Vikkstar123

Barn is of Indian descent{{cite tweet|title=... Ethnicity and Nationality are two completely separate things, I've lived in England for all my life. My ethnic background is Indian.|date=May 10, 2013|user=Vikkstar123|number=332869254871408642}} and was born on 2 August 1995{{Cite tweet |number=1290025072539779072 |user=Vikkstar123 |title=25 years on this big rock. Super happy & grateful. Thanks for all the Birthday wishes! |date=2 August 2020 |access-date=23 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802204243/https://twitter.com/Vikkstar123/status/1290025072539779072 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |url-status=live |last=Barn |first=Vikram}} in Guildford, Surrey, England,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFz7xy-UkVo |title=Which of the Sidemen knows Vik the best? |date=23 July 2019 |type=video |publisher=MoreSidemen |time=14:44 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211024144652/rFz7xy-UkVo |archive-date=24 October 2021 |accessdate=4 April 2021 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} where he lived until eight years of age.{{Cite tweet |number=590545266308227072 |user=Vikkstar123 |title=It's always nostalgic coming back to Guildford. I lived here until I was 8 |date=21 April 2015 |access-date=6 April 2021 |last=Barn |first=Vikram}} He moved to Sheffield where he attended Silverdale School.{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Alana |date=20 December 2019 |title=YouTube star encourages students to work hard during visit to his old school in Sheffield |work=The Star |publisher=Sheffield Newspapers Ltd |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/education/youtube-star-encourages-students-work-hard-during-visit-his-old-school-sheffield-1346565 |url-status=live |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723150002/https://www.thestar.co.uk/education/youtube-star-encourages-students-work-hard-during-visit-his-old-school-sheffield-1346565 |archive-date=23 July 2020}} Barn was offered a place to study natural sciences at University College London, but he ended up declining the offer in order to pursue his YouTube career full-time.{{Cite news|date=5 November 2016 |title=Sheffield YouTube star explains why he could retire - aged just 21 |work=The Star |publisher=Sheffield Newspapers Ltd |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-youtube-star-explains-why-he-could-retire-aged-just-21-454425 |access-date=3 August 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803052031/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-youtube-star-explains-why-he-could-retire-aged-just-21-454425 |url-status=live }} He is the youngest of three children.{{Cite book |last=Sidemen |first=The |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m1A-DAAAQBAJ |title=Sidemen: The Book |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-4736-4819-7 |access-date=23 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327052928/https://books.google.com/books?id=m1A-DAAAQBAJ |archive-date=27 March 2023 |url-status=live}}

Barn joined YouTube in 2010; having played games with his friends, he got into watching YouTubers and making videos of their own. Eventually, he decided to launch his own channel, initially creating gaming and tutorial videos on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.{{Cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=30 April 2015 |title=An Interview With YouTube Sensation Vikkstar123 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/04/30/an-interview-with-youtube-sensation-vikkstar123.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126040358/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/04/30/an-interview-with-youtube-sensation-vikkstar123.aspx |archive-date=26 January 2021 |access-date=20 February 2021 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop}} As his popularity increased, he began to take it more seriously, branching out into Minecraft.

