>>33943714nta, but at least for the first EN generation, you could make a semi-convincing argument that they weren't (solely) motivated to join Holo purely just because of the prospect of quick fame and easy get-rich money.
Because at that time it was all unproven uncharted new territory, no one really knew how successful an EN branch would actually be. Sure, with hindsight now everybody can claim they always knew it was going to be a guaranteed success (Hololive(JP) already began rising and being the most famous vtuber group in the west among EOPs from 2019 onwards due to viral clips, plus the "fortunate" timing of the lockdown boom, etc.), but going in at the time, a lot of the Myth talents said they were mostly just thinking it would be just a fun thing to try out, maybe a nice little side-gig, but that they didn't have much higher expectations than maybe ID-tier numbers, and were surprised and overwhelmed by the massive unexpected blowout success themselves.
Sure, that could also just be another self-serving humble-brag, as it certainly sounds like a nicer sympathetic cinderella story than just outright admitting "yeah, I always knew I was gonna be big because I'm just that good. I'm only here for the golden ticket, to collect my paycheck and to farm clout for myself, thanks sucker simps teehee!!", but given that multiple Myth talents told the same relatively congruent story and close after debut (so, when they were still much more innocent and before they got to their current jaded and stuck-up state), I'm inclined to believe that it's at least close to what they were really thinking at the time.
But the generation(s) after that, yeah, there's no excuse and no comparison. After Myth demonstrated to everyone that getting into Holo really is the golden ticket, and how strong the brand buff that comes with a massive captive fanbase really is, that it can carry even a piece of cardboard to have a six-figgy subcount even before debut just for having the coveted blue dorito triangle next to their name, and afterwards a guaranteed five-figgy monthly income for just showing up - or hell, not even showing up, you can not stream and the fanbase will continue to make excuses for you, coddle you, continue to shower you with money just for existing, and shut down any criticism. Every applicant after Myth knew that fame and money was guaranteed, so naturally that attracts grifters, moochers, leeches and people who are just in it to coast on the brand buff for quick fame and easy money.
