Ryan Higa Net Worth

What Is Ryan Higa Nigahiga’s Net Worth?

Ryan Higa, widely recognized as Nigahiga on YouTube, has cultivated a substantial career as an American YouTube personality, actor, comedian, and producer. His net worth is estimated at $10 million. This financial standing is the result of his diverse ventures in online content creation, acting roles, and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Early Life and Education

Born on June 6, 1990, in Hilo, Hawaii, Ryan Higa’s early life provided the foundation for his future success. He attended Waiakea High School, where he participated in wrestling, demonstrating his athletic abilities. Higa graduated in 2008, marking the end of his secondary education. He furthered his studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), initially pursuing a degree in nuclear medicine. During his time at UNLV, Higa also showcased his martial arts skills in Judo, achieving the rank of black belt. Ultimately, he decided to leave university to focus on his burgeoning career in creating online videos.

YouTube Career: Nigahiga and Content Creation

Ryan Higa’s career trajectory is significantly shaped by his YouTube channel, “Nigahiga,” which he launched with friends Sean Fujiyoshi, Tim Enos, and Tarynn Nago (collectively known as “The Yabo Crew”). Initially, Higa and Fujiyoshi started creating YouTube videos in mid-2006, while still students at Waiakea High School. These early videos featured the duo lip-synching to popular songs. Over time, they expanded their content beyond music, incorporating various comedic skits and segments. Friends occasionally appeared as guests, enhancing the variety of their content. Two of their most popular videos, “How to Be Gangster” and “How to Be Emo,” faced temporary removal due to copyright issues on Christmas Eve 2008 but were later restored in late August 2009, only to be removed again shortly thereafter. In August 2009, they released a 26-minute short film titled “Ninja Melk,” showcasing their creative storytelling abilities. Another short film, “Agents of Secret Stuff,” was released in November 2010, featuring guest appearances from other notable online personalities such as Smosh, D-GTrix, Hiimrawn, and KassemG.

The impact of Higa’s YouTube comedy videos is demonstrated by the fact that they have garnered over 3.8 billion views. As of August 2018, his YouTube channel “Nigahiga” boasted over 21 million subscribers, highlighting his broad appeal and influence within the online community. Notably, his channel held the distinction of being the most subscribed on YouTube for 677 consecutive days, from 2009 to 2011, underscoring its consistent popularity and reach.

In 2015, Ryan Higa established the Ryan Higa Production Company, based in a studio in Henderson, Nevada. This venture allowed him to further develop and produce a wider range of content. Additionally, in 2016, Higa formed a parody K-pop group called Boys Generally Asian (BgA) in collaboration with David Choi, Philip Wang, Jun Sung Ahn, and Justin Chon. Their debut song, “Dong Saya Dae,” quickly accumulated around 16 million views on YouTube, demonstrating their ability to capture audience attention. Their second single, “Who’s It Gunna Be,” reached the top spot on the K-pop charts, highlighting their success in the music realm. Ryan Higa left the group in 2018 to move to California and pursue a degree in engineering.

Acting Career and Film Ventures

Ryan Higa’s career extends beyond YouTube into the realms of film and television. He collaborated with director and producer Richard Van Vleet to create his first official feature-length film, “Ryan and Sean’s Not So Excellent Adventure,” which premiered to sold-out theaters in California and Hawaii and was released on DVD in July 2009. He also made a guest appearance on “Supah Ninjas,” portraying the character DJ Elephant Head. In 2016, he appeared in the horror film “Tell Me How I Die.” In 2021, he starred in the Netflix film “Finding ‘Ohana.” These roles reflect his versatility as an entertainer and his ability to transition between different media platforms.

Business Ventures and Entrepreneurial Activities

Higa’s entrepreneurial pursuits include the creation of Victorious Inc., which launched an app called “TeeHee” in April 2015. However, the app was discontinued in April 2017 after two years of operation. In 2017, Higa published his memoir, “Ryan Higa’s How to Write Good,” offering insights into his creative process and experiences. In 2016, Ryan co-founded the LLC Ninja Melk with Kyle Schroeder and Kathleen Hahn. They launched an energy drink in May 2019, which took three years to develop. To promote the drink, they created a stop-motion short film in October 2019, which he posted on his “nigahiga” YouTube channel.

Income Sources and Earnings

Ryan Higa’s $10 million net worth comes from diverse income streams, including:

• YouTube Ad Revenue: His primary income source is derived from ad revenue generated through his YouTube channel “Nigahiga”. With billions of views and millions of subscribers, the channel attracts significant advertising revenue. Actual figures can vary significantly based on ad rates, view counts, and engagement metrics, but it is reasonable to assume that “Nigahiga” generates hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through this source alone.
• Acting Roles: Higa’s involvement in films such as “Tell Me How I Die” and “Finding ‘Ohana,” as well as his guest appearance on “Supah Ninjas,” contribute to his earnings. Income from acting roles can vary substantially based on the size and nature of the role.
• Production Company Revenue: The Ryan Higa Production Company, established in 2015, generates income through the production of various content pieces. Specific revenue figures for the company are not publicly available.
• Merchandise Sales: Although specific figures are not available, Higa’s brand likely benefits from the sale of merchandise.
• Energy Drink Venture: As a co-founder of Ninja Melk, Higa earns from the sales of the energy drink, which launched in May 2019.
• Book Sales: Revenue from his memoir, “Ryan Higa’s How to Write Good,” contributes to his overall income.

Personal Life and Relationships

Ryan Higa’s personal life has seen its share of changes. He was in a relationship with Tarynn Nago for several years before they parted ways in 2010. As of the current writing, Higa is in a relationship with actress Arden Cho.