Yesterday's news that YouTube star PewDiePie made $7 million in the last year prompted so many negative responses that the popular video commentator felt compelled to issue a response.
In a six-minute video today he explains his relationship with wealth and success. He makes his money through advertisers attracted to the millions of fans who follow his videos, which generally feature him playing games and chatting to the viewer.
"To see so many people being upset about this whole thing is so sad."
"Whenever it comes out how much I made a certain year, people just get so shocked," he said. "A lot of people were also very, very angry. They thought it was unfair. They thought I just sit on my ass all day and I just yell at the screen."
PewDiePie, real name Felix Kjellberg, said that he set out to make video game videos because he enjoys it. When he began five years ago, he was a struggling student making ends meet with a job on a hot dog stand.
"I understand that haters are gonna hate but I really think that money doesn't make you happy. I am just as happy now as I was five years ago. To see so many people being upset about this whole thing is so sad. I just think it's such a waste."
Kjellberg read out a few of the aggressive messages he has received in the past day or so. He said that he works hard, appreciates not having to worry about making rent, and pointed out that anyone can make Let's Play videos.
