Introduction of Ryan Higa
Ryan Higa, born on June 6, 1990, in Hilo, Hawaii, is a prominent American YouTuber, actor, and entrepreneur. He gained widespread recognition through his YouTube channel, nigahiga, which became one of the most subscribed channels on the platform during its peak. Known for his comedic skits, lip-sync videos, and parodies, Higa’s content resonated with a global audience, making him a trailblazer in the early days of YouTube.
Ryan Higa’s channel, nigahiga, was the most subscribed channel on YouTube for over 675 consecutive days from 2009 to 2011. He was also the first person to reach the milestones of 2 million and 3 million subscribers on the platform. As of 2024, the channel boasts over 23 million subscribers and more than 4.3 billion views.
Who is Ryan Higa
Ryan Higa, also known by his YouTube username nigahiga, is an American content creator, comedian, actor, entrepreneur, and streamer. He was one of the first major YouTube stars and played a huge role in shaping the platform during its early years.
Early Life
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Born: June 6, 1990
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Hometown: Hilo, Hawaii, USA
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Ethnicity: Japanese-American
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Education: Attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), majoring in nuclear medicine (though he didn’t complete the degree).
Ryan initially began posting videos with his friend Sean Fujiyoshi to entertain friends and family. Their early content consisted of comedic lip-sync videos and skits.
Ryan Higa on wiki

Category | Details |
Full Name | Ryan Higa |
YouTube Name | nigahiga |
Date of Birth | June 6, 1990 |
Place of Birth | Hilo, Hawaii, USA |
Ethnicity | Japanese-American |
Education | Studied nuclear medicine at UNLV (did not complete) |
Languages Spoken | English, some Japanese |
YouTube Start Year | 2006 |
Initial Content | Lip-syncing, comedy skits with Sean Fujiyoshi |
Famous Early Videos | “How to be Ninja”, “How to be Gangster”, “How to be Emo” |
YouTube Milestones | – First to reach 2M and 3M subs- Most subscribed (675 days) |
Subscribers (2025) | Over 23 million |
Total Views (2025) | Over 4.3 billion |
Active Years on YouTube | 2006–2020 (regular uploads), occasional posts later |
Podcast | Off the Pill Podcast (launched 2018) |
Podcast Guests | Jeremy Lin, Andrew Yang, KevJumba, others |
Twitch Channel | Started streaming in 2020 (games like Valorant, reaction content) |
Music Parody Group | BgA (Boys Generally Asian) |
BgA Members | Ryan Higa, David Choi, Justin Chon, Jun Sung Ahn, Philip Wang |
Hit BgA Songs | “Dong Saya Dae”, “Who’s It Gonna Be” |
Short Film | Agents of Secret Stuff (2010) with Wong Fu Productions |
Book Title | Ryan Higa’s How to Write Good (2017) |
Book Themes | Humor, storytelling, bullying, depression |
Business Ventures | – Ninja Melk (energy drink)- TeeHee App (discontinued) |
Ninja Melk Launch Year | 2019 (co-founded in 2016) |
Net Worth (2025 est.) | ~$10 million |
YouTube Earnings (2025) | ~$10,000–$15,000/month from legacy content |
Other Revenue Sources | Sponsorships (Lenovo, Audible, Honey), Merchandising |
Merch Website | gianthugs.com |
Awards – Shorty |
Best in Humor (2012), YouTube Comedian (2016), YouTuber of the Year (2019)
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Awards – Streamy | Personality (2013), Entertainer (2014), Comedy (2015) |
Teen Choice Awards | Choice Male Web Star (2015–2019) |
Notable Traits | Clean humor, fast-paced editing, DIY-style production |
Personal Interests | Anime (especially Naruto), mental health, sustainability |
Cultural Impact |
Early Asian-American YouTube pioneer; role model for minority creators
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Ryan Higa Parents & Siblings

