Biography
Kai Cenat is a popular American YouTuber, streamer, social media star, and musician, best known for his comedic live streams and videos. With a massive following across multiple platforms, he has become one of the wealthiest streamers of his generation. As of 2025, he is the fourth most-followed Twitch streamer, boasting 16.2 million followers, and holds the title of the most-subscribed streamer on the platform. He is also a member of the streamer collective Any Means Possible (AMP).
Profile
- Name: Kai Cenat
- Birth name: Kai Carlo Cenat III
- Birthday: December 16, 2001
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Height: 175 cm
- Instagram: @kaicenat
- Twitter: @KaiCenat
Fun Facts
- Before dominating Twitch, Kai Canet built his fanbase on social media platforms like YouTube with hilarious pranks and challenges.
- Kai Cenat owned a clothing line called Mafia Worldwide Clothing.
- Kai Cenat collaborated with a Barack Obama impersonator during a February 2022 live stream.
- Kai Cenat completed an epic challenge whereby he live streamed uninterrupted 24/7 for 30 consecutive days.
- Kai Cenat stars in commercials for McDonald’s and T-Mobile (the latter alongside Snoop Dogg) and is the first streamer to partner with Nike.
Career
Early Ventures on YouTube (2018-2021)
Kai Cenat embarked on his content creation journey by launching his YouTube channel, uploading his first video on January 13, 2018. His initial foray into the platform saw him focusing on genres popular at the time: pranks and challenges. This early content, characterized by his “funny, relatable content” and “natural comedic timing,” quickly helped him stand out among a crowded field of aspiring creators.
A significant catalyst in his early career was joining the YouTube collective Any Means Possible (AMP). Discovered by fellow Bronx-born YouTuber Fanum, Cenat became an integral part of AMP, regularly appearing in the group’s videos. AMP, known for its real-life challenges, prank videos, and gaming content, provided Cenat with a collaborative environment and a broader platform, significantly expanding his reach and visibility within the YouTube community.
Ascent on Twitch (2021-Present)
In February 2021, Cenat strategically expanded his digital footprint by migrating to Twitch, a platform that would soon become the cornerstone of his record-breaking success. On Twitch, he diversified his content, broadcasting a mix of gaming sessions, notably GTA Online, and engaging “Just Chatting” segments that included reaction content. His approach to streaming was innovative; he treated it like “live entertainment,” transforming his “Just Chatting” streams into experiences akin to “unscripted reality TV”.
In 2023, Cenat’s month-long “Mafiathon” subathon helped him become the most-subscribed Twitch streamer of all time, peaking at 306,621 subscribers. He signed with United Talent Agency, won another “Streamer of the Year” award, and was named one of Rolling Stone’s 20 Most Influential Creators. He also collaborated with IShowSpeed on a Rumble-exclusive show and appeared in Offset’s music video. Forbes ranked him 44th on its Top Creators list, estimating his earnings at $4.7 million. He later broke his own viewership record when Nicki Minaj appeared on his stream.
In 2024, Cenat became the first streamer to sign with Nike, collaborated with Beta Squad for a charity soccer match, and ranked #1 on Rolling Stone’s Most Influential Creators list. Forbes later estimated his earnings at $8.5 million. His second “Mafiathon” broke Twitch records with 728,535 subscribers, featuring major celebrities like Lil Uzi Vert, Snoop Dogg, Serena Williams, and Kevin Hart.
As of 2025, he is the second most-followed streamer on the platform, with 17.6 million followers. His subscriber numbers have consistently shattered records, particularly during his “Mafiathon” events. For instance, his stream with Kevin Hart and Druski in June 2024 set a North American record with 712,600 peak concurrent viewers , while his Mafiathon 2 concluded with an unprecedented 728,535 active subscribers.
Personal Life
Background and Upbringing
Kai Cenat was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to Caribbean parents: his mother from Trinidad and Tobago and his father from Haiti. Raised primarily by his mother, he grew up alongside three siblings: his twin sister Kaiya, older brother Devonte, and younger brother Kaleel. His father was mostly absent during his childhood but reconnected with him in 2022, maintaining a respectful but distant relationship.
Kai Cenat attended Frederick Douglass Academy for high school, graduating in 2019. He later enrolled at the State University of New York at Morrisville to study business administration but dropped out in 2020 due to difficulties managing both his studies and content creation career.
His Caribbean heritage and New York upbringing, specifically being a “Bronx-born YouTuber” , provide a rich cultural tapestry that likely informs his comedic style, use of slang, and ability to connect with a diverse, urban audience. The linguistic innovations attributed to him, such as popularizing “Rizz” and “Gyatt” , may well be influenced by this vibrant environment.
Influence on Internet Culture
Kai Cenat has contributed to the rise of viral internet slang, including “rizz” – short for “charisma,” meaning charm or attractiveness, and “gyat,” a term derived from “Goddamn” used to describe someone with a prominent figure. In 2023, “rizz” was named Oxford’s Word of the Year, while “gyat” was nominated for the American Dialect Society’s Word of the Year.
Twitch Suspensions
Kai Cenat has faced multiple bans from Twitch since he started streaming, with reasons ranging from accidental exposure to explicit content (2021) to violating Twitch’s drug policies (2023). His longest ban lasted 30 days in 2022 after making a comment interpreted as a threat. His fifth ban in August 2023 stemmed from explicit simulated activity while streaming GTA V.
Union Square Incident
On August 4, 2023, Kai Cenat and Twitch streamer Fanum organized a spontaneous giveaway event in Union Square, Manhattan, offering PlayStation 5 consoles and gift cards. The gathering quickly escalated into chaos as thousands of attendees flooded the area, leading to riots, property damage, and police intervention. Kai Cenat was arrested and charged with rioting, inciting a riot, and unlawful assembly. However, in May 2024, charges were dropped in exchange for an apology and $57,000 in restitution.
Magician Stunt Controversy
During Mafiathon 2 on November 26, 2024, magician Max Major performed a stunt simulating a hanging, which sparked backlash. Kai Cenat later claimed that Max Major had misled his team about the nature of the act and refused to apologize. As a result, Kai Cenat banned all future magician performances from his streams.
Connections and Relationship
Kai Cenat has built strong relationships with some of the biggest names in music, sports, and entertainment. From collaborating with rap stars like Lil Uzi Vert and Quavo to entertaining audiences alongside Bill Nye and The Jabbawockeez, his humor and charisma have made him a favorite among celebrities and fans alike.
As of December 2024, Kai Cenat confirmed he is dating fellow social media personality and TikTok star Gabrielle Alayah. Cenat shared details of their relationship during a livestream on December 15, 2024, revealing they met in Manhattan and had their first date at a movie theater. He expressed that Alayah brings him peace and a sense of purpose, a sentiment echoed when she appeared on his stream to celebrate his 23rd birthday. This public confirmation positions them as a notable “social media power couple”.
Net Worth
CelebrityNetWorth places his net worth at approximately $14 million. Forbes reported his earnings as $4.7 million in 2023 and projected $8.5 million for 2024 (as of October 2024).
His primary revenue sources include Twitch subscriptions, lucrative brand endorsements with major companies like Nike, McDonald’s, and T-Mobile, various sponsorships, and a content deal with the streaming platform Rumble. Notably, even specialized content like his “sleep streams” were reported to generate significant monthly income, around $23,280 in early 2023.