He moved in with three other members, sharing a house with them from 2014 to 2018, when he announced he was moving out of the Sidemen House.{{Cite news |date=23 October 2021 |title=Who are the Sidemen? How KSI and friends amassed 123 million followers |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/who-are-the-sidemen-how-ksi-and-friends-amassed-123-million-followers-cdnbjjswd |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211023194702/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/who-are-the-sidemen-how-ksi-and-friends-amassed-123-million-followers-cdnbjjswd |archive-date=23 October 2021 }}{{Cite web |date=31 October 2018 |title=I'm leaving the Sidemen House. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOjiMiIMP64 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211024144632/WOjiMiIMP64 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |access-date=23 October 2021 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} He was a member of the Minecraft group the {{vanchor|Pack}} along with JeromeASF, Lachlan, Preston, Woofless, and Bajan Canadian. He was also part of the Dream SMP server.{{Cite web|last=Brett|first=Craig|date=13 September 2023|title=Preston Arsement Net Worth – How he Built his $20 Million Fortune!|url=https://techiegamers.com/preston-arsement-net-worth/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817210749/https://techiegamers.com/preston-arsement-net-worth/|archive-date=17 August 2024|access-date=17 August 2024|website=TechieGamers}}{{Cite web |last=Çakır |first=Gökhan |date=1 January 2021 |title=Who is a part of the Dream SMP Minecraft Server? |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/who-is-a-part-of-the-dream-smp-minecraft-server |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227011424/https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/who-is-a-part-of-the-dream-smp-minecraft-server |archive-date=27 February 2021 |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=Dot Esports |publisher=GAMURS Group}}

In January 2021, he announced on his channel that he was quitting playing Call of Duty: Warzone due to a proliferation of cheating,{{Cite news |last=Criddle |first=Cristina |date=1 February 2021 |title=Gamer Vikkstar quits Call of Duty: Warzone over cheating |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55893817 |url-status=live |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210084346/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55893817 |archive-date=10 February 2021}} saying hackers would be "the death of the game" if it went unfixed.{{Cite news |last=Franceschi-Bicchierai |first=Lorenzo |date=2 February 2021 |title='Call of Duty: Warzone' Bans More than 60,000 Cheaters |work=Vice |publisher=Vice Media |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/7k9m5a/call-of-duty-warzone-bans-more-than-60000-cheaters |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222150229/https://www.vice.com/en/article/7k9m5a/call-of-duty-warzone-bans-more-than-60000-cheaters |archive-date=22 February 2021}} Along with criticism from several other high-profile streamers, the resulting uproar caused Activision to update the game's anti-cheat software.{{Cite news |last=Criddle |first=Cristina |date=3 February 2021 |title=Call of Duty: Warzone 'enhances' its anti-cheat software |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55919196 |url-status=live |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213051958/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55919196 |archive-date=13 February 2021}} On 13 July 2024, Barn appeared in a MrBeast video titled "50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000".{{Cite web |last=Brigstock |first=Jake |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Who are all the influencers in MrBeast's 'biggest video ever'? |url=https://www.indy100.com/celebrities/mrbeast-biggest-video-ever-influencers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607015446/https://www.indy100.com/celebrities/mrbeast-biggest-video-ever-influencers |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=Indy100}}

On 5 December 2022, Barn, KSI, and TBJZL released a Christmas-themed charity single titled "Christmas Drillings" under the Sidemen banner featuring Jme, which charted at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite news |last=Ben Mundy |first=Sam Harris |date=2022-12-22 |title=Christmas number one: Sidemen and JME's quest for top spot |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-64053556 |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-15 |title=CHRISTMAS DRILLINGS |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/sidemen-christmas-drillings/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Official Charts |language=en}}

In 2023, Barn began his music career by releasing singles as a DJ and music producer.{{Cite web |date=1 December 2023 |title=Shaun Farrugia & Vikkstar's Song 'Humans' Is Out Today! |url=https://maltadaily.mt/shaun-farrugia-vikkstars-song-humans-is-out-today/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114105233/https://maltadaily.mt/shaun-farrugia-vikkstars-song-humans-is-out-today/ |archive-date=14 January 2024 |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=Malta Daily}} On 28 September, Barn released his debut single "Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)" with Alan Walker and Dash Berlin, which charted at number 1 on the Association of Hungarian Record Companies.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Carl |date=28 September 2023 |title=New Releases |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/new-releases/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929220133/https://www.officialcharts.com/new-releases/ |archive-date=29 September 2023 |access-date=29 September 2023 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}{{Cite web |title=Rádiós Top 40 slágerlista |url=https://slagerlistak.hu/radios-top-40-jatszasi-lista/2024/4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202074900/https://slagerlistak.hu/radios-top-40-jatszasi-lista/2024/4 |archive-date=2 February 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=slagerlistak.hu}} On 1 December, Barn released "Humans" with Shaun Farrugia.

