Niki and Gabi

Niki and Gabi
Born
Nicola Teresa DeMartino
Gabriella Nelida DeMartino

(1995-05-05) May 5, 1995 (age 29)
Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupations
  • Internet personalities
  • singers
Years active2010–2024[a]
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
  • Pop
Years active2014–2019
YouTube information
Channel
Genres
  • lifestyle
  • music
  • Comedy
Subscribers
  • 9.32 million
[1]
Total views
  • 1.3 billion
[1]
100,000 subscribers
  • 2015
1,000,000 subscribers
  • 2016
Last updated: October 13, 2024

Niki and Gabi (born May 5, 1995)[2] were an American duo composed of twin sisters Niki DeMar and Gabi DeMartino. They rose to fame following the creation of their YouTube channel, where they posted covers and vlogs. They partnered with Awesomeness to produce several web shows, including their self-titled reality series which has run for five seasons. They made their acting debut in the 2016 comedy-drama film Dance Camp, and their official debut single "First" was released in 2017.

In 2018, the duo won their first Streamy Award in the category of fashion. The same year, they released their debut extended play, Individual, which peaked at two Billboard charts. Their last single before starting their solo careers "Hair Tie" was released in 2019. Niki released two extended plays titled Nights Alone (2021) and Ruined My Life (2023), while Gabi released one studio album, Paintings of Me (2022) and one extended play, Gabroadway (2020).

Life and career

[edit]

1995–2015: Early life and career beginnings

[edit]

Nicola Teresa DeMartino and Gabriella Nelida DeMartino are twin sisters that were born on May 5, 1995. They attended Notre Dame High School in Easton, Pennsylvania, and then DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, where Niki majored in television and film and Gabi majored in musical theatre. They dropped out of college after their junior year.[3] They auditioned for the X Factor with their older sister Alex, performing "Telephone" by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.[4]

They initially produced comedy skits on their YouTube channel 00RemakeGirls. They later started a new channel, Niki and Gabi Beauty, for beauty, fashion and lifestyle themed videos. They signed with AwesomenessTV and StyleHaul in 2012.[3] A parody of "Friday" by Rebecca Black in 2013 helped launch their YouTube career.[5] They released their first single "We're Not Over" on June 21, 2014, which however was taken down from streaming platforms along with their second single "It" that was released in June 2015.[3][6]

2016–2019: Reality shows and Individual

[edit]

Niki and Gabi were cast in the YouTube Red comedy-drama web film Dance Camp as the characters of Mia and Mya respectively.[7] Gabi released her debut solo single "Ever After" in July 2016.[8] In January 2017, Niki and Gabi released their official debut single, "First".[9] In August 2017, they released a single titled "R U" which served as the lead single from their first extended play.[10] Niki was cast as Sadie in the second season of the Hulu horror web television series Freakish.[11] Blood Queens, a horror-comedy YouTube web series created by Gabi, which was also a spin-off of Scream Queens, premiered in October 2017 and has run for four seasons from 2017 to 2020.[12] On June 4, 2018, Wet Seal collaborated with Niki and Gabi and launched a limited edition clothing called "Niki + Gabi for Wet Seal".[13] The collection included accessories, tops and dresses.[14] The same month, they released "Sleep it Off" as the second single from their extended play.[10] In July, they released their debut extended play, Individual, which charted at number 14 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and number 32 on the Independent Albums chart. The EP contained two solo singles from the duo which are "Let It Roar" and "Flowers".[15] In September, Gabi was featured on Mina Tobias' track "Another One" with Kai Lucas, the same month, she released a single titled "Yacht".[16][17] In October, Gabi appeared in the music video for Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande.[18] Niki and Gabi signed to Abrams Artists Agency in 2019.[19] In February 2019, Gabi released "Cold Room", which was written in 2016.[20] In August 2019, Niki and Gabi released their final single, "Hair Tie".[21] In December 2019, Niki released a Christmas single titled "Sad Holiday".[22]

