What is Nelk?
Nelk is an entertainment company, sometimes referred to as Nelk Boys. It was created by two founders: Kyle Forgeard and Jesse Sebastiani. They began posting on YouTube before moving part of their business to TikTok. As of 2023, they have collected over 1,5 billion views in total on their YouTube channel.
Who are Nelk Boys?
Nelk Boys are Canadian content creators who worked together for a long time now. The company initially consisted of two founding members: Kyle Forgeard and Jesse Sebastiani. The third member, Steve Deleonardis, joined the group in the very beginning, so he was often mistaken for one of the founders. They met during their high school years in Ontario, Canada, and bonded over their shared love for entertainment and comedy. They were friends for a long time, but their bond strengthened once they began pulling pranks on each other. Kyle, Jesse and Steve were all popular at their high school due to their active lifestyles. They were the heart of every school party, even if it meant getting dirty. They were all resistant to embarrassment, which definitely helped them on their way to stardom.
Besides their involvement in every interesting event, the Nelk boys have gained popularity due to their personalities. They were all pretty outgoing, well-spoken and sometimes even loud, ensuring that every classmate remembered them instantly. Once they became internet-famous, Kyle and Jesse were often referred to as one of the most recognisable personalities for young people. This statement was true in North America, where they had the largest fanbase.
Nelk on YouTube
Since their jokes were getting pretty popular in high school, the trio decided to try and make money out of it. In 2010, they joined YouTube with their shared channel called Nelk, short for Nelk Films. The channel's content primarily revolved around public pranks, social experiments, and party vlogs. Nelk Boys often pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable behaviour, resulting in both humorous and controversial situations. Their pranks ranged from simple and harmless gags to elaborate and attention-grabbing scenarios. Their willingness to take risks and explore uncharted territory has contributed to the channel's exponential growth and dedicated fan base. Aside from pranks, the NelkBoys documented their wild party experiences, showcasing their uninhibited and carefree lifestyle. These vlogs often involved collaborating with celebrities, athletes, and other popular content creators, further elevating Nelk's status within the YouTube community.
While the Nelk Boys loved creating all types of content, they undoubtedly created their channel in the prankster era. In the early 2010s, every video with the word "prank" in the title had a bigger chance of succeeding. Nelk Boys noticed that and, for a long time, began only filming prank videos.
Nelk Boys – FullSend
While filming pranks made the Nelk Boys somewhat popular, they needed to think of something only theirs. They needed people to remember them as Nelk Boys and not some random prank channel. Fortunately, they thought of something so great that it ensured them fame for years. The Nelk Boys figured out that their fans loved them for their unapologetic and free lifestyles, which they showed daily on social media. Since they needed to put a name on it, they called it FullSend. Full Send represented their philosophy of living life to the fullest, embracing risks, and letting go of inhibitions. The brand has garnered a substantial following and expanded beyond YouTube, offering merchandise such as apparel, accessories, and lifestyle products. From organising wild parties to collaborating with renowned athletes and celebrities, they turned their lifestyle into a brand that represented a carefree and unapologetic approach to life.
While it might sound noble at first, Full Send is just a name put on a life full of parties, food and alcohol. Their Full Send videos often involved the creators travelling to another country and getting drunk at the first chance. After all, their fanbase was formed mainly by young teens and adults who adored that lifestyle. Besides partying and getting drunk, Nelk Boys' Full Send videos often involved them getting to know new cultures on their own terms. These encounters were often fun to watch as they involved a lot of embarrassing situations.
Nelk – Popular videos
Nelk has produced a wide range of popular videos throughout their YouTube career. While their Full Send videos were the ones which gave their channel a name, Nelk Boys remained one of the most recognisable prank channels. Their pranks were not only thought through to the littlest detail but also executed perfectly. They usually created the pranks to be on the line between funny and controversial. That extra element of uncertainty and danger was the one which made their fans go crazy.
