<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley drank so much tea during "Vampire Diaries" they had "anxiety issues."</li><li>The cast and crew eventually realized the solution to their problem was switching to decaf tea. </li></ul><p>Filming the first season of "Vampire Diaries" wasn't a cakewalk for Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, who drank so much caffeine it harmed their mental health. </p><p>While shooting scenes for the CW supernatural drama series, the cast knocked back loads of tea pretending it was whiskey. But all that caffeine over the course of a season had a negative effect on them. </p><p>"We had the most insane anxiety issues because there was so much caffeine," Somerhalder <a href="https://pagesix.com/2023/03/23/ian-somerhalder-paul-wesley-had-anxiety-on-vampire-diaries/">told Page Six</a>. </p><p>Wesley recalled doing "take after take" with copious amounts of tea. </p><p>"You're drinking 20 to 30 cups of tea, so by the end of the day you're, like, 'Ahh!,'" Somerhalder added. "We didn't [sleep]."</p><p>After shooting the first season in 2009, the cast and crew realized the solution to their anxiety issues was actually pretty simple. </p><p>"We switched to decaf, so we felt a lot better," explained Wesley, adding that they drank "herbal tea."</p><p>Somerhalder and Wesley, who played Damon and Stefan Salvatore on the show, would eventually go on to shoot eight seasons of "Vampire Diaries." </p><p>During <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/vampire-diaries-stars-ian-somerhalder-paul-wesley-reflect-bond-playing-t214722">an interview with TODAY</a>, Somerhalder recalled the moment he knew the show was a hit with viewers. </p><p>"We were trying to leave the hotel," he said. "And there was, like, 1,000 people on either side of this little hotel where we used to stay at all the time. And we had to go through secret entrances and we had multiple cars. Two dummy cars, one we were in, one we weren't. One for full security and the guy at the time who's the head of Warner Brothers International just said, 'The only time I've seen this, like, this was the launch of 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' believe it or not."</p><p>While the show's two stars picked up multiple People's Choice Awards for their work, perhaps the most important thing to come out of the experience was a lasting friendship. The two also formed a business partnership and launched the bourbon brand Brother's Bond Bourbon in 2021. </p><p>"The amount of times and the amount of screen grabs I have of Stefan and Damon bonding over a bourbon…and, you know, it's so cool to be able to, like, re-create that in a sense, you know?" Wesley also told TODAY. "This is our reunion." </p>

Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley developed 'insane anxiety' on 'The Vampire Diaries' because of all of the caffeine they had to drink for certain scenes

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Somerhalder said a "terrible" business situation left him in an "eight-figure" hole.</li><li>The "Lost"</li><li>He said it was Reed who formed a team to help him "find a way out."</li></ul><p>Actor <keyword id="828464" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ian-Somerhalder">Ian Somerhalder</keyword> took to Instagram this weekend to praise his wife <keyword id="296984" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Nikki-Reed">Nikki Reed</keyword> on her 33rd birthday by revealing a very personal chapter in their lives.</p><p>The star said he found himself in a "terrible business situation" while shooting "The Vampire Diaries," which led to Reed spending two years of her life getting Somerhalder out of debt.</p><p>"Before Nik and I got together I built a company while shooting 'TVD' that was important to me," Somerhalder wrote. "I invested heavily, I made huge personal guarantees to banks. However due to greed and fraud within that company and fraudulent activities from our biggest customer, not to mention the temporary collapse of the oil and gas industry - I was left in an EIGHT- FIGURE hole."</p><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries damon 50 shades book 801" height="1614" width="2152" msid="82912784" hostid="261"></div><p>Somerhalder, 42, said that time in his life was "a true nightmare day in and day out."</p><p>The actor said he had to travel the world weekly to pay "massive" six-figure banknotes. He said it led to him being in the hospital four times over a two year period, but did not explain the nature of his hospitalizations. Then the "Twilight" star came to his rescue.</p><p>"This woman here decided that she didn't want to see her husband ruin his body/mind/spirit and pulled up her bootstraps and got down in the trenches assembling a team to get to the negotiating table to find a way out," he wrote. </p><p>"I am where I am BECAUSE of this woman," Somerhalder continued, highlighting his new venture, Brothers Bond Bourbon. "I was able to start my life over because of this woman."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style="margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPJSNNqpKsa" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"></a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by iansomerhalder (@iansomerhalder)<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime=""></time></p></div></blockquote><p>Somerhalder and Reed were married in 2015. Their daughter, Bohdi Soleil, was born in 2017.</p>

Ian Somerhalder praises wife Nikki Reed for getting him out of millions in debt after a 'terrible business situation'

A complete timeline of Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley's friendship, from 'Vampire Diaries' costars to alcohol brand collaborators

11 things you probably didn't know about 'The Vampire Diaries'

THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'The Vampire Diaries'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>TikToker Nicky Nightmare was rumored to be the son of Jane's Addiction singer Dave Navarro.</li><li>A <keyword id="11894125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tiktok" source="Orion">TikTok</keyword> sleuth went <keyword id="11896837" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="viral" source="Orion">viral</keyword> trying to debunk the myth about Nightmare's "<keyword id="6355064" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="celebrity" source="Orion">celebrity</keyword> parents."</li></ul><p>Jane's Addiction singer Dave Navarro has debunked a viral TikTok rumor that he's the father of a creator known as Nicky Nightmare, telling Insider he is "not familiar" with the TikToker.</p><p>Nightmare has amassed over 380,000 TikTok followers with videos <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7057266730099592494?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">lip syncing</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7053602134310473007?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">playing guitar</a> to rock songs, as well as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMTYA6e25iT-nD5L-CIAovQ">releasing two songs of his own</a>. However, he's attracted the most interest due to his claims that his parents are <keyword id="11897677" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="celebrities" source="Orion">celebrities</keyword>, sparking speculation about who they may be.</p><p>While Nightmare has never explicitly named his parents on TikTok, he has dropped various hints, saying in <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dandydemon/video/7051382615089155374?_d=secCgwIARCbDRjEFSACKAESPgo8iSuImO%2B%2Bw09q%2BuTkNi0iKItK3npHBWPrqjni14xHKQ%2F6QWZVFxnK1UhcMguXWCynPgSRd%2BBqi0MgogAWGgA%3D&amp;_r=1&amp;checksum=428f1170c66c74478239f67c34e8eff4efb36b9a7bab68804aae42b30db48832&amp;language=en&amp;preview_pb=0&amp;sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAZ3EHQs8qAtHsEV4yjAKTA-gWjzhqAPefF1B6AbFJ8I7WmNSNBXs1JUBdXrovOdfI&amp;share_app_id=1233&amp;share_item_id=7051382615089155374&amp;share_link_id=171564DA-1521-41CA-B233-152426754897&amp;source=h5_m&amp;timestamp=1644570459&amp;tt_from=whatsapp&amp;u_code=dcblc1c15492l7&amp;user_id=6826820795613135877&amp;utm_campaign=client_share&amp;utm_medium=ios&amp;utm_source=whatsapp%5C">one video</a> that he is the son "one of the biggest celebrities in the world," and his mother was "the poster on every teenage boy's wall." In <a href="https://vm.tiktok.com/ZML2EeVVU/">another,</a> Nightmare said, "being the son of 2 of the biggest celebrities in the world makes me wanna SCREAM."</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7048322535112559919" data-video-id="7048322535112559919" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@nickynightmare" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare">@nickynightmare</a>  <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Nick Navarro" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7048322506679356206">♬ original sound - Nick Navarro</a> </section> </blockquote> <p>Due to the fact that Nightmare frequently refers to his celebrity father, plays guitar, and uses the last name Navarro, followers speculated his father was rockstar and one-time guitarist for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers Dave Navarro.</p><p>In a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7033930998417116463?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;lang=en">video</a> posted on November 24, 2021, Nightmare responded to a comment asking about his father by telling his followers to "Google it."</p><p>A Google search for "Nicky Nightmare father" brings up Dave Navarro as a featured result, fueling rumors that the pair were related. Google did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.</p><div type="image" title="Nicky Navarro Google search" height="468" width="937" msid="89576988" hostid="261"></div><p>On January 10, a TikToker who goes by @dandydemon made a video attempting to debunk the rumor. The TikToker claimed to have discovered Nightmare's real identity — which they did not reveal — and accused him of being a "clout chaser." The video quickly went viral, and has now been viewed 3.5 million times.</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@dandydemon/video/7051382615089155374" data-video-id="7051382615089155374" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@dandydemon" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dandydemon">@dandydemon</a> @Nick Navarro what’s up? <a title="cloutchaser" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cloutchaser">#cloutchaser</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - DAX" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7051382593748732718">♬ original sound - DAX</a> </section> </blockquote> <p>In a TikTok posted on January 19, Nightmare asked <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7055036106894789935?_d=secCgwIARCbDRjEFSACKAESPgo8tnCL0OMrdwMTXKQywobmVbbFWkQaReuThvuKpP7zU%2FTPrgRmFlmqX%2BUga0SsVYUvtXhL2wDcYj49zI3oGgA%3D&amp;_r=1&amp;checksum=cf7bf7ac5a6e2f658e398601773168bedbe2c575af4ac97fd4fbcd43b987117f&amp;language=en&amp;preview_pb=0&amp;sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAZ3EHQs8qAtHsEV4yjAKTA-gWjzhqAPefF1B6AbFJ8I7WmNSNBXs1JUBdXrovOdfI&amp;share_app_id=1233&amp;share_item_id=7055036106894789935&amp;share_link_id=F97E0CA3-AEFE-4AA6-8CA5-700FAF1EB0EB&amp;source=h5_m&amp;timestamp=1644570372&amp;tt_from=whatsapp&amp;u_code=dcblc1c15492l7&amp;user_id=6826820795613135877&amp;utm_campaign=client_share&amp;utm_medium=ios&amp;utm_source=whatsapp">"who is my celebrity father?"</a> and said viewers would know the answer by the end of the video, but he did not clarify the situation, nor did he deny the rumor that he is Navarro's son.</p><p>"I've never said that Dave Navarro is my father, Google says that Dave Navarro is my father," Nightmare said in the video. He listed names of other celebrities that people speculated were his father, including Ian Somerhalder, Justin Bieber, and Rob Lowe. </p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7055036106894789935" data-video-id="7055036106894789935" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@nickynightmare" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare">@nickynightmare</a>  <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Nick Navarro" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7055036097524468527">♬ original sound - Nick Navarro</a> </section> </blockquote> <p>Dave Navarro — who said in a <a href="https://www.laweekly.com/dave-navarro-made-me-cry/">2013 interview with LA Weekly's Danielle Bacher</a> that he has no children and doesn't want any — is best known for his work as a singer and guitarist in the rock band Jane's Addiction and for playing guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their 1995 album "One Hot Minute." He has collaborated with artists including Nine Inch Nails, Guns N' Roses, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, and P Diddy, and was a judge on Paramount's tattoo reality show "Ink Masters" until 2020.</p><p>Navarro denied that he had any knowledge of Nicky. In a statement to Insider, Navarro's representative said, "Dave is not familiar with this lad and not his father." </p><p>Nicky Nightmare did not respond to Insider's request for comment.</p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/culture"><strong>For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.</strong></a></p>