2020–present: Solo projects

[edit]

In December 2019, it has been announced that Niki and Gabi would be focusing on their solo careers, and releasing their solo studio albums in 2020.[23] They also revealed plans of possibly touring together.[23] While remaining independent, Gabi signed a management deal with Roc Nation, and her solo album, at the time called Beautiful Mess was set for release in spring.[24][25] Gabi released an extended play in June, titled Gabroadway ahead of her studio album.[26] In July and October, Niki released the first singles from her solo project, "Alone in My Car" and "Bite of Me" respectively.[27] In September, Gabi released "Champagne Dreams", which has been marketed as the lead single from her album, but was later scrapped.[12] Due to changes in plans and new songwriting sessions, Gabi's album has been renamed to Paintings of Me, with a new release date. The lead single "Pretty Little Mind" was released in October.

Following their YouTube hiatus in November 2020, they returned to their collaborative channel in March 2021.[28] They also launched their Snapchat reality series, Twinning Out, in May 2021.[29] Niki gave an interview for Vanity Teen magazine in March, following the release of her single "Messy Room".[30][31] It was shortly followed by "25", released in June.[32] In August, Gabi opened for German DJ and producer Zedd at his concert in Musikfest, performing songs from her album, and she also released Paintings of Me's second single "Not Today".[33][34][35][36] The same month, she partnered with Pumpkin & Spice and launched their skincare line, and Niki announced her debut extended play.[37] Niki's debut extended play, Nights Alone, was released in September.[38] In October, Gabi released the third single from her album, "Immaculate", describing it as a 'cancel culture anthem'.[39] The fourth and final single "Broken Morning" was released in March 2022.[40] Gabi's debut studio album, Paintings of Me, was released in May.[41]

In October 2022, Niki released "Pregame" as the lead single from her second extended play Ruined My Life.[42] The second single "Love & Misery" was released in March 2023,[43] the third single "Amnesia" was released in April,[44] and the final single "Sorry Than Safe" was released in May.[45] Niki's second extended play, Ruined My Life, was released in July.[46] The same month, Gabi released a single titled "Heaven".[47]

Controversies

[edit]

In September 2019, Niki and Gabi released a video on their channel titled "Going to College Dressed as Celebrities Challenge" in which American singer Normani was portrayed by a man. The video was criticized for "furthering stereotypes about black women having masculine features".[48]

In March 2020, Niki posted a TikTok in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which showed her with an Asian manicurist, both masked, while the song "It's Corona Time" plays over the video. The TikTok was criticized as racist and insensitive due to the implication that the manicurist had COVID-19 amid the rising xenophobia and racism experienced by Asians in the United States during the pandemic. The video was deleted and she issued an apology.[48]

In September 2020, Gabi was criticized for a video titled "BFF Income Challenge" in which she was accused of flaunting her income. In the video, she compared her spending income with a friend revealing a "spending disparity of thousands of dollars per week". She later issued an apology.[49]

In December 2020, Gabi made a nude video of herself at the age of 3 available for sale for $3 on the content subscription platform OnlyFans.[50][51][52][53][49] She was accused of misleading her fans about the contents of her video which was teased with the caption "won't put my panties on", distributing child pornography and setting up unsuspecting purchasers for possession of child pornography.[50][49] OnlyFans suspended her account for violating their terms of service.[50] Gabi initially attempted to downplay the incident as "trolling", stating to Insider, "Drama channels are trying to make something out of a childhood video of me, that's hilarious", and claiming her OnlyFans "was not a sexual page", though her previous posts were sexual in nature.[54] She later posted an apology video to her YouTube channel.[51][53][49]

Reality web series

[edit]

The duo star in their own reality web series, Niki and Gabi, by AwesomenessTV. It has run for five seasons.[12]

SeasonTitleEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1Spring Break5May 8, 2017 (2017-05-08)June 5, 2017 (2017-06-05)
2Summer Break7September 2, 2017 (2017-09-02)October 14, 2017 (2017-10-14)
3Take New York7May 5, 2018 (2018-05-05)June 16, 2018 (2018-06-16)
4Take Miami7May 5, 2019 (2019-05-05)June 16, 2019 (2019-06-16)
5Take Bahamas7April 18, 2020 (2020-04-18)May 30, 2020 (2020-05-30)

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details
Gabi DeMartino
Paintings of Me

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Heat.
[55] 		US
Indie
[56]
Niki & Gabi
Individual 14 32
Niki DeMar
Nights Alone – –
Ruined My Life – –
Gabi DeMartino
Gabroadway – –

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Album
Niki & Gabi
"We're Not Over" 2014 Non-album singles
"It" 2015
"First" 2017
"RU" Individual
"Sleep It Off" 2018
"Flowers" / "Let It Roar"[b]
"Hair Tie" 2019 Non-album singles
"Rise and Shine"[57]
Niki DeMar
"Anthem for the Judged"[58] 2018 Non-album singles
"Sad Holiday" 2019
"Alone in My Car" 2020 Nights Alone
"Bite of Me"
"Messy Room" 2021
"25"
"Stuck"
"9 Lives"[59] 2022 Non-album singles
"When My High Wears Off"[60]
"Pregame" (solo or with 7evin7ins) Ruined My Life
"Love & Misery" 2023
"Amnesia"
"Sorry Than Safe"
"Vegas" 2024 TBA
Gabi DeMartino
"Ever After" 2016 Non-album singles
"Yacht" 2018
"Cold Room" 2019
"Champagne Dreams" 2020
"Pretty Little Mind" Paintings of Me
"Not Today" 2021
"Immaculate"
"Barbie and Ken" (feat. Kenny Screven)[61] Non-album single
"Broken Morning" 2022 Paintings of Me
"Heaven" 2023 Non-album single

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Indefinite hiatus
  2. ^ "Flowers" is sung by Gabi, while "Let It Roar" is sung by Niki

Filmography

[edit]
  • Wheel Of Fashion (2015–2016, AwesomenssTV, YouTube)
  • DIY Or DI-Don't (2015–2017, AwesomenssTV, YouTube)
  • Teen Choice Awards (2015, Fox)
  • YouTubers React (2016, React, YouTube)
  • Top Five Live (2016, AwesomenssTV, YouTube)
  • Niki and Gabi (2017–2020, AwesomenssTV, YouTube)
  • Dear DeMartino (2018, AwesomenssTV, YouTube)
  • Twinning Out (2021, Snapchat)