On 25 April 2024, Barn released "Know Me Better" with Masked Wolf featuring Jme.{{Cite web |last=Cabello |first=Felipe Latorre |date=2024-05-03 |title=[INTERVIEW] Vikkstar Talks Branching Out To Music, Imposter Syndrome, And More |url=https://www.edmtunes.com/2024/05/interview-vikkstar/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=EDMTunes |language=en-US}} On 16 August, Barn released "Have It All" with RetroVision and Dyson.{{cite web |title=Have It All – Single by Vikkstar, RetroVision, and Dyson |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/have-it-all-single/1761486985 |access-date=16 August 2024 |publisher=Apple Music}} On 8 November, Barn released "Where Do I Go" with Nicky Romero, Alpharock, and Oaks.{{Cite web |last=Yerushalmi |first=Oscar |date=9 November 2024 |title=Nicky Romero, Vikkstar, Alpharock, Oaks – Where Do I Go |url=https://www.edmtunes.com/2024/11/nicky-romero-vikkstar-alpharock-oaks-where-do-i-go/ |website=EDM Tunes}}{{Cite web |last=Guzman |first=Angelo De |date=2024-11-08 |title=Exclusive Interview: Vikkstar talks new single with Nicky Romero |url=https://edmnomad.com/vikkstar-dj-nicky-romero-where-do-i-go/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=EDMNOMAD |language=en-US}}

{{Main|Sidemen#Other ventures}}

Barn and the Sidemen have founded multiple businesses throughout their online careers. In 2014 the group launched a clothing brand under the Sidemen Clothing banner.{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Farah |date=11 September 2019 |title=Insomnia Dubai: YouTube stars Sidemen coming to gaming convention |url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/insomnia-dubai-youtube-stars-sidemen-coming-to-gaming-convention-1.909130 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027153116/https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/insomnia-dubai-youtube-stars-sidemen-coming-to-gaming-convention-1.909130 |archive-date=27 October 2019 |access-date=29 October 2024 |website=The National}} In November 2021, they founded a restaurant chain known as Sides in collaboration with Reef.{{Cite web |last=Tabahriti |first=Sam |date=13 March 2022 |title=A fried chicken restaurant run by 7 YouTubers has opened its first branch after initially operating as a ghost kitchen. See inside. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/sidemen-ksi-sides-fried-chicken-store-youtubers-2022-3 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321213245/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/sidemen-ksi-sides-fried-chicken-store-youtubers-2022-3 |archive-date=21 March 2022 |access-date=29 October 2024 |website=Business Insider}} In October 2022, they launched their own vodka brand known as XIX Vodka.{{Cite news |date=23 October 2021 |title=Who are the Sidemen? How KSI and friends amassed 123 million followers |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/who-are-the-sidemen-how-ksi-and-friends-amassed-123-million-followers-cdnbjjswd |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211023194702/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/who-are-the-sidemen-how-ksi-and-friends-amassed-123-million-followers-cdnbjjswd |archive-date=23 October 2021 |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=The Times}} in March 2024, they launched a breakfast cereal brand known as Best Cereal in collaboration with Mornflake.{{Cite web |last=Gutelle |first=Sam |date=2024-03-21 |title=The Sidemen have sold 100,000 boxes of cereal two weeks after launching their breakfast brand |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2024/03/21/sidemen-breakfast-cereal-brand-best-sales/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}

In January 2021, it was revealed that Barn had invested in the London Royal Ravens, a Call of Duty esports team, speaking of his desire to 'build a blueprint' for the wider popularisation of the sport.{{Cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Steffan |last2=Pandey |first2=Manish |date=7 January 2021 |title=Vikkstar on his plans for growing Call of Duty esports |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-55553453 |url-status=live |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203003454/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-55553453 |archive-date=3 February 2021}}

