Jake Joseph Paul (born January 17, 1997) is an Americanprofessional boxer,influencer andactor. He began his career posting videos onVine in September 2013 and had amassed 5.3 million followers and 2 billion views before the app was discontinued. He launched his YouTube channelJake Paul in May 2014, and has ranked on theForbes list as one of the highest paidYouTube creators in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023.
Paul was born on January 17, 1997,[1] inCleveland, Ohio,[1][2] and raised inWestlake, Ohio, with his older brotherLogan, who is also a YouTuber andinternet personality. They started filming themselves when Jake was ten.[6] Their parents are Pamela Ann Stepnick (née Meredith) and realtor Gregory Allan Paul.[7] He was raised in a church-going,Christian household.[8]
Entertainment career
2013–2016: Vine, YouTube, andBizaardvark
Paul began his career in September 2013 posting videos onVine. By the time Vine was discontinued byTwitter Inc., Paul had amassed 5.3 million followers and 2 billion views on the app.[9] Paul launched his YouTube channel on May 15, 2014.[10] His channel became known for pranks, controversies, and his hip hop music.[11]
After gaining acclaim on Vine and YouTube, Paul was hired onto the set of theDisney Channel seriesBizaardvark, playing a character who accepted dare requests to perform.[12] On July 22, 2017, during the middle of filming the second season ofBizaardvark, theDisney Channel announced that Paul would be leaving the series.[13] The announcement followed a news report fromKTLA[14] about public complaints from Paul's neighbors regarding the noise generated by Paul's pranks, parties, hazards and large crowds of fans congregating in their neighborhood.[15][16][17] Paul later confirmed the news on his Twitter page, saying he would now focus more on his personal brand, YouTube channel, business ventures, and more mature acting roles.[13] Paul later revealed in an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter that he was actually fired fromBizaardvark by Disney, which wanted to expedite the process of weaning him off the show due to the KTLA segment.[18]
2017–2019: Music, business, and Team 10
Paul launched entertainment collective Team 10 in 2016.[19] On January 17, 2017, his 20th birthday, it was reported that he had launched media company TeamDom with $1 million in funding to create aninfluencer marketing management and creative agency around teen entertainment.[6] Investors includedDanhua Capital, Horizons Alpha, Vayner Capital, Sound Ventures & A-Grade Investments and Adam Zeplain.[20]
Paul released the single "It's Everyday Bro", featuring Team 10, on May 30, 2017. It featured vocals from members of the team at the time, consisting of Nick Crompton, Chance Sutton, Ivan and Emilio Martinez and Tessa Brooks. It drew over 70 million views in one month and became YouTube'sthird most disliked video. The song debuted and peaked at number 91 on theBillboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Its title refers to how Paul at the time posted a video every single day.[21] In 2017, Paul released and later deleted singles including "Ohio Fried Chicken", "Jerika", "No Competition", "That Ain't on the News" and "Litmas". The singles were deleted for various reasons, including his 2018 break-up withErika Costell.
On November 22, 2017, Paul released a remix of "It's Everyday Bro", featuring American rapperGucci Mane in place of Team 10, alongside the new music video for it. On April 27, 2018, he released the single and music video for "Malibu" with now-former Team 10 member Chad Tepper. On May 11, he released another single and music video for "My Teachers", featuring now-former Team 10 members Sunny Malouf and Anthony Trujillo, along with the music video. On May 24, he released two singles, "Randy Savage" and "Cartier Vision". The former song features Team 10 and hip-hop duo Jitt & Quan, featuring vocals from Team 10 members at the time, consisting of Anthony Trujillo, Sunny Malouf, Justin Roberts, Erika Costell, and Chad Tepper; it was released along with the music video. The latter song features Anthony and the duo as well; the music video was released later on September 12.
