Net Worth Ranker
What Is Devon Aoki’s Net Worth?
Devon Aoki, a prominent figure in both the modeling and acting worlds, has accumulated a substantial net worth estimated at $30 million. This financial success is a result of her diverse career, spanning high-fashion modeling, impactful film roles, and appearances in music videos. While specific details regarding the breakdown of her net worth are not publicly available, it is derived from her earnings across various ventures.
Early Career and Modeling Success
Born on August 10, 1982, in New York City, Devon Edwenna Aoki spent her formative years in Malibu, California. Her father, Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, founded the Benihana restaurant chain, while her mother, Pamela, was a jewelry designer. Devon’s early exposure to diverse cultural influences shaped her path. She has Japanese ancestry on her father’s side and English and German on her mother’s. While specific financial details regarding her upbringing are not public, the success of the Benihana chain undoubtedly contributed to her family’s wealth.
Aoki’s modeling career began at the young age of 13 after being introduced to Kate Moss, and in 1997 she debuted on the runway. At 16, she replaced Naomi Campbell as the face of Versace. Aoki’s modeling career quickly gained momentum, and she became a sought-after face for high-end brands. She has walked the runway for Chanel, Balenciaga, and Comme des Garçons. While the exact figures for her early modeling contracts remain private, landing such prominent roles at a young age signifies significant earnings potential. Becoming the face of Versace, in particular, likely came with a lucrative contract and boosted her overall net worth.
Throughout her modeling career, Devon Aoki has been featured in numerous advertising campaigns, representing brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Hugo Boss, Lancome, L’Oreal, Tiffany & Co., and Kenzo. She has also graced the covers of several international fashion magazines, including “Cosmo Girl” (Korea), “Russh” (Australia), “10 Magazine” (Australia), “Her World” (Malaysia), “Voce” (Japan), and “Harper’s Bazaar” (Japan). She also appeared in Vogue editions for Germany, Japan, Korea and Russia. The financial details of these campaigns and magazine appearances are not fully disclosed, but such extensive work for top-tier brands contributes significantly to her income. Runway work for designers such as Versace, Oscar de la Renta, Celine, Marc Jacobs, Baby Phat, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Diane von Furstenberg would also add substantially to her earnings as a model.
In 2007, Aoki expanded her creative endeavors by designing a collection for Levi’s Asian market called Levi’s +D. The collection included vintage-inspired swimwear and denim. While specific sales figures and revenue generated from this collaboration are not publicly available, it represents another avenue through which she augmented her income and increased her net worth. The collaboration was specifically targeted to the Asian market. Aoki’s return to the runway in 2017 for a Moschino fashion show, along with advertising campaigns for Sephora x Moschino and Hugo Boss, marked a resurgence in her modeling career. These high-profile appearances further solidified her status and contributed to her financial earnings. In 2018, she walked the runway for Jeremy Scott, appeared in an American “Vogue” editorial, and starred in campaigns for Swarovski, Moschino Fragrance, and Nordstrom. These various campaigns and editorials highlight her continued relevance and ability to command substantial fees within the fashion industry. Furthermore, in 2019, Devon was featured in the “Bazaar Icons” issue of “Harper’s Bazaar,” photographed by Mario Sorrenti, further cementing her status as a fashion icon.
Acting Career and Film Roles
Devon Aoki transitioned into acting with her debut in the 2003 comedy “Death of a Dynasty,” a satire of the hip-hop music industry. While this role may not have been a major financial windfall, it marked the beginning of her film career and opened doors for future opportunities. Later that year, Aoki secured a supporting role in the action sequel “2 Fast 2 Furious,” starring Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Eva Mendes, and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. Aoki played Suki, the only female racer, driving a pink Honda S2000. This role significantly raised her profile and likely came with a more substantial paycheck compared to her earlier work. Exact salary details for “2 Fast 2 Furious” are not public, but the film’s success would have contributed positively to her earnings that year.
In 2004, Devon landed a larger role in the action comedy “D.E.B.S.,” starring alongside Sara Foster, Jordana Brewster, and Meagan Good. Following this, Aoki played Miho, a martial arts expert, in the film “Sin City,” based on the Frank Miller graphic novel. This iconic role further cemented her status as a versatile actress capable of handling action-oriented parts. The financial success of “Sin City” and the popularity of her character would have also led to increased earnings and opportunities. Exact salary figures for “Sin City” are not publicly available, but her prominent role suggests a significant contribution to her net worth.
In 2006, Devon Aoki took on a leading role in the martial arts action film “DOA: Dead or Alive,” alongside Christie Allen, Tina Armstrong, Jaime Pressly, and Holly Valance. She also appeared in the superhero comedy “Zoom” starring Tim Allen, Chevy Chase and Courteney Cox. Also in 2006, Aoki was in “Friendly Fire,” a music video compilation film that accompanied Sean Lennon’s album. Securing lead roles demonstrates increased earning potential and recognition within the film industry, thus increasing her net worth. In 2007, Devon was in the Jet Li and Jason Statham action thriller “War,” and in 2008, she had a main role in the science-fiction horror film “Mutant Chronicles,” based on the role-playing game. The specific salaries for these films are not publicly disclosed, but they represent continued work in the industry and contribute incrementally to her income. Another lead role came in the 2009 independent film “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead.” She also appeared in the documentaries “Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer” and “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” about her half-brother, DJ Steve Aoki. These roles collectively contributed to her acting income and enhanced her overall net worth.
Music Video Appearances and Other Ventures
Devon Aoki’s involvement in music videos has added another dimension to her career and income. In 1997, she appeared in the music videos for Duran Duran’s “Electric Barbarella” and Primal Scream’s “Kowalski.” In 2003, she was in the music videos for Ludacris’ “Act a Fool” and Ginuwine’s “In Those Jeans.” Subsequent appearances have been in Sean Lennon’s “Dead Meat,” The Killers’ “Bones” and “Just Another Girl,” and Fergie’s “M.I.L.F. $.” Although the fees for music video appearances are generally less than those for film roles, they contribute to her overall earnings. In 2018, Devon was in the video for her half-brother’s song “Waste it on Me,” featuring South Korean boy band BTS. While the financial specifics of this project are not known, it would have provided an additional stream of income and increased her visibility to a wider audience.
Devon Aoki married James Bailey in 2011. While focusing on motherhood, she announced her retirement from full-time film acting. Although she stepped back from acting, her previous work and ongoing modeling endeavors continue to contribute to her financial stability and net worth. Her financial choices show a level of income security. In 2018, she and Steve Aoki co-chaired the Red Cross Gala in San Francisco. This further highlights her involvement in philanthropic endeavors and her public persona.
Listed by “Marie Claire” as one of the 15 supermodels of the 2000s who “changed the face of fashion,” Devon Aoki has achieved significant recognition. Although this accolade doesn’t directly translate to monetary value, it reflects her influence and enduring presence in the fashion industry, which indirectly contributes to her continued earning potential and overall net worth. Aoki’s current net worth, estimated at $30 million, reflects her successful career and strategic decisions. Her diverse portfolio of work, from modeling to acting to music videos, has enabled her to accumulate substantial wealth and maintain a prominent position in the entertainment industry.
