How Tubby Nugget grew from a doodle into a beloved internet brand

Plus, the Tubby Nugget x 'Obsession' crossover that almost became a reality

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage and meet the Mashable 101 to discover the internet’s most exciting voices.

VidCon is a premier global convention for content creators, influencers, digital media brands, and fans. The event features creator panels, networking opportunities, live entertainment, meet-and-greets, and discussions on trends shaping the creator economy.

For Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson, Tubby Nugget has always been more than just a cute character.

At VidCon 2026, the creators behind the internet's beloved little nugget sat down with Mashable Culture Editor Crystal Bell to reflect on the journey from sketching the lovable character for fun to building a brand with plushies, collectibles, and a passionate community of fans. They also share what it's like meeting people who've formed real emotional connections with Tubby at conventions and other in-person events, where the character comes to life in a whole new way.

The conversation also dives into the business of expanding Tubby Nugget beyond social media, the challenges of growing a creator-led brand, and the unexpected story behind the Tubby Nugget x Obsession crossover that almost became a reality.

Watch the full interview above.

Topics Creators VidCon

Crystal Bell

Digital Culture Editor

Crystal Bell is the Digital Culture Editor at Mashable, where she leads coverage of the creator economy, internet culture, and digital life. Her work focuses on the people, platforms, and communities shaping modern entertainment, from YouTube creators and livestreamers to fandoms, social media trends, and the evolving relationship between technology and culture. She also oversees the Mashable 101, the publication's annual list recognizing the internet's most influential creators.

Previously, she was the entertainment director at MTV News, where she helped expand the brand's coverage of fan culture, K-pop, and the internet's most passionate communities. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, PAPER, NYLON, ELLE, Glamour, NME, W, The FADER, and elsewhere on the internet.

She's exceptionally fluent in fandom and will gladly make you a K-pop playlist and/or provide anime recommendations upon request. Crystal lives in New York City with her two black cats, Howl and Sophie.