8-year-old YouTuber wants to be the next ‘Ryan’s World’

Legacy Traditional School third grader Benjamin “Benjie” Ruiz is a budding online influencer at age 8, starring in his own YouTube show, “Benjie TV.”

There are two things Benjie likes the most in his youthful world: LEGOs and Marvel characters. That led to creating a web show that shows kids how to put together fabulous plastic models, such as LEGO Marvel Wolverine Mech Armor.

The program is similar to Ryan Kaji’s YouTube channel “Ryan’s World,” the highest-earning channel on YouTube according to Forbes. In 2021, the Honolulu kids’ influencer then aged 9 earned more than $250 million from YouTube and brand deals.

Benjie’s Santa Rosa Crossings family produces the show mostly for fun, however.

Together with his producer and dad, Robert, they create professional video segments with Benjie as host. Benjie is growing as a YouTube personality.

“I love LEGOs and want to make people enjoy them, too,” said Benjie, explaining why he started up the show with the help of his producer dad. Benji’s mom, Fabiola, provided the professional backdrop, lighting and video equipment through her work at Savage Universal, an international company with an office in Chandler that sells professional studio equipment.

“It actually started because my oldest son, Andrew, and him, they watch YouTube shows,” said Robert. “I said, ‘Instead of watching it, why don’t you make it?’ So that’s what we did.”

Robert is the video producer and editor for the show.

Robert, a Maricopa Unified School District instructional materials coordinator, said Benjie started the project as a summertime pastime to beat boredom. But over time it became a passion for the Legacy Traditional School third grader.

“Benjie TV” is picking up a fan base.

“One of his shows has 3,000 views,” said Robert.

“Bam!” Benjie blurts out, happy to have the audience.

Benjie said he hopes to expand viewership far beyond family and family friends.

At last count, the channel had 58 subscribers, some giving feedback about what they like.

When he’s not producing videos, Benjie said he loves to play basketball and flag football.

Besides sports and recess, Benjie said, “I like the lunch.”

Benjie said he’s about to produce an episode on how to build a “Millenium Falcon,” a fictional starship in the “Star Wars” franchise.

“I’m going to have one of my friends help me build it,” Benjie said.

Adds Robert: “If we can put out positive content for people to watch, that’s our ultimate goal.”

See Benjie TV here.

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