plays AT&amp;T's Lily is facing waves of online sexual harassment.</a> (by Margot Harris)</p></li></ul><div type="image" title="ATTMilaVayntrub" height="1200" width="1599" msid="77912413" hostid="261"></div><h2>Here's what else we're reading:</h2><ul><li><p><a href="https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/patreon-raises-90-million-funding-valuation-1234756351/">"The stigma of the starving artist is going to fade away," said Jack Conte, CEO of the creator-membership platform Patreon, after announcing that the company raised $90 million</a> (by Todd Spangler, from Variety)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/08/29/907316522/tiktok-workers-feel-anxiety-anger-and-rage-amid-trump-crackdown">TikTok workers who are suing the Trump administration said they feel "anxiety," "anger," and "rage," after the president's recent executive order</a> (by Bobby Allyn, from NPR)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/29/style/christmas-time-is-here.html">TikTokers are flooding the app with Christmas cheer (in July)</a> (by Kristin Merrilees, from The New York Times)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53968222">The British government paid influencers to promote its COVID-19 contact-tracing program</a> (from BBC News)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/style/boa-steakhouse-tiktok-youtube.html">BOA Steakhouse, a West Hollywood restaurant, has become the main watering hole for social-media stars</a> (by Taylor Lorenz, from The New York Times)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-deal-talks-are-snarled-over-fate-of-apps-algorithms-11598995674?mod=searchresults&amp;page=1&amp;pos=3mp;pos=3">The question of who gets to own TikTok's prized algorithm has thrown a wrench in deal talks</a> (by Liza Lin, Aaron Tilley, and Georgia Wells, from The Wall Street Journal)</p></li></ul><p><em>Thanks for reading! Send me your tips, comments, or questions: dwhateley@businessinsider.com</em></p><h2><a href="http://newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/influencerdashboard"><strong>Subscribe to the newsletter here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></h2>

Micro influencers share their rates for sponsored posts and explain how they avoid getting low-balled

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/47630596.cms" />It is #throwbackthursday, or #tbt, again and Bollywood actress Sonakshi ‘Dabangg’ Sinha has posted a beautiful photo with her friend ‘Cleo’- a horse.<br />
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Today, the ‘Lootera’ girl has decided to voice out a concern also, through her photos and a series of tweets, which is banning Jallikattu.<br />
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She has urged Union Minister Prakash Javadekar to ban Jallikattu, a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu to celebrate Pongal.<br />
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Even though the Supreme Court has banned the sport, it is still practiced in many parts.<br />
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Sonakshi loves posting pictures on instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Recently, she created ripples through a number of Dubsmash videos and Salman Khan also made a debut Dubsmash with her. She was also quite active while posting candid moments and photos of IIFA 2015.<br />
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Let’s see her five #throwbackthursdays pictures on social networking sites:<br />
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		<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/throwbackthursday?src=hash">#throwbackthursday</a> with my beautiful friend Cleo. The best conversations are with those who listen! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/horsewhisperer?src=hash">#horsewhisperer</a> <a href="http://t.co/YOiDKbtMRL">pic.twitter.com/YOiDKbtMRL</a></p> — <keyword id="62210" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonakshi-Sinha">Sonakshi Sinha</keyword> (@sonakshisinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonakshisinha/status/608919567859994624">June 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
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		Animals are never cruel to animals. Animals dont judge each other. These are all "human" traits. And we think we r superior. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BanJallikattu?src=hash">#BanJallikattu</a></p>
	— Sonakshi Sinha (@sonakshisinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonakshisinha/status/608890449542037504">June 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
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		<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThrowbackThursday?src=hash">#ThrowbackThursday</a> or lets just say throw wayyyyy way back! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/daddysgirl?src=hash">#daddysgirl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ShatruganSinha">@ShatruganSinha</a> <a href="http://t.co/cdjjBWEIaN">pic.twitter.com/cdjjBWEIaN</a></p>
	— Sonakshi Sinha (@sonakshisinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonakshisinha/status/601281967460495361">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
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			<a href="https://instagram.com/p/10GK1sFdAm/" target="_top">#throwbackthursday mini me with walt @disney! Fun times in Florida last year 😊</a></p>
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			A photo posted by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) on</p>
		<time datetime="2015-04-23T10:25:20+00:00">
			Apr 23, 2015 at 3:25am PDT</time>
	
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			<a href="https://instagram.com/p/2p6m86ldBI/" target="_top">#ThrowbackThursday : this was my performance at the O2 in london last year! I love performing on stage, the energy is something else! #stage #performance #fun #madness #energy</a></p>
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			A photo posted by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) on</p>
		<time datetime="2015-05-14T08:03:18+00:00">
			May 14, 2015 at 1:03am PDT</time>
	
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		<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/throwbackthursday?src=hash">#throwbackthursday</a> Im nt upside down, the world is! Waiting on my wrist to get ok so i can do this again! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/handstand?src=hash">#handstand</a> <a href="http://t.co/Hw3mWqlsxZ">pic.twitter.com/Hw3mWqlsxZ</a></p>
	— Sonakshi Sinha (@sonakshisinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonakshisinha/status/588580771729838080">April 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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(Image: Indiatimes)<br />


#Throwbackthursday: Sonakshi Sinha posts photo with her friend Cleo!

