Erika Costell

Erika Michaelanne Costell is an American internet personality, model, and entrepreneur who rose to prominence through her association with the influencer collective Team 10. Born in Toledo, Ohio, she built a career in modeling before transitioning into social media stardom. Her public profile expanded significantly after joining the Team 10 house in 2017, where she gained visibility through collaborations with high-profile YouTubers.

Today, she operates as an independent business owner and content creator. While she initially gained traction through swimwear and fitness photography, she has successfully pivoted to entrepreneurship by launching her own activewear brand, Akire Sport. Her career reflects a shift from traditional modeling contracts to building a personal brand ecosystem that includes music releases and lifestyle vlogging. [edit]

Erika grew up in Toledo, Ohio, where she developed a deep fascination with fashion and performance early on. Before entering the professional world, she spent eleven years as a cheerleader, a discipline that required significant dedication and physical training. This athletic background provided a foundation for her later work in fitness modeling. She graduated from high school in 2011 and enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University to study business administration, a choice that would prove instrumental in her future entrepreneurial ventures.

Her entry into the modeling industry began at age 16 when manager Larry Murdock took her to a photo shoot. The experience sparked a professional interest that led to representation by major agencies including Wilhelmina International, DAN Talent Group Inc., and Ideal Fit Models. During these formative years, she focused on swimwear, lingerie, and fitness photography, building a portfolio that showcased her athletic physique. She balanced her education with early modeling gigs, eventually deciding to leave university to pursue social media full-time after being recruited by Jake Paul's team in 2017. [edit]

The trajectory of Erika Costell's career shifted dramatically in July 2017 when she joined Team 10, an influencer marketing agency founded by Jake Paul. This affiliation served as a massive launchpad, providing her access to a built-in audience and high-visibility projects. She appeared frequently in videos produced by the group, which accelerated her follower growth across Instagram and YouTube. In 2018, she launched her own YouTube channel, leveraging the momentum from her Team 10 days to build a standalone audience interested in lifestyle vlogs and fashion hauls.

Beyond content creation, Costell ventured into the music industry, releasing singles like Chitty Bang and Karma, complete with official music videos. A pivotal moment arrived in 2020 when she founded Akire Sport, her own activewear clothing line. This move marked her transition from a digital creator dependent on platform algorithms to a business mogul managing her own inventory and brand identity. By 2021, Forbes recognized her as a 'mogul in the making,' highlighting her successful pivot to independent business ventures following her departure from the Team 10 dynamic. As of 2026, she continues to operate her e-commerce brand while maintaining a presence on social platforms. [edit]

Costell cultivates an image centered on the 'influencer lifestyle,' characterized by aesthetic-focused content, travel, and fitness routines. Her social media voice is casual yet polished, often blending product promotions with behind-the-scenes glimpses of her daily life. She is known for her fitness-oriented physique, which aligns with her modeling roots and activewear brand. Media perception of her has evolved from a figure associated with viral drama to a serious entrepreneur managing her own fashion label. Her content tone remains light and engaging, avoiding heavy political or controversial topics in favor of relatable lifestyle advice. [edit]

Erika Costell does not hold a current position in the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, as the engine has not yet collected sufficient data to place her in the Top 1,000. She was not featured on the September 2026 iFAMOUS Rankings flagship list. Despite this absence from formal rankings, she retains a dedicated following that actively engages with her content across multiple platforms.

Her supporters are generally referred to as fans of Team 10 or individual followers of her social media channels rather than a branded fandom group. There is no specific name for her fanbase, though they are known for their active participation in TikTok challenges and support for her clothing brand launches. Interactions typically involve comments on Instagram posts and engagement with her music releases. Unlike some celebrity fanbases, hers lacks organized large-scale campaigns or charity drives, relying instead on organic engagement with her lifestyle content. [edit]

Erika was a dedicated cheerleader for eleven years during her childhood and teenage years, a fact that often surfaces in discussions about her fitness background. She studied business administration at Middle Tennessee State University, a degree that directly informed her strategy for launching her clothing line. Fans often notice her consistent use of the butterfly emoji on social media profiles, which became a signature part of her online aesthetic. Her music video for Karma features a distinct visual style that diverges from standard vlog content, showcasing her interest in artistic direction. She has also been open about the psychological toll of living in influencer houses, noting in interviews that such environments can be detrimental to mental health despite their commercial value. [edit]

Erika comes from a family that includes a half-brother named JC and two half-sisters named Morgan and Dani. She maintains a relatively private life regarding her immediate household, focusing her public attention on her business and creative projects. Her upbringing in Toledo shaped her work ethic, instilling values that she now applies to running Akire Sport. While she keeps her personal relationships low-key, she has occasionally shared stories about her close bond with her siblings and her parents, who supported her early modeling ambitions. [edit]

Jake Paul, Alissa Violet, Team 10 members, Larry Murdock. [edit]

Erika Costell's romantic history is dominated by her highly publicized connection to YouTuber Jake Paul. Their relationship began as a source of speculation in 2017, with reports suggesting it was fabricated for promotional purposes. However, they officially started dating in April 2018, appearing together on the Team 10 tour and sharing moments on social media. The couple announced their breakup in November 2018, ending a relationship that lasted approximately seven months. Reports confirm there were no children born from their time together. Despite the initial controversy surrounding the authenticity of their romance, they remained a focal point of internet culture discussions throughout 2018. Following the split, Costell moved away from the Team 10 house dynamic to focus on her own career.

As of 2026, Erika Costell is reported to be single. While search queries frequently ask about a husband, there is no public record of a marriage or a confirmed long-term partner since her split from Jake Paul. She maintains a low profile regarding her current private relationships, focusing instead on her business ventures and social media presence. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Erika Costell's net worth at approximately $3 million. This figure reflects her diverse income streams, which include earnings from modeling contracts, YouTube ad revenue, and brand endorsements. A significant portion of her wealth is tied to the valuation of Akire Sport, her activewear brand founded in 2020. Unlike many influencers who rely solely on sponsorship deals, her financial structure includes equity in a physical business, providing a more stable baseline. Estimates suggest her wealth has grown steadily since 2021 as her brand expanded its product lines and customer base. No major lawsuits or financial scandals have been reported that would negatively impact this valuation. [edit]