Kelly Wakasa

Early Life and Background

Kelly Wakasa was born on November 27, 1999, in Hillsborough, California. Growing up in a family with Hispanic roots, he was raised alongside two older brothers, including Kasey Wakasa, a former professional soccer player for Phoenix Rising FC, and a younger sister. Kelly keeps his parents’ names private, focusing instead on his siblings in his content. As a kid, he was a talented soccer player, even making the U.S. national youth team, but he later fell in love with skateboarding. He attended Burlingame High School and briefly studied at the University of Arizona in 2020 before dropping out in 2021 to pursue content creation full-time. Kelly’s early passion for photography, videography, and sports shaped his creative path, inspired by YouTubers like Casey Neistat.

Rise to Fame

Kelly started his YouTube channel, “Kelly Wakasa,” on November 20, 2013, but didn’t post regularly until April 2014 with “Sidewalk Surfing-A Skateboarding Documentary.” His skateboarding videos gained traction, and by 2017, he shifted to lifestyle vlogs, travel content, and challenges. His 2019 video “Surprising My Best Friend After Years Apart!” exploded with 4.3 million views, boosting his channel to 1.45 million subscribers by 2025. His move to New York City in 2021 and collaboration with the content house “Ur Mom’s House” further skyrocketed his popularity, especially among Gen Z fans.... Show More

Early Life and Background

Kelly Wakasa was born on November 27, 1999, in Hillsborough, California. Growing up in a family with Hispanic roots, he was raised alongside two older brothers, including Kasey Wakasa, a former professional soccer player for Phoenix Rising FC, and a younger sister. Kelly keeps his parents’ names private, focusing instead on his siblings in his content. As a kid, he was a talented soccer player, even making the U.S. national youth team, but he later fell in love with skateboarding. He attended Burlingame High School and briefly studied at the University of Arizona in 2020 before dropping out in 2021 to pursue content creation full-time. Kelly’s early passion for photography, videography, and sports shaped his creative path, inspired by YouTubers like Casey Neistat.

Rise to Fame

Kelly started his YouTube channel, “Kelly Wakasa,” on November 20, 2013, but didn’t post regularly until April 2014 with “Sidewalk Surfing-A Skateboarding Documentary.” His skateboarding videos gained traction, and by 2017, he shifted to lifestyle vlogs, travel content, and challenges. His 2019 video “Surprising My Best Friend After Years Apart!” exploded with 4.3 million views, boosting his channel to 1.45 million subscribers by 2025. His move to New York City in 2021 and collaboration with the content house “Ur Mom’s House” further skyrocketed his popularity, especially among Gen Z fans.

Videos and Content Style

Kelly is a YouTuber, skateboarder, and social media star known for skateboarding videos, travel vlogs, and lifestyle content. His YouTube channel features popular videos like “Going Back to High School UNDERCOVER on FIRST DAY!” (4 million views) and “Going on Date with My Crush 8 Years Later!” (2.2 million views), blending humor, storytelling, and cinematic editing. He collaborates with friend Luke Eich on the channel “LIFE OF LUKE AND KELLY,” which has over 103,000 subscribers. Kelly’s Instagram showcases his photography and adventures, while his TikTok offers short, funny clips. He runs a merchandise line, “Do What Excites,” selling hoodies and tees, and has worked with Braille Skateboarding. His relatable, upbeat vibe and creative visuals make his content a hit with young viewers.

Achievements and Recognition

Kelly’s YouTube channel has over 1.45 million subscribers and 81.5 million views, earning him a YouTube Gold Play Button. His viral videos have made him a standout in the vlogging space, with fans on X calling him “the king of feel-good content.” He’s collaborated with influencers like Elliot Choy and Ashley Alexander, and his work with Braille Skateboarding, a channel with over 4 million subscribers, gave him early exposure. Kelly’s merchandise line and partnerships with brands like Tony Hawk’s Project 8 (2006) show his entrepreneurial side. In 2022, Hard Rock Media named him one of the fastest-growing YouTubers, highlighting his knack for engaging storytelling.

Personal Life

Kelly lives in New York City, having moved from California in 2021. He’s been linked to YouTuber Ashley Alexander (Ur Mom Ashley), with whom he shared a content house and made several videos. They started dating in 2021, and fans love their chemistry, though they haven’t officially confirmed their relationship status in 2025. Kelly’s hobbies include skateboarding, photography, traveling, and staying fit through daily workouts. He’s 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs about 72 kg, and has dark brown hair and eyes. A dog lover, he often shares throwback photos with his childhood pet on Instagram. Kelly’s close with his family, especially his soccer-playing brother, and keeps his personal life private but positive.

Net Worth

Kelly’s net worth is estimated at $350,000 to $3 million as of 2025, mostly from YouTube ad revenue ($10,000–$15,000 monthly), brand sponsorships, and his “Do What Excites” merchandise. His channel averages 5 million views monthly, and his TikTok and Instagram add to his earnings through promotions. Kelly’s smart approach to diversifying income streams has built him a solid financial foundation at just 25.

Impact and Future

Kelly Wakasa has inspired tons of young fans with his positive, adventurous spirit and creative hustle. His shift from soccer to skateboarding to vlogging shows his ability to chase what excites him, a message he pushes through his brand. X fans call him “a vibe” for his joyful content that makes everyday moments epic.‽post:0 He’s made skateboarding and vlogging accessible, encouraging kids to pick up a camera or board. Looking ahead, Kelly plans to keep vlogging, travel more, and grow his merchandise line. With his move to New York and new collabs in the works, he’s set to stay a big name in the YouTube scene, spreading his “Do What Excites” mantra to a growing audience.