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Joey Graceffa
Graceffa at VidCon 2014
Personal information
Born
Joseph Michael Graceffa Jr.

(1991-05-16) May 16, 1991 (age 33)
Marlborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupations
  • YouTuber
  • actor
  • author
  • producer
Websitejoeygraceffa.com
YouTube information
Channels
Years active2007–present
Genres
  • Vlogging
  • gaming
  • how-to
  • DIY
Subscribers
  • 9.39 million (main)
  • 2.81 million (gaming)
  • 868 thousand (vlog)
  • 60.5 thousand (react)
Total views
  • 2.1 billion (main)
  • 705.5 million (gaming)
  • 132.8 million (vlog)
  • 4.2 million (react)
Associated acts
100,000 subscribers2012
1,000,000 subscribers2013
Last updated: November 4, 2023

Joseph Michael Graceffa Jr. (/ɡrəˈsɛfə/; born May 16, 1991)[1] is an American YouTuber, vlogger, actor, author, and producer. He runs four active YouTube channels, all named after him. His main channel is dedicated to vlogging,[2] while the second features video gaming content.[2] The third is for daily vlogs, and the fourth is a react channel. His channels have a combined total of more than 2.9 billion views. He was a contestant on the 22nd and 24th seasons of The Amazing Race, and has appeared in a handful of short films as well as creating and hosting Escape the Night, a partially-scripted web series, distributed by YouTube via its paid-subscription service YouTube Premium. He appears in all four of the seasons with several other YouTubers, including Liza Koshy, Shane Dawson, Meghan Camarena, Colleen Ballinger, and Rosanna Pansino.

Early life and education

[edit]

Graceffa was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the son of Debbie O'Connor and Joe Graceffa. He has two siblings, an older sister named Nicole and a younger half brother named Jett, who has autism, through his mom and his stepfather, Bob. Graceffa endured hardships with his mother when she resorted to alcohol to cope with troubles in her life. These started when Graceffa was around 12 years old. According to his book In Real Life,[3] he graduated from Marlborough High School in 2009.[4] He had originally applied to Emerson College but was rejected. Graceffa enrolled at Fitchburg State College intending to major in film, but left after one year.[5]

Career

[edit]

2007–2013: YouTube and The Amazing Race

[edit]

In 2007, at age 16, Graceffa began uploading videos to the YouTube channel WinterSpringPro, with his high school friend Brittany Joyal.[3][6][7] In 2009, he started posting videos on his own channel, called, Joey Graceffa. In 2013, he joined the StyleHaul YouTube network.[8] Graceffa posts regular vlogs on his channel. As of April 2022, he has gained over 9.4 million subscribers and more than 2.1 billion total views on his main YouTube channel alone.[9] On a second YouTube channel focusing on his gaming, he has more than 2.6 million subscribers and over 620 million views, for a total of over 2.6 billion views.[10] He also has more than 3.9 million Twitter followers[11] and more than 5.5 million Instagram followers.[12]

In 2013, Graceffa and fellow YouTube personality Meghan Camarena were contestants on The Amazing Race 22.[13][14] The two made it to the tenth leg before being eliminated. Graceffa told an interviewer that "There were a lot of bad times but it was definitely good overall. It was an amazing experience, and I'd love to do it again."[15] The two later teamed up again to compete in The Amazing Race: All-Stars.[16]

In October, 2013, Graceffa filmed a video about his car being towed.[17] Comedian Nate Clark filmed a response video that was viewed more than 4 million times.[18]

2013–2015: Films, In Real Life and other projects

[edit]
Graceffa at Vidcon in 2014

In late 2013 and early 2014, Graceffa starred in his own web series titled Storytellers.[19][20] The project was funded by Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns that Graceffa ran himself. They raised over $140,000 and $30,000, respectively, though reports continue into 2018 that some of the project backers have not received their perks or rewards for backing the project.[21][22]

In 2014, Graceffa starred in his own short film titled Eon.[23] The same year Graceffa also starred in Ethereal alongside Joey Pollari. Throughout 2012 to 2014, Graceffa was in various BlackBoxTV short films. He was also a part of the Fine Brothers online series MyMusic throughout 2013 and 2014. Graceffa was nominated for two awards at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards.[24] He won "Best Male Actor in a Dramatic Web Series" at the 2014 Streamy Awards for his portrayal of Hunter Crowley in Storytellers.[25] Graceffa was named by Common Sense Media as one of "10 YouTube Stars Your Kids Love".[26]

