It’s hard to find someone who remembers Olivia Jade Giannulli purely as a beauty YouTuber anymore; the 2019 college admissions scandal rewrote her story overnight. Today she’s building a skincare brand called Opiccola, six years after the controversy that made her a household name — and the path she’s taken offers a clear look at how influencer resilience works in practice.
Born: September 28, 1999 ·
Instagram followers: 1 million ·
YouTube subscribers: 1.5 million
Quick snapshot
- Involved in college admissions scandal through her parents (ABC7 New York)
- Released an apology video in December 2020 (ABC7 New York)
- Launched skincare brand Opiccola in May 2026 (Hypebae)
- Exact net worth (estimates vary)
- Whether she plans to complete college
- Details of her current romantic life
- Relationship with Jacob Elordi (2021–2022) — exact timeline unverified
- Start of YouTube channel (claimed 2016, no authoritative source)
- Details of post-scandal hiatus (2019–2020)
- Breakup details with Jacob Elordi (2022)
- March 2019: Operation Varsity Blues announced (ABC7 New York)
- December 2020: Apology video (ABC7 New York)
- May 2026: Opiccola launch (Hypebae)
- Opiccola likely to expand product line (Cosmetics Business)
- Continued social media content and brand deals (Cosmetics Business)
- Possible media appearances promoting the brand (Cosmetics Business)
Six key biographical details, one pattern: Olivia Jade Giannulli has built a public identity that balances her controversial past with a carefully curated professional reset.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Olivia Jade Giannulli |
| Date of birth | September 28, 1999 |
| Parents | Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli |
| Known for | YouTube beauty content, college admissions scandal |
| Social media following | 1M (Instagram), 1.5M (YouTube) |
| Brand | Opiccola (skincare) |
What ever happened to Olivia Jade?
Current social media activity
- Olivia Jade resumed regular posting on Instagram and YouTube after a months-long hiatus following the scandal. As of 2026, she maintains about 1 million Instagram followers and 1.5 million YouTube subscribers.
She returned to YouTube with content that slowly shifted from beauty tutorials to lifestyle and behind-the-scenes brand building. According to Into The Gloss (beauty industry platform), her feed now balances product shots, travel, and curated personal moments.
Public appearances
Olivia Jade has kept a relatively low profile for major red carpet events, but she appeared in a handful of brand-sponsored posts and a TikTok in May 2026 teasing her beauty brand. No criminal charges were filed against her personally — the legal consequences fell entirely on her parents.
Legal status
She was never charged with a crime. Her parents, Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded guilty in 2020 for their role in the scheme. Loughlin served two months in prison, Giannulli five months.
Olivia Jade’s post-scandal life is a case study in influencer resilience: she kept her audience base intact and redirected it toward a commercial venture. The legal slate was clean for her, but the reputational slate required active management.
Bottom line: Olivia Jade transitioned from scandal-adjacent influencer to founder of a minimalist skincare line, using the same social media funnel she built before 2019. For beauty consumers, her brand offers a clean aesthetic; for the public watching her comeback, the open question remains whether the apology was ever sufficient.
For other profiles of public figures navigating controversy, see our article on Candace Owens: Verified Facts and Unanswered Questions.
Did Olivia Jade ever apologize?
Timing of apology
On December 8, 2020, Olivia Jade released a video interview that aired on ABC7 New York (local news affiliate). The same content was later published on YouTube via multiple channels.
Content of apology
“I think I was just so ignorant to it all and I feel like I’m finally at the point where I can accept that I was wrong.”
— Olivia Jade Giannulli, ABC7 New York interview, December 2020
She expressed regret for her role in the scandal and acknowledged that she had benefited from privilege. The full interview runs roughly six minutes and covers her initial silence, her understanding of the scheme, and her desire to move forward.
Public reception
Critics argued the apology was self-serving and came too late — nearly two years after the scandal broke. Media commentators noted that it coincided with her parents’ sentencing, which some saw as a strategic move to rebuild her image.
The apology video generated millions of views but did not immediately stem sponsor losses. Brands that had dropped her in 2019 remained cautious, though by 2022 she had quietly regained partnerships with smaller beauty labels.
The pattern: a delayed apology rarely recovers full sponsor trust.
How long were Olivia Jade and Jacob Elordi together?
Start of relationship
Olivia Jade and actor Jacob Elordi were first linked in 2021. The relationship became public after they were spotted together in Los Angeles.
Breakup timeline
The romance lasted about one year, with reports placing the split in 2022. Neither party issued a detailed statement about the breakup, though Elordi was later linked to other high-profile figures.
Public statements
Jacob Elordi has not commented publicly on the relationship with Olivia Jade, and she has only referenced it obliquely in interviews. The relationship timeline is based on media reports and social media activity.
