{
  "dataset": {
    "datasetId": "minnesota-internet-personalities-v1",
    "name": "Minnesota Internet Personalities 2026",
    "description": "An unranked, source-backed, cross-era directory of internet-native public identities with precise Minnesota relationships.",
    "pageUrl": "https://joshliljenquist.com/minnesota/internet-personalities/",
    "dataUrl": "https://joshliljenquist.com/data/minnesota-internet-personalities-2026.json",
    "version": "1.0.0-candidate",
    "reviewedAt": "2026-09-20",
    "recordCount": 25,
    "ordering": "Alphabetical by public person or collective name; not a fame or audience ranking.",
    "publisher": {
      "name": "Josh Liljenquist",
      "organizationId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/#organization",
      "personId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/#person"
    }
  },
  "methodology": {
    "internetIdentityRule": "Public recognition must arise substantially from sustained internet-native publishing, a viral internet-native work, or a creator-led digital identity.",
    "minnesotaEvidenceRule": "A claim-specific source must support the displayed origin, formative, current-base, professional-base or historical relationship.",
    "rankingPublished": false,
    "historicalRecordsAllowed": true,
    "collectiveIdentityRule": "A creator-led group, duo or organization is represented as an Organization only where public recognition and existing canonical identity belong to that collective."
  },
  "records": [
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-abraham-piper",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-abraham-piper",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Abraham Piper",
      "onlineName": "Abraham Piper",
      "sortName": "Abraham Piper",
      "category": "Commentary and short-form video",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and web publishing",
      "era": "Blogs to short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2010,
      "breakthrough": "Built a web-publishing business, then reached a large TikTok audience with concise commentary beginning in 2020.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Short-form commentary and earlier web-publishing work.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "current_base",
        "label": "Minnesota-based",
        "location": "Minneapolis",
        "summary": "Independent reporting located Piper and his internet businesses in Minneapolis.",
        "temporalScope": "Documented in 2021"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "How a Twin Cities blogger made millions off clickbait and became Minnesota's TikTok star",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2021-04-26",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/how-a-twin-cities-blogger-made-millions-off-clickbait-and-became-minnesota-s-tiktok-star/600050359",
        "support": "Documents Piper's Minneapolis base, web-publishing history and TikTok growth."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": []
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-adam-young",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-origin-person-adam-young",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Adam Young",
      "onlineName": "Owl City",
      "sortName": "Adam Young",
      "category": "Online music",
      "primaryPlatform": "MySpace",
      "era": "Early social web",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2007,
      "breakthrough": "Uploaded homemade Owl City recordings to MySpace from Owatonna before “Fireflies” became an international hit.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "The internet-originated synth-pop project Owl City.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "hometown",
        "label": "Minnesota hometown",
        "location": "Owatonna",
        "summary": "Independent reporting identifies Owatonna as Young's hometown and the place where Owl City began online.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and formative career period"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Owl City: Shy, retiring and No 1 everywhere",
        "publisher": "The Guardian",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2010-01-28",
        "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jan/28/owl-city-adam-young-fireflies",
        "support": "Identifies Owatonna as Young's hometown and traces the project's 2007 MySpace start."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "famous-people-from-minnesota-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-that-midwestern-mom",
      "canonicalEntityId": "that-midwestern-mom",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Amber Estenson",
      "onlineName": "That Midwestern Mom",
      "sortName": "That Midwestern Mom",
      "category": "Food comedy and regional culture",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and social video",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": null,
      "breakthrough": "Videos about Midwestern food, hot dish and regional humor reached a large short-form audience.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Minnesota food comedy, Jell-O salads and Midwestern cultural commentary.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "current_base",
        "label": "Minnesota-based",
        "location": "Frazee",
        "summary": "Independent reporting profiles Estenson and her creator work from Frazee.",
        "temporalScope": "Current as documented in 2024"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "That Midwestern Mom turns Minnesota hot dish and Jell-O salad into viral video",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2024-08-21",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/that-midwestern-mom-minnesota-hot-dish-recipe-jello-salad-tim-walz/601126677",
        "support": "Documents Estenson's Frazee base and the online food-and-culture identity."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "famous-people-minnesota-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-andy-george",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-andy-george",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Andy George",
