Who is Jake Paul? Vine star to YouTube controversy and boxing career

Jake Paul is one of YouTube’s most recognized – and most controversial – names. The younger brother of the notorious Paul siblings, with older brother Logan Paul he’s become one of YouTube’s largest characters.

The vlogger grew up on Vine, moved over to YouTube, and became an icon who had his own Disney Channel show, Bizaardvark. But odd behavior and the content in his videos made him a colorful character for his often young audience.

Today, he’s been through fake love and fake marriages, and now spends much of his time challenging celebrities to boxing matches around the world, as well as a burgeoning music career.

Here’s everything you need to know about Jake Paul, the younger brother of Logan Paul.

Jake Paul facts

How old is Jake Paul?

The YouTuber seems to have been around for decades, given his ubiquity and the multiple reinventions he’s gone through, but Jake Paul is 27 years old.

Paul was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 17, 1997. He dropped out of school when he became famous on Vine, then moved over to YouTube, which has propelled his career as a celebrity and boxer.

How tall is Jake Paul?

The numerous boxing weigh-ins that have typified Jake Paul’s career over the last few years have allowed us some insight into Jake Paul’s height.

Standing at 6ft 1in (1.85m), he’s not as tall as his brother.

What is Jake Paul’s net worth?

The supercars in his garage and the garish, expensive clothing Jake Paul wears indicate the YouTuber’s lifestyle and high net worth. By one estimate, the youngster is worth $11.5 million.

Where does Jake Paul live?

Until recently, Jake Paul lived in a massive, $7 million mansion in the Calabasas hills. Christened the Team 10 House, Paul moved there in 2017 after conflicts with his previous neighbors over his antics while filming content for his YouTube channel.

In 2021, Paul announced in a video he felt he was sick of California and planned to move to Miami – though where he’ll go to, no one yet knows.

How did Jake Paul become famous?

Jake Paul on Vine

Jake Paul joined Vine, the short-form video app that was the precursor to TikTok, in September 2013. Shortly after, he also began posting longer videos on YouTube, starting in May 2014. Eventually, he left Vine after being part of a group of creators who demanded payment from the app for their popularity, focusing his attention on YouTube full-time.

Jake Paul on YouTube and Team 10

After two and a half years of posting on YouTube, Jake Paul launched an entertainment brand he called Team 10. The idea was it would be an influencer marketing agency and management firm for some of the site’s top creators, many of whom would live with Paul in his home.

Over time, a number of the original members of Team 10 left, and the organization is now a shell of its former self.

Jake Paul’s relationship with Logan Paul

The two Paul brothers have frequently bickered and argued, though they have repeatedly made up and reconciled. Some of their disputes have been friendly, though others involve allegations that one or the other has stolen their sibling’s girlfriends.

One of the most controversial moments between them occurred in 2017, when Jake Paul accused his older brother Logan of hooking up with former girlfriend Alissa Violet.

Jake Paul on Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark

The YouTuber joined the cast of Disney Channel show Bizaardvark in 2015, but left in mid-2017 following repeated complaints by his neighbors in Los Angeles about his boorish behavior.

Paul was sued by the company that owned the house, and eventually left it for his Team 10 mansion.

Jake Paul’s FBI raid and arrest

Controversy continues to blight Jake Paul: in the summer of 2020, he filmed himself taking part in protests at an Arizona mall where many shops were looted. Paul was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly in June 2020, though he denied taking part in any looting.

In August 2020, Jake Paul’s home was raided by the FBI, who said it was “filled with a small militia’s worth of weapons.” Following the raid, Paul dismissed “absurd” rumors that had spread about other possible reasons.

Jake Paul’s boxing career

Jake has a boxing record of 9-1, excluding his amateur bout against Deji in 2018, which he also won.

Jake has secured six victories by KO, as well as winning one by split decision and two by unanimous decision.

Jake Paul vs Deji

In August 2018, the younger Paul brother took on the younger brother of UK YouTuber KSI, Deji, in a boxing match at Manchester Arena. Jake Paul won the bout after Deji’s team threw in the towel, ending the match. The bout was Paul’s first boxing match, and triggered an interest that has since continued throughout the second part of his career.

Jake Paul vs AnEsonGib

In January 2020, Jake Paul vs AnEsonGib took place in a standalone event booked by DAZN in Miami. Again, Paul showed his prowess, winning the bout in the first round by knockout after sending the British YouTuber to the canvas twice in short succession. The victory set up another bout, this time against Nate Robinson.

Jake Paul vs Nate Robinson

Jake Paul took on the former NBA star, Nate Robinson, in another boxing match that took place in November 2020, winning the bout by knockout. Paul managed to knock the former basketballer down three times in two rounds, scoring a decisive victory.

Jake Paul vs Ben Askren

Paul upped the ante on his next opponent, former Olympic mixed martial artist Ben Askren. This marked Jake’s first foray into a fight with a pro fighter, retired or not — and it set him up for another major win on his record.