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5845f58cdd089532448b4b27-2000" alt="William Westworld finale" data-mce-source="HBO"><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><strong>Warning: Spoilers ahead for the "Westworld" season finale.</strong></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Westworld" concluded its premiere season with a jam-packed finale episode. One of the biggest confirmations was the revelation that <a href="http://www.thisisinsider.com/westworld-jimmi-simpson-interview-william-2016-12">William and the Man in Black were the same character</a> whose scenes were taking place 30 years apart.&#xa0;</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><keyword id="79969" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="insider">INSIDER</keyword> caught up with Jimmi Simpson (William) after the finale to talk all things "Westworld" and his experience filming the first season.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I don't think I've ever worked on such an expansive set when you're talking about just geography, the caliber of actors and the number of actors, the number of writers and producers and the epic sized crew," Simpson said. "But despite all of that it considerably felt like a small family. So 'camaraderie' doesn't even do it justice because it's not just like a couple of the actors got along and played Dubsmash - everybody hung out all the time and we just really loved each other very much."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Simpson and his co-star Evan Rachel Wood (Dolores) have been sharing their Dubsmash videos &#xa0;- short voiceover clips featuring iconic movies or songs - on Twitter throughout the last few months.&#xa0;</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[Warning: NSFW language in the following clip]:</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Have fun catchin up on 1-9 before the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Westworld?src=hash">#Westworld</a> finale tomorrow, you guys. 😘<a href="https://twitter.com/evanrachelwood">@evanrachelwood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Willores?src=hash">#Willores</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulpFiction?src=hash">#PulpFiction</a> <a href="https://t.co/jqFxK20KOO">pic.twitter.com/jqFxK20KOO</a></p>- Jimmi Simpson  (@jimmisimpson) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/805203944590884864">December 4, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></span></p><p>"M<span style="font-weight: 400;">ost of those Dubsmashes are Evan and myself, and they were really just like a spit valve effect we&#xa0;had after having to throw ourselves into such deep emotional turmoil for such long nights towards the end of the season," Simpson said. "Both Evan and I are very emotional actors and we do our best work when we're allowed to really live in that space. So we both spent all those days in a very sad and tense emotional state, and at the end of the night we just said&#xa0;'hey you wanna smash?'/'yeah let's do it' and that's how we'd just shake it off."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5845f58cdd089532448b4b28-2000/dolores%20and%20william%20on%20train%20john%20p%20johnson%20westworld%20.jpg" alt="Dolores and william on train John P. Johnson Westworld " data-mce-source="John P. Johnson/HBO"><p class="source"><span>John P. Johnson/HBO</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though it was a grueling experience, Simpson says that the days spent filming on location in desert areas were some of the most memorable.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The entire ten days Evan and I spent in the desert working&#xa0;we did a majority of our stuff there getting those natural backgrounds and running from scene to scene," Simpson said. "We had nothing but each other to keep from going crazy. It was ten&#xa0;days of the hardest work I've ever done, and most of the emotional stuff was strenuous acting work but it also created a relationship with Evan that will probably last a lifetime so that was the best time."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5845f58cdd089532448b4b29-2400" alt="William and Dolores camp scene Westworld" data-mce-source="HBO"><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Part of the shared experience on set for the cast was theorizing and trying to guess what would come next, since they all (for the most part) received just one episode script at a time. So when the show was finally airing on HBO, Simpson and his fellow castmates closely tracked the fandom's theories.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I was really surprised after episode two when people were calling out s---, like specific s--- that you weren't supposed to even think about for four more episodes," Simpson said.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We asked if he or the group at large had any theories of their own that wound up being totally off the mark.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I think because we had the text we could read it unadorned by the spectacle of the actual show, we maybe had a slightly clearer idea of what</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> wasn't </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">happening," Simpson said. "But man, like <a href="http://www.thisisinsider.com/westworld-jeffrey-wright-interview-2016-11">the Bernard thing</a> f----ing shocked us all. We all ran over to him like 'How long did you know?!' I thought [that twist] was gorgeous. Oh god, beautiful. And Jeffrey Wright's execution was such a large part of that beautiful deception."</span></p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/582dd5cbdd08955a6d8b49c8-2000/bernard%20lowe%20in%20basement%20westworld%20john%20p%20johnson%20hbo.jpg" alt="Bernard Lowe in basement Westworld John P. Johnson HBO" data-mce-source="John P. Johnson/HBO"><p class="source"><span>John P. Johnson/HBO</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p>Since William never crossed paths with several of the other characters, Simpson followed their stories closely while watching the finished episodes.