Joey Graceffa

Joseph Michael Graceffa Jr. (; born May 16, 1991) 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, while the second features video gaming content. he graduated from Marlborough High School in 2009. 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.

Career

2007–2013: YouTube and The Amazing Race In 2007, at age 16, Graceffa began uploading videos to the WinterSpringPro YouTube channel, with his high school friend Brittany Joyal. In 2009, he started posting videos on his own channel, called, Joey Graceffa. In 2013, he joined the StyleHaul YouTube network. 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. 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. He also has more than 3.9 million Twitter followers and more than 5.5 million Instagram followers.

In 2013, Graceffa and fellow YouTube personality Meghan Camarena were contestants on The Amazing Race 22. 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." The two later teamed up again to compete in The Amazing Race: All-Stars.

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

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

In late 2013 and early 2014, Graceffa starred in his own web series titled Storytellers. 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.

In 2014, Graceffa starred in his own short film titled Eon. 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. He won "Best Male Actor in a Dramatic Web Series" at the 2014 Streamy Awards for his portrayal of Hunter Crowley in Storytellers. Graceffa was named by Common Sense Media as one of "10 YouTube Stars Your Kids Love".

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.

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. 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. Graceffa confirmed on YouTube on May 18, 2015, that he is gay. 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."

On May 19, 2015, Graceffa released a memoir titled In Real Life: My Journey to a Pixelated World, published by Keywords Press. 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. His book was a New York Times Best Seller on the "celebrities" list in July 2015 and the cover was updated to acknowledge this achievement.

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

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". On June 7, 2017, Crystal Wolf Co released their Summer Solstice Collection with new jewelry and including the Crystal nail polish for the overall Summer Collection.

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. On June 22, 2017, Graceffa started, starred, and uploaded the first episode his YouTube Premium web series Escape the Night 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. 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, 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. His book was a New York Times Best Seller on the "Young Adult Hardcover" list in the week of October 23, 2016.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Personal life Graceffa is gay and was in a relationship with Daniel Preda from 2014 to 2020.

On August 8, 2024, Graceffa announced he had been diagnosed with skin cancer.

Filmography

Film 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 2016Children of Eden Ash Short film; also served as writer and producer. 2017 The Space Between Us Student

Television Year Title Role Notes 2015 Huge on the Tube Himself Episode: "Joey Graceffa" 2015 Influencer Journeys Himself 2013–2014 The Amazing Race Himself Season 22 (11 episodes), Season 24 (4 episodes)2025Escape the Night: The Lost TapesThe Savant: as well as director and showrunnerMiniseries on Tubi: continuation and conclusion of original webseries

Web 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 episodesAlso 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 vs. Joey Graceffa"

Discography

Extended plays Panem's Best (2012) Good Songs (2014) Cheese Is Creamy (2015) Kingdom (2019)

Singles