On August 15, 2018, Paul released another single titled "Champion", with a music video. The song was adiss track towards Paul's boxing opponent Deji Olatunji (ComedyShortsGamer), the younger brother of British YouTube star, internet personality, boxer, and rapperKSI. Their fight took place ten days later on August 25. Throughout the summer of 2018, Paul and Team 10 went on a tour in North America, performing their songs.[22] Gradually, the Team 10 members split up throughout the year.[23]
Paul's varied business ventures ultimately led to his second-place ranking inForbes' list of highest-paid YouTubers in 2018.[24][25]
On March 1, 2019, Paul released the track and music video for "I'm Single". The song focused on Paul's feelings about being single and his breakup with Erika Costell. As the social media accounts for Team 10 have been inactive since September 2019,[26] some assumed that Team 10 had disbanded and Paul had formed a new team.[27]
2019–2020: More focus on music
On December 13, 2019, Paul released another single, "These Days", alongside a music video featuring model Julia Rose. The song features Jake rapping about his past long-distance relationship with his ex-girlfriend,Alissa Violet.[28] Less than a year later, the song was removed from all streaming services.[29]
Paul in 2019
On July 24, 2020, Paul released the single "Fresh Outta London", which was released alongside the music video.[30] For the video shoot, he threw a party at his home inCalabasas, California on July 11, in which he garnered national attention after being criticized by Calabasas mayor Alicia Weintraub after videos and pictures of the party surfaced online.
On September 10, Paul released another single, titled "23", alongside a music video at his house[31] which only starred his older brotherLogan and also featured clips of him and a few of his friends.[32] The title of the song refers to his age at the time, as well as American former basketball playerMichael Jordan's jersey number.
On October 15, Paul released the single "Dummy", featuring Canadian rapper TVGucci, who is signed to fellow Canadian rapperDrake's record label,OVO Sound. The lyric video was published on Paul's YouTube channel six days later, on October 21.[33]
2021–present: Sports business, startups, and investments
In 2021, Paul partnered with serial entrepreneurGeoffrey Woo to launch a venture capital firm called Anti Fund.[34] In August 2021, Anti Fund led investment in sports gambling firm Simplebet Inc. raising $30 million in a financing round in August 2021.[35] In August 2022, Anti Fund invested in defense technology and military contractorAnduril Industries.[36]
Paul founded Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) with his business adviser, Nakisa Bidarian, in 2021, signing professional boxerAmanda Serrano to a promotional deal in September 2021.[37] In tandem, Paul founded an organization named Boxing Bullies to help youth combat bullying.[38]
In May 2022, Paul featured on theForbes list for thehighest paid athletes in 2022. Forbes estimated that Paul made $38 million from his three boxing bouts, and various other income streams in the period.[39]
In August 2022, Paul founded Betr, a sports-media and mobile-betting company alongside Simplebet founder Joey Levy. Paul claims to have received $50 million inseries-A funding for this venture.[40] In March 2024, Betr raised $15 million at a $375 million valuation, led by Harmony Partners and 10X Capital, with its total funding reaching $100 million as it aims to expand its sports betting operations, including real-money fantasy sports product in 24 states and plans for a nationwide sportsbook brand.[41]
In January 2023, Paul signed a multiyear contract with theProfessional Fighters League to cofound and compete in a newpay-per-view division, known as Super Fight, as well as adopt the official role of "head of fighter advocacy".[43]
In June 2024, Paul launched a men's personal care brand called W, with products priced at less than $10 with retail partnerWalmart.[44] The company was incubated by Paul's venture capital firm Anti Fund.[45] In July 2024,The Wall Street Journal reported that W has raised over $14M in venture capital funding from Shrug Capital and others including tennis starNaomi Osaka at a valuation over $150M.[46]
In 2020, Paul made hisprofessional debut against English YouTuber AnEsonGib. The bout took place on January 30 at the Meridian at Island Gardens inMiami, Florida and was the co-feature bout to theWBO worldmiddleweight title bout between professional boxersDemetrius Andrade andLuke Keeler.[49] Paul defeated AnEsonGib via technical knockout in the 1st round and proceeded to call out KSI.[50]