</p><p>"The people I didn't interact with very much that I'm most intrigued by are Jeffrey [Wright] and Thandie [Newton]," he said. "Those two characters are so immensely interesting to me and gosh I don't think those two actors could be any better than they are. So yeah I'm tuning in for them and then, of course, Dolores is my favorite."</p><p>Some of Simpson's favorite non-William scenes were the ones filmed with just Evan Rachel Wood (Dolores) and Jeffrey Wright (Bernard/Arnold).</p><p>"There are a couple scenes in [episodes] two and three when Bernard/Arnold and Dolores are talking and they're so subtle and it's just discussion from two seated actors but&#xa0;I don't think there's anything more compelling than what those two are doing in those scenes," Simpson said. "Jeffrey's artistry in interacting with this host and Evan's ability to change from an emotionally connected human to a computer ... I think that should not just win an award - it should start its own award from here on out."</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/583bd845dd0895491a8b4894-2400/dolores%20and%20bernardarnold%20westworld.png" alt="Dolores and Bernard:Arnold Westworld" data-mce-source="HBO"><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Westworld" has a pretty killer cast - a fact that didn't go unnoticed by Simpson. "It's blinding somtimes," he said. "I mean you put Anthony Hopkins on a show and I guarantee you every actor there will be doing their finest work."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only was the acting through season one applauded by critics, but the show's writing treatment of female characters was also noted. Between Dolores and Maeve, the two main hosts we followed, there was plenty of subversion when it came to standards for women on screen.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Thandie I didn't work with but we got along like a house on fire because she is who she appears to be&#xa0;- such an excited and invested actor getting this role and just killing it every day," Simpson said. "And it was the same with Evan. She's an actress who's been in the spotlight for her whole life and has had the ups and downs we all have and then to see her rise to this occasion ...&#xa0;Both of them are just redefining performance in a way. It was just inspirational."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5845f58cdd089532448b4b2a-2000/maeve%20in%20mariposa%20westworld%20credit%20john%20p%20johnson%20.jpg" alt="Maeve in Mariposa Westworld credit John P. Johnson" data-mce-source="John P. Johnson/HBO"><p class="source"><span>John P. Johnson/HBO</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"And it comes from the top, too," Simpson said. "You have Lisa Joy and [Jonathan Nolan] creating this whole scenario, choosing every element, creating it from ground up, and they are just model humans. Lisa&#xa0;is an insanely smart and emotionally generous woman and [Jonathan] is the same. It doesn't feel like 'men and women' it just feels like we're all together and trying to make things<em> even</em>&#xa0;- like they should be -&#xa0;</span>as opposed to 'Oh this is the woman's job.'"</p><p>Simpson recognizes the powerful way in which the women hosts dominated the most important narratives.</p><p>"Literally it's their show - it's Dolores' show," he said. "It just felt like the way things should be and we weren't fighting any prior bulls--- even though it's there, this show just lived by itself in a bubble where women were as important as men. Can you believe it?!"</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5841be9edd089530448b482a-2000/dolores%20abernathy%20by%20train%20westworld%20john%20p%20johnson%20.jpg" alt="Dolores Abernathy by train Westworld" data-mce-source="John P. Johnson/HBO"><p class="source"><span>John P. Johnson/HBO</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"[The women] are elevated in such a way that's not like the typical 'Hey let's elevate these women so they're more like this man and look at&#xa0;how they're doing these man things only men get to do,'" Simpson said. "They show you the power of femininity in a way that no male actor could even try to execute. [Lisa and Jonathan]&#xa0;both understand the power of emotion and that's generally considered like a 'feminine' quality, but here we just understand that, well, f--- whether it's men or women - it's powerful and it's what runs us all, so you're going to have to bow down to it at some point."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5845f58cdd089532448b4b2b-2000/william%20hands%20dolores%20jacket%20-%20credit%20john%20p%20johnson%20westworld.jpg" alt="William hands Dolores jacket   credit John P. Johnson Westworld" data-mce-source="John P. Johnson/HBO"><p class="source"><span>John P. Johnson/HBO</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As for his role in the first season of "Westworld," Simpson says he's grateful for the fans who are loving the show just as much as he did while creating it.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I really did feel like the small time little league guy who got invited to play with the big guys," he said. "And I feel real happy with the work and I feel the same way [the fans] do. It's such a great show."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To learn more about Simpson's thoughts on William's&#xa0;major finale twist and what he knows about season two so far, read more from&#xa0;<a href="http://www.thisisinsider.com/westworld-jimmi-simpson-interview-william-2016-12">our interview with the "Westworld" star</a>.</span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-one-of-the-most-prestigious-chocolate-laboratories-2016-11">Here's what happens inside one of the most prestigious chocolate laboratories in the world</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="45ZDRuNzE6ruUe1W_nUTBQbBOmaAtYjr" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', '45ZDRuNzE6ruUe1W_nUTBQbBOmaAtYjr',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