A TikToker stoked viral rumors that his dad is the rockstar Dave Navarro. The singer says he's never heard of him.

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e31f3ed24306a13d9317df3-1040/ln11.png" alt="Anastasia Radzinskaya" /><p class="source"><span>Yoola</span></p><p class="caption">Anastasia Radzinskaya.</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Entertainment company and global YouTube multi-channel network Yoola takes YouTube creators like 6-year-old Anastasia Radzinskaya and turns their channels into business empires.</li><li>Radzinskaya's YouTube business generated $18 million in a single year, according to Forbes in its most recent report on YouTuber earnings.</li><li>Yoola has helped its creators like Radzinskaya develop, distribute, and make money from their video content. </li><li>Radzinskaya runs nine global YouTube channels, four of which have over 10 million subscribers. </li><li>Eyal Baumel, the CEO of Yoola, broke down the company's global strategy and how it turned Radzinskaya into a <strong>one of the world's fast-growing YouTube creators. </strong></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>The 6-year-old internet star Anastasia Radzinskaya is a worldwide phenomenon and has become one of YouTube's fastest-growing creators thanks to a global, multilingual strategy.</p><p>Radzinskaya owns four diamond play buttons, a plaque YouTube sends to creators once they hit 10 million subscribers on a single YouTube channel.</p><p>Her YouTube business generated $18 million in a single year, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2019/12/18/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-of-2019-the-kids-are-killing-it/#293fd98238cd">according to Forbes, which put her in the No. 3 spot on its most recent report on the top-earning YouTubers.</a></p><p>Radzinskaya is a part of a group of YouTube creators who have found success on the platform by developing global content. For instance, Yovana Mendoza, a food and lifestyle vlogger, has multiple YouTube channels and a dedicated Spanish-speaking channel with 2 million subscribers. Other channels, like Ryan's World - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ryans-world-boy-makes-26-million-per-year-on-youtube-2019-12">which makes an estimated $26 million a year, per Forbes</a> - have begun expanding. In October, Ryan's World announced the launch of a new channel for Spanish-speaking viewers called "Ryan's World Español."</p><p>Radzinskaya - who was born in Russia but moved to the US with her family a year ago - speaks several languages like Russian, English, and Spanish (and is learning more).</p><p>With the help of entertainment company and global YouTube multi-channel network Yoola, Radzinskaya has expanded her digital business to nine multilingual channels, like "Stacy Toys" (English) with 25.4 million subscribers; "Like Nastya Vlog," with 46.8 million subscribers (Russian); and "Like Nastya" with 15.5 million subscribers (a mix of English and Russian).</p><p>Eyal Baumel, the CEO of Yoola, spoke with Business Insider about how the company takes a self-produced YouTube channel like Radzinskaya's and turns it into global success.</p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e31fa0e62fa812d0e474b3e-1673/235921239079971993653925737390266150870194o-3.jpg" alt="Yoola" /><p class="source"><span>Yoola</span></p><p class="caption">Yoola.</p><h2>Some YouTube formats are better than others for a global strategy</h2><p>Before bringing on Radzinskaya, Yoola (which is based in Los Angeles but serves a large market in Russia) created several multilingual YouTube channels for the other creators it worked with, starting with English, German, and Russian, according to Baumel.</p><p>The company decided to apply that same strategy to Radzinskaya's YouTube business after noticing how fast these multilingual channels were growing.</p><p>Radzinskaya was a perfect candidate for this strategy because she already spoke both English and Russian, and was learning more (like Spanish).</p><p>"We believe that if you localize content, you can expand your audience," Baumel said. "We started working with talent to create different channels with similar content just in different languages that also take into consideration the different culture and languages."</p><p>Radzinskaya's videos, which are typically under 10 minutes long, feature her playing with toys or acting out scripted skits (that her mom writes) at home alongside her dad.</p><p>Baumel said that using different languages and localized content doesn't work for every creator, but that some formats travel very well, like kids content, DIY content, and life hacks.</p><h2>The Radzinskaya family keeps a strict schedule and only films on weekends</h2><p>Between Radzinskaya's school, homework, time with friends, and extra curriculars (like piano lessons and learning to speak more languages), the family had to develop a strict filming schedule, which keeps them on track with uploads. </p><p>They try to publish a video around three to four times a week to YouTube, and only film on the weekends, according to Baumel.</p><p>"The way the YouTube algorithm works, is that if you publish more videos a week you have a better chance of being featured or suggested," he said. "It's better to publish more videos than less. I would say to really be consistent, you need to publish two to three times a week."