Julie Franke

Julie Franke is an American YouTube personality, best known as one of the six children featured on the family vlogging channel 8 Passengers. The channel, run by her parents Kevin and Ruby Franke, documented the everyday lives of the Franke family and amassed over 2.2 million subscribers before its abrupt end in 2023 following Ruby Franke's arrest for child abuse. As of 2026, Julie and her siblings are living outside the public eye, with some of the older children advocating for stronger legal protections for child influencers. [edit]

Julie Franke was born on January 11, 2009, in Utah, the fourth child of Kevin and Ruby Franke. She grew up in a large family with five siblings: older sisters Shari and Abby, older brother Chad, and younger siblings Russell and Eve. In January 2015, Kevin and Ruby launched the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, a family vlog that quickly attracted a loyal following. Julie made her debut in the channel's second ever video, titled "Meet the Passengers! -Julie," which introduced her to viewers as the shy, quiet middle child. Over the next eight years, she appeared in hundreds of videos, from holiday celebrations to daily routines, growing up on camera alongside her siblings. The channel's content reflected the family's strict, often controversial parenting style, which later drew scrutiny and legal consequences. [edit]

Julie Franke's public career was entirely tied to the 8 Passengers channel, which grew to over 2.2 million subscribers by 2023. The channel's success made the Franke children recognizable faces in the family vlogging space, though Julie herself did not pursue an independent career. Following the arrest and 2024 sentencing of her mother Ruby Franke and former associate Jodi Hildebrandt for child abuse, the channel was taken down. In the aftermath, some of Ruby's children, including Julie's older siblings, testified before Utah lawmakers in February 2025 to support new protections for child actors and influencers. Julie has not appeared in any public content since the channel's closure and is reportedly focusing on her education and private life. [edit]

Julie Franke was known to 8 Passengers viewers as the quiet, observant middle child who often stayed in the background of family videos. Unlike her more outgoing siblings, Julie rarely sought the spotlight, which made her a sympathetic figure among fans. After the channel's collapse, public sympathy for Julie and her siblings grew, with many online communities expressing concern for their well-being. The Franke children have largely avoided social media since 2023, though a few older siblings have spoken out about the negative impact of family vlogging, contributing to a broader conversation about child influencer protections. [edit]

Julie Franke exists in the digital landscape not as a celebrated icon with a devoted following, but as a central figure in a cautionary tale about the exploitation of minors on social media. Unlike traditional influencers who cultivate communities through curated content and fan engagement, Julie was never granted agency over her own public image. Her presence on the *8 Passengers* channel was defined by silence and observation rather than performance, leaving no room for the formation of a dedicated fandom or organized fan campaigns. The online discourse surrounding her has consistently revolved around scrutiny, legal proceedings, and concern for her welfare rather than the adoration typically reserved for celebrities. There is no formal moniker for her supporters, nor are there any documented rituals, birthday billboards, or charity drives associated with her name. The internet spaces that discussed her, such as r/8passengersnark, operated as critical watchdogs focused on exposing abuse rather than celebrating a personality. Consequently, Julie Franke holds no standing in global fame rankings. iFANN has not yet collected sufficient data to evaluate her current status, meaning no specific placement can be assigned at this time.[edit]

Julie Franke entered the world in 2009, making her just six years old when the family vlog *8 Passengers* first launched. She was the fourth child introduced to the audience, arriving after siblings Shari, Chad, and Abby. During the channel's active years, her Instagram account @8passengers_julie was managed entirely by her parents, cementing her lack of autonomy. Fans often remember her as the quietest and most reserved of the Franke children, a stark contrast to her more outgoing siblings. The most widely cited event involving Julie occurred in October 2023 during a police rescue operation. Following an escape attempt by her younger brother, officers located Julie and her sister shortly thereafter based on bodycam footage released to the public. This verified incident marked a turning point in the legal proceedings that eventually led to her mother's conviction. In February 2024, both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for felony child abuse, cementing the legal reality of the family's story. Recent reports from late 2025 indicate that one of the daughters spoke out about the trauma of family vlogging, stating she felt stuck with the burden of those memories. These accounts appear in documentaries like *The Evil Influencer*, which covers the family's downfall and the experiences of the children.[edit]

Julie Franke is the fourth of six children born to Kevin and Ruby Franke. Her older siblings are Shari (born 2003), Chad (born 2005), and Abby (born 2006). Her younger siblings are Russell (born 2010) and Eve (born 2013). Kevin and Ruby divorced in 2023; Kevin remarried in January 2026. Ruby Franke is currently serving a prison sentence for child abuse. Julie and her siblings are living with Kevin and other relatives, away from the public eye. The family also has a close relationship with their aunt and uncle, Ellie and Jared Mecham. [edit]

Julie Franke is the daughter of Kevin and Ruby Franke, creators of the 8 Passengers channel. Her siblings include Shari, Chad, Abby, Russell, and Eve. Her aunt and uncle are Ellie and Jared Mecham. Ruby Franke's former business partner Jodi Hildebrandt was also convicted in the child abuse case. [edit]

Julie Franke is currently single and has not been publicly linked to any romantic partners. As a minor growing up on a family vlog, her personal relationships were not documented on the channel. As of 2026, she is focused on her education and family. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Julie Franke's net worth at $100 Thousand. This figure reflects her share of the 8 Passengers channel earnings before its closure, as well as any residuals from the channel's archived content. The Franke family's YouTube income was the primary source of household revenue, but after Ruby's conviction and the channel's deletion, no new income is generated. Julie is not known to have any independent business ventures or endorsements. She is a minor and does not have personal financial disclosures.[edit]