'Westworld' actor on filming season one and the plot twist that shocked the entire cast

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/49722983.cms" /><br /> <keyword id="6354583" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Salman-Khan">Salman Khan</keyword>, who is one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, has done almost everything in <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>, be it romance, comedy, action or drama. However, in his 27-year journey in Bollywood, he has never kissed his co-stars on screen, something which distinguishes him from almost every other mainstream Bollywood actor today.<br />
<br />
Apparently, Salman is not comfortable when it comes to kissing onscreen and says that he just doesn’t like it. He also said that he doesn’t think that one needs to kiss onscreen, and if one day needs arise, he would do what’s required.<br />
<br /> Salman, who would next be seen in <keyword id="146044" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sooraj-Barjatya">Sooraj Barjatya</keyword>’s directorial venture <em><keyword id="2133234" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Prem-Ratan-Dhan-Payo">Prem Ratan Dhan Payo</keyword></em>, along with <keyword id="710" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonam-Kapoor">Sonam Kapoor</keyword>. He would be seen playing a prince in the upcoming movie, which is touted to be a family drama, like every other Sooraj Barjatya movie, including <em>Maine Pyar Kiya</em>, <em>Hum Aapke Hain Kaun</em> and <em>Hum Saath Saath Hain</em>.<br />
<br />
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is creating quite some news in the market. The title track of the movie is getting popular day by day. More and more celebrities are using the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/The-best-of-Prem-Ratan-Dhan-Payo-dubsmashes-from-Bollywood/articleshow/49646716.cms">Dubsmash</a> app to sing this song and show off their dancing skills. The latest to join the bandwagon were <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-is-the-best-Prem-Ratan-Dhan-Payo-Dubsmash-there-ever-will-be/articleshow/49673864.cms">Helen and Waheeda Rehman</a>. <br />
<br />
<em>Picture by Indiatimes</em><br />


Here’s why Salman Khan never kisses on screen

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51600859.cms" /><br /> Since the past few days, rumours are rife that <keyword id="3778" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Karan-Johar">Karan Johar</keyword> will launch two more star kids in the upcoming sequel to his 2012 hit <em>Student of the Year</em>, which marked the debut of two star kids, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan, along with a relatively unknown <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/We-tell-you-what-Katrina-Kaif-is-doing-with-Sidharth-Malhotra/articleshow/51210361.cms">Sidharth Malhotra</a>.<br />
<br /> The star kids to be launched now are <keyword id="1859751" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ishaan-Khattar">Ishaan Khattar</keyword> and <keyword id="823990" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sara-Ali-Khan">Sara Ali Khan</keyword>, and while the latter’s name does ring (she is actor Saif Ali Khan’s daughter), Ishaan Khattar doesn’t have a popular surname, and has been mostly unheard of. Then, who is this lucky guy who is getting the best launch pad the entire industry can offer?<br />
<br /> Ishaan Khattar, born to actress <keyword id="87662" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neelima-Azim">Neelima Azim</keyword> and voice-over artist <keyword id="113410" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajesh-Khattar">Rajesh Khattar</keyword> in 1995, is the younger half-brother of Bollywood heartthrob <keyword id="6355887" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shahid-Kapoor">Shahid Kapoor</keyword>, who was born to Neelima Azim and actor Pankaj Kapoor. For a brief period of time before he made his Bollywood debut with Ken Ghosh’s <em>Ishq</em> <em>Vishk</em>, Shahid was living with his mother and Rajesh Khattar, which is why he is said to be very close to Ishaan, who is 15 years younger to him.<br />
<br />
While Sara Ali Khan (born 1993) is known to have made only brief media appearances during her father’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/If-you-thought-only-TwinkleKhanna-and-Akshay-are-confessing-their-love-on-social-media-you-need-to-checkthese-pics/Saif-Ali-Khan-and-Kareena-Kapoor/slideshow/47691259.cms">marriage to actress Kareena Kapoor</a> and her aunt Soha Ali Khan’s marriage to actor Kunal Khemu, she did manage to look ravishing in a photo shoot she did for a popular magazine with her mother Amrita Singh, back in 2012. To date, she remains absent from the social media, and can only be seen in images shared by her father or brother Ibrahim Ali Khan.<br />
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Ishaan, on the other hand, is active on social media, particularly on Instagram, where he keeps on sharing his images and dubsmash videos. Ishaan is known to be a trained dancer from Shiamak Davar's dance academy, the same place where his brother learned his killer moves, and has already started his training in movies by being an Assistant Director in films, as suggested by his Instagram posts.<br />
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Talking of Instagram, here is a look at some of his best images and videos that the Khattar lad shared with the world, to convince you that Karan Johar has again managed to find someone who seems to have a bright future in the Bollywood industry, and it’s not just about the way he looks or dances, though we do have to applause him for his dancing skills that he even showed off during <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Stop-everything-and-watch-Ishaan-and-Shahid-doing-the-Dhating-Naach/articleshow/48019852.cms">Shahid’s marriage to Mira Rajput</a> last year. Khattar, who comes across as committed to his fitness, can be seen doing various lifts and adventure sports, showing off his toned body and sculpted abs. Not to forget, his videos give you a glimpse into the many expressions that he can manage to bring out within seconds.<br />
<br />
Have a look!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ishaan95/?hl=en"><em>Image courtesy: Ishaan Khattar Instagram</em></a>

Who is Ishaan Khattar and why is Karan Johar launching him

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48019945.cms" /><br />
<br />
The wedding of the year has happened, and it will continue being called so, until Salman Khan decided to steal Shahid’s thunder, but isn’t that very unlikely to happen?<br />
<br />
We kept you updated about <em><keyword id="2938011" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shahid-Ki-Shaadi">Shahid Ki Shaadi</keyword></em> all through the D-day, but the videos and photos don’t seem to stop coming in.<br />
<br /> Now, a video has been shared by <keyword id="1859751" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ishaan-Khattar">Ishaan Khattar</keyword> on his Instagram account. Ishaan happens to be Shahid’s step-brother from his mother <keyword id="383724" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neelima-Azeem">Neelima Azeem</keyword>’s second marriage, to actor Rajesh Khattar.<br />
<br />
The 15-second video shows Ishaan and Shahid dancing on Shahid’s famous dance number Dhating Naach from the movie <em>Phata Poster Nikla Hero</em>. The occasion was Shahid’s sangeet night, as suggested by Shahid’s red attire, the same that he wore when he <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Shahid-Ki-Shaadi-Watch-a-much-in-love-Shahiddance-with-his-bride-Mira-at-their-Sangeet/articleshow/47971350.cms">shook a leg with Mira</a>.<br />
<br />
We especially loved the way Ishaan chose to caption the video, saying, <em>Bhaee hum toh naachenge Our little fun throwdown at ze bwodabear's mehendi</em>. Here is the video:<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4">
	<br />
	<br />
	<p>
		<a href="https://instagram.com/p/48kujBwOkj/" target="_top">Bhaee hum toh naachenge Our little fun throwdown at ze bwodabear's mehendi</a></p>
	<p>
		A video posted by Ishaan Khattar (@ishaan95) on</p>
	<time datetime="2015-07-10T07:00:27+00:00">
		Jul 10, 2015 at 12:00am PDT</time>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
Ishaan, who has been a student of Shiamak Dawar’s dance academy, was earlier seen as a child artist in big brother’s movie <em>Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!</em><br />
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When we dug further into his Insta account, we found out that the younger son of Neelima Azeem has taken a liking for both acting and dancing, just like his elder brother.<br />
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Here are some videos in which he has dubsmashed Shahid’s famous monologue from the movie <em>Haider</em>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="4">
	<br />
	<br />
	<p>
		<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4qfBLWQOlt/" target="_top">A video posted by Ishaan Khattar (@ishaan95)</a> on</p>
	<time datetime="2015-07-03T06:24:14+00:00">
		Jul 2, 2015 at 11:24pm PDT</time>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="4">
	<br />
	<br />
	<p>
		<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4o_n5eQOsl/" target="_top">A video posted by Ishaan Khattar (@ishaan95)</a> on</p>
	<time datetime="2015-07-02T16:30:40+00:00">
		Jul 2, 2015 at 9:30am PDT</time>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
Other than acting, Ishaan is a fabulous dancer, and here is a video that proves the fact.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="4">
	<br />
	<br />
	<p>
		<a href="https://instagram.com/p/pRqdgywOhY/" target="_top">A video posted by Ishaan Khattar (@ishaan95)</a> on</p>
	<time datetime="2014-06-15T19:12:18+00:00">
		Jun 15, 2014 at 12:12pm PDT</time>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
Well, we can’t wait to watch this talented lad making his debut in the industry, can we?<br />
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<em>Image and videos courtesy: <a href="https://instagram.com/ishaan95">Ishaan Khattar Instagram</a></em><br />



Stop everything and watch Ishaan and Shahid doing the ‘Dhating Naach’

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/47373212.cms" /><br />
<br />
If you are a star, you are always in news. Being on the top trends in the country, however, is a different thing, especially when you don’t have an upcoming movie release.<br />
<br /> <keyword id="6354563" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hrithik-Roshan">Hrithik Roshan</keyword>, <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>’s very own Greek God, who would next be seen in the big-budget period drama <em>Mohenjo Daro</em>, is out of media’s sight for a very long time now. The last time he made big news was, unfortunately, around his divorce and the rumored alimony he paid to his estranged wife <keyword id="38149" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sussanne-Khan">Sussanne Khan</keyword>.<br />
<br /> However, the actor became a butt of jokes today, when he, out of blue, tweeted a picture of ‘<keyword id="2744863" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="the-dress">the dress</keyword>.’ Yes, the same dress that was a topic of discussion all over the world because of its Black-Blue or Golden-White color. While everyone at internet fought over and then forgot the dress three months back, the actor got a bit late in asking his followers what they thought the color of the dress was.<br />
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Not strangely, Tweeples, who are always on the lookout for someone to make fun of, trolled him hard.<br />
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Here are some of the funniest Tweets that we came across:<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Tomorrow's news: "Hrithik Roshan takes the Ice Bucket Challenge. Nominates Abhay and Farhan."</p>
	— Akshar (@AksharPathak) <a href="https://twitter.com/AksharPathak/status/601334355387101184">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Hrithik Roshan the next brand ambassador of IIN.</p>
	— Biswatosh Sinha (@biswatosh) <a href="https://twitter.com/biswatosh/status/601344231429382144">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Year 2025: Hrithik Roshan makes his first Dubsmash.</p>
	— The Awesomiser (@TheVirajPradhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheVirajPradhan/status/601341913266921473">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Hrithik Roshan should be made IRCTC brand ambassador ;)</p>
	— Santosh Kubasad (@santoshkubasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/santoshkubasad/status/601330869295386624">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Chill guys. Hrithik Roshan is just using internet explorer.</p>
	— Ms. Chanandler Bong (@facepalm92) <a href="https://twitter.com/facepalm92/status/601313641502154752">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Looks like Hrithik Roshan just discovered the Internet. Next up: OMG look at this cat playing the piano.</p>
	— That Goan Boy (@schmmuck) <a href="https://twitter.com/schmmuck/status/601311212291239936">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Dear HRITHIK ROSHAN. Britishers have left incase u r not updated and MAN HAS REACHED MOON.</p>
	— Najm (@Sheikh_NAJM) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sheikh_NAJM/status/601340728711647234">May 21, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Well, he is slowly stepping up the ladder of trends on <keyword id="6354616" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword>, given that he has reached number 5 now. Here’s hoping that the world doesn’t start another internet war about the color of dress, because <em>Ain't Nobody Got Time for That</em>.<br />
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<em>Image courtesy: <a href="http://www.media24by7.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hrithik-roshan.jpg">Media24by7</a></em><br />



