Medium Feature: Singing VTubers and the Future of Virtual Performance

Joseph Stanek
Sep 21
3 min read

Image © Tour de Fierce — Medium + Tour de Fierce: Vocal Coaching & Artist Development.

I was asked to participate as a panelist in the Miss Pennsylvania Competition (a preliminary to the Miss America Competition) in June of 2022. There were many, many moments that will stick with me from that week, including this one... (I’ll never forget this moment.)

The young woman who had just stepped into the interview room had chosen singing as her talent. Since this is my field of expertise, I leaned into our common ground and asked a few music-industry-specific questions. I started by asking whether she saw herself more as a live performer or a recording artist. As a follow-up, I asked her thoughts on famous singers who lip-sync to pre-recorded tracks while giving audiences the illusion of singing live.

She answered with poise and insight, acknowledging the ethical dilemmas this raises about authenticity and audience trust. And then, just as she wrapped up, she shifted the conversation toward the future of live performance in a way I’ll never forget. She referenced the newly launched ABBA hologram concert in London and posed this question to the panel:

“If audiences are willing to buy tickets and cheer for holograms, what will authenticity in live performance mean in the next decade? Is it still possible to fully experience an artist's message if our collective cultural tastes evolve in ways that celebrate production over presence?”

If she had a microphone, she could have dropped it right then.

Because in hindsight, it was prophetic.

Virtual performers aren’t a niche anymore—they’re headlining streams, moving tickets, and building real fandoms. The future is now, and a great deal about virtual performances can be learned from the VTubing community.

Medium just featured my two-part series on VTubers and voice, and if you’re a creator (or coach) paying attention to where entertainment is headed, it’s required reading.

Part 1 — What is a VTuber?

Start here: What Is a VTuber? Virtual Performers Rewriting the Rules of Entertainment. I unpack where VTubers came from, why they exploded globally, and why the voice—not the rig—remains the most human, high-impact connection to fans.

Part 2 — VTubers, Singing, and the VShojo Collapse

Then read: VTubers, Singing, and the VShojo Collapse. This follow-up looks at the culture shifts rocking the space and the big lesson for creators: trained, reliable vocals are a moat. Stamina, tone, clarity, and confidence keep you performing when platforms and agencies change.

Why Singing VTubers Matter:

Voice is the only part of a VTuber that’s 100% you—it builds trust and connection.
Singing is now expected: karaoke, covers, concerts, collabs. Technique = longevity.
Sustainable growth comes from repeatable excellence (healthy onsets, breath, resonance, and mindset).
Data analysts credit singing VTubers for the industry's exponential growth in recent years, valued at an impressive $6B at the end of 2024.

How I help Singing VTubers win:

I coach streamers and agency talent with my Dual Voice Method™—fusing technical mastery (your physical voice) with emotional authenticity (your inner voice). Sessions are online, camera-optional, and tailored to your goals: vocal stamina for long streams, karaoke repertoire, range work, mix alignment, clarity on mic, stage/stream confidence, and creative direction for releases.

Ready to level up?

Book a free trial lesson → Just fill out a simple registration form on our Contact page.
Explore online voice lessons → Enjoy the industry's best training from the comfort of your living room with Tour de Fierce's Online Vocal Coaching
NYC? In-person coaching → Check out Tour de Fierce's In-Person Lessons