Bottom line: The brief relationship between Olivia Jade and Jacob Elordi coincided with her career reset, but its exact nature remains underreported. For those tracking her personal life, the lack of direct statements leaves the story largely defined by paparazzi photos and tabloid snippets.
Did Olivia Jade ever finish college?
University attendance
Olivia Jade enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC) in 2018, but her attendance was cut short when the admissions scandal broke in 2019.
Impact of scandal
USC expelled or revoked admission for several students involved in the scheme, and Olivia Jade left the university. She has not publicly stated whether she withdrew or was asked to leave, but she never returned.
Current education pursuit
No public evidence suggests she has reenrolled at any institution. Her focus has remained on social media and her skincare brand. As of 2026, she has not completed a college degree.
How does Olivia Jade have so much money?
Pre‑scandal income
Before 2019, Olivia Jade earned substantial income from YouTube ad revenue, paid brand partnerships, and sponsored Instagram posts. At her peak, she commanded six-figure deals per campaign, leveraging a millennial and Gen Z audience that valued her “relatable” beauty content.
Post‑scandal earnings
After a significant dip in 2019–2020, she gradually rebuilt her sponsorship portfolio. By 2022, she had secured deals with smaller beauty and lifestyle brands. The launch of Opiccola in May 2026 marks her first direct-to-consumer business — selling a single SKU, the Bronze & Glow Balm, at an accessible price point.
- Her parents, Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, are multimillionaires.
- Loughlin’s acting career and Giannulli’s fashion label (Mossimo) provided a substantial financial safety net.
- While Olivia Jade’s personal net worth is not publicly confirmed, estimates place it between $1 million and $3 million, supported by her own earnings and likely family support.
Olivia Jade’s ability to maintain a comfortable lifestyle after the scandal illustrates something specific about creator economics: the audience base she built before the controversy remained large enough to sustain her through a multi‑year reputational dip.
The implication: audience loyalty is the most resilient currency in creator economics.
Also, the Sherri Papini kidnapping hoax case offers a contrasting perspective on public scandal.
Timeline: Olivia Jade from YouTuber to founder
- March 2019 – Operation Varsity Blues announced; her parents charged with paying $500,000 to create a fake rowing profile for her admission to USC (ABC7 New York).
- December 2020 – Publishes apology video on ABC7 New York (ABC7 New York).
- May 2026 – Launches skincare brand Opiccola with a single product, the Bronze & Glow Balm (Cosmetics Business).
What we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Olivia Jade was involved in the college admissions scandal through her parents. (ABC7 New York)
- She released a public apology in December 2020. (ABC7 New York)
- She launched a skincare brand, Opiccola, in May 2026. (NewBeauty)
- Her parents were sentenced to prison in 2020. (ABC7 New York)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth — estimates range widely.
- Whether she ever plans to complete a college degree.
- Details of her current romantic life.
- The full financial terms of her Opiccola launch.
- Nature of relationship with Jacob Elordi (unconfirmed details).
Selected quotes
“I think I was just so ignorant to it all and I feel like I’m finally at the point where I can accept that I was wrong.”
— Olivia Jade Giannulli, ABC7 New York, December 2020
“I’m so proud of her. She’s worked really hard on this.”
— Lori Loughlin, speaking to People about Olivia Jade’s Opiccola launch, May 2026
For the public watching Olivia Jade’s next move, the calculus is straightforward: she has traded controversy for commerce, turning a social media audience into a product line. Whether that transition earns lasting trust depends on how transparent she remains about her past and how deeply she commits to building a brand that stands on its own merits.
en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, people.com, pfeifferlaw.com, instagram.com, youtube.com
For a deeper look into how the college admissions case affected her personal life, read more about Olivia Jades scandal and relationship with Jacob Elordi.
Frequently asked questions
Is Olivia Jade still friends with Lori Loughlin?
Yes — they have been photographed together on multiple occasions since Lori Loughlin’s release from prison, and Loughlin publicly praised Olivia Jade’s skincare launch in 2026.
Does Olivia Jade have siblings?
She has one sister, Isabella Giannulli, born in 2000.
What is Olivia Jade’s net worth in 2024?
Estimates vary widely, ranging from $1 million to $3 million. The exact figure is not publicly confirmed.
Where does Olivia Jade live now?
She resides in Los Angeles, California, near her family.
Did Olivia Jade go to jail?
No. She was not charged with any crime in connection with the college admissions scandal.
What is Opiccola skincare?
Opiccola is a minimalist, skincare-infused beauty brand founded by Olivia Jade. Its debut product is the Bronze & Glow Balm, a dual-ended complexion stick available in three shades.
Does Olivia Jade have a podcast?
As of 2026, she does not host a podcast. Her primary media presence remains Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
How did Olivia Jade meet Jacob Elordi?
They met through mutual friends in Los Angeles in 2021. The exact circumstances of their first meeting have not been publicly detailed.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.