In March 2015, Graceffa starred in an episode of the CONtv reality television project Fight of the Living Dead, created by fellow YouTube personality Justine Ezarik.[27][28]

On May 16, 2015, Graceffa released a song with an accompanying music video titled "Don't Wait". It is an unconventional fantasy fairytale story featuring goblins, a witch, and a prince.[29] The video ends with Graceffa, dressed as a prince, kissing his male co-star, Daniel Preda. By October 2016, it had received more than 24 million views.[30][31] Graceffa confirmed on YouTube on May 18, 2015, that he is gay.[32] Graceffa stated that the reason he waited so long to come out online was because "there was a lot of hesitation to come out online because of growing up in my town: It wasn't acceptable to be gay; it was looked down upon." He also went on to state that after coming out, "I definitely feel more open and free with who I am, and I think that's inspired a lot of other people to also do the same and have come out to their friends and family."[33]

On May 19, 2015, Graceffa released a memoir titled In Real Life: My Journey to a Pixelated World, published by Keywords Press.[34] In the book, he discusses being bullied and feeling lonely in school, his mother's alcoholism, his younger brother's autism, the beginnings of his YouTube career and his road to self-acceptance, among other topics.[35][36] His book was a New York Times Best Seller on the "celebrities" list in July 2015[37] and the cover was updated to acknowledge this achievement.[38]

2016–present: Escape the Night, books, and other endeavors

[edit]

On February 14, 2016, Graceffa announced that he has been in a relationship with Daniel Preda since July 2014 in a video titled "OUR LOVE STORY!".[39][40]

On June 21, 2016, Graceffa announced in his YouTube video, titled "I HAVE A SURPRISE!", that he's starting a crystal-based jewelry line called "Crystal Wolf".[41][42] On June 7, 2017, Crystal Wolf Co released their Summer Solstice Collection[43] with new jewelry and including the Crystal nail polish[44] for the overall Summer Collection.[45]

On June 22, 2016, Graceffa started, starred, and uploaded the first episode of a YouTube Premium mini-web series called Escape the Night with other YouTubers like Shane Dawson, Eva Gutowski, Glozell Green, Oli White, Timothy DeLaGhetto, Andrea Brooks, Matthew Haag, Justine Ezarik, Sierra Furtado, and one Viner/YouTuber, Lele Pons. The first episode has over 24,000,000 views.[46] On June 22, 2017, Graceffa started, starred, and uploaded the first episode his YouTube Premium web series Escape the Night's season 2. The season stars himself and includes Liza Koshy, Alex Wassabi, Lauren Riihimaki, DeStorm Power, Gabbie Hanna, Jesse Wellens, Andrea Russett, Tyler Oakley, and Tana Mongeau.[47] On June 21, 2018, Graceffa released the first episode of the third series of Escape The Night, starring Graceffa, Nikita Dragun, Teala Dunn, Safiya Nygaard, Manny MUA, Roi Wassabi (Guava Juice), Rosanna Pansino, JC Caylen, Matthew Patrick, and Colleen Ballinger. On July 11, 2019, Graceffa released the first episode of the fourth season of Escape The Night, starring Graceffa, Rosanna Pansino, Alex Wassabi, Timothy DeLaGhetto, DeStorm Power, Justine Ezarik, Tana Mongeau, Colleen Ballinger, Gabbie Hanna, Bretman Rock, Nikita Dragun, Matthew Patrick, and Liza Koshy.

