If you were anywhere near a smartphone in 2016, you probably remember a 13-year-old kid with a signature swoop of hair singing about lending you his sweatshirt. It was one of those "love him or hate him" internet moments that defined an entire era of social media. But time is a weird thing on the internet. Because he started so young, there’s this persistent confusion about where he is now.
So, let's get the math out of the way first.
As of today, January 17, 2026, Jacob Sartorius is 23 years old.
He was born on October 2, 2002, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He’ll be hitting his 24th birthday later this fall. It’s kinda wild to think about, right? For a lot of people, he’s frozen in time as that middle-schooler on Musical.ly, but he’s actually well into his twenties now, navigating a career that looks a lot different than the viral chaos of his teens.
Why Everyone Is Still Asking How Old Jacob Sartorius Is
The internet has a short memory, but it also has a "stuck" memory. Jacob became a household name when he was barely a teenager. When someone goes viral at 13, the general public often stops tracking their age. You see it with everyone from JoJo Siwa to the "Leave Britney Alone" guy. People just assume they're forever children.
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Honestly, the confusion also comes from how long he’s been around. By the time he was 15, he had already toured the world, released multiple EPs like The Last Text, and been nominated for a bunch of Teen Choice Awards. When you have that much "life" packed into three years, people lose count.
He’s also been pretty open about how being a child star messed with his head. He’s talked about the bullying he faced—both in person and from millions of strangers online—which led to him being homeschooled. That kind of intensity ages a person internally, even if the internet still thinks of them as a kid in a sweatshirt.
The Evolution of His Sound
Jacob isn't just "the sweatshirt kid" anymore. If you haven't checked his Spotify lately, you might be surprised. He’s moved far away from the bubblegum pop of 2016.
In recent years, especially heading into 2025 and 2026, his music has taken a much more alternative, indie-pop turn. He released "Run Fast" in April 2025, and tracks like "BOY BAND" and "Wish You All the Worst" show a much more mature, slightly moodier side of his personality. He’s collaborating with artists like Powfu and trying to find a lane that feels authentic to a 23-year-old man, not a 13-year-old influencer.
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What Is Jacob Sartorius Doing Now?
It’s easy to think that if someone isn't trending on Twitter (or X) every day, they've "fallen off." But Jacob has actually built a pretty sustainable life for himself.
- New Music: He's consistently dropping singles. He’s shifted from trying to get a Billboard Hot 100 hit to making music that his core fanbase actually connects with. It's less about the "viral" hook and more about the "vibe."
- Mental Health Advocacy: He’s been very vocal about his struggles with anxiety and the trauma of early fame. He often uses his platforms to talk about therapy and the importance of checking in on yourself.
- Social Media Presence: He still has millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, but the content is different. It’s less "look at me" and more "here’s what I’m thinking about today."
There’s a certain nuance to his current status. He’s not the "mini Justin Bieber" anymore, and honestly, he seems okay with that. Being 23 gives him the autonomy he didn't have when he was 14 and managed by a massive team.
A Quick Timeline of His Age and Milestones
- 2002: Born on October 2.
- 2014: Posts his first Vine about anti-bullying (age 11).
- 2016: "Sweatshirt" drops and goes viral (age 13).
- 2017: Releases The Last Text EP and goes on a world tour (age 14).
- 2022: Releases the Sleep When I'm Dead EP, showing a major shift in style (age 20).
- 2025: Drops "Run Fast" and continues his transition into indie-pop (age 22).
- 2026: Currently 23, focusing on a more grounded, adult career path.
The Reality of Growing Up Online
We have to acknowledge the limitations of being a "child of the internet." Jacob was one of the first true "short-form" stars. Before TikTok was a thing, he was the king of Musical.ly. That comes with a specific kind of baggage.
Most people his age are just finishing college or starting their first "real" jobs. Jacob, at 23, is essentially a veteran of an industry that didn't even exist when he was born. There are different viewpoints on his career—some see him as a cautionary tale of what happens when you get too famous too fast, while others see him as a survivor who managed to keep his head on straight despite the noise.
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He’s managed to avoid the "downward spiral" that catches so many child stars. No major scandals, no public meltdowns—just a guy trying to figure out who he is when the cameras aren't constantly shoved in his face by a label.
How to Keep Up With Jacob Today
If you’re curious about his current vibe, don't go looking at his 2016 YouTube videos. That’s a different person. To see what a 23-year-old Jacob Sartorius is actually like:
- Listen to his 2024 and 2025 singles: Tracks like "Lonely" and "heart scammer" give a much better picture of his current artistic direction.
- Check his TikTok for the "now": He still posts frequently, but it’s much more laid back.
- Look for his interviews: He’s done a few deep-dive podcasts lately where he talks about the reality of his early fame with a lot of maturity.
Basically, the kid is grown. He's a young adult navigating the same things everyone else in their early twenties is—relationships, identity, and career—just with a much more interesting Wikipedia page.
Next Steps for Fans and Curious Readers:
If you want to see the "new" Jacob, your best bet is to head over to his official Spotify or Apple Music profiles and sort by "Newest." Skip the 2016 hits for a second and listen to "Run Fast." It’s a great litmus test for whether you’ll actually like his current sound or if you’re just here for the nostalgia.