Former Australian boy band sensation Beau Brooks has stepped back into the public eye with a new charitable business venture, though the announcement was quickly overshadowed by a minor biblical blunder.
From YouTube Stardom to Social Enterprise
Beau Brooks, 32, rose to fame over a decade ago as a member of the viral YouTube comedy group The Janoskians. The Melbourne-formed quintet, which included Beau, his twin brothers Luke and Jai Brooks, Daniel Sahyounie, and James Yammouni, became a global phenomenon after launching in 2011. Known for their pranks and sketches, they amassed millions of followers, secured their own MTV series, sold out London's Wembley Arena, and even appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
After the group went quiet on their main YouTube channel in 2018 and officially called it quits in 2020, Beau largely retreated from social media. His recent return on the platform X was to unveil Holy Hugs, an online business selling weighted blankets that supports outreach programmes for people experiencing homelessness.
The Holy Hugs Mission and the Mix-Up
"I've created a new business. It’s not gonna change the world, but it might change a day," Beau announced. He explained the brand's charitable model: for every two blankets purchased, one will be donated to the homeless. The blankets, which retail for $99.00, are inscribed with the scripture: "For I was hungry, and you fed me."
However, attentive fans were quick to spot an error in his post. Brooks attributed the quote to Matthew 23:35, but the correct biblical reference for that passage is Matthew 25:35. The mistake was confined to his social media announcement, with the correct reference appearing on the Holy Hugs products themselves.
The brand also sells other merchandise, including a black hoodie for $79.00, a washed oversized T-shirt for $39.00, and a washed sleeveless T-shirt for $32.00.
A Legacy of Internet Fame
The Janoskians' journey from YouTube pranksters to international stars was meteoric. Their name was an acronym for "Just Another Name of Silly Kids in Another Nation." Beyond their online success, they released music, including the tracks 'Set This World on Fire' and 'Best Friends', and even starred in a Netflix movie.
Despite their global fame and connections to Hollywood A-listers, the group's popularity eventually waned, leading to their hiatus. Beau Brooks's new venture, Holy Hugs, marks a significant shift from his earlier career, focusing on comfort and social good. As he put it: "It’s a seed planted."