On October 4, 2016, Graceffa, along with co-author Laura L. Sullivan, released a young adult novel titled Children of Eden, published by Keywords Press.[48] The book follows a Second child named Rowen, who is marked with death due to Eden's population control and recklessly escapes for an adventure after sixteen years of hiding.[48] His book was a New York Times Best Seller on the "Young Adult Hardcover" list in the week of October 23, 2016.[37] Critics have not been universally positive, although Rachel Hyland of Geek Speak Magazine wrote, "Graceffa knows a lot about YA dystopian conventions, and they are all present and accounted for here. This is by no means a bad thing — an enjoyable romp through this genre doesn't necessarily require too much divergence (no pun intended) from the established norms — but it is worth noting that most everything in his Eden has pretty much happened before, in one way or another. Still, it is fun to see just how those ever-trusty elements are put together, and there is a nice twist on the almost essential love triangle that is actually pretty awesome."[49]

On January 6, 2017, Graceffa announced that he would be playing an extra in the full-length feature film, The Space Between Us. The movie originally released in the United States on February 3, 2017, follows a teenage boy (Asa Butterfield), born on Mars, who travels to Earth. After uniting with his long-distant friend (Britt Robertson), the duo soon form a new relationship with each other.

On May 16, 2017, Graceffa announced in his YouTube video, titled "MOST INSANE BIRTHDAY SURPRISE EVER!" the sequel to his young adult novel Children of Eden.[48] The sequel, entitled, Elites of Eden,[50] follows an Elite and a lilac-haired girl – Yarrow and Lark. When these two girls discover the thread that binds them together, the collision of memories means that their lives may change drastically – and that Eden may never be the same. Rowan - captured by the government, her fate is uncertain.[51]

In a YouTube video uploaded on May 16, 2018, Graceffa's 27th birthday, he announced the release of the final book in his "Children of Eden" series, Rebels of Eden. It went on sale on October 2, 2018.[52][53]

In a YouTube video uploaded to Graceffa's main channel on July 12, 2020, Graceffa and Preda announced that they had split after six years of dating.[54][55]

Personal life

[edit]

Graceffa is openly gay and was in a relationship with Daniel Preda from 2014 to 2020.[56]

On August 8, 2024, Graceffa announced he had been diagnosed with skin cancer.[57][58][59]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Eon Drifter Short film; also served as producer
2014 Ethereal Zane Short film; also served as executive producer
2014 Haunting Ian Ian Short film; also served as writer and executive producer
2014 Storytellers Hunter TV mini series; also served as writer and executive producer
2016 Absolute Peril Jake Short film
2016 Children of Eden Ash Short film; also served as writer and producer.
2017 The Space Between Us Student

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2013–2014 The Amazing Race Himself Season 22 (11 episodes), Season 24 (4 episodes)
2015 Huge on the Tube Himself Episode: "Joey Graceffa"
2015 Influencer Journeys Himself

Web

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2012–2014 BlackBoxTV Various 4 episodes
2013–2014 MyMusic Vampire Temp Recurring role; 6 episodes
2013 Storytellers Hunter Crowley Main role; 6 episodes
Also executive producer, writer, and co-creator
2015 Fight of the Living Dead Himself Episode: "Pilot"
2016 Children of Eden Ash Short film; also served as writer and producer
2016–2019 Escape the Night The Savant/Himself Host; YouTube Premium series
2017 Haters Back Off Himself Episode: "my 1rst bae"
2018 Spellslingers Himself Episode: "Day[9] vs. Joey Graceffa"

Discography

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album Ref.
UK D/L
[61] 		UK Indie
[62]
"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"
(solo or duet with Luke Conard) 		2012 — — Non-album singles [63]
"Kiss You"
(solo or duet with Luke Conard) 		2013 — — [64]
"Anna Sun" — — [65]
"Story of My Life"
(with Luke Conard) 		— — [66]
"Collar Full" 2014 — — [67]
"Silver Lining" — — [68]
"Don't Wait" 2015 64 7 [69]
"Kingdom" 2018 — — Kingdom [70]
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart or was not released to that country.