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year Category Result Ref.
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2020 Social Star Award Nominated [62]
Premios Juventud 2019 Name a Better Duo Nominated [63]
Shorty Awards 2018 YouTube Ensemble Nominated [64]
Streamy Awards 2016 Fashion Nominated [65]
2017 Lifestyle Nominated [66]
2018 Fashion Won [67]
2019 Lifestyle Nominated [68]
Teen Choice Awards 2016 Choice Web Star: Fashion/Beauty Nominated [69]
2017 Choice Female Web Star Nominated [70]
2019 Choice YouTuber Nominated [71]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "About Niki and Gabi". YouTube.
  2. ^ Bain, Ellissa (4 December 2020). "What happened with Niki and Gabi? OnlyFans drama explained!". HITC. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Bethlehem teens hit it big on YouTube with fashion channel". Lehigh Valley Live. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  4. ^ Niki and Gabi (13 March 2017). We Auditioned for X Factor (story time) + LIVE FOOTAGE | Niki and Gabi. Retrieved 3 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "How Rebecca Black's Viral Song Friday Helped Launch the Niki and Gabi YouTube Channel". People. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  6. ^ "my first birthday without her". YouTube – Fancy Vlogs By Gab. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  7. ^ "YouTube, Awesomeness Films Announce First Movie: 'Dance Camp'". Variety. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Ever After – by Gabriella DeMartino (original song)". YouTube. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  9. ^ Staff, A. O. L. (12 December 2016). "Niki and Gabi DeMartino share what it's like to be social media mavens". www.aol.com. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Social Media Stars Niki & Gabi DeMartino Deliver Sheer Pop Perfection On New Track 'Sleep It Off'". Access. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  11. ^ "'Freakish' Season 2 Spoilers: Meet The New Characters". International Business Times. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  12. ^ a b c "Viral YouTuber Gabi DeMartino Approaches Music Industry With 'Champagne Dreams'". Forbes. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  13. ^ Asch, Andrew (7 June 2018). "Wet Seal Plots Comeback For Social Media Age". www.apparelnews.net. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  14. ^ Asch, Andrew (17 May 2018). "Wet Seal Back With New Fashion Line". www.apparelnews.net. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Niki & Gabi DeMartino Drop Two Songs Off Upcoming EP 'Individual' | TigerBeat". 16 July 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Another One – song by Mina Tobias, Gabi DeMartino, Kai Lucas". Spotify. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  17. ^ "Who Is Gabi DeMartino? New Details About The YouTuber Called Out For Impersonating Ariana Grande". YourTango. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  18. ^ "All of the incredible people who star in Ariana Grande's 'thank u, next' video". Cosmopolitan. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  19. ^ "Rep Sheet Roundup: Jamie-Lynn Sigler Signs With Abrams". Cosmopolitan. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  20. ^ "Gabi DeMartino Debuts "Cold Room"". The Daily Shuffle. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  21. ^ "Niki and Gabi – Hair Tie – Exclusive Video Premiere". 1883 Magazine. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  22. ^ "Review: Niki DeMar Releases The Brand New Single "Sad Holiday"!". Fierce Fabulous Revolution. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  23. ^ a b Stivale, Shelby (19 April 2020). "Niki And Gabi DeMartino Tease Upcoming 'Individual' New Albums". J-14. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  24. ^ fancy vlogs by gab (16 January 2020). i have something to tell you + please dont hate me for it!. Retrieved 3 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ Staff, J.-14 (30 September 2020). "Upcoming Music Release Dates: New Albums Coming In 2020". J-14. Retrieved 3 July 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ "Gabroadway – EP by Gabi DeMartino on Apple Music". Apple Music. 16 June 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  27. ^ "YouTuber Niki DeMar's New Single Honors Creativity In Isolation". Forbes. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  28. ^ Niki and Gabi (21 March 2021). We're Back & Where We've Been.. | Niki and Gabi. Retrieved 4 July 2024 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ Varina, Rachel (12 May 2021). "YouTubers Niki & Gabi Have Their Own Snapchat Show & It Looks Wild". Elite Daily. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Niki DeMar Discusses Mental Health With Powerful New Song, "Messy Room"". American Songwriter. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  31. ^ Niki DeMar: welcome to my Messy Room 5 March 2021. Vanity Teen.