Prior to the Paul vs Askren bout, Paul and one of his cornermen, Americanprofessional boxerJ'Leon Love, were involved in a backstage confrontation with formerUFC Welterweight ChampionTyron Woodley.[57] After Paul defeated Askren, Woodley called him out.[58] OnAugust 29 Paul fought Woodley at theRocket Mortgage FieldHouse inCleveland, Ohio and defeated him viasplit decision, with one judge scoring the fight 77–75 for Woodley, while the other two judges scored it 77–75 and 78–74 in favor of Paul.[59] After the bout, Woodley expressed his desires for a rematch and Paul offered him one if he tattooed "I love Jake Paul" on his body.[60] The event reportedly generated 500,000 pay-per-view buys.[61]
In December, Paul was originally scheduled to face English professional boxerTommy Fury onDecember 18 at theAmalie Arena inTampa, Florida, but Fury withdrew due to medical issues. On December 6, it was announced that Paul would be rematching Woodley instead.[62] Paul defeated Woodley via knockout in the 6th round.[63] The event reportedly generated 200,000 pay-per-view buys.[61] After the bout, Paul was awarded theESPN Ringside Award for "Knockout of the Year" over his victory on Woodley.[64]
In 2022, Paul was scheduled to face Fury for August 6 atMadison Square Garden inNew York City, but Fury withdrew once again due to travel issues. On July 7, it was announced that Paul would face American professional boxerHasim Rahman Jr., however, the event was canceled on July 30 due to weight issues from Rahman.[65]
After two previous attempts failing, on January 27, 2023, it was announced that Paul would face Fury on February 26 in Saudi Arabia.[68] Fury defeated Paul viasplit decision despite Paul knocking Fury down in the 8th round. One judge scored it 75–74 to Paul, while the other two judges had it 76–73 to Fury.[69] The event reportedly generated 800,000 pay-per-views.
After the bout with Tommy Fury, KSI's managerMams Taylor revealed that he and Paul's team were in negotiations to have about with the YouTuber set for August atWembley Stadium inLondon, England, however, Taylor stated that after the Fury loss, Paul exited the negotiations.[70] Paul later confirmed that he opted out and chose to have a bout withNate Diaz instead, whom he deemed the tougher opponent.[71]
On April 12, it was announced that Paul would face Diaz onAugust 5 at theAmerican Airlines Center inDallas, Texas.[72] Although the fight was originally scheduled to be 8 rounds, it was later extended to 10.[73] Paul defeated Diaz via unanimous decision with the judges scoring the bout 98–91, 98–91 and 97–92 all in favor of Paul.[74]
Moving up in weight and transition to professional boxers
On October 16, 2023, it was announced that Paul would be returning to the ring on December 15.[75] On November 8, Paul's opponent was confirmed to be American professional boxer Andre August (10–1–1). The bout would take place at the Caribe Royal Hotel inOrlando, Florida as the headline bout of Most Valuable Prospects IV.[76] This was Paul's first headline bout to not be onpay-per-view with Paul stating "so far, my entire boxing career has been on PPV, but now it's about more than business. Now I want to build my experience in the ring."[77]Paul defeated August by knockout in the first round.[78]
On December 21, 2023, it was announced that Paul would be fighting on March 2, 2024, at theColiseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico.[79] On January 30, 2024, Paul's opponent was announced to be American professional boxer Ryan Bourland (17–2).[80] Paul defeated Bourland by technical knockout in the first round.[81]
On June 11, 2024, it was announced that Paul will face formerUFC fighter andBare Knuckle Fighting Championship "King of Violence"Mike Perry on July 20, 2024, after Mike Tyson was unable to compete on that date.[82] On June 18, 2024, the bout against Perry was confirmed for July 20, 2024 atAmalie Arena inTampa, FL.[83] Paul won the fight by technical knockout in the sixth round.[84]
On March 7, 2024, it was announced that Paul would take on former undisputed heavyweight championMike Tyson on July 20 atAT&T Stadium inArlington, Texas. The bout was broadcast onNetflix.[85] The bout marked Paul's debut fight at heavyweight.[86] On April 29, 2024, it was announced that the fight would be sanctioned as a professional boxing match by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR).[87][88] On May 31, 2024, it was announced that the fight was postponed after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare up aboard a plane.[89][90] On June 7, 2024, it was announced that the fight will take place at the same arena on November 15, 2024.[91]
On November 7, 2024, Netflix premiered the first two episodes ofCountdown: Paul vs. Tyson, with the third, and final one following on November 12. The show is narrated byIce-T.[92]