Bibliography

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Nominated Award Result
2014 Teen Choice Awards Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Male Nominated
Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Gaming Nominated
Streamy Awards Best Male Actor in a Dramatic Web Series – Storytellers Won
Best Drama Series - Storytellers Nominated
2015 Teen Choice Awards Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Male Nominated
Streamy Awards Best Lifestyle Series Nominated
2016 Teen Choice Awards Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Male Nominated
Streamy Awards Best Ensemble Cast - Escape The Night Won
2017 Shorty Awards Best Web Series - Escape The Night Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Famous Birthdays Today, May 16: Megan Fox, Joey Graceffa, Janet Jackson, Pierce Brosnan, Kelly Hyland, Tori Spelling". Yareah Magazine. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Joey Graceffa". YouTube. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Marlborough teens are a hit on YouTube". Wicked Local. October 29, 2009. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  4. ^ "Marlborough High School Class of 2009". MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA.
  5. ^ Graceffa, Joey (February 11, 2013). "Draw My Life – Joey Graceffa". YouTube.com. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  6. ^ Blattberg, Eric (December 26, 2014). "Meet the YouTube 1 percent". Digiday. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  7. ^ Later renamed Winterspringpro100, the channel has been inactive since 2011. "WinterSpringPro". YouTube. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  8. ^ "YouTube Star Joey Graceffa Joins StyleHaul". Tubefilter. December 20, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  9. ^ Graceffa, Joey. JoeyGraceffa, YouTube, accessed January 9, 2016
  10. ^ Graceffa, Joey. JoeyGraceffa, YouTube, accessed January 9, 2016; and Graceffa, Joey. "Joey Graceffa", YouTube, accessed January 9, 2016.
  11. ^ Graceffa, Joey. Joey Graceffa, Twitter, accessed January 9, 2016
  12. ^ Graceffa, Joey. JoeyGraceffa, Instagram, accessed January 9, 2016
  13. ^ "YouTube personality Joey Graceffa to compete in 'The Amazing Race'". Hypable. January 23, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ CBS. "The Amazing Race – Meet Joey and Meghan". YouTube.com. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  15. ^ "'Amazing Race': Joey and Meghan on Their Elimination". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  16. ^ "Amazing Race 24: All-Stars Cast". CBS. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  17. ^ "YouTube Star Gets Totally Owned". HuffPost. October 24, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  18. ^ "Famous YouTuber Gets Towed, Throws A Hissy Fit. Guy Who Towed Him Makes Devastating Response Video". UPROXX. October 23, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  19. ^ Wilken, Selina (August 28, 2014). "Featured web series: Storytellers is high-tension, imaginative storytelling". Hypable. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  20. ^ Varrati, Michael (February 5, 2014). "Storytelling with a Superstar: A Conversation with Joey Graceffa". The Video Ink. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  21. ^ "Storytellers: The Series". Kickstarter. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  22. ^ "Storytellers". Indiegogo. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  23. ^ Patel, Sahil (July 17, 2014). "Joey Graceffa Stars in New Short Film 'Eon'". The Video Ink. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  24. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly. "Teen Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  25. ^ "Winners Announced for the 4th Annual Streamy Awards". Streamys.org. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  26. ^ Knorr, Caroline (September 4, 2014). "10 YouTube Stars Your Kids Love". Common Sense Media. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  27. ^ Vejoda, Jim (March 11, 2015). "Fight of the Living Dead Trailer Debut". IGN. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  28. ^ Beard, Lanford. "iJustine Previews Zombie Reality Competition Fight of the Living Dead". People. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  29. ^ Pittman, Taylor. "YouTube Star Joey Graceffa Comes Out As Gay In Magical Music Video", The Huffington Post, May 18, 2015
  30. ^ Graceffa, Joey (May 16, 2015). "Don't Wait – Official Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  31. ^ DeSimone, Evan. "Joey Graceffa Comes Out In New Music Video". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved May 17, 2015.; and Lord, Emma. "Joey Graceffa Came Out In His Music Video For "Don't Wait," And It Is Basically the Millennial Fairy Tale We've All Been Waiting For". Bustle. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  32. ^ Graceffa, Joey. Graceffa stated that he planned on coming out through his book, but decided to be more open to his whole audience rather than only the people who purchased the book. "Yes I'm Gay", YouTube, May 18, 2015