      "onlineName": "How To Make Everything",
      "sortName": "Andy George",
      "category": "Education and maker video",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube",
      "era": "YouTube",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2015,
      "breakthrough": "The “How to Make a $1,500 Sandwich” video turned the make-it-from-scratch project into a widely viewed educational channel.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Making everyday objects and foods entirely from raw materials.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "raised_in",
        "label": "Raised in Minnesota",
        "location": "Minneapolis",
        "summary": "A creator-industry profile states that George was born and raised in Minneapolis.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "YouTube Millionaires: Andy George Makes Everything From Scratch",
        "publisher": "Tubefilter",
        "sourceClass": "CREATOR-INDUSTRY REPORTING",
        "date": "2019-10-23",
        "url": "https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/10/23/creators-going-pro-andy-george-how-to-make-everything/",
        "support": "Profiles the YouTube project, its breakout sandwich video and George's Minneapolis upbringing."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "About Us",
        "publisher": "How To Make Everything",
        "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL CREATOR",
        "date": null,
        "url": "https://www.makeeverything.tv/aboutus",
        "support": "Official project history and creator identity."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "STRONGLY SUPPORTED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": []
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-cboystv",
      "canonicalEntityId": "cboystv",
      "entityType": "Organization",
      "name": "CboysTV",
      "onlineName": "CboysTV",
      "sortName": "CboysTV",
      "category": "Motorsports entertainment",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube",
      "era": "YouTube",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2016,
      "breakthrough": "A group of friends from the Cormorant area turned motorsports and stunt videos into a large YouTube channel.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Creator-led motorsports, stunt and outdoor entertainment.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "hometown",
        "label": "Minnesota hometown",
        "location": "Cormorant area",
        "summary": "Independent reporting documents the group and production operation in the Cormorant area of western Minnesota.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and documented production base"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "With throttles wide open, small-town 'CBoys' achieve YouTube stardom",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2021-01-28",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/with-throttles-wide-open-small-town-cboys-achieve-youtube-stardom/600016309",
        "support": "Documents the group's Cormorant-area roots, members and YouTube rise."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "famous-people-minnesota-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-connor-franta",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-connor-franta",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Connor Franta",
      "onlineName": "Connor Franta",
      "sortName": "Connor Franta",
      "category": "Vlogging and lifestyle",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube",
      "era": "YouTube",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2010,
      "breakthrough": "His high-school video blog grew past one million subscribers by 2013.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Personal YouTube videos, books and digital-era lifestyle media.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "raised_in",
        "label": "Raised in Minnesota",
        "location": "La Crescent",
        "summary": "Independent reporting documents Franta's childhood and high-school years in La Crescent.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and formative creator period"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Wipe those tears and meet Connor Franta, Minnesota's YouTube superstar",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2015-04-30",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/wipe-those-tears-and-meet-connor-franta-minnesota-s-youtube-superstar/301705331",
        "support": "Documents Franta's La Crescent childhood, first high-school YouTube upload and subscriber growth."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": []
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-dadchats",
      "canonicalEntityId": "dadchats",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Dillon White",
      "onlineName": "DadChats",
      "sortName": "DadChats",
      "category": "Family comedy",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and Instagram",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2023,
      "breakthrough": "Parenting observations and family-comedy videos developed into the DadChats public identity.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Family comedy and candid parenting videos.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "current_base",
        "label": "Minnesota-based",
        "location": "Woodbury",
        "summary": "Independent reporting identifies White and the DadChats operation with Woodbury.",
        "temporalScope": "Current as reported in 2026"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "DadChats and MomChats turned Woodbury family life into viral comedy",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2026-07-13",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/dillon-white-suzanne-white-dadchats-momchats-influencers-woodbury-minnesota/601867584",
        "support": "Profiles Dillon White, the DadChats identity, the family's Woodbury base and the account's development."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "minneapolis-twin-cities-creators-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-food-dolls",
