3 questions for 3 icons at the YouTube AAPI Gala
Dec 04, 2025 [[read-time]] minute read
Later tonight we are thrilled to raise a glass to the AAPI trailblazers, storytellers, and community leaders who continue to shape the world of YouTube and beyond. The annual YouTube AAPI Gala is more than just an event; it's a recognition of the diverse talent, cultural richness, and powerful impact of Asian American and Pacific Islander creators.
From powerful documentaries to inspiring narratives to groundbreaking DIYs, these creators are building movements, starting conversations, and showing the world what happens when you follow your vision—no matter how big or ambitious it is. They aren’t just making content; they’re building communities, breaking down barriers, and redefining what's possible.
This year, we are incredibly proud to honor three extraordinary creators who perfectly embody this spirit: Dhar Mann, LaurDIY, and Michelle Khare.
Join us as we take a closer look at the inspirational journeys of these honorees and celebrate their undeniable impact!
“I assumed inclusion and visibility was reserved for those who looked “more Asian” or grew up closer to their culture. Over time, though, I realized identity isn’t a gate-kept performance, it’s a lived experience.”
Lauren Riihimaki (LaurDIY)
How does your identity as an AAPI creator inform your content and/or creative process?
Dhar: Being an AAPI creator has shaped my storytelling in a powerful way. Growing up, I rarely saw people who looked like me in mainstream media and when I did, they were often portrayed as stereotypes. That absence taught me how important representation is in shaping what we believe is possible for ourselves. My cultural background instilled values like hard work, resilience, family, and humility, and those themes are the backbone of every story we tell. I’m deliberate about creating content where people from all backgrounds feel included, seen, and respected.
Michelle: I’m the daughter of immigrants who built their lives through grit, focus, and an unshakeable belief in preparation. Whenever I came to my family with a big dream, their first question was always, “Okay, what's the plan, back up plan, and backup plan to the backup?” Growing up, that mindset taught me to pair ambition with meticulous attention to detail, which is an instinct that continues to inform every single Challenge Accepted episode. It’s why I obsess over the details in our productions and company — that’s why our team's attention to detail has become our competitive advantage.
Lauren: For a long time, I didn’t feel entitled to claim my AAPI identity. I assumed inclusion and visibility was reserved for those who looked “more Asian” or grew up closer to their culture. Over time, though, I realized identity isn’t a gate-kept performance, it’s a lived experience. I think I’ll always wrestle with the question “am I enough?”, but now I’ve just chosen to have that conversation out loud, amongst so many others that come from a mixed ethnic background. The more I learn about my Japanese grandparents’ resilience and the sacrifices that led to my upbringing, the more I feel rooted in who I am, empowered to be myself, and be proud of the path my family has taken.
“For so long, traditional Hollywood underestimated digital storytelling, but the reality is that today’s audiences decide what matters…not gatekeepers.”
Dhar Mann
Hollywood is still learning how to respect the digital space. Are creators finally sitting at the main table, or are you building a better one?
Michelle: I think the line between “traditional entertainment” and “digital creators” is getting blurrier by the day, and that’s a good thing. What once felt like two separate worlds now feels like one evolving ecosystem. To me, that shift is a reflection of how independent creators have consistently raised the bar. Creators are producing television-quality work, telling stories with global reach, and building communities with authenticity. So, I think we’re redesigning what "the table" looks like and the most exciting part is that we’re just getting started.
Dhar: For so long, traditional Hollywood underestimated digital storytelling, but the reality is that today’s audiences decide what matters…not gatekeepers. Whether someone wants to see it as joining the table or building a new one, the important thing is that the seats today are more diverse, and no one has to shrink their voice to be heard. The beauty of YouTube is that it democratizes opportunity: anyone with a story and a phone can reach millions. And that’s a table worth expanding.
Lauren: I wholeheartedly believe that what we used to consider “the table” has changed entirely. Creators aren’t waiting for a seat anymore, we’re building our own spaces, audiences and ecosystems in real time. Having spent a few years in the traditional entertainment space, I can honestly say there is so much I love about legacy media and production. To me, the win isn’t about replacing one table with another, it’s recognizing that the landscape has expanded and there’s room for all of it: legacy media, digital, and new hybrids that blend the best of both.
“When I first started my channel, I put a sticky note on my bathroom mirror that said: 'If I can inspire just one girl to step outside her comfort zone today, then I’ve succeeded.' I read it every morning before filming, training, or brainstorming.”
Michelle Khare
Tonight is a moment of cultural and industry affirmation. What’s the next unconventional path you plan to blaze on YouTube, and what's the legacy you want your name to stand for ten years from now?
Lauren: I’ve been on YouTube for almost 14 years now and if there’s one thing that’s allowed me to maintain a social presence for all these years, it’s my willingness and ability to adapt. I recently started my dream dog brand, and in the process have been sharing the pivots, the mistakes, and the small wins in real time. It’s vulnerable and I love that more of us are choosing transparency over polish. Ten years from now, I hope my name stands for the creativity I sparked in someone else, however quietly. I hope to represent the real work behind creating something new, and showing more than the highlight reel.
Michelle: When I first started my channel, I put a sticky note on my bathroom mirror that said: If I can inspire just one girl to step outside her comfort zone today, then I’ve succeeded. I read it every morning before filming, training, or brainstorming. That mission still guides everything I do and will continue to do in years to come. I want to explore what’s possible when you confront fear with preparation, to see how far anyone can go.
Dhar: My next chapter is about scale– elevating inspirational storytelling into formats and global moments that haven’t been done on YouTube before, from cinematic universes to large-scale experiences that bring our community together in real time. I want to continue proving that purpose-driven storytelling can be wildly successful without sacrificing heart. Ten years from now, I hope my legacy is simple: that we helped millions of people believe in themselves, feel less alone, and choose kindness… and that we opened doors for the next generation of AAPI creators to dream even bigger.