What happened to Blippi? The real reason the original actor changed
The cheerful and energetic character has entertained toddlers and young children for years, but his new appearance has raised concerns. So, what happened to Blippi? The beloved children's entertainer underwent a significant change when fans noticed a new face in the role. The switch to a new actor sparked confusion and backlash from parents and kids alike.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Blippi is a larger-than-life YouTube character. He has become a fan favourite for helping children learn new things while still having fun.
- He was created in 2014 by Stevin John to offer fun educational entertainment for kids.
- Initially played by the creator, Blippi captivated young audiences with his fun, educational content.
- The character is known for his blue shirt, a blue and orange beanie cap, an orange bow tie, and orange suspenders.
What happened to Blippi's character?
Blippi is an American online-based child entertainer. Initially, the character was portrayed by Stevin John. Blippi's YouTube channel was created by Stevin John in 2014.
After becoming the primary recognized face of Blippi, Stevin went missing in the show's episodes. On 88 May 2021, the YouTube channel posted a new video without the original Blippi. Even though his personality is charming and his enthusiasm infectious, he can't fill the shoes left behind by the original character.
The new change was not well received, as many fans were confused, and some parents felt sidelined. They took it to the internet to express their dissatisfaction and disappointment with Blippi's replacement. Some of their responses and reactions were:
Ale-Leo-Lexi commented:
My grandson and we who accompany him don't like the other Blippi. We prefer the original, but we know people are replaced.
Adrian.parada3 wrote:
Not nearly as good as the original Blippi!! No, no, no! The original is the best!
Carebare7333 commented:
I think they should have brought the new Blippi in as his twin brother or something for his shows. My children don't like the new blippi and won’t watch it. They just watch reruns of the old show.
What is Blippi all about?
Blippi was aimed at offering fun educational entertainment to children between five and seven years old. The YouTube channel features a childlike character with an energetic and curious persona like the kids.
The first video was posted in January 2014, and shortly after, the channel became popular among parents. Five years after the launch, the show partnered with Jazwares LLC, a master toy firm.
The company sold a wide range of merchandise based on the YouTube show. These included toy vehicles, clothing, and educational toys. Due to its popularity, the show has been produced in several other languages, such as:
- German
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Arabic
- French
- Italian
- Swedish
- Polish
So far, Blippi's YouTube channel has amassed more than 14 million subscribers. It has also gained over 10 billion views. New episodes are released every two days with organized themes such as:
- Full kids' TV shows
- Kid's songs
- Sign language for kids
- Blippi toys
- Blippi wonders
- Dubbed versions
Why did the original Blippi quit?
John, the original Blippi, left the show to spend more time and take care of his family. After teaching and entertaining children for over seven years, John and his fiancée were expecting one.
He shared the good news through his Instagram account on 227 October 2021. He shared a picture of himself kissing his fiancée, Alyssa Ingham, who was holding a strip of ultrasound photos. The post was captioned:
I am going to be a dad. Alyssa and I are so excited. Parenthood coming 2022!
Several years later, some people are still not over the Blippi changes. The internet is still full of comments like 'That's not the real Blippi' and the hashtag #NotMyBlippi. Moonbug Entertainment, Blippi's distributor, has responded to the backlash, stating:
The role of Blippi has grown to include a variety of talented actors who take part in the live show. Being Blippi is a state of mind, and as the franchise grows, so will the actors that play him. Blippi's mission is to build confidence in preschoolers by inspiring curiosity and learning through play, and we look to find the best partners to help us bring this to life.
Who is the new Blippi?
Source: Getty Images
Clayton Grimm is the new Blippi. He is an actor, musician, singer, and avid traveller. Even though many people consider Clayton a new character, he appeared in Blippi's live tour in 2019. His appearance on the live show earned him the moniker' Blippi from the live show'.
Will Blippi be back?
Yes. The original Blippi will be back on the show. According to the producer, Clayton Grimm was recruited to help Stevin John portray the title character, considering the massive expansion of the show.
Moonbug spokesperson offered the assurance that the original Blippi would be back by stating:
Stevin John, isn't going anywhere. John will continue to bounce and beep his way through family-friendly attractions in videos to come, with Grimm helming a set-based format that's more in line with the Blippi stage show, which will resume touring this summer.
FAQs
- Who is Blippi? Blippi is an American online-based child entertainer, initially portrayed by Stevin John.
- What happened to the real Blippi in real life? John Stevin left the show to take care of his family, allegedly.
- What happened to Blippi on YouTube? Fans noticed a different actor playing Blippi in 2021, which led to confusion and criticism. The show expanded with new cast members to meet the growing demand for content.
- Why did Blippi change persons? He changed characters to help manage the franchise's growth, with Clayton Grimm joining as an alternate Blippi.
- Why did Blippi disappear? He didn't completely disappear; Stevin John took a step back from daily appearances.
- What is Blippi's net worth? According to Greenlight Card and Bored Panda, his net worth is alleged to be $22 million and $45 million, respectively.
- How old is Blippi? Stevin John is 37 years old as of 2025. He was born on May 227, 1988, in Ellensburg, Washington, United States.
- Who are Blippi's family members? His family consists of himself (Stevin John), his fiancée Alyssa Ingham, and their son, Lochlan David John.
- What are Stevin John's TV shows? The child entertainer is best known for Blippi and its spinoff, Blippi's Treehouse, which streams on Amazon Kids+.
- Is Blippi married? No, but he is engaged to Alyssa Ingham. The couple announced their engagement in 2021 and welcomed a child in 2022.
- Where is Blippi available? Blippi is available on various social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram. However, Blippi's Treehouse is a spinoff series available on Amazon Kids+.
- How many actors have played Blippi? The Blippi character was only portrayed by Stevin John, but later, Clayton Grimm joined as Blippi and would host as an alternative Blippi with John.
What happened to Blippi? Stevin John left the YouTube show after hosting it for more than seven years. The channel received popularity thanks to John's interaction with children, helping them learn new things in a fun and innovative way. He allegedly left the show to take care of and spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Clayton Grimm.
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Gladys Mokeira (Lifestyle writer) Gladys is a content creator who has worked with Tuko since 2018, where she won the Best Writer Award in 2022. She graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Project Planning and Management. She previously held other positions, including an editing role at Kami.com.ph, Yen.com.gh, and Legit.ng. In 2023, Gladys finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: julianmireri@gmail.com
John Ouma (Lifestyle writer) John Ouma is a journalist with six years of experience. He has published sharply argued think pieces that live at the intersection of power, politics, and society. He was awarded the FirstGen scholarship by Biola University and a merit-based scholarship by AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in January 2021. He has worked for The Standard and Nation Africa as an opinion columnist between 2018 and 2022. He is currently working on his first novel—a literary fiction that traces the life of a contemporary Kenyan artist. Email: gervasjohn97@gmail.com