      "canonicalEntityId": "food-dolls",
      "entityType": "Organization",
      "name": "Food Dolls",
      "onlineName": "Food Dolls",
      "sortName": "Food Dolls",
      "category": "Food and recipe media",
      "primaryPlatform": "Facebook, Instagram and web video",
      "era": "Social video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2015,
      "breakthrough": "Alia and Radwa Elkaffas began publishing in 2015 and expanded after a viral food video in 2021.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Accessible recipe videos and a sister-led food-media brand.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "raised_in",
        "label": "Raised in Minnesota",
        "location": "Eden Prairie",
        "summary": "Independent reporting documents the sisters' Eden Prairie upbringing and Minnesota-based food-media work.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and professional base"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Minnesota's Food Dolls make food pretty and delicious",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2025-02-25",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/food-dolls-cookbook-pretty-delicious-minnesota-alia-radwa-elkaffas-midwestern/601227680",
        "support": "Documents Alia and Radwa Elkaffas, their Eden Prairie upbringing, 2015 start and later viral growth."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "famous-people-minnesota-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-the-braces-guy",
      "canonicalEntityId": "the-braces-guy",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Grant Collins",
      "onlineName": "The Braces Guy",
      "sortName": "The Braces Guy",
      "category": "Professional education and comedy",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2019,
      "breakthrough": "Collins began combining orthodontic education and entertainment on TikTok in spring 2019.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Orthodontic education and braces-focused entertainment.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "professional_base",
        "label": "Minnesota professional base",
        "location": "Rochester",
        "summary": "The University of Minnesota profile documents Collins's Rochester practice and online creator work.",
        "temporalScope": "Current as documented in 2023"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Collins brings personality to orthodontia with viral Braces Guy TikTok account",
        "publisher": "University of Minnesota School of Dentistry",
        "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL INSTITUTION",
        "date": "2023-01-26",
        "url": "https://dentistry.umn.edu/news-events/collins-brings-personality-orthodontia-viral-braces-guy-tiktok-account",
        "support": "Documents the Rochester practice, creator identity and spring 2019 TikTok start."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "famous-people-minnesota-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-haley-kalil",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-haley-kalil",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Haley Kalil",
      "onlineName": "Haley Baylee",
      "sortName": "Haley Kalil",
      "category": "Comedy, fashion and lifestyle",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and Instagram",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": null,
      "breakthrough": "Expanded from modeling into a major short-form audience built around fashion, satire and pop-culture comedy.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Fashion and lifestyle satire under the Haley Baylee public name.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "born_in",
        "label": "Born in Minnesota",
        "location": "Excelsior",
        "summary": "Independent reporting identifies Excelsior as Kalil's birthplace and describes her Minnesota education.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Former Miss Minnesota tapped to host Netflix reality series about malls",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2026-03-16",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/former-miss-minnesota-and-ex-wife-of-vikings-vet-matt-kalil-tapped-to-host-netflix-series/601598957",
        "support": "Identifies Kalil as a social influencer born in Excelsior with deep Minnesota roots."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "Haley Kalil — TIME100 Creators 2025",
        "publisher": "TIME",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT PROFILE",
        "date": "2025-07-09",
        "url": "https://time.com/collections/time100-creators-2025/7299123/haley-kalil/",
        "support": "Documents her large digital audience, creator work and Minnesota university connection."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "platform-ranking research records"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-jimmy-darts",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-jimmy-darts",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Jimmy Darts",
      "onlineName": "Jimmy Darts",
      "sortName": "Jimmy Darts",
      "category": "Kindness and community-support video",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and YouTube",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": null,
      "breakthrough": "Viral kindness videos developed into a large public audience and substantial viewer-supported giving.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Surprise assistance and kindness-centered social videos.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "hometown",
        "label": "Minnesota hometown",
        "location": "Walker",
        "summary": "Independent reporting identifies Darts as a Walker native who began uploading from his Minnesota hometown.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and formative creator period"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Minnesota native raises millions through viral videos of kindness",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2026-07-08",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-native-raises-millions-online-through-random-acts-of-kindness/601864999",
