I’m the mind behind Mint Fantôme, a virtual influencer who’s taken YouTube by storm with 347,000 subscribers. As a VTuber—short for virtual YouTuber—I bring to life a 19-year-old ghost character with an anime-inspired digital avatar, known by fans as Mint, Maid Mint, or Mint Fantôme. This isn’t just a hobby; it’s my full-time gig, and it’s completely taken over my life in the best way possible. This as-told-to story comes from a conversation with me, the anonymous creator behind Mint, edited for clarity and brevity.
I’m part of a rising wave of virtual influencers, or VTubers, who use animated avatars to connect with audiences online. My real identity stays under wraps, which I love—it’s like living a double life. I once laughed with a friend that this job feels like the show Severance, where my online persona, Mint, is my “innie”—a separate self that only exists in this digital world. It’s a shield that lets me be bold and outgoing without exposing my private, everyday self.
My journey into this wild career started years ago when I stumbled across virtual YouTubers from Hololive, a Japanese agency that’s a giant in the VTuber scene. I was hooked on their streams—fun, quirky, and full of personality. Living in the U.S., I never thought I’d get a shot at this until Hololive opened auditions for English-speaking talent. As an anime fan, I saw it as my chance to break into entertainment, a field where luck often plays as big a role as skill.
Now, I spend hours streaming as Mint—chatting with fans, singing, or gaming. When I see “3,000 viewers” pop up on my screen, it’s surreal. I know those are real people behind the usernames, but it’s hard to wrap my head around that many eyes on me. Even after years of this, I still feel like a regular person, not some big-shot influencer. The numbers don’t define me; the connection does.
Anonymity is a huge perk. I’m naturally shy, with social anxiety that used to hold me back. But stepping into Mint’s shoes—or rather, her ghostly glow—has been a game-changer. Hours of live banter with fans have pulled me out of my shell in ways I never expected. It’s not just a job; it’s a lifeline. I’m beyond grateful to make a living doing something this unique and fulfilling.