</p><p>Yoola works to help its YouTube clients create story arcs, crafting each YouTube video with a clear beginning, middle, and end, he said. </p><p>Radzinskaya's mom will typically create the skits for the videos, often bouncing ideas off her, Baumel said. Besides Yoola, Radzinskaya's team consists of her, her two parents, and two video editors. </p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e31f42224306a144634f803-2400/ln2.jpg" alt="Anastasia Radzinskaya" /><p class="source"><span>Yoola</span></p><p class="caption">Anastasia Radzinskaya and her father.</p><h2>Turning down brand deals and leaning into consumer products</h2><p>Yoola signed the Radzinskaya family about two years ago, Baumel said. </p><p>Since then, it has worked with the family in developing consumer products, traditional media opportunities, apps, and strategic partnerships. </p><p>The Radzinskaya family has only promoted two companies across its YouTube channels over the past 12 months: Dannon and LegoLand. The family is pitched partnerships constantly, but turns down many offers.</p><p>Instead, the family is looking to grow its business in-house and develop its own brand around Anastasia. </p><p>Yoola has a ventures arm where it both invests in and assists creators in developing consumer products. The company's latest venture is a wellness brand and energy drink, cofounded with actor Ian Somerhalder. </p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dolan-twins-ethan-and-grayson-on-fragrance-brand-wakeheart-interview-2020-1">Developing consumer products</a> to sell directly to followers has become one of the top ways influencers are profiting off their digital brands.</p><p>The world's top-earning YouTube star, 8-year-old <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChGJGhZ9SOOHvBB0Y4DOO_w">Ryan Kaji</a>, who is know for his channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChGJGhZ9SOOHvBB0Y4DOO_w">Ryan's World</a> (23.7 million subscribers), built a lucrative empire off YouTube by developing partnerships with Walmart and Amazon, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-toy-business-of-youtube-star-ryan-toysreview-bonkers-toys-2019-9">by selling consumer products with Ryan's World branding</a>.</p><h2>'YouTube is the most consistant platform'</h2><p>Building a business away from YouTube's platform is one of the ways popular kids-entertainment channels are protecting themselves from YouTube's changing policies. </p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-yoola-revenue-coppa-eyal-baumel-2020-1">In January</a>, YouTube implemented an overhaul of its policies surrounding children's content, after its parent company Google paid $170 million to settle the Federal Trade Commission's allegations that the site had violated the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-yoola-revenue-coppa-eyal-baumel-2020-1">Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)</a> by collecting personal information from kids under 13 years old without parental consent.</p><p>COOPA changed the way advertisers buy ads on YouTube, but for now they are still able to purchase ads which play on a kids-focused channel, according to Baumel. </p><p>As an MCN, Yoola is partnered with YouTube, and the company has a team at YouTube they communicate with when these changes arise.  </p><p>"The smart way is to diversify your revenue sources," Baumel said. "But still, YouTube is the most consistant platform, in terms of revenue. You might have a drop, but you can still make a living off YouTube ads and they pay well to creators with a large audience."</p><p><strong><em><a href="http://newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/influencerdashboard">Sign up for Business Insider's influencer newsletter, Influencer Dashboard, to get more stories like this in your inbox.</a></em></strong></p><hr /><p><strong>For more on the business of YouTube influencers, check out these Business Insider Prime posts: </strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pocket-watch-built-youtube-channel-ryan-toysreview-into-business-empire-2019-10">Meet the company that turned YouTube's Ryan ToysReview into a business empire making tens of millions per year</a>: Kerry Tucker, the chief marketing officer at Pocket.Watch, spoke with Business Insider about how the kids-entertainment company takes YouTube stars like Kaji and turns their online brands into lucrative empires. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-toy-business-of-youtube-star-ryan-toysreview-bonkers-toys-2019-9">Inside the toy business of YouTube star Ryan ToysReview</a>: We spoke with Deborah Stallings Stumm, the senior vice president of sales and marketing at the toy-manufacturing company Bonkers Toys, on what makes a successful partnership between a toy company and an influencer. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lauren-riihimaki-laurdiy-youtube-channel-business-how-she-did-it-2019-12">The queen of DIY on YouTube, LaurDIY, tells us how she built her business empire - from search to merch to a new HBO show</a>: Lauren Riihimaki shared her journey on YouTube, which started during her first year of college, and how she's expanded her digital brand.</li></ul>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-photos-apple-icloud-iphone-storage-space-2018-12">I switched to Google Photos after using iCloud for 5 years and I'm never going back</a></h3>                    <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/F6IMTTZJ-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;"></iframe>            

