Ben Azelart: From Hawaiian Skateboarder to YouTube Sensation – Complete Biography, Net Worth & Career Analysis

Quick Facts About Ben Azelart

This comprehensive biography examines Ben Azelart’s life, career trajectory, personal relationships, financial success, and business ventures, providing readers with an in-depth understanding of how he achieved his status as a global digital phenomenon.

Ben Azelart’s Early Life and Background

Family and Heritage

Ben Azelart was born on January 10, 2002, in Dallas, Texas, to parents Jill and Lionel Azelart. While his early years were spent in Texas, his family made a significant relocation decision that would profoundly influence his future career. At just three years old, Ben moved with his family to Hawaii, where he spent most of his formative years.

His father, Lionel Azelart, worked as a Fleet Captain at Hawaiian Airlines, bringing a sense of structure and discipline to the family. His mother, Jill Azelart, worked as a dental hygienist. The Azelart household was described as upper-middle-class, providing Ben and his older brother Julien with a stable, supportive environment for their childhood development. Julien would later become a social media personality in his own right, occasionally appearing in Ben’s content and launching his own YouTube channel.

Education

Ben attended Kailua Intermediate School in Kailua, Hawaii, where he was exposed to the island’s vibrant culture and extensive outdoor recreational opportunities. The Hawaiian environment, with its emphasis on water sports, skateboarding, and outdoor adventure, proved instrumental in shaping young Ben’s interests and future career path. While specific details about his higher education are limited, sources indicate he attended a private Hawaiian institution for degree studies, though his focus increasingly shifted toward content creation as his online presence expanded.

Childhood Interests and Early Influence

Growing up in Hawaii presented Ben with unique opportunities to develop diverse athletic skills. Beyond skateboarding, he engaged in various water sports including surfing, swimming, and diving—activities that would later become central themes in his YouTube content. The island lifestyle cultivated in Ben an adventurous spirit and comfort with physical challenges, qualities that would distinguish his content from many contemporaries.

Ben Azelart’s Skateboarding Career and Early Athletic Achievements

Professional Skateboarding Background

Before achieving viral fame on YouTube, Ben Azelart was an accomplished competitive skateboarder. He participated in numerous skateboarding competitions throughout his adolescence, demonstrating technical skill and dedication to the sport. Notable competitions included:

• Association of Skateboarders Hawaii – Regional competition circuit

• King of the Groms – Youth skateboarding championship

• Vans US Open (2017) – Major professional skateboarding event

Sponsorships

His success as a competitive skateboarder earned him sponsorship deals with established skateboarding brands, including:

• Predator Helmets – Protective equipment partnership

• Immortal Shoelace – Skateboarding accessories

• DVS Shoes – Professional skateboarding footwear

These sponsorships provided both financial support and legitimacy within the skateboarding community, establishing Ben as a serious athlete rather than merely a casual enthusiast. However, his transition toward content creation would ultimately overshadow his skateboarding career, though he has continued to incorporate skateboarding elements into his YouTube videos.

Ben Azelart’s YouTube Career and Rise to Fame

The Beginning: 2014

Ben Azelart launched his self-titled YouTube channel in 2014, initially posting videos showcasing his skateboarding tricks and Hawaiian lifestyle. These early videos garnered minimal viewership, with some recordings receiving fewer than 100 views. However, Ben remained committed to content creation, recognizing the potential of the platform even as an inexperienced creator.

His early content philosophy emphasized authenticity over commercial appeal. In a recent creator interview, Ben reflected on his approach: “When I started posting content on YouTube, I never did it for the clicks. My focus was just showing people the things I enjoyed doing. I built my YouTube empire off organic content creation.”

Breakthrough and Collaboration (2016-2017)

The turning point in Ben’s YouTube career came through strategic collaboration. Brent Rivera, an established YouTube star, discovered Ben’s content and recognized potential synergy between their audiences. The two began creating content together, initially filming near Huntington Beach, California. This collaboration proved transformative, as videos featuring Ben’s participation began accumulating hundreds of thousands of views.

Following this initial success, Ben transitioned from purely skateboarding content to pranks and money challenge videos, formats that were gaining popularity on the platform. This pivot proved highly successful, attracting significantly larger audiences and accelerating his channel growth.

Content Evolution and Major Success (2017-Present)

By the late 2010s, Ben had established himself as a major YouTube creator known for:

• Prank Videos – Often involving public interactions with unsuspecting subjects

• Challenge Videos – Including financial challenges, physical challenges, and extreme stunts

• Adventure Content – Featuring unconventional experiences and extreme activities

• Collaborative Videos – Featuring fellow creators and celebrities

His most famous video to date, “Cutting Peoples Earphones, Then Giving Them Airpods,” has accumulated over 46 million views, exemplifying the appeal of his content formula.