Paul defeated Tyson viaunanimous decision with the judges scoring the bout 80–72, 79–73 and 79–73 in favor of Paul.[93][94] The match became the biggest boxing gate in U.S. history outside ofLas Vegas.[95][94]
Most Valuable Promotions
Most Valuable Promotions logo
In 2021, Paul, alongside his adviser Nakisa Bidarian, founded aboxing promotion titled 'Most Valuable Promotions.' The promotions first signing was of Puerto Rican boxer andseven-division world championAmanda Serrano.[96]
In 2022, Paul co-promoted withEddie Hearn'sMatchroom Boxing,Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano billed as"For History". It was the first women's boxing match to headline Madison Square Garden, and was described as the 'biggest women's fight of all time'. The fight was universally acclaimed, being named Fight of the Year bySports Illustrated[97] and Event of the Year byThe Ring.[98]
In 2023, Most Valuable Promotions andDAZN announced a new series of events billed as 'Most Valuable Prospects,' which would feature up-and-coming boxers headlining events on DAZN without pay-per-view.[99] Their first event took place on May 26 which headlined Ashton Sylve vs Adam Kipenga at the Caribe Royale Orlando inOrlando, Florida. Sylve defeated Kipenga via unanimous decision.[100]
Throughout his career, Paul has become the subject of many controversies due to his behavior, including being charged with criminal trespass andunlawful assembly.[105][106][107]
Content controversies
On January 3, 2018, Paul uploaded a video to his YouTube channel entitled "I lost my virginity" that used athumbnail of himself and his then-girlfriendErika Costell posing semi-nude on top of each other. The video was age-restricted by YouTube as a result, and critics such asKeemstar criticized the thumbnail as beinginappropriate for his younger audience. The thumbnail was later changed with both Paul and Costell fully clothed and not touching each other.[108]
On November 29, 2020, Paul sparked frustration after stating he paved the way for content house creation and boxing matches between high-profile social media stars. Many objected to Paul's claim, observing that he did not create the first content house, nor was he the first YouTube star to fight in a boxing match.[109]
Racism allegations
On August 1, 2017, Paul uploaded a video titled "SELF DRIVINGTESLA IN DRIVE THRU PRANK (FREAKOUTS)". A fan approached Paul in the video, asking if he could appear in his vlog. One of Paul's associates asked where the fan was from, who identified himself asKazakhstani. Paul responded with the retort, "It sounds like you're just going to blow someone up. Send the nuke!"[110] For that, Paul was accused of perpetuatingstereotypes of Arabs and Muslims in the United States assuicide bombers, asKazakhstan ispredominantly Muslim.[110][111] His comments were considered insensitive due toKazakhstan's history with nuclear weapons. The country experienced extensivenuclear weapon testing while it was part of theSoviet Union, particularly aroundSemipalatinsk-21. The fallout from these tests exposed as many as 200,000 locals, leading to health problems that contributed to Kazakhstan's independence and rapid denuclearization. These issues continued to affect citizens well into the 2010s.[110][112][113]
In November 2017, twin brothers Ivan and Emilio Martínez left Team 10. In a vlog explaining their departure from the group, the brothers accused Paul and the other members of regularly targeting them out ofanti-Mexican sentiment, conflating them withMexicans when they are, in fact,Spaniards. The Martínezes alleged Paul and his associates would useHispanic stereotypes and slurs, invade their privacy, destroy their property, and withhold payment after telling them they could not have a bank account in due to being immigrants.[114][115] When interviewed byShane Dawson on the Martínezes' accusations, Paul said "nothing was off-limits" when it came to jokes the Team 10 members made about each other, that "[he thinks] at the time [the Martínez twins] thought it was funny" and they were accusing him of racism to boost their career without him.[115]