A 6-year-old YouTube star is making an estimated $18 million a year. We talked to the company behind her global strategy.

A complete timeline of 'The Vampire Diaries' costars Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley's friendship

<p><div class="image-container float_right"><div class="image"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5225eeb469bedd7308eca9e9-800-600/50-shades-of-grey-cast-dakota-johnson-charlie-hunnam-1.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="50 shades of grey cast dakota johnson charlie hunnam" width="480" style="float: right;" /><p class="source">David Livingston and Michael Loccisano / Getty Images</p><p class="caption">Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam will star in the movie adaptation of "<keyword id="1128376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="50-shades-of-grey">50 Shades of Grey</keyword>."</p></div></div></p>
<p>After months of speculation, "50 Shades of Grey" author <keyword id="1122122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="E-L-James">E.L. James</keyword> <a href="https://twitter.com/E_L_James" target="_blank">announced on Twitter</a> that the lead roles of the movie adaptation have been <keyword id="17184" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cast">cast</keyword>.</p>
<p><span>Dakota Johnson will star as Anastasia Steele, a 21-year-old college senior, and <span>Charlie Hunnam will play <span>Christian Grey, a successful and wealthy young entrepreneur.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span>James, who was recently named the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-james-is-forbes-richest-author-thanks-to-fifty-shades-of-grey-2013-8" target="_blank">World's Top-Earning Author by Forbes</a>, tweeted on Monday:</span></span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I am delighted to let you know that the lovely Dakota Johnson has agreed to be our Anastasia in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.</p>
- E L James (@E_L_James) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_L_James/statuses/374547436913446914">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.</p>
- E L James (@E_L_James) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_L_James/statuses/374562375854075904">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>To all the supporters, lovers and haters - thank you so much for the passion that you have for this project. You all rock. All of you. ?</p>
- E L James (@E_L_James) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_L_James/statuses/374605196984188929">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p>Johnson, 23, is the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. She is best known for her leading role in Fox's one-season comedy, "Ben &amp; Kate," and a cameo as the one-night-stand partner of Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) in "The Social Network."</p>
<p>Fresh off his summer blockbuster "Pacific Rim," Hunnam currently stars in FX's "Sons of Anarchy."</p>
<p>The role of Anastasia was a coveted one, and the likes of Emma Watson, Shailene Woodley, Alicia Vikander and Analeigh Tipton <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/02/dakota-johnson-50-shades-of-grey_n_3856308.html" target="_blank">were all considered</a>.</p>
<p>Hunnam <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/09/02/dakota-johnson-fifty-shades-of-grey/2755219/" target="_blank">allegedly won out over</a> Armie Hammer, Matt Bomer, Ian Somerhalder, Henry Cavill, Alex Pettyfer, Robert Pattinson, and Alexander Skarsgard.</p>
<p>The best-seller's movie adaptation is expected to hit theaters in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-james-is-forbes-richest-author-thanks-to-fifty-shades-of-grey-2013-8http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/09/02/dakota-johnson-nabs-fifty-shades-of-grey-role/" target="_blank">August 1, 2014</a>.</p>