Hrithik Roshan gets trolled hard on Twitter

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/553aaf8f6bb3f7ac39439043-915-537/screen%20shot%202015-04-24%20at%205.01.49%20pm.png" border="0" alt="dr. miami snapchat plastic surgeon"><p class="source"><span>instagram.com/therealdrmiami</span></p><p class="caption">Some of Dr. Miami's clients are well-known, like Rocky from "Bad Girls Club."</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Ever wished you could see what it's like to spend a day in the life of a plastic surgeon - all gory details included?<p>Well ... maybe not.</p><p>But a Miami doctor is betting that curiosity will get the better of us as he streams his practice's nips and tucks live on Snapchat.</p><p>Dr. Michael Salzhauer joined the ephemeral messaging app under the username therealdrmiami. He's already a "social media freak," <a href="http://www.vice.com/read/meet-dr-miami-the-plastic-surgeon-who-snapchats-his-operations-400">according to Vice</a>, and he's active on <a href="https://twitter.com/therealdrmiami">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/therealdrmiami/">Instagram</a>&#xa0;(but the photos are graphic, so click at your own risk).&#xa0;</p><p>He is apparently best known for his Brazilian butt lifts, or BBLs.</p><p>Here's a before and after photo of one of his surgeries:</p><div><div><iframe src="//instagram.com/p/1lO6WXw3jW/embed/" width="658" height="" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div></div><div></div><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The doctor not only uses social media to build his following, but also to keep his workday upbeat.</span></p><p>"This is the most fun I've had since medical school," <a href="http://www.vice.com/read/meet-dr-miami-the-plastic-surgeon-who-snapchats-his-operations-400">he told Vice</a>, referring to the media he's constantly sending out during his 12-hour workdays. "[T]he social media allows me to express my creativity, to reach out to patients, to connect to them on a human level, and not so much the buttoned-up, white-coat,&#xa0;<em>I'm the doctor</em> sort of thing."</p><p>The Internet is also the perfect place for the doctor to advertise his patients' before-and-after photos free of charge (although <a href="https://instagram.com/p/1lYQ-Bw3jP/">many are NSFW</a>).</p><p class="embed-spacer">Now that he's on Snapchat, he is apparently offering up his "operative menu" on Instagram each day to crowdsource which operations he should broadcast on the app.</p><div><div><iframe src="//instagram.com/p/13BVPBw3hj/embed/" width="658" height="" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"></p><p class="embed-spacer">His Snapchat story is "basically" his whole day, he told Vice. "You see me walk into work, you see me talking to the staff, you see me - if the patients allow, and only about half of them allow it - doing the operation."</p><p class="embed-spacer">And he isn't lying. His Snapchat story today was more than 1300 seconds long, or about 22 minutes. He starts the day with a Dubsmash video of him lip-synching to "Trap Queen."</p><p class="embed-spacer"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/553abd4eeab8eac958439042-639-479/snapchat-plastic-surgeon.jpg" border="0" alt="snapchat plastic surgeon "><p class="source"><span>Snapchat</span></p><p class="caption">Dr. Miami and an assistant after performing two surgeries on Snapchat.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p class="embed-spacer">He and his assistants then complete a few dozen Happy Birthday shoutouts to the doctor's 100,000+ social media followers. He stops by his teenage daughter's bedroom and she announces on video that today is "fat booty Friday."</p><p class="embed-spacer">Later, Dr. Salzhauer completes a Brazilian butt lift that, according to him, is "the equivalent of a triple Lindy when it comes to difficulty," referring to a Rodney Dangerfield stunt from the movie "Back to School."</p><p class="embed-spacer"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/553abd646da811ca10860432-639-479/dr-miami-plastic-surgeon.jpg" border="0" alt="dr. miami plastic surgeon"><p class="source"><span>Snapchat</span></p><p class="caption">Dr. Miami during a surgery on Snapchat.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p class="embed-spacer">As he progresses through the surgery while listening to hip hop, Dr. Salzhauer tells a long story about issues his family has been having with pest control, stemming from their pet tortoise.</p><p class="embed-spacer">Later, while removing the skin around a woman's areola, he and his assistants discuss which of them can complete a Rubik's cube challenge. The small talk juxtaposed with the intense surgery makes cosmetic procedures seem surprisingly mundane.</p><p class="embed-spacer">On Instagram, the doctor recently hosted a meme contest for his followers.</p><div><div><iframe src="//instagram.com/p/1riqX6Hsi2/embed/" width="658" height="" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">And he's even in on the inspirational quote game.</span></p><div><div><iframe src="//instagram.com/p/0ICe4Kw3hL/embed/" width="658" height="" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jen-selter-belfies-instagram-background-kim-kardashian-butt-selfie-2015-2">Forget Kim Kardashian - the 'butt selfie' queen of Instagram is a 21-year-old from Long Island</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="4yYmk2czojuTR5jCduGtnG0enYdapsNF" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', '4yYmk2czojuTR5jCduGtnG0enYdapsNF',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

