With the zany duo being one of the first local YouTube stars to be signed to an artiste management agency, the progression to professional careers looks bright for these YouTube stars to look out for

Text: Shah Salimat

Who would have guessed that someone from YouTube could go so far? Judging by the careers of Michelle Phan, Karmin, Cody Simpson and, of course, Justin Bieber, the power of the online video has given birth to a whole new way of showing your talent, changing video programming and getting recognised.

For newly-signed FLY Entertainment artistes Maimunah Bagharib and Hirzi Zulkifie, a bunch of videos on dares have landed them with some big career scoops: a drama on MediaCorp Malay channel Suria, lead acting and writing roles in plays and legions of fans. The busy duo have been making bank – Hirzi could not join in this interview as he is in Los Angeles – but Maimunah is grateful for all the support that fans have shown.

“It's just very nice to know that those who have been following us on YouTube, continued to follow us on our journey and gave such great support to the drama. I say this all the time because I think it's very true. Without any of them, we wouldn't have gotten this far,” Maimunah said in an email interview with xinmsn.

Maimunah related her excitement that she and Hirzi have just been signed by FLY Entertainment. “When I did it on my own, every single thing had to be managed and handled alone – the liaising, the organising and the craft. I'm very certain that FLY will open up more doors for Hirzi and I and enable us to improve further on our craft,” Maimunah said.

(Next photo: Plans in 2013 and the future of YouTube)