Josh Richards Biography: TikTok Star & Entrepreneur

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Introduction

Josh Richards is a Canadian digital powerhouse—an influencer, entrepreneur, actor, and investor—who shot to fame through TikTok and has since built a business empire. Widely recognized for his energetic content, lip-sync videos, dance skits, and comedic presence, Josh leveraged social media stardom into multiple ventures, such as his talent management company, Ani Energy drink, a production house, and even venture capital investments.

At a young age, Richards became one of the highest-earning TikTok creators, but perhaps more impressively, he used that platform as a springboard into serious business and entertainment. With his go-getter mindset and multiple revenue streams, Josh Richards represents the next generation of creator-entrepreneurs.

Early Life and Education

Full Name, Birthdate & Birthplace

Family Background

Josh grew up in Cobourg, Ontario, a small town near Toronto. Vanity Fair+1 He is the oldest of three children, with two younger siblings. Wikipedia+1 His early family life infused a strong work ethic: his parents believed in his entrepreneurial spirit and supported his ambitions. Vanity Fair

Childhood and Schooling

Josh attended high school in Ontario, but he dropped out later to fully pursue his content creation career. Wikipedia He has described his siblings and his parents as influential in his life, particularly during his adolescent years as he built his following. world-celebs.com

Early Interests

From a young age, Josh showed a strong entrepreneurial streak:

  • At 13, he launched a hockey merchandise company called “Berserk Hockey.” Famous People Today+1
  • He was also interested in social media, technology, and performance, eventually posting on Musical.ly, which later became TikTok. Sportskeeda

Career

How Josh Richards Started His Career

Josh’s early online presence began on Music.ly (predecessor to TikTok). By age 14, he was producing lip-sync and comedy content, and his charisma quickly caught on. Sportskeeda From there, he built momentum: in 2019, his TikTok following exploded, helping him gain mainstream recognition. famecop.com+1

Rise to TikTok Fame

  • On TikTok, Josh created skits, dance videos, and lifestyle content that resonated strongly with Gen Z. Wikipedia+1
  • His massive reach helped him become one of the fastest-growing creators early in the TikTok boom. Sportskeeda
  • He joined the Sway House, a creator collective in Los Angeles, which elevated his visibility and provided collaborative content opportunities. Famous People+1

Founding TalentX Entertainment

In 2020, Josh co-founded TalentX Entertainment, a talent management company tailored to influencer talent. Wikipedia+1 He became the first artist signed to his own company, demonstrating his entrepreneurial drive. Wikipedia

Music and Media

  • He signed a record deal with Warner Records, expanding into music. Wikipedia
  • Released a diss track titled “Still Softish” (with Bryce Hall). Sportskeeda
  • Acting roles:
  • Launched his production company, CrossCheck Studios, which focuses on Gen Z–oriented content. Wikipedia
  • Signed a first-look deal with Amazon via CrossCheck. Wikipedia

Business Ventures & Investing

  • Ani Energy: Josh co-founded this low-calorie energy drink with fellow creators. Sportskeeda+1
  • Venture Capital / VC: He is involved in a $15 million fund, aiming to invest in startups, especially those appealing to his generation. Vanity Fair
  • Triller: He served as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for a time. Sportskeeda
  • Animal Capital: Through his startup fund, Richards invests and supports new businesses. Vanity Fair

Podcasting

Josh co-hosts the “BFFs” podcast with Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports, discussing social media, business, and lifestyle topics. Wikipedia

Personal Life

Relationships

Josh’s romantic life has been in the public eye:

  • As of 2023–2024, he has been linked with Gabi Moura, a social media creator. People.com
  • In earlier years, he was rumored to have dated other influencers, though these relationships remain less publicly confirmed. world-celebs.com

Hobbies & Interests

Josh is not just about content creation—he has a variety of passions:

  • Entrepreneurship: He enjoys building companies and investing.
  • Fitness and sports: Reflecting his early hockey interest.
  • Media production: Through his studio, he shapes digital content.
  • Socializing: Known for a vibrant social life.

Personality Traits

Fans and peers describe Josh as:

  • Ambitious and business-minded
  • Charismatic and confident
  • Creative and forward-thinking
  • Generationally savvy: understands Gen Z trends
  • Persistent and driven

Awards and Achievements

While not heavily focused on traditional awards, Josh’s achievements include:

  • Becoming one of the highest-paid TikTok stars. Sportskeeda
  • Founding successful companies (TalentX Entertainment, Ani Energy). Scottmax.com
  • Expanding into acting with roles in films. famecop.com
  • Establishing a production house (CrossCheck Studios) with major deals. Wikipedia
  • Launching a venture fund targeting Gen Z startups. Vanity Fair
  • Hosting a popular podcast (BFFs) with Barstool’s Dave Portnoy. Wikipedia

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Estimated Net Worth

Josh Richards’ net worth is estimated between $5 million and $22 million, depending on the source:

  • According to SportsKeeda, ~ $22 million. Sportskeeda
  • Other sources like CelebsMoney estimate around $5 million. CelebsMoney
  • WealthyPipo puts his net worth at around $10 million as of late 2025. wealthypipo.com

Income Sources

  • TikTok and social media sponsorships
  • YouTube content and ad revenue
  • Brand endorsement deals
  • Revenue from Ani Energy
  • Investment returns from his VC fund
  • Production company earnings via CrossCheck
  • Podcast (BFFs) revenue

Lifestyle

Josh lives a high-energy, entrepreneurial lifestyle:

  • Based in Los Angeles for many of his business and content ventures. famecop.com
  • He regularly networks with other creators, investors, and media professionals.
  • He reinvests in his businesses and wallet-savvy ventures rather than just spending on luxury.