Family Member | Name | Relationship | Details |
Father | Wendell Higa | Father |
Ryan’s father; details about his profession are not publicly disclosed.
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Mother | Luci Higa | Mother | Ryan’s mother; occasionally appears in his videos. |
Brother | Kyle Higa | Older Brother | Born on October 31, 1986; a radiologist residing in Las Vegas. |
Early Life and Sibling Dynamics
Ryan and his brother Kyle were both involved in judo from a young age. Kyle excelled in the sport, often outperforming Ryan in competitions. Despite this, Ryan persisted and earned a black belt, though he humorously recalls being referred to as “the younger Higa, not the good one” by their sensei. This sibling rivalry fueled Ryan’s determination and work ethic.
Ryan Higa Relationship
1. Tarynn Nago (2006–2010)
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Background: Tarynn Nago was a fellow YouTuber and co-founder of the nigahiga channel.
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Relationship: They dated from 2006 to 2010.
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Current Status: Tarynn married Larson Oliva in 2018.
2. Andrea Thi (2010)
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Background: Andrea Thi is an actress and singer.
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Relationship: Ryan and Andrea dated briefly in 2010.
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Current Status: There is no public information about their current relationship.
3. Arden Cho (2015–2020)
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Background: Arden Cho is an actress and singer, best known for her role on Teen Wolf.
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Relationship: Ryan and Arden began dating in 2015.
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Public Announcement: In March 2019, Ryan confirmed their relationship in a YouTube video titled “Revealing My Not-So-Secret GF.”
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Breakup: They reportedly broke up in 2020.
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Cheating Rumors: After their breakup, rumors circulated that Ryan had cheated on Arden. Ryan addressed these rumors on Twitter, stating, “I did not cheat on Arden at any point throughout our relationship.”
Ryan Higa Age
Ryan Higa was born on June 6, 1990, in Hilo, Hawaii, making him 34 years old as of June 6, 2025. His zodiac sign is Gemini .
Ryan Higa Height & Weight
Ryan Higa Biography

Ryan Higa, born on June 6, 1990, in Hilo, Hawaii, is a groundbreaking YouTuber, comedian, actor, and entrepreneur who rose to fame through his innovative and humorous online videos. He launched his YouTube channel, nigahiga, in 2006, initially sharing lip-sync and parody videos that quickly gained a massive following. His unique style of comedy, characterized by clever sketches and relatable humor, propelled him to become one of the most subscribed YouTubers globally, holding the top spot for over 675 consecutive days between 2009 and 2011. Ryan’s videos, such as “How to be Ninja” and “Nice Guys,” became viral hits, amassing millions of views and earning him widespread recognition.
Beyond YouTube, Ryan has diversified his career by exploring music, podcasting, acting, and business. In 2016, he co-founded the parody K-pop group Boys Generally Asian (BgA), whose satirical songs gained notable popularity on music charts. He also launched the podcast Off the Pill, where he engages in candid conversations on a variety of topics, showcasing his versatility beyond comedy. Ryan has appeared in films such as Tell Me How I Die and Finding ‘Ohana, expanding his presence in mainstream media. Additionally, he ventured into entrepreneurship by co-founding the energy drink brand Ninja Melk and launching merchandise lines, further solidifying his status as a multifaceted entertainer.
Despite his success, Ryan has been open about facing creative burnout and mental health challenges, especially as the pressures of constant content creation weighed on him. His willingness to step back, reflect, and adapt has allowed him to reinvent his career, including embracing Twitch streaming to connect with fans in real-time. Today, Ryan Higa remains an influential figure in digital entertainment, admired for his creativity, authenticity, and resilience in navigating the evolving landscape of online media.
Conclusion
Ryan Higa’s journey from a small-town YouTuber to a global digital entertainer showcases the power of creativity, adaptability, and authenticity. Through his pioneering content, diverse ventures, and openness about personal challenges, he has inspired millions around the world. Ryan continues to evolve with the changing digital landscape, proving that true success lies not just in fame, but in staying true to oneself and embracing growth.
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