Their most popular video is Coke Prank on Cops, with over 49 million views. That specific prank involved the most important essence of a good prank: an unpredictable element. Since the police officers didn't know about the prank being filmed and executed, their reaction could have been good or bad. In this prank, the Nelk Boys approached police officers in public while appearing to snort cocaine. The reactions from the officers varied, and the video garnered millions of views for its audacity and shock value.
Nelk Boys on TikTok
While the Nelk Boys initially gained their fame through YouTube, they have also ventured into the world of TikTok to expand their online presence and connect with a broader audience. On TikTok, the Nelk Boys continue to showcase their adventurous and comedic personalities, entertaining their fans with shorter, bite-sized content. On their TikTok account, the Nelk Boys share a variety of videos that align with the platform's trends and formats. They often participate in popular challenges, dances, and trends, putting their unique spin on them. Whether it's a viral dance routine or a comedy skit, the Nelk Boys inject their trademark style into the content, maintaining the essence of their YouTube channel.
One of the key strategies the NelkBoys employ on TikTok is cross-promotion. They frequently share snippets or previews of their YouTube videos on TikTok, enticing their TikTok followers to check out the full videos on their YouTube channel. This approach not only drives traffic to their YouTube content but also helps them expand their reach and gain new subscribers. As of 2023, they began filming a lot of interviews with different people, which gained a lot of popularity. The Nelk Boys carefully chose people from little-known cultures and communities so that their interviews weren't boring.
Controversies of Nelk Boys
The Nelk Boys, known for their boundary-pushing content, have encountered several controversies throughout their career. While these controversies have contributed to their notoriety, they have also attracted criticism from various quarters. The Nelk Boys' pranks and stunts have often been criticised for crossing ethical boundaries. Some argue that their videos invade people's privacy or cause distress to unsuspecting individuals. Critics claim that the Nelk Boys prioritise shock value and entertainment over the well-being and consent of those involved in their pranks.
In some of their pranks, the Nelk Boys have been accused of causing damage to public and private property. These instances have raised concerns about the potential negative impact of their content, as well as the legality and morality of their actions. The Nelk Boys have also been accused of cultural insensitivity due to their portrayal of certain stereotypes or offensive behaviour in their videos. These accusations usually came after one of their Full Send videos in a foreign country. This criticism highlights the importance of considering the potential impact and implications of their content on diverse communities.
Nelk Boys – Covid-19 controversy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nelk Boys faced backlash for their actions that seemingly violated health guidelines and safety protocols. They were criticised for organising parties and social gatherings without practising appropriate social distancing or mask-wearing. Such actions were seen by many as irresponsible and potentially endangering public health. In September 2020, the police department in Illinois announced an investigation into Nelk after they hosted a flash mob of about 200 people on-campus at Illinois State University in violation of covid-19 regulations. Following this, YouTube announced a decision to totally demonetise the Nelk YouTube account in addition to most of their specific videos so that no money could be earned from YouTube.
How much do Nelk Boys earn? Net Worth
As of 2023, their net worth is estimated to be over 1,5 million US dollars. Their success on YouTube, combined with the creation of their "Full Send" brand, merchandise sales, sponsorships, and other business ventures, has undoubtedly contributed to their overall net worth. Moreover, their popularity has led to collaborations with prominent individuals and companies in the entertainment industry.
Interesting facts about Nelk Boys
- The founding members are Kyle Forgeard and Jesse Sebastiani.
- Steve Deleonardis joined the group soon after its establishment.
- They created their Nelk YouTube channel in 2010.
- They became one of the most recognisable prank channels on YouTube.
- As of 2023, they have collected over 1,5 billion views in total on their YouTube channel.
- Their most popular video is Coke Prank on Cops, with over 49 million views.
- They have over 7,93 million subscribers on YouTube and other 4,6 million followers on TikTok.
- As of 2023, their net worth is estimated to be over 1,5 million US dollars.
- Over the years, they have faced multiple police charges regarding the covid-19 pandemic regulations.
- Their channel was repeatedly demonetised to punish their bad behaviour.