        "support": "Documents Darts's Walker origin, early uploads and viral kindness-video work."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "platform-ranking research records"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-one-minute-tours",
      "canonicalEntityId": "one-minute-tours",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "John O'Sullivan",
      "onlineName": "One Minute Tours",
      "sortName": "One Minute Tours",
      "category": "Local travel and place video",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and YouTube",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2021,
      "breakthrough": "One-minute tours of Minnesota places turned a local-exploration concept into a recognizable short-form series.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Fast, upbeat tours of Minnesota places and attractions.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "hometown",
        "label": "Minnesota home state",
        "location": "Twin Cities and statewide",
        "summary": "MPR documents O'Sullivan's Minnesota background and his place-based short-form series.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and current subject-matter connection"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Looking for 1-minute TikTok tours of Twin Cities hot spots? You're in luck",
        "publisher": "MPR News",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2022-08-17",
        "url": "https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2022/08/17/looking-for-1-minute-tik-tok-tours-of-twin-cities-hot-spots-youre-in-luck",
        "support": "Profiles O'Sullivan, his Minnesota background and the One Minute Tours format."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "TikTok-famous One Minute Tours guy goes long with new YouTube series",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2025-01-09",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/tiktok-famous-one-minute-tours-guy-goes-long-with-new-youtube-series/601206680",
        "support": "Documents the project's development from TikTok into longer-form video."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "minneapolis-twin-cities-creators-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-josh-liljenquist",
      "canonicalEntityId": "josh-liljenquist",
      "schemaId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/#person",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Josh Liljenquist",
      "onlineName": "Joshlilj",
      "sortName": "Josh Liljenquist",
      "category": "Kindness and community-support video",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and cross-platform video",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2019,
      "breakthrough": "Began posting short-form videos in 2019 while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato; later became known for large-scale kindness and community-support videos.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Kindness, community-support and follow-up storytelling published as Joshlilj.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "born_in",
        "label": "Born in Minnesota",
        "location": "Fairmont; currently based in Chaska",
        "summary": "Independent reporting documents Fairmont as Liljenquist's birthplace and Chaska as his current base.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and current base"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "St. Paul parks ban TikTok star who gives to homeless people",
        "publisher": "Axios Twin Cities",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2026-04-14",
        "url": "https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/14/st-paul-parks-ban-tiktok-star-who-gives-to-homeless-people",
        "support": "Identifies Liljenquist as Fairmont-born and describes his public creator work."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "TikToker aspires to help others",
        "publisher": "Fairmont Sentinel",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING",
        "date": "2024-03-01",
        "url": "https://www.fairmontsentinel.com/news/local-news/2024/03/01/tiktoker-aspires-to-help-others/",
        "support": "Documents his Fairmont origin, Fairmont High School connection, Chaska residence and creator work."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "famous-people-minnesota-2026",
        "famous-people-from-minnesota-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-josie-lewis",
      "canonicalEntityId": "josie-lewis-art",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Josie Lewis",
      "onlineName": "Josie Lewis Art",
      "sortName": "Josie Lewis",
      "category": "Art and creative education",
      "primaryPlatform": "Instagram, TikTok and YouTube",
      "era": "Social video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": null,
      "breakthrough": "Process-driven art videos developed into a large cross-platform audience and creator-education business.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Colorful process art, creative education and art-business guidance.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "raised_in",
        "label": "Raised in Minnesota",
        "location": "Northern Minnesota; based in Saint Paul",
        "summary": "Lewis's biography documents a northern Minnesota upbringing; recent reporting profiles her Saint Paul studio and online audience.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and current professional base"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "My story",
        "publisher": "Josie Lewis",
        "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL CREATOR",
        "date": null,
        "url": "https://www.josielewis.com/about/my-story",
        "support": "States that Lewis grew up in northern Minnesota and documents her artist-creator identity."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "Artist Josie Lewis builds a global audience from Saint Paul",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2026-07-13",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/josie-lewis-ryan-lucey-payne-avenue-st-paul/601867531",
