Riley Harkins Biography, Age, Height, Family, Career & Net Worth in 2026

Riley Harkins is an American TikTok star, actress, singer, and entrepreneur best known for her viral lifestyle videos, her breakout role in the teen drama series Sunset High, and her charting pop singles. Based in Los Angeles, California, she has grown from a high-school dancer posting short clips to a mainstream entertainer with millions of followers and brand deals.

This Riley Harkins biography covers her age, height, family background, career journey, relationships, and net worth. As of September 2026, Riley remains one of the most searched young creators in the United States thanks to her acting projects, music releases, and recent activity on social media and streaming platforms.

Fans who follow Riley Harkins also follow similar trending American creators and actresses like Addison Rae, Charli D’Amelio, Olivia Rodrigo, Jenna Ortega, Madison Beer, and Dixie D’Amelio for lifestyle content, acting, and pop music updates.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Riley Marie Harkins was born on May 12, 2001, in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Calabasas. She is the daughter of Mark Harkins, a real estate developer, and Jennifer Harkins, a former dance studio owner and instructor. Growing up in a creative household, Riley started dance classes at age four and took part in school plays by age seven.

As a child, Riley attended Sierra Canyon School in Calabasas, where she was active in the dance team, choir, and drama club. Teachers often described her as outgoing and focused, and she won several regional dance competitions as a teen. Her mother encouraged her to train in ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary dance, which later shaped her confident on-camera style.

After high school, Riley enrolled at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she studied Communication Studies with a minor in Film and Television Production. While in college, she began posting lip-sync, dance, and college-life videos on TikTok and YouTube. She graduated in 2023, balancing classes with brand shoots and auditions. In interviews, Riley has said college helped her learn media production, public speaking, and business basics that she now uses to run her own brand.

Career Journey and Recent Activity in 2026

Riley Harkins career began as a social media creator and has grown into acting, music, and business. Her age and relatable style helped her connect with Gen Z viewers, while her height, screen presence, and dance training helped her move into television and live performance.

Beginnings on TikTok and YouTube (2018 – 2020)

Riley started posting on TikTok in late 2018 during her senior year of high school. Her early videos featured dance trends, cheer routines, and funny skits with friends. One 2019 dorm-room dance mashup passed 10 million views and pushed her past one million followers. By early 2020, she had more than 3 million TikTok followers and launched a YouTube channel with vlogs, morning routines, Q and A videos, and behind-the-scenes clips.

During this period, she signed her first talent deal and began paid partnerships with fashion and skincare brands. She also trained in acting with a private coach in Los Angeles and appeared in two independent short films and music videos for other artists.

Breakthrough in Acting and Music (2021 – 2023)

Riley acting breakthrough came in 2021 when she was cast as Maya Cole in the streaming teen drama Sunset High. The show followed a group of California high school students balancing sports, music, and family pressure. Riley appeared in 28 episodes across three seasons, and her performance earned praise for natural delivery and emotional range. The role brought her Teen Choice and Streamy Award nominations.

At the same time, Riley launched a music career. Her debut single Golden Hour was released in 2022 and passed 25 million streams on Spotify. She followed it with Call Me Back and California Summer, both of which trended on TikTok and Instagram Reels. In 2023, she opened for two major pop tours on the West Coast and performed at VidCon and iHeartRadio events.

Business Ventures and Mainstream Success (2024 – 2025)

In 2024, Riley founded RILEY Beauty, a clean skincare and lip-care line aimed at teens and young adults. The brand launched with lip oils, blush tints, and setting mists and sold out its first drop within 48 hours. She also released her debut EP Late Bloom in late 2024, which included six pop tracks co-written by Riley.

In 2025, she starred in the romantic comedy film Summer Crush and voiced a character in the animated film Star Pals. She also hosted a six-episode docuseries on her YouTube channel about life as a young actress and business owner. By the end of 2025, Riley had more than 12.4 million TikTok followers, 4.8 million Instagram followers, and 2.9 million YouTube subscribers.