Current YouTube Statistics (2025)

• Main Channel Subscribers: 40-47 million

• Total YouTube Views: 9.8+ billion cumulative views

• Average Views Per Video: 4.5 million

• Upload Frequency: Consistent weekly uploads

• Engagement Rate: Exceptionally high across all metrics

Secondary YouTube Channels

Ben operates multiple YouTube channels to diversify content and reach different audience segments:

1. Stay Wild – Podcast and vlog content co-hosted with collaborators

2. Stay Wild Reacts – Reaction content from the Stay Wild team

3. Stay Wild Podcast – Audio and video podcast format launched October 2020

These secondary channels significantly augment his overall earnings and expand his brand presence across YouTube’s ecosystem.

Television and Acting Appearances

Entertainment Industry Expansion

Recognizing the value of diversifying his professional portfolio, Ben transitioned into traditional entertainment media beginning in the late 2010s. His status as a major digital celebrity provided access to television and film opportunities unavailable to less established creators.

Notable Television and Film Credits

“Bucket List” (2018) – Reality Web Series Ben starred in this reality series that followed him and his friends as they completed items from their personal bucket lists. The show capitalized on his YouTube audience while establishing him in traditional entertainment formats.

“No Good Nick” Season 2 (2019) – Netflix Series Ben appeared in Season 2 of the Netflix comedy-drama series, introducing him to viewers beyond the YouTube platform and demonstrating his ability to work within traditional scripted entertainment formats.

“America’s Most Musical Family” (2019) – Nickelodeon Nickelodeon recruited Ben to participate in hosting duties for this music competition show. His appearance represented recognition from a major children’s entertainment network and expanded his visibility among younger demographics.

“Brobot” (2019) – Comedy Series Ben appeared in five episodes of this comedy series, building his acting resume and demonstrating range beyond his typical YouTube content.

Additional Credits

• Family Reunion (TV-PG series)

• Chicken Girls (TV-G series)

• Dhar Mann Studios (Behind-the-scenes content)

• Secrets of the Shadows (2024, TV Mini-Series)

These appearances, though secondary to his YouTube work, established Ben as a legitimate entertainer capable of working across multiple platforms and formats—a valuable credential in the entertainment industry.

Ben Azelart’s Personal Life and Relationships

Family and Personal Details

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ben maintains close family ties. His brother Julien Azelart has launched his own successful YouTube channel, and the two have collaborated on content, particularly gaming videos. The Azelart family remains involved in each other’s digital presence, with family members occasionally appearing in Ben’s videos.

Ben is known to be an animal lover, maintaining a dog named Roger, who has become a familiar presence in his home vlogs and lifestyle content.

Romantic Relationships

Lexi Rivera Era (2018-2020)

Ben’s most publicized relationship was with Lexi Rivera, a fellow content creator and member of the influential Rivera family. Lexi, born June 7, 2001, is the sister of YouTube star Brent Rivera. The two met around 2017 through Brent’s production company, Amp Studios, which represented both creators.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ben Azelart (@benazelart)

According to multiple sources, Ben and Lexi did not communicate for approximately six months after their initial meeting, despite mutual attraction. In 2018, they began dating officially, and their relationship became a defining feature of their respective content. Videos featuring the couple generated exceptional engagement, with fans enthusiastically supporting the pairing through fan art, compilations, and dedicated social media accounts.

The relationship lasted approximately two years, during which they appeared together in numerous videos on both channels. However, in November 2020, Lexi posted a YouTube video titled “We Broke Up,” where both Ben and Lexi announced their separation. In the video, they explained that maintaining the relationship while creating content together had become emotionally burdensome. They emphasized that their breakup was mutual and not driven by dramatic circumstances, and they pledged to remain friends moving forward.

Hannah Thomas and Current Relationship (2021-Present)

Following his breakup with Lexi Rivera, Ben began dating Hannah Thomas, an American model and social media influencer. In May 2022, Ben confirmed his relationship with Hannah Thomas in a video collaboration with fellow creator Jordan. Since that public confirmation, the couple has maintained a relatively private relationship compared to his previous relationship with Lexi.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ben Azelart (@benazelart)

Hannah Thomas has developed her own social media presence, with substantial followers on Instagram and TikTok. The couple has appeared together in Ben’s content, though less frequently than Ben and Lexi did during their relationship, reflecting a more privacy-conscious approach.