In July 2023, Barn invested in notwoways, an East London sneaker brand owned by fellow YouTuber and friend Callum "Callux" McGinley.{{Cite web |last=Bottomley |first=Tom |date=2023-07-28 |title=Sneaker brand notwoways secures £2.3m investment to turbo charge growth |url=https://www.theindustry.fashion/sneaker-brand-notwoways-secures-2-3m-investment-to-turbo-charge-growth/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=TheIndustry.fashion |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Nigel |date=21 August 2023 |title=UK sneaker brand Notwoways secures £2.3m in fresh funding |url=https://uk.fashionnetwork.com/news/Uk-sneaker-brand-notwoways-secures-2-3m-in-fresh-funding,1544560.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=FashionNetwork |language=en-UK}}

On 3 August 2023, it was announced that Barn would be joining as the new co-founder of British eyewear brand CIRCULR.{{Cite web |last=Strong |first=Jack |date=3 August 2023 |title=CIRCULR Eyewear Relaunches With British YouTube Sensation Vikkstar at the Helm |url=https://thesolesupplier.co.uk/news/circulr-eyewear-relaunches-with-british-youtube-sensation-vikkstar-at-the-helm/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=TheSoleSupplier}}{{Cite web |last=taijaweekes |date=2023-08-04 |title=Circulr Relaunch alongside new co-owner Vikkstar |url=https://pausemag.co.uk/2023/08/circulr-relaunch-alongside-new-co-owner-vikkstars/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=PAUSE Online |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |author=Wonderland Staff |date=2023-08-09 |title=CIRCULR Relaunches with Vikkstar |url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2023/08/09/circulr/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Wonderland |language=en-GB}}

Barn privately began dating a British woman named Ellie Harlow in 2019, although she later appeared in Barn's social media posts beginning in 2020.{{cite web |last1=Brahma |first1=Nilendu |title=Sidemen Member Vikkstar Starts New Journey With His Long Time Girlfriend Ellie Harlow |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-sidemen-member-vikkstar-starts-new-journey-with-his-long-time-girlfriend-ellie-harlow/ |website=EssentiallySports |access-date=2025-02-28 |date=2023-09-27|df=dmy-all}} They became engaged at the Burj Al Arab in December 2021, and married in September 2023.{{cite AV media|title=WE'RE MARRIED!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O413-LjM30g|date= 26 September 2023|access-date= 25 January 2025|via=YouTube}}{{cite web |title=Mr & Mrs 🤍 |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CxqUxSsIOTf/ |website=Instagram |access-date=25 January 2025}} In a Sidemen video released in March 2024, Barn revealed he has Crohn's disease.{{cite AV media|date=10 March 2024|title=SIDEMEN HOW FAR CAN YOU GET IN 24 HOURS|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqIpDyrJndw|access-date=10 March 2024|time=1:20:20|publisher=Sidemen|via=YouTube}}

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{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{YouTube|user=Vikkstar123|Vikkstar123}}
• {{IMDb name|7158704|name=Vikkstar123}}

{{Vikkstar123}}

{{Sidemen}}

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Category:1995 births

Category:21st-century English male musicians

Category:English Twitch (service) streamers

Category:English electronic dance music DJs

Category:English male web series actors

Category:English male writers

Category:English record producers

Category:English people of Indian descent

Category:English video bloggers

Category:English gaming YouTubers

Category:Living people

Category:Minecraft YouTubers

Category:British music YouTubers

Category:Musicians from Sheffield

Category:People educated at Silverdale School, Sheffield

Category:People with Crohn's disease

Category:Sidemen

Category:Sidemen Charity Match players

Category:Video game commentators

Category:YouTube channels launched in 2010

Category:YouTubers from Sheffield

Category:British YouTube vloggers