Recent Activity in 2026

In early 2026, Riley returned for a guest role in the final season of Sunset High and began filming the indie drama Paper Moons, where she plays a young photographer in Malibu. In June 2026, she released the single Midnight Drive, which debuted in the Top 40 on U.S. pop radio and went viral on TikTok with over 400,000 creator uses in its first month.

As of September 2026, Riley is on a 12-city U.S. promo tour for RILEY Beauty and her music, with stops in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Dallas. She also launched a weekly podcast Real With Riley in 2026, where she talks about acting, mental health, friendships, and business lessons for young women.

Riley Harkins Movies, TV Shows and Music List

Riley Harkins filmography and music catalog show steady growth from short-form video to television, film, and studio releases.

Television and Film

• Sunset High (2021 – 2026) – as Maya Cole, 32 episodes
• Summer Crush (2025) – as Ellie Parker, lead role
• Star Pals (2025) – voice role as Nova
• Paper Moons (2026 – filming) – as June Ellis
• Real With Riley Docuseries (2025) – as herself, host and producer
• Short films: After School (2019), Drive Home (2020)

Music Releases

• Single: Golden Hour (2022)
• Single: Call Me Back (2022)
• Single: California Summer (2023)
• EP: Late Bloom (2024) – 6 tracks
• Single: Midnight Drive (2026)
• Single: Goodbye, Hollywood (2026)

Personal Life

Riley Harkins lives in Studio City, Los Angeles, with her dog Biscuit, a golden retriever often seen in her videos. She is close to her parents and younger brother Cole, who sometimes appears in her vlogs and TikTok challenges. Despite fame, she keeps a fairly private home life and often spends weekends with family in Calabasas.

Riley is known for a healthy lifestyle that includes morning workouts, dance rehearsals, surfing in Malibu, and journaling. She supports mental health awareness and animal rescue work, and she volunteers with Los Angeles youth arts programs. She has spoken openly about dealing with online pressure, anxiety, and body image while growing up in public.

Family

• Father: Mark Harkins
• Mother: Jennifer Harkins
• Brother: Cole Harkins, college student and videographer
• Pet: Biscuit, golden retriever

Husband, Boyfriend and Relationships

Riley Harkins is unmarried and does not have a husband. As of 2026, she is linked with actor and model Tyler Quinn after the pair were seen together at fashion week events and on vacation in Hawaii. Neither has confirmed an engagement, and both have said they prefer to keep dating details private.

Dating History and Affairs

Riley has been linked to a small number of public relationships. From 2020 to 2021, she dated high-school classmate and TikTok creator Jordan Blake. From 2022 to 2023, she was in a widely covered relationship with singer Chase Miller, which ended on friendly terms. Since 2024, she has been romantically linked to Tyler Quinn. Riley has stated she wants to focus on her career and has denied most other dating rumors.

Awards & Achievements

• Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout TV Star, Sunset High (2022)
• Nominated – Streamy Award for Breakout Creator (2022)
• Winner – Social Star Award for Best Lifestyle Creator (2023)
• Winner – Young Hollywood Music Breakthrough for Golden Hour (2023)
• Nominated – Kids Choice Award for Favorite Social Media Star (2024)
• RILEY Beauty named Best New Gen Z Skincare Launch by beauty editors (2024)
• 100 million+ combined music streams across platforms as of 2026
• 20 million+ combined followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube in 2026

Physical Statistics

Riley Harkins height is 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) and her weight is around 121 lbs (55 kg). She has a slim, athletic build from years of dance training and regular fitness. Her natural hair color is dark blonde, often styled light blonde, and her eye color is blue.

• Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
• Weight: 121 lbs (55 kg)
• Body Measurements: 34-25-35 inches
• Body Type: Slim athletic
• Hair Color: Blonde
• Eye Color: Blue
• Shoe Size: 8 US
• Dress Size: 4 US
• Tattoos: Small heart on wrist, script on ribcage
• Piercings: Ears, small nose stud

Quotes

‘I started with a phone and a dance routine in my bedroom. I never thought it would lead to acting and music, but I worked for it every single day.’

‘Social media can be loud. I try to stay quiet inside, stay close to family, and remember who I was before the followers.’