In January 2018, Paul started the website Edfluence, a program claiming to teach younger people how to be successful, learn life skills, and earn money online. The course costs $7 per user, allowing users to unlock a series of videos for a "roadmap" to success as an influencer. However, the $7 did not unlock the entire program but only gave a few basic tips. Paul also promised his audience that if they joined the course, they would get to join "Team 1000", which did not happen. Following the situation, Paul was accused of scamming young followers and stealing their money. Then, two years later, on January 31, 2020, Edfluence was shut down, which stopped the course permanently.[118] On February 15, Paul announced that he would partner with Los Angeles-based brand development group GenZ Holdings Inc. to create a $19.99-per-month platform aimed at teaching children how to build an online presence.[119] "The Financial Freedom Movement" promises to give subscribers access to "Jake Paul's personal experience, rituals and secret formula" and "cutting edge mentorship, coaching, and training".[120] The program has been criticized by some, with one interviewer questioning whether it would send a dangerous message to his young fanbase.[120]
On January 3, 2019, Paul, along with fellow YouTuberRiceGum, came under fire for promotingMysteryBrand, a website that offers the chance to open a digital "mystery box" of pre-selected items with a promise to win one in real life at random. Many users have said they have not received prizes they won through the site.[121]
Party complaints, public nuisance lawsuits, and COVID-19
In addition to the 2017 public complaints that eventually led to Paul's dismissal fromBizaardvark, Paul's neighbors in theBeverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles filed a class-action public nuisance lawsuit against Paul.[126] This came after Paul made his home address public,[126][127][17] leading crowds of fans to gather outside Paul's residence and noise complaints by neighbors.[127][14][128][129] On April 24, 2018, it was reported that Paul was being sued by Cobra Acquisitions, the company that owns the house, for $2.5 million.[130]
On February 23, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Paul was involved in an altercation with British singerZayn Malik atWestgate, the hotel near theMGM Grand Garden Arena at which the two were staying. Paul and Malik's rooms were right across from each other, and when Paul's older brotherLogan went to Paul's hotel room, an argument broke out between Malik and Paul because Paul believed Malik was using a rude tone. Following the interaction, Paul posted about it on Twitter, which drew attention from Malik's girlfriend, American modelGigi Hadid. Paul later deleted his tweets criticizing Malik and posted another tweet stating that he tweeted about the incident since he wasdrunk, acknowledging the fact in a tweet later in the day, writing, "Someone needs to take my phone when i'm drunk because I'm a fucking idiot".[131] Logan released the video footage on the 161st episode of his podcast,Impaulsive, in which he explained the whole situation.[132]
On July 11, 2020, Paul threw a large party at his home inCalabasas, California, despite the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic. Dozens of people attended without wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. After complaints from neighbors and videos surfaced on social media, Calabasas mayor Alicia Weintraub expressed outrage, saying, "They're having this large party, no social distancing, no masks, it's just a big, huge disregard for everything that everybody is trying to do to get things back to functioning." She continued, saying, "It's really just a party acting like COVID does not exist, it's acting that businesses aren't closed".[133][134][135] She later added that the city was looking into "all of our options" regarding penalties for Paul and the attendees of the party.[136]
On November 25, 2020, Paul attracted further COVID-related controversy due to statements in an interview withThe Daily Beast. When interviewer Marlow Stern asked Paul if he regretted his words and actions regarding the July 11 party, Paul responded by saying that COVID-19 was a "hoax", also stating that "98 percent of news [about COVID-19] is fake", and that he believed themeasures against COVID-19 in the United States should end, calling them "the most detrimental thing to our society." He then incorrectly stated that theflu had killed as many people in the United States in 2020 as COVID-19 did and claimed that "Medical professionals have [recently] also said that masks do absolutely nothing to prevent the spread of coronavirus"; he later referred to said professionals as "dozens of my medical friends." When Stern tried to question his claims, Paul told Stern, "You're arrogant. You're very arrogant", "you want clickbait", and "I've never even heard of you."[137][138] The interview sparked condemnation from various individuals and media outlets, such as fellow YouTuberTyler Oakley, who called Paul "aggressively ignorant" and "embarrassing."[139]
Attending a riot at an Arizona mall and FBI raid
