Nelk

Nelk (stylized as NELK), also referred to as the NELK Boys, and formerly branded as NelkFilmz, is a Canadian–American YouTube channel and entertainment company known for their prank videos, vlogs, and their brand "Full Send."[1]

NELK
Personal information
BornKyle John Forgeard
(1994-07-12) July 12, 1994
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Jesse William Sebastiani
(1993-06-27) June 27, 1993
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Steve Deleonardis
(1998-08-26) August 26, 1998
Oviedo, Florida, U.S.
Salim Sirur
(2001-11-21) November 21, 2001
San Jose, California, U.S.
OriginMississauga, Ontario, Canada
OccupationYouTube
Websitewww.fullsend.com
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2010–present
GenrePranks, lifestyle
Subscribers6 million
Total views855 million
NetworkFull Send Entertainment
100,000 subscribers
1,000,000 subscribers
Updated: December 23, 2020

Content and brand

Nelk's videos, in addition to pranks, are themed around North American college culture. The group's videos combine vlogs of their party lifestyle with footage of their actual pranks.

Nelk is known for creating the brand "Full Send" (stylized as FULL SEND).[2] The brand name refers to partying and living life without thinking about the consequences.[3] The phrase is constantly repeated throughout the group's videos, and it is often displayed on their merchandise.[4] The group has also coined a number of other terms, including "Rona Season," a reference to the group's constant consumption of Corona beer. Sebastiani has referred to the group's trademark words as "Canadian-influenced slang".[5]

Members

Nelk officially consists of Kyle Forgeard, Jesse Sebastiani, Stephen Deleonardis, and Salim Sirur.[6][7] "Cousin Jay", Pat Sebastiani (Jesse's father) and other members make appearances on NELK's channel occasionally. Canadian filmmaker Austin Ermes is NELK's Director of Content.[8][9] The members of the group, along with some of their filmers and staff members, reside together in a house in Los Angeles and they refer to it as the "FULLSEND House". Being on-site allows them collaboratively work on content on an ad hoc basis, as opposed to meeting for specific filming times.[10] The group originally resided in Ontario, Canada.

Jesse Sebastiani, prior to joining NELK, was known for his self-published documentary, Saved by the Status,[11] and his role in the MTV show Careless Teens,[12] before he joined Nelk. Years after joining the group, he expressed his displeasure with his and the group's lifestyle. In a tweet posted on January 29, 2020, he wrote, "I hate fame... I've lost almost everything I use to love about life".[13] He has not been as active in Nelk's more recent videos, and he even tweeted on October 20, 2020, "I put friends, family and my mental health to the side to get to where I am. Time to pick up the pieces".

Former members of the group include Niko and Marko Martinovic, Lucas Gasparini, and Jason Pagaduan. Niko and Marko, who are twins, were members of Nelk in the early development, but left in 2015 to pursue YouTube independently. Gasparini left in 2017 citing concerns of his association with the channel's content, which consisted of public misconduct which would affect his career outlook, as well as the pursuit of educational studies as a plumber.[14] Pagaduan, who was known by his Instagram handle "905shooter" or simply "9-0," was withdrawn from the group in October 2019 for behavioral misconduct from sexual harassment allegations stemming from Pagaduan sending direct messages of a graphic and sexual nature to fans, and for allegedly slacking off on work assigned to him by Forgeard.[15][16]

Platform

As YouTube creators, Nelk's content is generally published to the group's self-named YouTube channel. However, due to the nature of the content, almost all of their videos have been demonetized and age-restricted by YouTube. Several of their videos have also been removed completely for violation of YouTube's terms of use. Because they earn almost no money from YouTube, they rely on income from merchandise sales through their "Full Send" brand.

In 2018, their video titled "Pretending to Work at the Google Headquarters" was removed and they were issued a strike by YouTube. As a result, Nelk temporarily privatized all of their videos until the strike was lifted to prevent their channel from facing the risk of deletion. In the meantime, they uploaded new content to their website, charging monthly and annual subscriptions.

In August 2020, Nelk launched a paid subscription service called the "Send Club" in which members would receive access to additional prank and behind-the-scenes footage in addition to the weekly YouTube videos.

In 2010, Forgeard created the Nelk YouTube channel, along with other founding members Niko and Marko Martinovic, and Lucas Gasparini.[14]

In 2014, NELK got jobs as a pizza delivery driver at a Mississauga-area Pizza Pizza Ltd restaurant for a prank video. The duo attended unsuspecting customers' homes and destroyed pizza orders when refused a tip. Ultimately, a Pizza Pizza manager had been made aware of the duo's misconduct on the job, and immediately dismissed Sebastiani from his position. [17]

In January 2015, Nelk posted a video titled "Coke Prank On Cops" in which they told police officers in Los Angeles that they had "coke" in the back of the car, leading the officers to think that they were referring to cocaine when in reality they were referring to Coca-Cola. In May 2016, the video became a subject of controversy.[18] The group received a warning, and the Los Angeles Police Department released a statement informing the public that the prank was illegal and warning potential copycat pranksters against doing so.[1] Nelk has called this prank a breakthrough for their success on YouTube.[19] The video has over 40 million views as of November 2020.

In early 2017, it was announced that Gasparini had left the channel because he was concerned his involvement put him at risk.

In September 2017, Forgeard and Sebastiani were arrested by members of the Toronto Police Service and placed in jail overnight for reasons related to a prank performed at a local-area Toys "R" Us. Following their arrest, months later, they reported they had won their court case, but they never released the full details of their case to their audience.[20]

In January 2019, Sebastiani was arrested during a prank in which he walked into a Barnes & Noble store with fake blood smeared on a white jumpsuit and asked workers for books on covering up a crime scene. He was charged by Columbus, Ohio police department, and found guilty of disorderly conduct in the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas.[12]

In May 2019, Steve Deleonardis joined Nelk after being discovered by Forgeard for his drinking and smoking challenge videos.

In August 2019, Nelk participated in a "spin the globe challenge" where they would spin a globe and fly wherever it lands.[21] The globe was spun on stage at the VELD Music Festival in Toronto and landed on Russia. However, their visas were revoked due to Deleonardis' possession of a felony. Instead, they spent their time in Europe, places including Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Belgium, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Ibiza. In Ireland, Nelk planned a meetup in a public park, but failed to notify the local police. The meetup got out of control, with large mobs of fans swarming the area in an unsafe manner, causing the meetup to be cut short.[22] Following Nelk's trip to Europe, it was later announced that Jason Pagaduan would be removed from the group.

In February 2020, Nelk moved into a residence in Los Angeles, California which they refer to as the "FULLSEND House". Salim Sirur and his cousin Jay also joined Nelk at this time.

In May 2020, Forgeard, Deleonardis, Sirur, along with several other members were arrested for disturbing the peace while filming a prank at a Target store in Mississippi. They were later released on bond.[23]

In September 2020, the police department in Normal, Illinois announced an investigation into Nelk after they hosted a flash mob of about 200 people on-campus at Illinois State University in violation of COVID-19 regulations.[24] Chris Koos, the town's mayor, also stated that he intends to pursue legal action against Nelk.[25] A week later, police in Seaside Heights, New Jersey broke up a gathering of about 1,500 people at a house being rented by Nelk, which violated New Jersey's COVID-19 restrictions. Nelk, despite no intentions to draw a crowd, was eventually kicked out of the house by the landlord and 8 fans were arrested.[25]

In late September 2020, Nelk received criticism for their new "skit-like" video style, which was heavily saturated with skits in contrast to their prank videos.

In October 2020, Nelk members Forgeard, Deleonardis, and Sirur traveled overseas to Abu Dhabi. Later the same month, members met with President Donald Trump on Air Force One during one of his 2020 presidential election rallies.[26] They were also seen dancing to the "Y.M.C.A." song with President Trump onstage following his rally.[27]

In December 2020, Nelk announced they would be live-streaming high stakes gambling on Twitch every day in December until December 25. They featured guests including Mike Tyson, Dana White, Logan Paul, Bryce Hall, Lil Yachty, Evander Kane, Jake Paul, and Lana Rhoades on their streams.

In January 2021, Forgeard gifted his father, Rick Forgeard, an amount of $300,000CAD as a token of appreciation for his support through the tenure of his project of Nelk.[28]

Also in January 2021, after ample speculation from fans, it was officially revealed that Sebastiani was taking a break from appearing in Nelk's main videos and participating in pranks. Instead, he moved to working behind-the-scenes within the Full Send brand, and started a new mini-series called "Shithole" on Full Send's separate YouTube channel to document his new lifestyle.[29] Foregard revealed in a Twitch livestream, "We’ve been doing this a long time, we’ve done a lot of pranks, we’ve pretty much done everything, and I think Jesse’s kind of just burnt out".[30]

On February 1, 2021, Nelk uploaded a variation of their well-known “Coke Prank on Cops“, this time performed in Colombia.[31] Sirur was briefly detained by the Medellín police with no explanation, but later let go.

During legal disputes, Nelk has worked with Bradley P. Koffel, an attorney based out of Columbus, Ohio.[32][33]

Philanthropy

Nelk has donated portions of their merchandise earnings to breast cancer awareness.[34]

In April 2020, Nelk participated in a virtual beer pong tournament called "The Ballina Cup" to raise money to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.[35][36] The tournament was hosted by Post Malone and featured several other celebrities.[37]

References
  1. Del Ray, Marina (January 13, 2015). "LAPD Not Laughing Over Pranksters' Viral 'Coke' Gag On Officers". CBS. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  2. McBride, Jessica (October 15, 2019). "Nelk Boys 'Part Ways' With 905Shooter, Jason Pagaduan". Heavy. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  3. Bennet, Connor (August 10, 2019). "Youtubers Nelk Boys Give Update After Being Held by German Police". Dexerto. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  4. "Full Send merchandise". Full Send Entertainment. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  5. Heck, Alexandra (July 22, 2019). "'It was a wake-up call': Shelburne's Jesse Sebastiani on the YouTube prank that landed him in jail". Orangeville.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. Fraser, Ted (August 10, 2020). "Canadian pranksters Nelk have millions of young followers. Their 'dangerous' decision to party during the pandemic is good for business". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  7. Mustafa, Filiz (October 29, 2020). "Celebs react to Donald Trump and Nelk Boys' video – "the funniest crossover in internet history"". HITC. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  8. "How Filmmaker Austin Ermes of NELK Boys Fame Got His Start". International Business Times. December 4, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  9. Litman, Paul (December 13, 2020). "Nelk Boys Take Their Success to New Heights Thanks to Videographer Austin". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  10. Uren, Trevor (February 6, 2020). "Nelk Boys Purchase Huge Fullsend House". Pro Sports Extra. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  11. "Saved by the Status: across Canada in 100 days (exclusive)". BZ Film. February 17, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  12. Halliday, Chris (January 11, 2019). "Shelburne prankster, NELK Boys YouTube star found guilty of amended charge in U.S. court". Orangeville.com. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  13. Glaze, Virginia (January 29, 2020). "NELK Boys' Jesse Sebastiani explains why he "hates" being YouTube famous". Dexerto. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  14. Lloydi, Baloydi. "What/Who is NELK?". Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  15. "NELK Boys reveal "creepy" behavior that made them fire editor 905 Shooter". Dexerto. December 2, 2019.
  16. "NELK BOYS Explain Why 905 SHOOTER was Kicked out of NELK! – Kyle Forgeard & SteveWillDoIt – YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ-48Oh_XRw&ab_channel=LeonardoMontiel
  18. Rogers, Katie (May 19, 2016). "When YouTube Pranks Break the Law". New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  19. "Coke Prank on Cops Goes Viral". YouTube. December 1, 2015.
  20. NELK (September 28, 2017). "Why did we go to jail ...?". YouTube.
  21. "NELK Boys reveal why they were denied entry into Russia". Dexerto.com. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  22. O'Callaghan, Gavin (September 9, 2019). "Gardai speak to famous Youtube pranksters 'The Nelk Boys' after hundreds turn up to Phoenix Park meet up". Dublin Live. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  23. "NELK on Instagram: "Its Jesse boys. Im out and good but the boys just got arrested. Keep you guys updated as soon as i know more #FREENELK"". Instagram. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  24. "Watch now: NELK Boys parties could bring consequences for Illinois State University students". The Pantagraph. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  25. "8 Arrested As YouTube Stars' Fans Get Unruly In Seaside Heights". Patch. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  26. Nolan, Emma (November 3, 2020). "NELK Boys and Donald Trump meet on Air Force One in viral YouTube video". Newsweek. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  27. Page, Sam (October 23, 2020), "Donald Trump and the Potency of his Assemblage", Political Landscapes of Donald Trump, Abingdon, Oxon : Routledge, 2020.: Routledge, pp. 180–192, ISBN 978-0-429-24267-0, retrieved November 3, 2020CS1 maint: location (link)
  28. https://www.theblast.com/153343/nelk-boys-kyle-gifts-dad-300000-after-supporting-youtube-career
  29. Nelk. "WHY JESSE STOPPED FILMING NELK."
  30. "Nelk Boys' Kyle Forgeard explains why Jesse Sebastiani disappeared from their videos". Dexerto. January 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  31. "Nelk Boys Are Doing The Famous Coke Prank Again But This Time In Medellín, Colombia! What Will The Police Do?". Pro Sports Extra |. January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  32. "Drinking Fake Beer While Driving By Cops! – YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  33. "Columbus Criminal & DUI Defense Attorneys". Koffel Brininger Nesbitt. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  34. "HITTING BOWLS IN LECTURES PRANK! Ft. VitalyzdTv". YouTube. October 1, 2018.
  35. "Post Malone is Hosting a Massive Virtual Beer Pong Tournament". ESPN Radio. March 30, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  36. Bastl, David (April 11, 2020). "Post Malone Beer Pong Finals, Odds, Predictions: Just Mike vs. Nelk Boys". Sports Interaction News. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  37. "Chugging In The Name Of Charity: Post Malone Is Holding A Virtual Beer Pong Tournament". GQ. Newslife Media. March 29, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
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