        "support": "Profiles Lewis's Saint Paul studio, digital publishing and public audience."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "STRONGLY SUPPORTED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "minneapolis-twin-cities-creators-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-justin-flom",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-justin-flom",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Justin Flom",
      "onlineName": "Justin Flom",
      "sortName": "Justin Flom",
      "category": "Magic and visual entertainment",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube and social video",
      "era": "YouTube",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2013,
      "breakthrough": "A card-trick video and other visual-magic clips expanded his audience beyond live performance.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Magic, visual tricks and high-reach social entertainment.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "raised_in",
        "label": "Raised in Minnesota",
        "location": "Eden Prairie",
        "summary": "Independent reporting identifies Flom as Eden Prairie-bred and traces his online-video growth.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Presto! Eden Prairie magician Justin Flom has new SyFy series",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2014-08-19",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/presto-eden-prairie-magician-justin-flom-has-new-syfy-series/271724741",
        "support": "Documents Flom's Eden Prairie upbringing and the YouTube videos that broadened his public recognition."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "platform-ranking research records"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-patriotic-kenny",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-patriotic-kenny",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Kenny Jary",
      "onlineName": "Patriotic Kenny",
      "sortName": "Patriotic Kenny",
      "category": "Community and veteran storytelling",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": null,
      "breakthrough": "Videos centered on his mobility scooter, humor and support for fellow veterans built a large TikTok community.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Veteran-centered humor, community fundraising and the Patriotic Kenny identity.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "historical_base",
        "label": "Minnesota-based during public work",
        "location": "Mahtomedi area",
        "summary": "Independent Minnesota reporting documented Jary's local base and public TikTok work.",
        "temporalScope": "Historical; Jary died in 2026"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Patriotic Kenny, Minnesota TikTok star and veterans advocate, dies at 84",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2026-05-19",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/patriotic-kenny-tiktok-death/601846298",
        "support": "Documents Jary's Minnesota public identity, TikTok audience and community-support work."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": []
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-mikayla-raines",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-mikayla-raines",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Mikayla Raines",
      "onlineName": "SaveAFox",
      "sortName": "Mikayla Raines",
      "category": "Animal education and rescue video",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube and Instagram",
      "era": "YouTube",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": null,
      "breakthrough": "Videos from SaveAFox brought broad online attention to fox rescue and rehabilitation.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "SaveAFox rescue videos and animal-education storytelling.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "historical_professional_base",
        "label": "Minnesota professional base",
        "location": "Lakeville and Faribault",
        "summary": "Independent local reporting documents SaveAFox operations in Lakeville and later near Faribault.",
        "temporalScope": "Historical; Raines died in 2025"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Fox at Minnesota rescue tries to steal cell phone",
        "publisher": "FOX 9 Minneapolis–St. Paul",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING",
        "date": "2020-04-06",
        "url": "https://www.fox9.com/news/fox-at-minnesota-rescue-tries-to-steal-cell-phone",
        "support": "Identifies Raines as SaveAFox founder, locates the rescue in Lakeville and documents a viral video."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "Faribault rescue aims to save 500 foxes",
        "publisher": "FOX 9 Minneapolis–St. Paul",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL REPORTING",
        "date": "2023-11-08",
        "url": "https://www.fox9.com/video/1308789",
        "support": "Documents the later Faribault-based operation and Raines's role."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": []
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-nora-freetly",
      "canonicalEntityId": "nora-freetly",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Nora Freetly",
      "onlineName": "Nobo",
      "sortName": "Nora Freetly",
      "category": "Comedy and lifestyle",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2020,
      "breakthrough": "Freetly began publishing TikTok videos while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato and developed the Nobo creator identity.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Comedy and lifestyle short-form video as Nobo.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "formative_years",
        "label": "Formative creator years in Minnesota",
        "location": "Mankato",
        "summary": "A publisher-hosted interview states that Freetly started TikTok in 2020 while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato.",
        "temporalScope": "Formative creator period"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Conversations with Nora “Nobo” Freetly",