On May 30, 2020, Paul and a few of his friends came to have dinner atP. F. Chang's outside ofScottsdale Fashion Square inScottsdale, Arizona, as part of theGeorge Floyd protests, where it quickly escalated, and looting began in the mall. Multiple instances of footage show Paul and his friends outside of P. F. Chang's witnessing the riot and going inside the mall, where they documented the incident. People on social media criticized Paul for entering the mall and witnessing people looting stores.[140][141][142] Paul later apologized on social media condemning the violence, and also denied the accusations of looting, instead saying he was filming as a public service for a future video. Paul said, "We filmed everything we saw in an effort to share our experience and bring more attention to the anger felt in every neighborhood we travelled through; we were strictly documenting, not engaging."[143] On June 4, 2020, Paul was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly, both misdemeanor charges, for being in the mall during the riot.[144] On August 5, 2020, Paul's Calabasas mansion was raided by theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In a statement to theLos Angeles Times, the FBI stated, "The FBI is executing a federal search warrant at a residence in Calabasas in connection with an ongoing investigation." On the same day, the charges were dismissed without prejudice; the Scottsdale Police Department said it was "in the best interest of the community" and would allow a federal criminal investigation to be completed.[145] Paul also explained in a now-deleted video that the raid was "completely related to the looting controversy."[146] In August 2021, it was reported Paul would not face federal charges over the incident.[147][148]
Sexual assault allegations
On April 9, 2021, a video was released byTikTok personality Justine Paradise, who alleged that Paul forced her intooral sex and touched her without her consent during an incident at the Team 10 House in 2019. Paul responded to the accusations, saying, "Sexual assault accusations aren't something that I, or anyone should ever take lightly, but to be crystal clear, this claim made against me is 100% false."[149][150] In a later video, Paradise stated she received harassment and death threats over the accusation.[151]
On April 22, 2021, an article about Paul inThe New York Times featured a second accusation by model and actress Railey Lollie. Lollie, who had started working for Paul at 17, alleged that Paul would call her "jailbait" and had groped her at one point.[152][153]
SEC fine for undisclosed cryptocurrencies sponsorship
In March 2023, Paul was among eight celebrities charged by theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with violating investor protection laws by promoting cryptocurrencies without disclosing that they had been sponsored to do so. He settled the charges for over $400,000 without admitting or denying the claims.[154][155]
Personal life
Paul has Irish, Welsh, Jewish, French and German ancestry.[156][157] Paul has a net worth of approximately $17–30 million.[158] In January 2022,Forbes reported that Paul made approximately $38 million from boxing in 2021, making him the 46th highest paid athlete in the world for that period.[159]
Paul began dating fellow American YouTuber and internet personalityTana Mongeau in April 2019.[160] In June 2019, the couple announced that they were engaged, although many fans and commentators did not believe that the engagement was legitimate.[161] On July 28 of that year, Paul and Mongeau exchanged vows inLas Vegas.InTouch later reported that the couple had not obtained amarriage license prior to the ceremony and that the officiant was also not licensed by the state ofNevada.[162] As a result, the marriage was not legally binding.[162][163]BuzzFeed News reported that Paul and Mongeau left the ceremony separately.[164] The ceremony, which was available onpay-per-view for $50,[160] was recorded byMTV for the showNo Filter: Tana Mongeau.[160][163] On an episode of the show, Mongeau stated that the ceremony was something "fun and lighthearted that we're obviously doing for fun and for content."[160] The couple announced their break-up in January 2020.[165]
On April 3, 2023, Paul and Dutchspeed skaterJutta Leerdam publicly confirmed being a couple after the two had gotten in touch via Instagram a few months earlier.[166]
It was reported on February 11, 2025, that Paul recently discovered that his maternal grandmother was Jewish, making him Jewish according to Jewish law.[171]
^abcPaul, Jake (December 31, 2016).Draw My Life – Jake Paul. Event occurs at 0:46.Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. RetrievedAugust 13, 2017 – via YouTube.My parents made it roughly in 1996. Nine months later, I was born on January 17, 1997, in Cleveland, Ohio. My parents named me Jake Joseph Paul, and I was a savage from day one.