Aphmau: Rise of YouTuber Jessica Bravura’s Roleplay Minecraft Videos

Bravura is no overnight success. She started her YouTube channel over 11 years ago. The oldest video on her main channel is of her playing Minecraft and has 1.4 million views.

Talent-management firm Night signed Bravura in 2021 and has been managing and expanding her business.

Aphmau drew large crowds at VidCon 2024

Bravura was by far the biggest breakout star of this year’s VidCon, the creator industry’s largest annual conference. She spoke on several panels that attracted huge groups of young fans and met with viewers during a meet-and-greet.

She also had the most impressive installation at the event. Her exhibit featured several purple cat-themed carnival games, including skeeball, cotton candy, a gigantic gumball machine, and booths that sold merchandise.

Bravura’s videos often feature felines, and the main character in her series turns into a cat named Sprinkles.

She has an in-house production company called CatFace

Bravura has about 80 in-house employees and contractors, including a YouTube producer, production manager, and video editor, who are employed through her production company, CatFace, which is based in Austin.

Her company creates and sells branded merchandise

Aside from her YouTube videos, CatFace also runs her merchandise line, MeeMeows.

MeeMeows sells Aphmau-branded merchandise, like plush toys of her signature cat-like character, apparel, and other accessories.

Bravura is part of a trend of Minecraft streamers whose popularity is rising on YouTube

Recently, Bravura was nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award under the category Favorite Gamer.

Like other Minecraft streamers, including the hugely popular Dream, Bravura’s wild and consistent success on YouTube over the years has shown that even though the game has been around for 15 years, the creators who stream themselves playing it aren’t going anywhere.