Paul knocked out Askren in the first round of their April 2021 bout. According to Jake, the fight allegedly generated $65 million.

Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley

Jake’s next biggest challenge would be his bout against former five-time UFC champ Tyron Woodley, which took place in 2021. This fight had all kinds of trash-talk leading up to clash night — including a hilarious bet between the two opponents that would have Woodley getting ‘I love Jake Paul’ tattooed on himself if he lost.

Although it’s uncertain if Woodley actually kept his promise, Jake ended up taking yet another victory over the seasoned combat sports vet, winning the bout by split decision after going the full eight rounds.

Paul, however, wasn’t pleased with the commission’s ruling and wanted his knockout… which he got in their eventual rematch just months later.

Paul secured a rematch against Fury; and in December 2021, he got his long-awaited KO, knocking Woodley out in the sixth round to finally settle the score.

Jake Paul vs Anderson Silvia

SHOWTIME Sports

In October 2022, Jake Paul had the biggest fight of his career thus far — stepping into the ring with Brazilian MMA star Anderson Silva was a high point of Jake Paul’s boxing record for some time.

While ‘The Problem Child’ predicted he’d finish the fight by stoppage before the end of the fifth round, 47-year-old Silva managed to keep up and take it the distance.

The decision went to the officials after eight intense rounds — with Jake ultimately taking the win by unanimous decision.

Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury

After multiple delays and issues, Jake Paul finally stepped into the ring against Tommy Fury in February of 2023. Paul had nearly fought Tommy Fury twice prior to the actual fight. However, when the two did finally step in the ring together, Jake was served his first loss in his boxing career.

Judges awarded Fury victory via scorecards, with a 74-75 for Paul and 2x 76-73 for Fury, resulting in an overall victory for the former Love Island star. After taking the loss against Fury, Paul’s rematch clause has come into effect, meaning the boxers will see a rematch sometime down the line.

Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz

Jake Paul battled with former UFC contender Nate Diaz on August 5, 2023, in a ten-round pro boxing match in Dallas, Texas. He showcased considerable improvements to his boxing, particularly his left hook.

In round five, Paul knocked Diaz down with a powerful left hook, delivering the best punch of the night. By this point, Paul was well in front on the scorecards and just needed to last the distance. He did just that — even when Diaz eventually turned it on in the final stages of the fight.

In the end, Paul celebrated a hard-fought victory that helped re-establish his career as a professional boxer following his defeat against Tommy Fury earlier in 2023. He won via unanimous decision (97-92, 98-91, 98-91).

Jake Paul vs Andre August

Off the back of his bout with Diaz, ‘The Problem Child’ went up against 10-1 professional boxer Andre August for one of the toughest fights in his career on December 15.

However, Paul ended up facing the challenge with ease, defeating his opponent by KO in the very first round, sending August to the floor.

Jake Paul vs Ryan Bourland

Continuing on his path to becoming “boxing world champion”, Jake Paul took on former Gold Gloves champion Ryan Bourland on March 2 for his first fight of 2024 as the co-main event of Amanda Serrano vs Nina Meinke.

The veteran cruiserweight held an impressive 17-2 professional record heading into the fight but was still no match for the YouTuber, who added another TKO to his record with a first-round stoppage after absolutely smashing Bourland.

Jake Paul’s dating history

Alissa Violet

Jake Paul’s love life has never been far from the headlines. His first prominent relationship as a star was with fellow Vine creator Alissa Voilet. Things ended badly between the pair though, as Violet said she was mentally abused and that the relationship was almost faked for content.

Tana Mongeau

Paul “married” fellow YouTuber Tana Mongeau at a Las Vegas wedding, access to the livestream of which was sold online to fans. It’s never really been clear how serious the relationship was, but in Late 2019, Tana confirmed it was over. There was speculation that Jake had cheated on her with ex Erika Costell, but this was apparently an innocent meeting to clear the air.

Julia Rose

The “marriage” was short-lived, and in 2020 Jake Paul was dating MTV reality star Julia Rose, who recently was arrested for altering the Hollywood sign to read “Hollyboob”.

Jutta Leerdam

Although she’s been in a few of Jake’s pics and videos up until this point, Jake and Jutta went official after she appeared in an episode of his podcast on April 27, 2023.

According to Jake and Jutta, they’d been attempting to keep their relationship lowkey, but the paparazzi got to them first, and they ended up breaking the news via Instagram on April 3.

Jutta Leerdam is a 25-year-old professional speed skater and world champion from the Netherlands, who won her first major title at the 2017 World Junior Championships in Finland. She’s clinched three world titles since then, is considered the reigning sprint European champion, and is an Olympic medalist.

Jake Paul’s music career

As well as a successful career on YouTube, Jake Paul has released a number of diss tracks to further online conflicts with fellow creators. Perhaps the best known is “It’s Everyday Bro”, which when released in 2017 went platinum because of its success on streaming platforms.

Paul has since released a number of singles that have failed to chart worldwide, despite racking up significant views on YouTube.