Engagement

In July 2024, Ben proposed to Hannah Thomas, marking a significant commitment milestone. The couple celebrated with an engagement party in Austria, as documented on Hannah’s YouTube channel. This public engagement announcement reinforced their status as an established couple within the creator community.

As of 2025, Ben and Hannah remain engaged, with ongoing speculation among fans about future wedding plans, though neither has publicly announced specific timelines.

Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship

Stay Wild Podcast and Brand

In March 2021, Ben co-launched the “Stay Wild” podcast, marking his first major business venture beyond YouTube ad revenue. The podcast features Ben alongside friends and fellow creators, discussing their experiences, adventures, and life philosophies. The show is available in both audio and video formats, allowing maximum reach across podcast platforms and YouTube.

The podcast has developed into a multi-platform enterprise, generating revenue through sponsorships, advertisement placements, and integrated branded content. The success of the podcast led to the expansion of the Stay Wild brand across multiple properties.

Stay Wild Merchandise

Recognizing the monetization potential of his personal brand, Ben developed and launched a merchandise line under the Stay Wild brand. The flagship product is a premium hoodie priced at $55, featuring distinctive designs and branding that appeals to his core audience.

The merchandise strategy employs multiple distribution channels:

• Official Website: staywild.co serves as the primary e-commerce platform

• Social Media Promotion: Consistent marketing across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

• Influencer Promotion: Strategic cross-promotion with collaborating creators

This diversification into merchandise represents a standard strategy for major YouTubers, transforming audience loyalty into direct revenue while building brand recognition beyond digital platforms.

Multiple Revenue Streams

Ben’s financial success derives from diversified income sources rather than reliance on a single revenue stream:

1. YouTube Ad Revenue

• Primary income source from main channel

• Secondary channels provide additional ad revenue

• Estimated monthly earnings: $894,000 – $3,000,000

Annual projection: $10.7M – $36M from YouTube alone

2. Brand Sponsorships and Partnerships

• Collaborations with major brands including Netflix, EA Games, Hollister, Disney, and Coca-Cola

• Integration of sponsored products into video content

• Dedicated sponsored videos and series

3. Merchandise Sales

• Stay Wild branded clothing and accessories

• Premium pricing reflecting brand loyalty

• Direct-to-consumer sales model maximizing profit margins

4. YouTube Shorts

• Additional monetization through short-form content

• Growing revenue stream as YouTube expands Shorts Program

5. TikTok Monetization

• 15+ million followers generating direct TikTok creator payments

• Sponsored content on platform

• Driving traffic to primary YouTube channel

6. Instagram Partnerships

• Sponsored posts and brand integrations

• Affiliate marketing arrangements

• Sponsored content campaigns

7. Podcast Sponsorships

• Direct sponsorships for Stay Wild Podcast

• Integrated advertising within podcast episodes

• Premium brand partnerships for audio content

Net Worth Analysis and Financial Standing

Estimated Net Worth Range

Ben Azelart’s net worth presents a significant range depending on the valuation methodology employed:

• Conservative Estimate: $3.93 million

• Mid-Range Estimate: $12.7 – $15 million

• Optimistic Estimate: $23.6 – $25.1 million

Net Worth Calculation Methodology

The variation in net worth estimates reflects different approaches to valuation:

1. YouTube Revenue Calculation

   • CPM (Cost Per Mille) rates vary by content category (typically $2-8 for entertainment content)

   • Estimated monetization rate of 40-50% of total views

   • Monthly earnings multiplied across annual income

2. Asset Valuation

   • Real estate holdings in Los Angeles

   • Vehicle collection

   • Personal brand value

3. Business Asset Value

   • Stay Wild brand and merchandise business valuation

   • Podcast intellectual property

   • Social media accounts and audience

4. Intangible Asset Consideration

   • Social media following valuation

   • Brand recognition and market position

   • Future earning potential

Income Breakdown

Estimated Annual Income: $10.7 – $36 Million

Financial Growth Trajectory

Ben’s financial success has accelerated significantly with platform growth. In December 2024, his main channel alone generated approximately $16,000 – $48,000 daily according to real-time tracking services. This represents an exponential increase from his early career when views numbered in the hundreds.