Dakota Johnson And Charlie Hunnam Cast As Leads In '50 Shades Of Grey' Movie

<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="image-container float_right"><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5226224e69beddce70382fed-798-599/50-shades-of-grey-cast-dakota-johnson-charlie-hunnam-4.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="50 shades of grey cast dakota johnson charlie hunnam" width="480" style="float: right;" /><p class="source">Kevin Winter and Frazer Harrison / Getty Images</p></div></div>Not surprisingly, fans of the erotica book "<keyword id="1128376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="50-shades-of-grey">50 Shades of Grey</keyword>" feel <em>passionately</em> about the movie adaptation's <keyword id="233630" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Casting">casting</keyword>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Many are complaining that the leads aren't hot enough.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Matt Bomer (<span>"White Collar"</span>) and Ian Somerhalder ("Vampire Diaries") emerged as early favorites to replace "Sons of Anarchy" actor <keyword id="1490466" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Charlie-Hunnam">Charlie Hunnam</keyword> as Christian Grey.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span><span>Fans are demanding Alexis Bledel ("Gilmore Girls") substitute <keyword id="1496583" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dakota-Johnson">Dakota Johnson</keyword> as the movie's protagonist, Anastasia. </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Bledel and Bomer appear on a petition calling for the casting swap on <a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/we-want-matt-bomer-and-alexis-bledel-as-christian-grey-and-anastasia-steele-we-want-matt-and-alexis-on-50-shades" target="_blank">Change.org</a>. As of Tuesday afternoon, the petition claimed 7,300 signatures.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Outraged fans targeted producer Dana Brunetti, who <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti" target="_blank">responded on Twitter</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc.</p>
- Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti/statuses/374649878388817921">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>So if your favorite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective.</p>
- Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti/statuses/374650401443704832">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>There can only be one... and it is done.</p>
- Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti/statuses/374741601697800192">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>Those disappointed by the casting announcement offered their suggestions:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I'm never going to be able to watch 50 Shades of Grey. The guy in it looks far too much like Alan from the Hangover.</p>
- Conner Paterson (@Conner_P) <a href="https://twitter.com/Conner_P/statuses/374950459322404864">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>When I heard about the cast of 50 Shades of Grey..... :( <a href="http://t.co/CNverp5RSP">pic.twitter.com/CNverp5RSP</a></p>
- Miss Somerhalder :) (@XimeCM_ISF) <a href="https://twitter.com/XimeCM_ISF/statuses/374657767916597248">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>50 shades of Grey <a href="http://t.co/wwvcXddWVP">pic.twitter.com/wwvcXddWVP</a></p>
- ¤ (@Finnickness) <a href="https://twitter.com/Finnickness/statuses/374686629921038336">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>All these girls upset with the cast of 50 shades of grey because the dude wasn't Ryan Gosling and I'm over here like where is Nicholas Cage?</p>
- Justin Gorton (@jgorton3) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgorton3/statuses/374946814241550337">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p>Others felt prompted to take jabs at author <keyword id="1122122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="E-L-James">E.L. James</keyword>' kinky bestseller:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"50 Shades of Grey": the classy way to masturbate.</p>
- Zach Braff (@zachbraff) <a href="https://twitter.com/zachbraff/statuses/374674589785141248">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The 50 Shades of Grey leads have been cast, bringing moviegoers one step closer to demanding their money back.</p>
- Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/ComedyCentral/statuses/374933475662364672">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The human eye can see 525 different shades of grey so why are we only focusing on 50 of them? That's greycist.</p>
- Billy Berry! (@Blackalogy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Blackalogy/statuses/372288396963479552">August 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>50 Shades Of Grey They Must Be Talking About Carol's Hair Right?</p>
- Hershel Greene (@HershelGreene1) <a href="https://twitter.com/HershelGreene1/statuses/374946012588044288">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Celebrities took to Twitter to express their jealousy:</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Congrats to Charlie Hunnam on the 50 Shades of Grey role. It was a tough fight but the actor with the longer hair won. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bummed&amp;src=hash">#bummed</a></p>
- RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) <a href="https://twitter.com/rainnwilson/statuses/374588861394857984">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I lost the role in 50 Shades of Grey so you won't be hearing from me for awhile</p>
- Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) <a href="https://twitter.com/lenadunham/statuses/374571890527842304">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>Here were some of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/50-shades-of-grey-casting-the-film-2012-5" target="_blank">our casting suggestions</a> for the film.</p>
<p>Fans of the Batman franchise <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-batman-internet-reacts-2013-8" target="_blank">reacted similarly</a>, by sharing their outrage on Twitter when Ben Affleck was cast as the Caped Crusader.</p>