Philanthropy / Social Impact

Josh uses his platform for social good in several ways:

  • Through TalentX and CrossCheck, he supports emerging creators and Gen Z content talent.
  • Animal Capital invests in startups, potentially creating economic opportunity for younger entrepreneurs.
  • He has expressed support for social issues including mental health, youth entrepreneurship, and Gen-Z empowerment.
  • Publicly, he has contributed to charitable efforts and shown support for causes important to his generation. (While specific large-scale philanthropy is less documented, these entrepreneurial and mission-driven investments reflect his impact.)

Controversies

Josh Richards’ path has not been without controversy. Here is a neutral overview of the most discussed issues:

  1. Sway House Lifestyle
    • As a member of Sway House, Josh was often linked to party culture and drama among content creators. Sportskeeda+1
    • Some critics argued that the house dynamic exploited young creators, although Josh has since distanced himself to focus on business.
  2. Triller Strategy Role
    • His role as Chief Strategy Officer at Triller drew skepticism about his qualifications versus his social influence. Sportskeeda
    • In some critiques, commentators questioned whether his involvement was largely symbolic or strategic.
  3. Financial Claims
    • Josh has publicly made ambitious claims about his earnings and business potential, which have been questioned by detractors. (E.g., in interviews and media profiles.) Vanity Fair+1
    • His financial disclosures and projections as a VC and entrepreneur have been scrutinized by media.
  4. Workload & Burnout
    • Given his numerous ventures—from content creation to business—some discussions center on the impact of maintaining such a high-velocity lifestyle at a young age.

Despite these controversies, Josh Richards continues to grow his brand and influence, and many of his critics acknowledge his business acumen.

Fun Facts

  • Josh started a hockey merchandise company at age 13, long before social media fame. Famous People Today
  • He co-founded Ani Energy, a low-calorie energy drink now available in major retailers. Famous People Today
  • His CrossCheck Studios was launched in partnership with Mark Wahlberg to produce Gen Z–oriented media content. Vanity Fair
  • He became a venture partner with Remus Capital, entering the VC space at just 18. Vanity Fair
  • Josh has acted in films like Summertime Dropouts and Brother’s Keeper. Sportskeeda
  • He co-hosts the BFFs podcast with Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports. Wikipedia
  • He once said he aims to be a social media billionaire. Vanity Fair
  • Though Canadian by birth, Josh lives in Los Angeles to manage his business and media activities. famecop.com
  • He launched his business ventures while still in his late teens, showing early maturity as an entrepreneur.
  • He uses his platform not only for content but also to invest in startups that align with his generation’s future.

Social Media Presence

Here’s a snapshot of Josh Richards’ social media reach:

Josh uses these platforms to produce a variety of content—vlogs, behind-the-scenes of business, collaborations, and commentary on his entrepreneurial journey.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is Josh Richards’ age?
    • Josh Richards was born on January 31, 2002, making him 23 years old (as of 2025). Wikipedia
  2. How tall is Josh Richards?
  3. What is Josh Richards’ net worth?
  4. Where is Josh Richards from?
    • He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Cobourg. Wikipedia
  5. How did Josh Richards get famous?
    • He began on Musical.ly, transitioned to TikTok, joined Sway House, and grew rapidly through viral content, collaborations, and entrepreneurship. Sportskeeda
  6. What business ventures does Josh Richards own?
    • He co-founded TalentX Entertainment, Ani Energy, and CrossCheck Studios, and is also involved in a venture fund. Wikipedia
  7. Does Josh Richards act?
    • Yes, he has acted in Summertime Dropouts, Brother’s Keeper, and has more media projects in development. famecop.com
  8. What podcast does Josh Richards host?
    • He co-hosts the BFFs podcast with Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports. Wikipedia
  9. Is Josh Richards involved in investing?
    • Yes, he is part of a $15 million VC fund (Animal Capital/Gen Z–focused investing). Vanity Fair
  10. Who is Josh Richards dating?
    • As of 2024–2025, Josh is publicly linked with Gabi Moura, a social media creator. People.com

Conclusion

Josh Richards is more than just a TikTok star—he’s a dynamic digital entrepreneur whose ambition spans content creation, business, investing, and media production. From his early days on Musical.ly to co-founding major ventures like Ani Energy and CrossCheck Studios, he has shown a level of maturity and vision well beyond his years.

What makes Josh influential is his ability to turn virality into a sustainable, diversified career. He continues to be a role model for Gen Z creators, bridging the gap between entertainment and long-term business.

As he builds his brand and expands into new arenas, Josh Richards’ journey is one to watch.

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