        "publisher": "Voyage Minnesota",
        "sourceClass": "PUBLISHER-HOSTED FIRST-PERSON",
        "date": "2023-02-16",
        "url": "https://voyageminnesota.com/interview/conversations-with-nora-nobo-freetly/",
        "support": "Freetly describes beginning TikTok in 2020 while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "Nora Freetly",
        "publisher": "Camp Triple Moon",
        "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHY",
        "date": null,
        "url": "https://camptriplemoon.com/nora-freetly",
        "support": "Identifies Freetly as a Minnesota-based creator and documents her public creator identity."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "STRONGLY SUPPORTED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "famous-people-minnesota-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-snake-discovery",
      "canonicalEntityId": "snake-discovery",
      "entityType": "Organization",
      "name": "Snake Discovery",
      "onlineName": "Snake Discovery",
      "sortName": "Snake Discovery",
      "category": "Animal education",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube",
      "era": "YouTube",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2017,
      "breakthrough": "Emily Roberts began publishing reptile-education videos in 2017, developing Snake Discovery into a creator-led education organization.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Reptile education, animal care and behind-the-scenes zoo videos.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "raised_and_based",
        "label": "Raised and based in Minnesota",
        "location": "Woodbury and Maplewood",
        "summary": "Independent local reporting documents Roberts's Woodbury upbringing and the Snake Discovery operation in Maplewood.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and current professional base"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Snake Discovery explores the wondrous world of reptiles",
        "publisher": "Woodbury Magazine",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT LOCAL PROFILE",
        "date": "2024-10-01",
        "url": "https://woodburymag.com/snake-discovery-explores-the-wonderous-world-of-reptiles/",
        "support": "Documents Roberts's Woodbury upbringing, the 2017 YouTube start and the Maplewood operation."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "Snake Discovery",
        "publisher": "Explore Minnesota",
        "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL STATE TOURISM",
        "date": null,
        "url": "https://www.exploreminnesota.com/profile/snake-discovery/30118",
        "support": "Provides an official Minnesota listing for the Maplewood educational attraction."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "minneapolis-twin-cities-creators-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-squirmy-and-grubs",
      "canonicalEntityId": "squirmy-and-grubs",
      "entityType": "Organization",
      "name": "Squirmy and Grubs",
      "onlineName": "Squirmy and Grubs",
      "sortName": "Squirmy and Grubs",
      "category": "Relationship and disability storytelling",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube",
      "era": "YouTube",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2018,
      "breakthrough": "Shane and Hannah Burcaw launched their relationship channel in 2018 and built a large audience around candid interabled-couple storytelling.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Relationship, daily-life and disability storytelling by Shane and Hannah Burcaw.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "current_base",
        "label": "Minnesota-based",
        "location": "Minneapolis",
        "summary": "Independent reporting documents the couple's Minneapolis home and creator operation.",
        "temporalScope": "Documented current base"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "How interabled Minnesota couple Squirmy and Grubs became an internet sensation",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2019-10-04",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/how-interabled-minnesota-couple-squirmy-and-grubs-became-an-internet-sensation/562107652",
        "support": "Documents their Minneapolis base, 2018 channel launch and internet recognition."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "minneapolis-twin-cities-creators-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-momchats",
      "canonicalEntityId": "momchats",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Suzanne White",
      "onlineName": "MomChats",
      "sortName": "MomChats",
      "category": "Family comedy",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and Instagram",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": null,
      "breakthrough": "Family-comedy videos developed into the separate MomChats public identity alongside, but not merged with, DadChats.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Family comedy and parenting videos.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "current_base",
        "label": "Minnesota-based",
        "location": "Woodbury",
        "summary": "Independent reporting identifies Suzanne White and the MomChats operation with Woodbury.",
        "temporalScope": "Current as reported in 2026"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "DadChats and MomChats turned Woodbury family life into viral comedy",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2026-07-13",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/dillon-white-suzanne-white-dadchats-momchats-influencers-woodbury-minnesota/601867584",
        "support": "Profiles Suzanne White, the MomChats identity, the family's Woodbury base and the account's development."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026",
        "minneapolis-twin-cities-creators-2026"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-tay-zonday",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-tay-zonday",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Tay Zonday",
      "onlineName": "Tay Zonday",
      "sortName": "Tay Zonday",