'50 Shades Of Grey' Fans Express Outrage On Twitter That Cast Isn't Hot Enough

<p>"Fifty Shades of Grey" may have <a href="http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-fifty-shades-of-grey-torches-records-with-94-4-million-debut-1201434780/" target="_blank">dominated the box office</a> this weekend, but it wasn't exactly easy adapting E.L. James' best selling novel for the big screen.</p><p>While Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan ended up playing Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, respectively, finding the right chemistry between two actors with available schedules proved fairly difficult.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54e3bb59eab8eafe16ceaf71-1200-600/jamie-dornan-dakota-johnson.jpg" border="0" alt="Jamie Dornan Dakota Johnson "><p class="source"><span> Ian Gavan/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan landed the coveted roles of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Initially, "Sons of Anarchy" </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402271/" target="_blank">actor Charlie Hunnam</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> was cast as Christian Grey, but many fans of the book didn't approve of the choice.</span><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54e3bb316da811116785a477-1200-600/charlie-hunnam-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Charlie Hunnam" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><p class="source"><span>Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Actor Charlie Hunnam dropped out of "Fifty Shades" after being cast.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>A<span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;petition to re-cast the movie garnered&#xa0;<a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/we-want-matt-bomer-and-alexis-bledel-as-christian-grey-and-anastasia-steele-on-50-shades" target="_blank">20,000 signatures on Change.org</a>, and due to&#xa0;<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/12/charlie-hunnam-exits-50-shades-of-grey_n_4089955.html" target="_hplink">scheduling conflicts</a>&#xa0;<span>and&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/16/charlie-hunnam-50-shades-of-grey-script_n_4109370.html" target="_hplink">reported clashes between Hunnam and Universal Pictures,</a>&#xa0;Hunnam eventually dropped out of the project.</span><p><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Just 11 days later, "Once Upon A Time" actor Jamie Dornan was cast in the role.</span></p><p><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54e3c3d56da8116d1385a477-1200-600/christian-grey-fifty-shades-of-grey-5.jpg" border="0" alt="christian grey fifty shades of grey"><p class="source"><span>Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures and Focus Features</span></p><p class="caption">Jamie Dornan in "Fifty Shades"</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Amid all of the casting back-and-forth,&#xa0;</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">the film's producer Dana&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Brunetti&#xa0;</span><a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti" target="_blank">tweeted</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;somewhat of an explanation</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">:</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="padding-left: 30px;">"There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc … So if your favorite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective."</p><p class="p3">Brunetti was apparently hinting at the handful of actors who actually turned down the leading roles.</p><p class="p4"><span>While "50 Shades" author E.L. James has said actor&#xa0;</span>Ryan Gosling<span>&#xa0;was the original prototype for Christian Grey, he&#xa0;<a href="http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2013/08/ryan-gosling-is-being-considered-for-batman-in-the-man-of-steel-sequel" target="_blank">doesn't do sequels</a>.</span></p><p class="p3">"50 Shades" is a&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/fifty-shades-of-grey-already-has-two-sequels-lined-up-2015-2" target="_blank">guaranteed trilogy</a>.</p><p class="p3"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54e3beffeab8eaf021ceaf72-1200-600/ryan-gosling-19.jpg" border="0" alt="ryan gosling"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Yves Herman</span></p><p class="caption">"50 Shades" author E.L. James has said actor Ryan Gosling was the original prototype for Christian Grey</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Before Hunnam got the gig, Garrett Hedlund reportedly turned it down.</span><p class="p4"><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">"Hedlund&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">was heavily courted by Universal, but the 'Tron: Legacy'&#xa0;star passed in July because he couldn't connect with the character," according to&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fifty-shades-grey-casting-shailene-619871" target="_blank">The Hollywood Reporter</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></p><p class="p4"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54e3beb86bb3f701625b5af0-1200-600/garrett-hedlund.jpg" border="0" alt="Garrett Hedlund" style="color: #000000;"><p class="source"><span>Frazer Harrison/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Garrett Hedlund</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Backing for "White Collar" actor&#xa0;Matt Bomer was so strong that a&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/455835/matt-bomer-responds-to-fifty-shades-of-grey-petition-i-m-so-grateful-for-the-fans" target="_blank">petition started by fans</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;to cast him garnered almost 100,000 signatures.