  32. ^ ""You're not alone, ever!", Niki Demar premieres Hyundai Promoted Track on SoundCloud". French Fries Magazine – FF. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  33. ^ Reid, Ali (11 August 2021). "WATCH: Interview with Gabi DeMartino ahead of her Musikfest performance". WFMZ.com. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  34. ^ "YouTube Star Gabi DeMartino Signs On to Open for Zedd at Musikfest". The Blast. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  35. ^ lehighvalleylive.com, Rudy Miller | For (14 August 2021). "Genre-bending Zedd brings his unique brand of pop to Musikfest (PHOTOS)". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Singer & Influencer, Gabi DeMartino Opens up for Zedd at Musikest". The Nazareth Times. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  37. ^ "Gabi DeMartino Partners With Viral Pumpkin Spice Skincare Line For Fall 2021 Campagin [sic]". abnewswire.com (Press release). 16 August 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  38. ^ "Niki DeMar's Debut EP 'Nights Alone' Out Now!". Nerds and Beyond. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  39. ^ "Nobody's "Immaculate" – Gabi DeMartino premieres new Music Video". Rival Magazine. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Gabi DeMartino Shares "Broken Morning" Official Music Video". Mundane. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Gabi DeMartino Paintings Of Me". 6 May 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Niki Demar Channels the Early 2000's Disney Channel Star Era With "Pregame"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  43. ^ LOVE & MISERY - Single by NIKI DEMAR on Apple Music, 3 March 2023, retrieved 4 July 2024
  44. ^ "Niki DeMar Releases New Single "AMNESIA"". Nerds and Beyond. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  45. ^ "New Music Friday: Taylor Swift Releases "Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition)," Featuring an Unexpected Collaboration With Rapper Ice Spice". Celeb Secrets. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  46. ^ "Niki DeMar Celebrates Ruining Her Life". Hypebae. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  47. ^ "Gabi DeMartino Tells The Truth Through Music". Popdustroar. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  48. ^ a b "Influencer Sorry About That Racist Coronavirus TikTok". Vulture. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  49. ^ a b c d "The Latest OnlyFans Drama Involves a YouTuber Posting a Video of Herself As a Toddler". Vulture. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  50. ^ a b c "OnlyFans Suspended YouTuber Gabi DeMartino's Account After She Sold A Video Of Herself As A Toddler Flashing The Camera". BuzzFeed News. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  51. ^ a b "YouTube star Gabi DeMartino apologizes for a second time over OnlyFans controversy: 'A huge wake-up call'". Fox News. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  52. ^ "YouTube Star Gabi DeMartino Accused of Selling 'Child Porn' Video of Herself on OnlyFans for $3". The Daily Beast. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  53. ^ a b "YouTube star Gabi DeMartino apologises for selling nude childhood video to fans". The Independent. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  54. ^ "An influencer's OnlyFans account was deleted after she sold a naked childhood video of herself". Insider. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  55. ^ Peaks on the US Heatseekers Albums Chart:
  56. ^ Peaks on the US Independent Albums Chart:
  57. ^ Rise and Shine by Niki and Gabi Channel on Apple Music, 30 October 2019, retrieved 4 July 2024
  58. ^ Anthem for the Judged - Single by NIKI DEMAR on Apple Music, 16 November 2018, retrieved 4 July 2024
  59. ^ 9 Lives - Single by NIKI DEMAR on Apple Music, 3 February 2022, retrieved 4 July 2024
  60. ^ When My High Wears Off - Single by NIKI DEMAR on Apple Music, 21 April 2022, retrieved 4 July 2024
  61. ^ Barbie and Ken (feat. Kenny Screven) by Gabi Demartino on Apple Music, 10 December 2021, retrieved 4 July 2024
  62. ^ "iHeartRadio Music Awards: Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Jonas Brothers Among Nominees". Hollywood Reporter. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  63. ^ "2019 Premios Juventud: Complete List of Winners". Entertainment Tonight. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  64. ^ "From the 10th Annual Shorty Awards Niki and Gabi Finalist in YouTube Ensemble". Shorty Awards. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  65. ^ "Streamy Winners 2016: Complete List". Hollywood Reporter. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  66. ^ "Streamy Awards 2017: Winners List". Hollywood Reporter. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  67. ^ "Streamy Awards 2018: Winners List". Hollywood Reporter. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  68. ^ "Streamy Awards 2019: Full List of Winners". Hollywood Reporter. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  69. ^ "Teen Choice Awards: Winners List". Hollywood Reporter. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  70. ^ "Teen Choice Awards: Complete Winners List". Hollywood Reporter. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  71. ^ "Teen Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". Hollywood Reporter. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
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