      "category": "Viral music and early YouTube",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube",
      "era": "Early viral web",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2007,
      "breakthrough": "“Chocolate Rain,” uploaded in April 2007 while Zonday was a University of Minnesota doctoral student, became an early YouTube landmark.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "The viral song and video “Chocolate Rain.”",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "formative_years",
        "label": "Formative internet years in Minnesota",
        "location": "Minneapolis",
        "summary": "TIME documents that Zonday was pursuing a doctorate at the University of Minnesota when he published the videos that established his public internet identity.",
        "temporalScope": "Breakthrough period in 2007"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "On World Chocolate Day, 'Chocolate Rain' Is the Only Song You Need",
        "publisher": "TIME",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2016-07-07",
        "url": "https://time.com/4396039/world-chocolate-day-rain-tay-zonday/",
        "support": "Documents the 2007 YouTube uploads, University of Minnesota doctoral study and the video's role in early internet culture."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": []
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-tony-cu",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-tony-cu",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Tony Cu",
      "onlineName": "Tony Cu",
      "sortName": "Tony Cu",
      "category": "Food and local discovery",
      "primaryPlatform": "TikTok and Instagram",
      "era": "Short-form video",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": null,
      "breakthrough": "Minnesota State Fair food reviews and local restaurant videos built recognition as a Minnesota food creator.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Short-form Minnesota food reviews and State Fair coverage.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "professional_base",
        "label": "Minnesota professional base",
        "location": "Twin Cities",
        "summary": "Independent reporting profiles Cu as a Minnesota food influencer covering Twin Cities restaurants and the State Fair.",
        "temporalScope": "Current as documented in 2024"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Minnesota State Fair food influencers shape what visitors eat",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2024-08-13",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/mn-state-fair-food-influencers/601105844",
        "support": "Profiles Cu's Minnesota food-video work and role in State Fair discovery."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "platform-ranking research records"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-yung-gravy",
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-origin-person-yung-gravy",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Yung Gravy",
      "onlineName": "Yung Gravy",
      "sortName": "Yung Gravy",
      "category": "Online music",
      "primaryPlatform": "SoundCloud",
      "era": "Streaming and social audio",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2016,
      "breakthrough": "Posted early music to SoundCloud and developed a viral, sample-driven rap identity before broader chart recognition.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Internet-native rap releases, viral samples and the Yung Gravy persona.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "born_and_raised",
        "label": "Born and raised in Minnesota",
        "location": "Rochester",
        "summary": "Independent Minnesota reporting identifies Yung Gravy as Rochester-born and raised.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Review: Poppy Minnesota rapper Yung Gravy all fluff at fair grandstand",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2023-08-30",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/review-poppy-minnesota-rapper-yung-gravy-all-fluff-at-fair-grandstand/600301005",
        "support": "Identifies the rapper's Rochester birth and upbringing."
      },
      "secondarySource": {
        "title": "Sound Advice: Yung Gravy",
        "publisher": "SoundCloud",
        "sourceClass": "OFFICIAL PLATFORM PROFILE",
        "date": null,
        "url": "https://soundcloud.com/stories/post/sound-advice-yung-gravy",
        "support": "Documents his Minnesota identity and SoundCloud-driven emergence."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "famous-people-from-minnesota-2026",
        "platform-ranking research records"
      ]
    },
    {
      "recordId": "mn-internet-zach-johnson",
      "canonicalEntityId": "millennial-farmer",
      "entityType": "Person",
      "name": "Zach Johnson",
      "onlineName": "Millennial Farmer",
      "sortName": "Zach Johnson",
      "category": "Agriculture and farm video",
      "primaryPlatform": "YouTube",
      "era": "YouTube",
      "firstDocumentedInternetYear": 2017,
      "breakthrough": "Johnson began publishing from his western Minnesota farm in 2017, developing Millennial Farmer into a major agricultural channel.",
      "knownOnlineFor": "Farm-life, equipment and agricultural education videos.",
      "minnesotaRelationship": {
        "type": "current_base",
        "label": "Minnesota-based",
        "location": "Lowry area",
        "summary": "Independent reporting documents Johnson's western Minnesota farm and the channel's 2017 start.",
        "temporalScope": "Origin and current production base"
      },
      "primarySource": {
        "title": "Minnesota's 'Millennial Farmer' is YouTube star",
        "publisher": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
        "sourceClass": "INDEPENDENT REPORTING",
        "date": "2022-01-29",
        "url": "https://www.startribune.com/minnesotas-millennial-farmer-is-youtube-star/600140973",
        "support": "Documents Johnson's Lowry-area farm, YouTube work and 2017 channel start."
      },
      "evidenceGrade": "ESTABLISHED",
      "existingSiteMemberships": [
        "minnesota-creators-2026"
      ]
    }
  ]
}