</span><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/54e3c0986bb3f7f3655b5af1-800-400/matt-bomer-50-shades-of-grey-elliot.jpg" border="0" alt="matt bomer 50 shades of grey elliot"><p class="source"><span>Getty Images / Frazer Harrison</span></p><p class="caption">Fan favorite Matt Bomer</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Other actors in the mix included "Magic Mike" star Alex Pettyfer, who <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/saga-behind-casting-fifty-shades-grey-306659" target="_blank">auditioned for the role</a>,&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Gossip Girl" actor</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Chace Crawford, </span><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/02/06/tie-me-up-please-chace-crawford-guns-for-50-shades-grey/" target="_blank">who publicly stated</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> he would "love the challenge" of the role, A</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">lexander Skarsgård said on&#xa0;"A</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">ccess Hollywood</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">" he was "born to play" Christian Grey,&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">and&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The Vampire Diaries" star,</span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Ian Somerhalder, told Ryan Seacrest&#xa0;that being cast "would be an incredible thing. Hopefully that could pan out."</span><p class="p4"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Fans had their own casting ideas, pushing for Somerhalder as Christian Grey and Alexis Bledel to play Anastasia Steele, in a fan-created mashup trailer that received over a million views.</span></p><div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IQtItO68dMo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The role of Anastasia Steele was also a tricky one to cast.</span></p><p class="hs-text-container" dir="ltr">According to <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/saga-behind-casting-fifty-shades-grey-306659" target="_blank">Newsweek</a>, "'Pretty Little Liars'&#xa0;star Lucy Hale auditioned, as did 'The Carrie Diaries''&#xa0;Chloe Bridges, but neither was quite prepared to tackle the subject matter. Hale said the audition made her 'uncomfortable.'"</p><p class="hs-text-container" dir="ltr"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54e3c1f669beddca205b5aed-1200-632/lucy-hale.jpg" border="0" alt="Lucy Hale"><p class="source"><span>Mireya Acierto/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Actress Lucy Hale</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Bridges, meanwhile, <a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2013/09/11/carrie-diaries-chloe-bridges-fifty-shades-of-grey-audition" target="_blank">told&#xa0;Cosmopolitan</a>&#xa0;the role was too risqué.</span><p dir="ltr">"The scene was, like, the girl telling her friends about some sexcapade she had," explained Bridges. "But it goes into extreme detail and uses the word 'sperm' a couple times. I was like, 'I don't know, guys, I have to go home to my grandparent's house in a few months at Christmas, I don't know if I can do this.'"</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54e3c2756bb3f762715b5aee-1200-632/chloe-bridges.jpg" border="0" alt="Chloe Bridges"><p class="source"><span>John Sciulli/Getty Images </span></p><p class="caption">Actress Chloe Bridges</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Despite early rumors that Emma Watson was being considered, the "Harry Potter" actress tweeted:</span><div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Who here actually thinks I would do 50 Shades of Grey as a movie? Like really. For real. In real life.</p>- Emma Watson  (@EmWatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/313125809030328320">March 17, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></div><p class="embed-spacer">And so, the role went to Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson's 25-year-old daughter, Dakota Johnson, who had previously only appeared in&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-dakota-johnson-fifty-shades-actress-famous-family-2015-2" target="_blank">minor but memorable roles</a> in "21 Jump Street"&#xa0;and "The Social Network."</p><p class="embed-spacer"><em><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54e3c46e69bedde22c5b5af1-1200-600/anastasia-steele-fifty-shades-of-greyjpg-2.jpg" border="0" alt="anastasia steele fifty shades of grey.JPG"><p class="source"><span>Universal Pictures/Focus Features</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Whether "Fifty Shades" fans agreed with the Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan casting or not, they clearly have star power as the duo pulled in a </span><a href="http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-fifty-shades-of-grey-torches-records-with-94-4-million-debut-1201434780/" target="_blank">record-breaking</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fiftyshadesofgrey.htm" target="_blank">$266 million worldwide</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;over President's Day weekend.</span></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/54e3c37fecad046554f28f10-1200-600/fifty-shades-of-grey-christian-and-ana-6.jpg" border="0" alt="fifty shades of grey christian and ana"><p class="source"><span>Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Studios and Focus Features</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-headphones-tricks-2015-2">14 things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do</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="o2OGM3czpWcydnvhjbkDBd6feXPuExiD" 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', 'o2OGM3czpWcydnvhjbkDBd6feXPuExiD',{ 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 "Ian Somerhalder" and got 11 results

Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley developed 'insane anxiety' on 'The Vampire Diaries' because of all of the caffeine they had to drink for certain scenes

JP Mangalindan

Ian Somerhalder praises wife Nikki Reed for getting him out of millions in debt after a 'terrible business situation'

Jason Guerrasio

A complete timeline of Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley's friendship, from 'Vampire Diaries' costars to alcohol brand collaborators

Olivia Singh

11 things you probably didn't know about 'The Vampire Diaries'

Olivia Singh

THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'The Vampire Diaries'

Olivia Singh

A TikToker stoked viral rumors that his dad is the rockstar Dave Navarro. The singer says he's never heard of him.

Roisin Lanigan

A 6-year-old YouTube star is making an estimated $18 million a year. We talked to the company behind her global strategy.

Amanda Perelli

A complete timeline of 'The Vampire Diaries' costars Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley's friendship

Olivia Singh

Dakota Johnson And Charlie Hunnam Cast As Leads In '50 Shades Of Grey' Movie

Melia Robinson

'50 Shades Of Grey' Fans Express Outrage On Twitter That Cast Isn't Hot Enough

Melia Robinson

Here's which actors passed on the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' lead roles

Aly Weisman