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How did a 7-year-old boy end up on Forbes' list of highest-paid YouTube stars?

How did a 7-year-old boy end up on Forbes' list of highest-paid YouTube stars?
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By Emma Beswick & Jo Ling Kent
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Ryan, seven, earned €19.2 million in a year.

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Ryan is not your average seven-year-old — he earned an estimated $22 million (around €19.2 million) in a year, according to Forbes' list of Highest-Paid YouTube Stars 2018.

His channel "Ryan ToysReview", which has over 17 million subscribers, sees him play with toys and give his opinion on them.

Why does he think kids his channel is so appealing to his peers? 

"Because I'm entertaining and I'm funny," he told NBC's Jo Ling Kent.

The youngster beat Jake Paul by $500,000 (€438,362) to top the list of YouTube's biggest earners.

Also in the top five were Dude Perfect ($20 million — €17.5 million), Daniel Middleton ($18.5 million — €16.2 million) and Jeffree Star ($18 million — €15.7 million).

The estimated figures — for the year to June 2018 — given by Forbes were before tax and fees for agents, managers and lawyers.

Despite Ryan's videos getting millions of daily views, just $1 million of the total came from advertising shown before videos, according to Forbes, with most of his revenue coming from sponsored posts.

He also has a line of collectables on sale at Walmart, including eggs and "squishies" (soft plastic toys).

What are the seven-year-old's plans for later on in his already booming career? 

"I want to be a game developer," he said.

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