Lyanna Kea, a multi-talented performer, has transformed from a struggling drama student into a global entertainment phenomenon, captivating over 11 million fans worldwide with her hilarious “Asian mum” persona and relatable comedy sketches.
Quick Facts About Lyanna Kea
| Full Name | Lyanna Kea |
| Date of Birth | 1st October 1993 |
| Age | 31 years old (as of 2024) |
| Nationality | Malaysian-Chinese (Australian resident) |
| Profession | Actress, Content Creator, Singer, Voice Artist |
| Famous For | “Aunty Kea” character, comedy sketches |
| Social Media | 11M+ followers globally |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000+ |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship with Bryce James (since 2019) |
Biography
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 1st October 1993, Lyanna Kea’s journey to stardom wasn’t exactly conventional. Growing up in Malaysia, she discovered her passion for performing arts through university theatre groups, where she met some of her closest friends and collaborators.
Eight years ago, Lyanna made the bold decision to relocate to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, to pursue her education and career aspirations. This move would prove pivotal in shaping her future success, though the path wasn’t always smooth sailing.
Check out her educational background:
- Bachelor of Arts in Media and Drama – Monash University
- Master of Teaching in Drama and Media – Australian Catholic University (Class of 2018)
Interestingly, despite qualifying as a fully certified teacher, Lyanna quickly realised that teaching wasn’t her calling. As she candidly admits, “I hated every second of it” during her teaching practicums, leading her to pursue her true passion in entertainment.
Career
2020 marked a turning point in Lyanna’s life. Fresh out of university with a teaching degree she didn’t want to use, and facing a pandemic that had shut down the entertainment industry, she found herself at a crossroads. Working part-time as a makeup artist, she watched helplessly as acting opportunities dried up due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“I graduated in 2020 in the middle of COVID. I didn’t know what the hell I was going to do,” Lyanna recalls. With theatres closed and film sets cancelled, she turned to TikTok as a creative outlet—a decision that would change everything.
The Viral Breakthrough
Starting on Instagram proved challenging due to the platform’s algorithm, but TikTok was different. Lyanna’s first major viral moment came from an unexpected source: a singing video featuring a riff challenge. This single video catapulted her from 100,000 to one million followers practically overnight.
Her multilingual abilities (speaking Cantonese, Japanese, Russian, French, English, Mandarin, and Malay) opened doors for voice-acting opportunities, including work on popular franchises like League of Legends and Disney’s Frozen.
Meet Aunty Kea
What started as content inspired by her grandmother evolved into Aunty Kea—the quintessential Asian mother character that resonates with millions worldwide. Initially, Lyanna wanted to create a grandmother character, but realised she didn’t look old enough to pull it off convincingly.
“Aunty Kea is an amalgamation of everyone in my family and all the Asian maternal figures I grew up knowing,” Lyanna explains. The character draws heavily from her grandmother’s personality and behaviour, creating an authentic representation that strikes a chord with audiences globally.
Why Aunty Kea Works
The character’s success lies in her relatability. Through Aunty Kea, Lyanna explores:
- Family dynamics and generational differences
- Cultural experiences shared by Asian communities
- Universal parenting moments that transcend cultural boundaries
- Situational comedy that feels genuine and unforced
Acting Credits
Film and Television:
- Spooky Memes (2020) – Role: Zara
- Socks in Paradise (2020) – Animation voice work
- Three-Headed Dragon (2022) – Alongside Taysha McFarland and Sasha Leong
- Marco Polo (2014) – Season 1, Episode 6 (Extra)
- Life of Kea (2022-2023) – Writer, Director, Producer, Lead Actor
Theatre:
- V-Day (2013) – Best Actress Award winner
- Multiple KLPAC productions
Voice Acting
Her linguistic skills have made her a sought-after voice artist:
- Disney’s Frozen – Voice work in multiple languages
- League of Legends – Voices Vi and Jinx characters
- Various animated projects screened at international festivals
In 2022, Lyanna achieved a major milestone when her series “Life of Kea” received funding from Screen Australia and YouTube Australia through the Skip Ahead initiative. The series was:
- Nominated for Best Online Series Production by Screen Producers Australia (2023)
- Selected for Chinatown Film Festival LA
- Recognised as one of the Top 5 Australian Breakout Creators on YouTube
Personal Life and Relationships
Love Life
Since 2019, Lyanna has been in a relationship with Bryce James, an Australian photographer. Despite their preference for privacy, the couple occasionally shares glimpses of their travels and adventures together on social media.
Physical Attributes
- Height: 5’6″ (168cm)
- Weight: 127 lbs (58kg)
- Hair: Black
- Eyes: Black
- Style: Natural, approachable aesthetic that complements her content
Net Worth and Income Streams
Lyanna Kea’s estimated net worth of $500,000+ comes from multiple revenue streams:
Primary Income Sources:
- Sponsored content and brand partnerships
- YouTube ad revenue from millions of views
- Voice acting projects
- Acting roles in films and series
- Production work on “Life of Kea”
Business Ventures
Her production company collaborations, particularly with Toprock Productions, have expanded her income potential while allowing her to create original content and employ fellow creatives in the Australian entertainment industry.
Want to follow Lyanna’s journey? Find her on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram @lyanna_kea for daily doses of comedy, culture, and authenticity that’ll brighten your day and maybe remind you of your own mum’s quirky wisdom.