This plastic surgeon broadcasts every detail of his operations on Snapchat

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57461c579105841c008c51a8-1500-1000/team_photo.jpg" alt="Musically" data-mce-source="Musically"><p class="source"><span>Musically</span></p><p class="caption">The Musical.ly team is split between San Francisco (L) and Shanghai (R).</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Unless you live with a teenager, you've probably never heard of Musical.ly.<p>If you do, then you've probably already appeared in one of your kid's music videos.</p><p>The DIY music video app first came on the scene in 2014, but exploded to the top of the App Store charts last summer. It hasn't fallen below the top 40 since. Often, it's swapping top places in the app store with Snapchat and Instagram.</p><p>The 15-second videos are typically people lip-syncing or dancing to some of the top hits. More recently, Musical.ly stars have started&#xa0;launching their own careers, and traditional music&#xa0;stars, like Jason DeRulo, are now pledging to debut their videos on the platform first, a coup over YouTube.</p><p>Today, more than 10 million people use the app daily and produce around the same number of videos every single day. All in, 70 million people have registered as Musical.ly users, says its cofounder and co-CEO Alex Zhu.</p><p>While the music videos have drawn people to the app, Zhu knows that's not why they stay. He's building Musical.ly to be the next social network - one based on videos that only entertain people and keep them coming back.&#xa0;</p><p>"Today the very proposition of the app is not about creating music videos. It's not about lip-syncing. It's about a social network," Zhu said. "It's a community. People want to stay because there are other people. "&#xa0;</p><h2>'Doomed to be a failure'</h2><p>The idea for a make-your-own-music-video app was a desperate pivot away from an education app.&#xa0;</p><p>Zhu had been interested in education during his time as a project manager at enterprise software giant SAP, even <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keepsilence">earning the title</a> of "education futurist." He thought massive online courses, also known as MOOCs, were great, but no one finished them.</p><p>In 2014,&#xa0;he believed he'd come up with a billion dollar idea: short-form education&#xa0;videos.</p><p>Zhu and his cofounder and co-CEO Louis Yang raised $250,000 from venture capitalists and spent six months building&#xa0;an app called Cicada. The idea was that experts, whether it was coffee or calculus, could create short three to five minute videos explaining a subject. But there's a reason you've never heard of it before.&#xa0;</p><p>"The day we released this application to the market we realized it was never going to take off," Zhu said. "It was doomed to be a failure."</p><blockquote class="pullquote float_right">It was doomed to be a failure.</blockquote><p>His team had missed that the videos took too long to create. Lesson planners had a hard time condensing their expertise into three minutes. Content creation and consumption needed to be within minutes and seconds, not hours. It wasn't entertaining, and it didn't attract teens.&#xa0;</p><p>At that point, Zhu's team only had 8% of its&#xa0;money left, he says. Instead of giving it back to investors and walking away, they scrambled&#xa0;to come up with a new idea.</p><h2>'We got lucky'</h2><p>Open Musical.ly today and there's no trace of its failed education app roots.&#xa0;</p><p>The 15 second videos are long enough to draw a laugh and tell a story, but not too long that teens get bored and move onto the next one. It's a mix of teenage boys thumping their chests to a song, to gymnastics routines set to music, to acting out funny lyrics from songs.</p><p>Zhu first landed on the idea when he&#xa0;watched a group of boisterous young teens on the train&#xa0;in Mountain View, where Google is based. Half of the teens were listening to music while the other half took selfies or videos, covered them in stickers, and then shared the results with their friends.&#xa0;</p><p>That's when Zhu realized he could&#xa0;combine music, videos, and a social network to attract the early teen demographic.&#xa0;</p><p>The team turned Zhu's new idea&#xa0;into an app in 30 days, and launched Musical.ly in July 2014.&#xa0;Immediately, they saw the numbers were great.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Around 500 people were downloading it a day, but more importantly, they kept coming back.&#xa0;</span></p><p>"You can buy the users, but you can't by the user retention," Zhu said.</p><p><div>    <iframe src="//instagram.com/p/BFIMGbuSVdw/embed/" width="658" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true">    </iframe></div></p><p>For the next 10 months the app kept growing, but too slowly to save the company.</p><p>"We got nervous. What do we do? We didn't have much cash left," Zhu said. "Sometimes quick failure, like that education app, is good because you can turn around other ideas quickly. But having this slow growth is bad, you don't know if it will take off or not and you've invested a lot of time into it."</p><p>In April 2015, the company made a few small design tweaks to the app, including moving the logo in the videos. They had realized that when people shared the music videos, the logo was cropped out on Instagram and Twitter. The repositioned it so now it was easy to see what a Musical.ly video.&#xa0;</p><p>It exploded:</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5748866d52bcd021008c5839-1162/musically.jpg" alt="Musically" data-mce-source="Business Insider/App Annie" data-link="https://www.appannie.com/"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.appannie.com/">Business Insider/App Annie</a></span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p>Two months later,&#xa0;on July 6, it hit the number one app in the iTunes app store. Since then, the app has never fallen out of the top 40 apps in all of iTunes.