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How Streamer TheDanDangler Turned an Instagram Following Into Success
TheDanClan unite!
By Brandon Sams Brandon Sams Tech News Reporter Texas State University Brandon Sams is an experienced perspective journalist and writer with a concentration in digital media through management, copy-editing, writing, and content production. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 23, 2021 03:58PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming A little bubble goes a long way and TheDanDangler is the bubbliest personality on Twitch. The person behind the screen name, Danielle Lanza, is no stranger to the influencer life. Before becoming a knockout on the streaming giant, she got her start on Instagram. The entrepreneurial nature of the digital world and her desire to connect to others has led her to keep coming back and storming platform after platform, amassing a cumulative following of over 500,000 across Twitch, TikTok, and Instagram. TheDanDangler / Twitch "It doesn’t feel real. When I stream, even when there’s 2,000 people in there, it just feels like there are 20 people...so it all just feels like a bunch of friends," Lanza said in a phone interview with Lifewire. "I don’t think it ever feels real." Lanza’s supporters follow her wherever she goes, setting the foundation for her success. She said they’re more like friends than fans and have allowed her wildest dreams to come true, ascending to the role of a consummate influencer boasting a multitude of partnerships with Twitch, Call of Duty, and hardware company HyperX. She’s hoping to continue this upward trajectory while bringing her quintessential positive vibes to the world of streaming and cementing a welcoming disposition. Quick Facts
Name: Danielle LanzaAge: 25Located: Detroit, MichiganRandom delight: With friends like these! A friend introduced her to the idea of Twitch and livestreaming on the platform. Her entire group of friends all came together and decided to start streaming on Twitch.Motto/Quote: "Welcome everybody, no judging!" Model Citizen
Lanza grew up in the metro Detroit area in a nice suburban life with two older brothers, who would eventually jumpstart her love for video games. As a child, she recalls following behind her brothers in everything from sports to video games. Her love of video games is practically as old as she is, the streamer said, recalling playing Nintendo 64 classics with her brothers, including Yoshi Story and Super Smash Bros. before graduating to, what she deems, more mature games. "It’s always been a hobby of mine. I grew up in a neighborhood full of a lot of guys, so I would play games at their house and make it my goal to try to beat them," she said. "I would sneak in the basement and go play online on my brother’s [game system]... I just wanted to talk to people on the video games." She was immediately drawn to the online multiplayer component of gaming as a self-described curious person. Something about the virtual world allows the outgoing components of her identity to peak through. It’s no wonder, she said, she would become a streamer who connects with others in the same ways she did as a child. Before treading down the road of content creation, though, Lanza worked as a model, which led to her cultivating an influencer-style following on Instagram. That taste of virtual connection would have her seeking out the opportunity to further connect with people. TheDanDangler / Twitch "I liked [having a following on Instagram]. I hate to admit that," she laughs. "It makes people feel good to know that something about them is likable enough to have people want to follow you. I got a little addicted to it and it made me more entrepreneurial. It made me motivated to get out there and do something to try to grow my platform." Variety Streamer Extraordinaire
After she got tired of the modeling world, she found her way into Just Chatting makeup live streams before building enough of an audience to transition to gaming streams and general variety content. But everything hasn’t been hunky-dory. Like many female content creators, she’s had her fair share of harassment. She detailed a harrowing situation with one overzealous fan just this past month and gives caution to other women. "I had an incident with someone stalking me [to the point that] I had to go to the police. Learning to deal with people who don’t know boundaries and...everything has been a learning experience," Lanza said. "I was pretty lucky... I heard stories like this with other girls, but this was my first one and it was handled nicely." It doesn’t feel real. When I stream, even when there’s 2,000 people in there, it just feels like there are 20 people. Women don’t get treated the same on Twitch. Between the unique forms of harassment they deal with and the pitfalls of networking with other content creators, Lanza’s found navigating the Twitch environment to be complicated. However, she hasn’t let these speed bumps affect her or infect her community. It's a community she’s built from the ground up, where anyone from any corner of the internet can escape to and enjoy her bubbly disposition. All while she does everything from stream Call of Duty to cooking segments and IRL-style leisure streams. "My community is completely different," she said. "We’re all just trying to keep the [good vibes atmosphere] all the time." Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Twitch Subscriptions: What They Are and How They Work Want More Twitch Followers? Try These 7 Pro Strategies Right Now Twitch: Everything You Need to Know 7 Ways to Make Money Streaming Video Games on Twitch The 7 Most Popular Twitch Emotes of 2022 The Top 12 Twitch Streamers of 2021 So You Want to Stream Minecraft What Is an Instagram Creator Account? 5 Free Live Stream Video Apps for Mobile Phones How Ericka Bozeman Claimed True Crime On Twitch The Most Important Women in the History of Video Games From Mixer to Facebook Gaming: How QueenEliminator Stayed on Top 20 Ways to Get More Likes on Instagram Why Streamer Pikachulita Wants to Reform Twitch From the Inside Music Streamer WhoIsFelyce Wants to Create Connections Through Music Streamer BBjess Offers Gen Z a Refuge on Twitch Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies