TimeStampBot at 15:38, 3 October 2023

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{{short description|American entrepreneur, film producer and YouTuber (born 1984)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dhar Mann
| image = Dhar Mann Updated (cropped).jpg
| image_caption = Mann in 2018
| birth_name = Dharminder Mann
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|05|29}}
| birth_place =
| death_date = 
| death_place =
| nationality = American
| education =
| occupation = {{hlist|Entrepreneur|film producer}}
| partner = Laura Avila
| children = 2
| parents =
| relatives =
| website = {{URL|https://www.dharmann.com/}}
}}

'''Dharminder "Dhar" Mann''' (born May 29, 1984) is an American entrepreneur, film producer and [[YouTuber]]. He is best known for his video production company, Dhar Mann Studios, that creates short films for social media platforms such as YouTube. The films target a young audience and typically feature a turn of events that teaches the antagonist a moral lesson.<ref name="NYT 2021" />

In 2010, Mann and stockbroker Derek Peterson founded the [[weGrow]] store that sold [[hydroponics]] marketed for growing [[medical marijuana]]. weGrow was closed two years later amid lawsuits between the business partners.

In 2013, Mann was convicted of defrauding the city of [[Oakland, California]], through his real estate company MannEdge Properties.<ref name="SFGate 2012" /><ref name="BC 2012" /><ref name=":0" />

==Early life==
Dharminder Mann was born on May 29, 1984,<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1398720779538345993 |user=dharmann |title=Today's not only special because it's my 37th bday- it's also the 3-year anniversary of Dhar Mann Studios. I'm not always the best at describing my feelings, but from what I've been told I am pretty good at telling stories. [Read more on my Instagram] |date=May 29, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529192005/https://twitter.com/dharmann/status/1398720779538345993 |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |url-status=live |link=https://twitter.com/dharmann/status/1398720779538345993 |last=Mann |first=Dhar}}</ref> to Surinder Mann and Baljit Singh Mann, who emigrated from India to the United States.<ref name="NYT 2021">{{Cite news |last=Marcus |first=Ezra |date=August 19, 2021 |title=The Moral Philosopher of YouTube |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/19/style/dhar-mann-youtube.html |access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Oaklandside">{{cite news |last1=Orenstein |first1=Natalie |title=Oakland landlord hit with $3.9 million penalty for hazardous housing conditions |url=https://oaklandside.org/2021/09/13/oakland-landlord-hit-with-3-9-million-penalty-for-hazardous-housing-conditions/ |access-date=February 5, 2022 |work=The Oaklandside |date=September 14, 2021}}</ref><ref name="SFGate 2014">{{Cite news |last1=Matier |first1=Phillip |last2=Ross |first2=Andrew |date=April 28, 2014 |title=FBI agents' sting tried to lure more S.F., Oakland officials |work=[[SFGate]] |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/FBI-agents-sting-tried-to-lure-more-S-F-5433978.php |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref> The Singh family owns Friendly Cab, a taxi cab operator based in [[Oakland, California]].<ref name="SFGate 2014" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Harkinson |first=Josh |date=December 11, 2013 |title=How a local "Ganjapreneur" bummed Oakland's high, and cheated the city out of thousands. |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |url=https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2013/12/marijuana-entrepreneur-dhar-mann-fraud-oakland/ |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref> They have owned several local real estate companies since 1980, and more than 130 properties.<ref name="Oaklandside" /><ref name="EBX 2015">{{Cite news |last=BondGraham |first=Darwin |date=April 24, 2015 |title=Oakland Taxicab Family Hit with $37,500 Fine for Defrauding Oakland |work=[[East Bay Express]] |url=https://eastbayexpress.com/oakland-taxicab-family-hit-with-37500-fine-for-defrauding-oakland-2-1/ |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>

Mann recalls growing up in a one-bedroom [[San Francisco Bay Area|Bay Area]] apartment that was shared with three other families. As his parents were focused on managing their company, he has said that rather than "give me their time, they gave me money to do things".<ref name="NYT 2021" />

== Early career and legal issues ==
At the age of nineteen, Mann started a real estate company, and founded other, often failed, companies within the decade,<ref name="NYT 2021" /> including ventures in [[luxury car]] rental services and mortgage refinancing.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harkinson|first=Josh|title=Weedmart: Marijuana Superstores. IPOs. Reality TV.|work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]|issue=January/February 2011|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/12/wegrow-dhar-mann-derek-peterson/|access-date=September 4, 2021}}</ref> Mann founded [[weGrow]], a retailer of [[cannabis]]-growing [[hydroponics]], with former stock broker Derek Peterson in January 2010. Mann and Peterson rented a supply store in Oakland, California, to sell hydroponics equipment, and aimed to open franchises in eight other states.<ref name="NYT 2021" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=McLean |first=Kate |date=July 18, 2010 |title=Proposal for Marijuana Factories Prompts a Battle for Control |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/us/18bcmarijuana.html |access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref>

In early 2011, the weGrow store was closed, and Peterson filed lawsuits against the company, citing unpaid debts,<ref name="NYT 2021" /> and accusing Mann of running a "hydroponzi scheme" in a ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]'' interview.<ref name="MJ 2011">{{Cite news |last=Harkinson |first=Josh |date=March 1, 2011 |title=WeGrow's "Joint Venture" Goes Up in Smoke |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |url=https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2011/03/wegrow-joint-venture-goes-smoke/ |access-date=September 4, 2021}}</ref> A spokesman for Mann subsequently accused Peterson of fabricating the allegations in retaliation for Mann's decision to downsize their partnership,<ref name="MJ 2011" /> and Mann successfully countersued Peterson for a cash settlement and stocks in Peterson's own company.<ref name="NYT 2021" />

In 2012, Mann was charged with thirteen felony counts of fraud for allegedly defrauding a city beautification program while operating his real estate company MannEdge Properties in 2008 and 2009.<ref name="SFGate 2012">{{Cite news |last1=Bulwa |first1=Demian |last2=Kuruvila |first2=Matthai |date=May 18, 2012 |title=Oakland pot entrepreneur charged with fraud |work=[[SFGate]] |url=https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Oakland-pot-entrepreneur-charged-with-fraud-3567342.php |access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name="BC 2012">{{Cite news |date=September 6, 2012 |title=Indicted Oakland Pot Entrepreneur Leaned on Political Relationships |publisher=[[NBC Bay Area]] |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/indicted-oakland-pot-entrepreneur-leaned-on-political-relationships/1927584/ |access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> Prosecutors reduced the charges to five felony counts in August 2013, and later that year Mann pled [[no contest]] to the five counts.<ref name="OT 2013">{{Cite news |last=Artz |first=Matthew |date=December 10, 2013 |title=Oakland "ganjapreneur" pleads no contest to fraud charges |work=[[Oakland Tribune]] |url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_24697161/oakland-ganjapreneur-pleads-no-contest-fraud-charges |access-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215004843/http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_24697161/oakland-ganjapreneur-pleads-no-contest-fraud-charges |archive-date=December 15, 2013}}</ref> He was sentenced to five years of [[probation]] and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and [[restitution]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Jill |date=February 1, 2014 |title='Ganja-preneur' of Oakland sentenced, fined $10,000 |work=[[SFGate]] |url=https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Ganja-preneur-of-Oakland-sentenced-fined-5195154.php |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref> Mann told ''[[The New York Times]]'' in 2021 that the conviction was later [[expunged]].<ref name="NYT 2021" />

== Dhar Mann Studios ==
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name = Dhar Mann
| channel_name =
| channel_direct_url = @DharMann
| channel_display_name = Dhar Mann
| channel_url =
| years_active = 2018–present
| genre = [[Morality plays]]
| subscribers = 18.7 million
| views = 11.5 billion
| network =
| associated_acts =
| location = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U. S.
| silver_button = y
| silver_year =
| gold_button = y
| gold_year = 2020
| diamond_button = y
| diamond_year = 2021
| ruby_button = n
| ruby_year =
| red_diamond_button = n
| red_diamond_year =
| stats_update = Aug 11, 2023
}}

In 2018, Mann founded Dhar Mann Studios, a video production company that produces films for social media platforms such as [[YouTube]].<ref name="NYT 2021" /><ref name="HR 2021">{{Cite news |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=April 7, 2021 |title=Filmmaker Dhar Mann Signs With CAA (Exclusive) |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/filmmaker-dhar-mann-signs-with-caa-exclusive |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref> When Mann began publishing videos on YouTube in 2018, his output comprised [[Motivational speaker|motivational]] videos, and later shifted focus to [[morality plays]].<ref name="NYT Magazine 2021">{{Cite news |last=Kaiser-Schatzlein |first=Robin |date=August 4, 2021 |title=The Internet Demands Uplifting Videos. So He Stages Them. |work=[[The New York Times Magazine]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/magazine/wholesome-youtube-dhar-mann.html |access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> In 2021, Mann started a contract with the [[Creative Artists Agency]]<ref name="HR 2021" /> and launched a mobile app where users can watch videos produced by his studio.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=October 22, 2021 |title=YouTube Moralist Dhar Mann Launches His Own Video App, Rockets To No. 1 On Apple |work=[[Tubefilter News]] |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/22/dhar-mann-video-app-no-1/ |access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>

A ''New York Times'' profile of Mann described his YouTube videos as "timely narratives about police-calling [[Karen (slang)|Karen]]s and [[Covid-19]] hoarders" told in the fashion of "1980s [[after-school special]]s and the educational short films of the '50s", and noted their often "thin and absolutist" moral philosophy and "openly [[click bait]]" titles.<ref name="NYT 2021" /> ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'' called them "feel-good" videos intended to "encourage people to be decent to one another."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burney |first=Lawrence |date=March 3, 2021 |title=Watching YouTube Through My Daughter's Eyes |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/watching-anna-oop-youtube-drama-daughter.html |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref>

As of May 2023, the channel has received 18.1 million subscribers and 10.78 billion views.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/dharmannofficial |title=Dhar Mann's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) - Social Blade Stats |newspaper=Socialblade.com |date= |accessdate=February 10, 2023}}</ref>

=== Workplace scandal and actors' protest ===
In February 2023, multiple actors employed by Dhar Mann Studios stated on social media that they had poor working conditions and unsustainable pay.<ref name="ABC">{{cite news|last=Hayes|first=Rob|date=February 14, 2023|url=https://abc7.com/dhar-mann-studios-youtube-channel-burbank-actor-protest/12816197/|title=Actors for popular Burbank-based YouTube channel protest for better wages, work conditions|location=[[Burbank, California]]|publisher=ABC7|access-date=July 5, 2023}}</ref> Many of the actors took to protesting outside of one of Mann's studio lots, with the protests happening abruptly. Actor Charles Laughlin revealed that many actors requested a meeting with Mann about working conditions, but Mann declined to meet with them. Laughlin also accused Mann of firing actress Jessica Ruth Bell after the actors requested the meeting. Laughlin and actor Colin Borden stated that actors who spoke out against the working conditions were immediately let go. Borden stated that many of the actors employed by Mann could not afford rent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Joseph |date=2023-02-09 |title=Actors in Influencer Dhar Mann's Videos Have Gone on Strike Over Low Wages |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/what-happened-to-dhar-mann-actors |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=Distractify |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-09 |title=Beskyldninger mot YouTube-gigant |url=https://www.vg.no/i/mQ3Q9l |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=www.vg.no |language=nb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-10 |title=YouTube's Dhar Mann Studios Accused Of Paying Actors Unfair Wages |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/news/dhar-mann-paying-actors-poorly/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=www.cgmagonline.com |language=en-CA}}</ref> After the protests, Mann issued a statement on his YouTube channel and Instagram account disputing the claims of the protesting actors and accusing them of "spreading false information" about his studio, family and himself. He explained how the studio operated and disclosed hourly rates for actors.<ref name="ABC"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gutelle |first1=Sam |title=Moral video creator Dhar Mann responds to the protest launched by some of his regular actors |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/02/14/protest-dhar-mann-actors-speak-out-moral-videos-response/ |publisher=[[Tubefilter]] |access-date=February 22, 2023 |date=February 14, 2023 }}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2014, Mann was in a relationship with businesswoman Lilly Ghalichi, known for participating on the reality television series ''[[Shahs of Sunset]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Zach |last2=Sobol |first2=Beth |date=April 4, 2014 |title=''Shahs of Sunset''{{Apostrophe}}s Lilly Ghalichi Engaged to Entrepreneur Dhar Mann—But Will She Keep the Ring? |work=[[E! Online]] |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/528442/shahs-of-sunset-s-lilly-ghalichi-engaged-to-entrepreneur-dhar-mann-but-will-she-keep-the-ring |access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Webber |first=Stephanie |date=December 19, 2014 |title=Lilly Ghalichi, Dhar Mann Split: ''Shahs of Sunset'' Star Ends Engagement |work=[[E! Online]] |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/607973/shahs-of-sunset-s-lilly-ghalichi-calls-off-engagement-i-know-that-every-ending-is-a-new-beginning |access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref> Mann met his fiancée Laura Avila in 2015. Together, the couple manage LiveGlam, a cosmetics company that Mann founded in 2015.<ref name="NYT 2021" /> The couple had their first child in 2020.<ref name="Variety 2020">{{Cite news |last=McClain |first=James |date=November 3, 2020 |title=Khloe Kardashian Sells $15.5 Million Calabasas Mansion to Dhar Mann |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2020/dirt/entertainers/khloe-kardashian-sells-15-5-million-calabasas-mansion-to-dhar-mann-1234822374/ |access-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103173001/https://variety.com/2020/dirt/entertainers/khloe-kardashian-sells-15-5-million-calabasas-mansion-to-dhar-mann-1234822374/ |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In late 2020, Mann purchased a mansion in [[Calabasas, California]], previously owned by media personality [[Khloé Kardashian]].<ref name="Variety 2020" /> Along with his family's real estate activities in Oakland, Mann and his brother Harmit also own property across the city.<ref name="Oaklandside" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.dharmann.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|4990531}}

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mann, Dhar}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:American businesspeople convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:American businesspeople in the online media industry]]
[[Category:American businesspeople]]
[[Category:American cosmetics businesspeople]]
[[Category:American entertainment industry businesspeople]]
[[Category:American people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American real estate businesspeople]]
[[Category:American YouTubers]]
[[Category:YouTube channels launched in 2018]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:University of California, Davis alumni]]

Dhar Mann - Revision history

TimeStampBot at 15:38, 3 October 2023