</p><p>"Now that I look back, I think the initial slow growth was actually a good thing. We got lucky because we had time to build the product, to make it ready, to build every feature around community," Zhu said. "If the growth came too early, it would probably just stay as a fad."</p><h2>'This could even be like the next MTV'</h2><p>To Zhu, Musical.ly isn't just another lip-synching video app that could go the way of Vine or Dubsmash. The team believes it's building the next social network to revolve around videos.&#xa0;</p><p>Instead of taking follows and followers, Musical.ly came up with BFFs or "Best Fans Forever". Only BFFs of Musical.ly users (or "Musers") can do things like a duet. &#xa0;In Musical.ly's world, that means two people record videos to the same song and the app automatically combines them.&#xa0;</p><p>It's done the same thing with a new Q&amp;A feature where someone can ask a question of a Muser via video, and that person can respond in their own video. Musical.ly combines the two.</p><p>"Especially in the social media area, it's usually winner takes all. You have to come up with something radically new. You shouldn't be a me-too product," Zhu said.&#xa0;</p><p><div>    <iframe src="//instagram.com/p/BFzhW94yVQd/embed/" width="658" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true">    </iframe></div></p><p>A&#xa0;lot of these ideas aren't just Zhu's genius ideas. Instead, they're outgrowths of how teens were already using the app. Musical.ly taps into their suggestions by having giant chat groups on Messenger and WhatsApp to test features with its users from the US, Brazil, or the Philippines every day.&#xa0;</p><p>Musical.ly is also one of the few apps to come out of China to become a smash hit in the US. Most of the company's engineers are based in Shanghai, with&#xa0;only has a handful of business development and community engagement specialists working out of a WeWork in San Francisco.&#xa0;</p><p>"It's the first company to be headquartered in China, designed in China, but popular in the US,"&#xa0;said Greylock investor Josh Elman. "Finally we're seeing talented people who live in that ecosystem in that world and actually transcend it and build products in the&#xa0;US."</p><p>To-date, the company has raised $16.4 million from investors like Greylock and GGV, but it's rumored to be raising another $100 million.&#xa0;Its investors are bullish, even though the company is not generating revenue yet.</p><p>"This could even be like the next MTV," Elman said. "I&#xa0;think this can be really important platform for an entire generation that can be entertained."</p><h2>Always be scared</h2><p>The Musical.ly team is&#xa0;now watching as a generation of Muser stars is emerging.</p><p>A set of 13-year-old identical twins in Germany, Lisa and Lena, now have more than 2.8 million followers on Musical.ly. They've launched their own clothing line, and <a href="http://stylecaster.com/lisa-lena-musically/">are considered to be one of the fastest rising</a> Instagram accounts in all of Europe (they already&#xa0;have 1.8 million followers on that social network).</p><p>Baby Ariel, a 13-year-old who wasn't even on social media before, now is <a href="http://www.babyariel.com/#!about1/c14h7">the most recognizable star</a> from the app.</p><p>Lately, Musical.ly has&#xa0;also seen a rising tide of demand from the traditional music industry.&#xa0;It's&#xa0;been proactive about working within the music industry - an area where a lot of startups ignore the&#xa0;complicated rules about legally licensing music. The company has a number of deals in places with major players in the music industry, says its VP of North America Alex Hoffman, and a third party provider provides the music and tracks everything to make sure the company is following the rules, he said.&#xa0;</p><p>Its&#xa0;friendly stance to music already has some stars using Musical.ly to run their own campaigns. Musical.ly users made more than 164,000 lip-synching videos to Lukas Graham's new song. Selena Gomez is currently running a "Kill Em with Kindness campaign" to promote her new song. Musical.ly adds an iTunes link on the competition page so people know where to buy the song.</p><p><div>    <iframe src="//instagram.com/p/BFzqrCfSVTw/embed/" width="658" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true">    </iframe></div></p><p>&#xa0;"We want to create more value to the music industry in the future," Hoffman said.&#xa0;</p><p>Still,&#xa0;Zhu doesn't see Musical.ly's rise and staying power as a success just yet. Building a social network or the next generation of MTV is hard in an era when Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook still dominate. In June, it will attempt to challenge those companies again <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2016/05/27/musical-ly-launches-live-ly-for-livestreaming/">when it launches Live.Ly</a>, a Periscope competitor that's all about livestreaming. If anything, Zhu says the company needs to keep pushing and iterating faster.</p><p>"I think we have these scary moments all the time because you're never safe. Even if you have tens of millions of users, you have to keep them always engaged," Zhu said. "I think it's better for us to be scared all the time rather than feel content that we built a successful product and now we can lay back."</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-channel-lets-melt-this-melts-things-2016-4">A father-son team is creating the next viral YouTube channel by melting things</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="hneTk2MzE6I4HtCVyjn8RGVEmcn9t7iu" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'hneTk2MzE6I4HtCVyjn8RGVEmcn9t7iu',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

You Searched For "Dubsmash" and got 14 results

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