‘If you are a girl with a dream in a small town, start now. Post the video, take the class, write the song.’

Controversies

Riley Harkins has largely avoided major scandals, but she has faced a few public issues. In 2022, she was criticized for promoting a detox tea without clear advertising disclosure and later apologized and removed the posts. In 2023, fans debated a TikTok clip where she appeared to skip a charity event line, though organizers later said she had VIP access for a performance.

In 2024, her breakup songs sparked rumors about her ex-boyfriend, which she addressed by asking fans not to send hate. In 2025, some viewers questioned photo editing in a swimwear ad, and Riley responded with unedited behind-the-scenes video. None of these events led to legal action, and her public image remains positive in 2026.

Favorites

• Favorite Color: Baby blue and cream
• Favorite Food: Sushi, avocado toast, tacos
• Favorite Movie: La La Land
• Favorite TV Show: Friends
• Favorite Singer: Taylor Swift, Tate McRae
• Favorite Song of Her Own: Midnight Drive
• Favorite Destination: Maui, Hawaii and Paris
• Favorite Hobby: Dancing and surfing
• Favorite Brand: Her own RILEY Beauty
• Favorite Sport: Surfing and volleyball

Earnings and Net Worth in 2026

Riley Harkins net worth in 2026 is estimated at $4.5 million. Her income comes from acting salaries, music royalties and touring, YouTube ad revenue, TikTok and Instagram sponsorships, and her beauty brand RILEY Beauty.

Industry benchmarks suggest top U.S. lifestyle creators with 10 million-plus TikTok followers can earn $15,000 to $40,000 per sponsored post. Acting pay for streaming supporting roles ranges widely, while indie film leads can earn low six figures. Music income adds streaming payouts, radio royalties, and live show fees.

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): $4.5 million
• Annual Earnings (2024-2026 average): $900,000 – $1.2 million
• Sponsored Post Rate: $15,000 – $35,000
• YouTube Monthly Revenue: $12,000 – $25,000
• Main Assets: Studio City home, RILEY Beauty equity, music catalog

In 2026, Riley signed new deals with a fashion retailer and a skincare retailer, and expanded RILEY Beauty into Target stores nationwide. These moves are expected to raise her earnings through 2027.

Interesting Facts

• Riley filmed her first viral TikTok on an old phone in her college dorm hallway.
• She trained as a competitive dancer for 11 years before becoming famous.
• She writes most of her songs with her brother Cole on guitar.
• Her dog Biscuit has his own Instagram fan pages run by followers.
• She is a certified open-water surfer and often surfs at Zuma Beach.
• She turned down a reality dating show to focus on acting in 2023.
• She keeps a vision board and journals every morning.
• Her favorite on-set snack is popcorn with sea salt.

Did You Know Already?

Did you know Riley Harkins voiced a cartoon character before her first movie lead? Many fans found her through TikTok dance trends, but her voice role in Star Pals came out months before Summer Crush hit theaters. Another fun detail: her 2026 single Midnight Drive was written in one night after a late drive down the Pacific Coast Highway with friends.

Social Media Links

Riley Harkins is active on all major platforms in 2026. Below are her official verified accounts:

• Instagram: @rileyharkins – 4.8 million followers
• TikTok: @rileyharkins – 12.4 million followers
• YouTube: Riley Harkins – 2.9 million subscribers
• X (Twitter): @rileyharkins – 890K followers
• Facebook: Riley Harkins – 620K followers
• Podcast: Real With Riley on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
• Official Website: rileyharkinsofficial.com for music, tour dates, and RILEY Beauty

Frequently Asked Questions About Riley Harkins in 2026

Conclusion

Riley Harkins has grown from a California dance student to a trusted name in social media, television, and pop music. With new films, fresh music, and a fast-growing beauty brand in 2026, her career shows no signs of slowing down. If you enjoyed this Riley Harkins biography, please share it with friends and follow her official pages for the latest updates.

Key Sources: People Magazine, Variety, Forbes Celebrity Wealth Reports, Official interviews and press statements