Bryan Odell, better known by his online alias BryanStars, was born on May 22, 1990, in Sendai, Japan. Raised by American parents, he spent the first eight years of his life immersed in Japanese culture. When his family relocated to the United States, Bryan experienced significant cultural transition, often feeling out of place due to his distinct appearance—curly blonde hair—and limited understanding of American social dynamics. While he was embraced for his uniqueness by peers in Japan, he was initially alienated in America, an experience that influenced his personal and creative development.
Upon moving to Nebraska, Bryan attended Lincoln East High School, graduating in 2008. He then enrolled at the University of Nebraska, though he later dropped out to pursue a full-time career in digital media.
Bryan created his primary YouTube channel, BryanStars, to spotlight the rock, punk, and metal music scenes—genres he believed were underrepresented in mainstream media compared to pop and hip-hop. His role as a music interviewer quickly gained traction within the alternative music community.
By 2016, his content had attracted over 750,000 subscribers and more than 130 million views. On the BryanStars channel, he became well-known for interviewing and featuring prominent acts such as Asking Alexandria, Pierce the Veil, Sleeping With Sirens, Black Veil Brides, Blessthefall, Escape the Fate, Of Mice & Men, Rob Zombie, and In Flames. He also featured artists from other genres, including Cody Simpson, Mitchel Musso, Keri Hilson, and several American Idol alumni.
Following the success of his main channel, Bryan launched two additional YouTube channels: BryanStars2 and BryanStarsSings. BryanStars2 focused on promoting music videos from emerging and established alternative artists. BryanStarsSings showcased Bryan’s vocal talents, where he covered popular rock and pop songs, further establishing his presence in online music culture.
He was also a core member of the collaborative YouTube group My Digital Escape (MDE), sharing content in partnership with fellow YouTubers such as Johnnie Guilbert and Jordan Sweeto. Besides his music-related content, Bryan dabbled in lighthearted acting sketches, often featuring other MDE members.
A turning point in Bryan’s career came in 2011 when he was selected as one of 25 winners of YouTube’s NextUp contest, an initiative aimed at identifying and supporting rising creators. The award included $35,000 in funding, a professional workshop in New York City, and access to resources that significantly elevated his content quality and career trajectory.
| Birth Date: | 22 May, 1990 |
| Age: | 29 yrs |
| Occupations: | YouTuber |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Sendai |
| Education: | University of Nebraska system |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American writer |