  33. ^ Nelson, Jeff. "YouTube Star Joey Graceffa on Coming Out: 'I Felt Like I Was Hiding Such a Big Part of My Life'". People. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  34. ^ a b "In Real Life - Joey Graceffa". JoeyGraceffa.com. Keywords Press. October 14, 2016. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018.
  35. ^ "Authors: Joey Graceffa". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  36. ^ Laurence, Emily. "Joey Graceffa comes out as gay in new memoir", Metro International, May 19, 2015; Kowalski, Kristine Hope. "Joey Graceffa Shares How He Found Self-Acceptance", Twist magazine, May 19, 2015
  37. ^ a b "Best Sellers - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  38. ^ "Joey Graceffa on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  39. ^ "Our Love Story!". YouTube. February 14, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  40. ^ Pearl, Diana (February 14, 2016). "YouTube's Joey Graceffa Introduces His Boyfriend for the First Time". People. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  41. ^ "I Have A Surprise!". YouTube. June 21, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  42. ^ "Crystal Wolf". Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  43. ^ "Summer Solstice Collection". crystalwolf. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  44. ^ "Crystal Polish". crystalwolf. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  45. ^ "Shop All". crystalwolf. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  46. ^ Weiss, Geoff (October 17, 2016). "YouTube Red Renews Joey Graceffa's 'Escape The Night' As Service Reports Steady Growth". tubefilter. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  47. ^ Spangler, Todd (May 25, 2017). "YouTube Red's 'Escape the Night' With Joey Graceffa Season 2 Adds Tyler Oakley, Liza Koshy, Other Digital Stars to Cast". Variety. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  48. ^ a b c d "Children Of Eden - Joey Graceffa". JoeyGraceffa.com. Keywords Press. October 13, 2016. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018.
  49. ^ Hyland, Rachel. "BOOK REVIEW: Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa". Geek Speak Magazine. Archived from the original on October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  50. ^ a b Graceffa, Joey (2017). Elites of Eden. Atria/Keywords Press.
  51. ^ Graceffa, Joey. "Elites of Eden book". JoeyGraceffa.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017.
  52. ^ "I CAN FINALLY TELL YOU..." YouTube. May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  53. ^ a b Geoff Weiss (May 17, 2018). "Joey Graceffa Unveils Conclusion To 'Eden' Book Trilogy, With Hopes Of Film Franchise". Tubefilter. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  54. ^ "we broke up". YouTube. July 12, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  55. ^ Cohen, Jess (July 13, 2020). "YouTube Stars Joey Graceffa and Daniel Preda Break Up After 6 Years Together". E!online. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  56. ^ ""YES I'M GAY" by Joey Graceffa – My Coming Out Video". sites.psu.edu.
  57. ^ "YouTuber Joey Graceffa has been diagnosed with skin cancer". www.unilad.com. August 9, 2024.
  58. ^ "YouTuber Joey Graceffa shares skin cancer diagnosis". www.nbcnews.com. August 9, 2024.
  59. ^ "YouTuber Joey Graceffa Shares Skin Cancer Diagnosis". www.eonline.com. August 9, 2024.
  60. ^ "THE TRIBUTES - PANEMS BEST!". YouTube. April 2, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  61. ^ Peak positions on the UK Singles Downloads Chart:
  62. ^ Peak positions on the UK Independent Singles Chart:
  63. ^ "iTunes - Music - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Single by Luke Conard & Joey Graceffa". iTunes. August 18, 2012.
  64. ^ "iTunes - Music - Kiss You - Single by Luke Conard & Joey Graceffa". iTunes. January 21, 2013.
  65. ^ "iTunes - Music - Anna Sun - Single by Joey Graceffa". iTunes. June 2013.
  66. ^ "iTunes - Music - Story of My Life - Single by Joey Graceffa & Luke Conard". iTunes. December 28, 2013.
  67. ^ "iTunes - Music - Collar Full - Single by Joey Graceffa". iTunes. February 13, 2014.
  68. ^ "iTunes - Music - Silver Lining - Single by Joey Graceffa". iTunes. March 26, 2014.
  69. ^ "iTunes - Music - Don't Wait - Single by Joey Graceffa". iTunes. May 12, 2015.
  70. ^ "Spotify - Kingdom Album". Spotify. February 14, 2019.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Graceffa JM (2015), In Real Life: My Journey to a Pixelated World. New York: Atria/Keywords Press. ISBN 978-1476794303
  • Graceffa JM (2016), Children of Eden: A Novel. New York: Atria/Keywords Press. ISBN 978-1501146558
  • Graceffa JM (2017), Elites of Eden: A Novel. New York: Atria/Keywords Press. ISBN 978-1501174537
[edit]
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