Social Media Presence and Influence

Platform Statistics (2025)

YouTube

• Main Channel: 40-47 million subscribers

• Secondary Channels: Combined 10+ million subscribers

• Total Views: 9.8+ billion

• Daily Subscribers Growth: 100K-300K

TikTok

• Followers: 15+ million

• Known for short-form challenge and prank content

• High engagement rates on platform

Instagram

• Followers: 4.9+ million

• Content: Lifestyle photos, behind-the-scenes, promotional content

• Engagement: Strong interaction with audience

Snapchat

• Active presence: @BenAzelart

• Used for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and direct audience connection

Content Strategy and Audience Engagement

Ben’s content strategy emphasizes:

• Authenticity: Emphasis on genuine experiences and reactions

• Entertainment Value: High-production challenges and pranks

• Community Building: Regular interaction with audience through comments, live streams, and dedicated segments

• Consistency: Regular upload schedule maintaining audience engagement

• Cross-Platform Promotion: Coordinated content releases across all platforms

Career Achievements and Milestones

YouTube Milestone Timeline

Award Recognition

While specific award nominations are limited in publicly available sources, Ben has achieved recognition through:

• YouTube Play Buttons: Diamond Play Button (for 10M+ subscribers) and other milestone recognition

• Creator Community Recognition: Frequently featured on platform’s creator highlighting initiatives

• Influencer Rankings: Consistently ranked among top YouTubers in entertainment category

Industry Recognition

Ben’s influence extends beyond metrics to actual industry respect. His collaboration opportunities with major brands, television appearances, and mention in industry publications reflect recognition of his marketing value and audience influence.

Controversies and Criticisms

MrBeast Comparison Controversy

As Ben’s content gained prominence in the challenge video space, some observers drew comparisons between his format and that of MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), the mega-creator known for massive budget challenges. Some critics suggested Ben was mimicking MrBeast’s successful formula, though Ben’s content predates MrBeast’s rise to prominence, and both creators developed their styles relatively independently within the challenge video genre.

Production Ethics Discussions

Like many prank and challenge creators, Ben has occasionally faced criticism regarding:

• Participant Consent: Questions about whether all participants in prank videos provided full informed consent

• Safety Considerations: Concerns about physical safety during extreme challenges

• Authenticity: Speculation about whether some content is staged versus genuine

These criticisms are relatively mild compared to controversies facing some contemporaries, and Ben has generally maintained positive audience sentiment.

General Creator Criticisms

As with most high-earning creators, Ben has faced occasional criticism regarding:

• Commercialization: Concerns about extensive product placement and sponsorships

• Content Repetition: Observations that challenge formats can become formulaic

• Authenticity Questions: Speculation about how much content reflects genuine experiences versus performances

These represent typical criticisms directed at successful content creators rather than unique controversies.

Comparison with Similar Creators

Ben operates within a competitive landscape alongside other major entertainment creators. Key comparisons include:

Ben occupies a solid position among top-tier entertainment creators, with substantial audience size and diversified revenue streams comparable to other elite creators.

Future Prospects and Upcoming Projects

Platform Evolution

As YouTube continues evolving with Shorts program expansion and emerging platforms gaining traction, Ben is well-positioned to adapt content across formats. His established presence across multiple platforms provides flexibility to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Business Expansion

Potential future directions for Ben’s ventures include:

• Stay Wild Brand Expansion: Additional merchandise categories beyond hoodies

• Media Production Company: Potential development of production company for other creators

• Podcast Network Expansion: Additional shows under Stay Wild brand

• Television/Film: Potential expansion into traditional entertainment

• Technology Ventures: Possible app or software development

Sustainability Outlook

Ben’s diversified revenue streams position him favorably for long-term sustainability compared to creators relying on single revenue sources. His relatively young age (23) and established brand provide significant runway for continued professional development.

Conclusion

Ben Azelart represents a quintessential example of modern internet celebrity, demonstrating how strategic content creation, business acumen, and audience engagement can transform into substantial financial success and cultural influence. From his origins as a skateboarding enthusiast in Hawaii, Ben built a multi-million-dollar entertainment enterprise spanning YouTube, TikTok, traditional television, podcasting, and merchandise.

His journey illuminates several important aspects of the contemporary digital economy:

1. Platform Adaptation: Success requires adapting content across multiple platforms rather than relying on single channel

2. Business Diversification: Sustainable wealth building requires diversified revenue streams beyond advertising

3. Authenticity Value: Audiences reward genuine, consistent creators over formulaic content

4. Community Building: Long-term success depends on audience relationship cultivation

5. Evolution Over Time: Adaptability to platform changes and audience preferences ensures longevity

With an estimated net worth between $12.7 million and $25.1 million, over 50 million combined followers across platforms, and a demonstrated ability to generate significant annual revenue through diverse channels, Ben Azelart stands among the most successful content creators of his generation. As he continues evolving his content and business ventures into 2025 and beyond, his trajectory will likely influence emerging creators seeking to build sustainable digital entertainment careers.

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