On May 19, 2015, Graceffa released a memoir titled In Real Life: My Journey to a Pixelated World, published by Keywords Press.
Graceffa stated that the reason he waited so long to come out online was because "there was a lot of hesitation to come out online because of growing up in my town: It wasn't acceptable to be gay it was looked down upon." He also went on to state that after coming out, "I definitely feel more open and free with who I am, and I think that's inspired a lot of other people to also do the same and have come out to their friends and family." Graceffa confirmed on YouTube on that he is gay. By October 2016, it had received more than 24 million views. The video ends with Graceffa, dressed as a prince, kissing his male co-star, Daniel Preda. It is an unconventional fantasy fairytale story featuring goblins, a witch, and a prince. On Graceffa released a song with an accompanying music video titled "Don't Wait". In March 2015, Graceffa starred in an episode of the CONtv reality television project Fight of the Living Dead, created by fellow YouTube personality Justine Ezarik. Graceffa was named by Common Sense Media as one of "10 YouTube Stars Your Kids Love".
He won "Best Male Actor in a Dramatic Web Series" at the 2014 Streamy Awards for his portrayal of Hunter Crowley in Storytellers. Graceffa was nominated for two awards at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards.
He was also a part of the Fine Brothers online series MyMusic throughout 20. Throughout 2012 to 2014, Graceffa was in various BlackBoxTV short films. The same year Graceffa also starred in Ethereal alongside Joey Pollari. In 2014, Graceffa starred in his own short film titled Eon.
They raised over $140,000 and $30,000, respectively, though reports continue into 2018 that some of the project backers have not received their perks or rewards for backing the project. The project was funded by Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns that Graceffa ran himself. In late 2013 and early 2014, Graceffa starred in his own web series titled Storytellers. 2013–2015: Films, In Real Life and other projects It was an amazing experience, and I'd love to do it again." The two later teamed up again to compete in The Amazing Race: All-Stars. Graceffa told an interviewer that "There were a lot of bad times but it was definitely good overall. The two made it to the tenth leg before being eliminated. In 2013, Graceffa and fellow YouTube personality Meghan Camarena were contestants on The Amazing Race 22. He also has more than 3.9 million Twitter followers and more than 5.5 million Instagram followers. On a second YouTube channel focusing on his gaming, he has more than 2.6 million subscribers and over 620 million views, for a total of over 2.6 billion views. As of April 2022, he has gained over 9.4 million subscribers and more than 2.1 billion total views on his main YouTube channel alone. Graceffa posts regular vlogs on his channel. In 2013, he joined the StyleHaul YouTube network. In 2009, he started posting videos on his own channel, called, Joey Graceffa. In 2007, at age 16, Graceffa began uploading videos to the YouTube channel WinterSpringPro, with his high school friend Brittany Joyal. Career 2007–13: YouTube and The Amazing Race Graceffa enrolled at Fitchburg State College intending to major in film, but left after one year. He had originally applied to Emerson College but was rejected. According to his book In Real Life, he graduated from Marlborough High School in 2009. These started when Graceffa was around 12 years old. Graceffa endured hardships with his mother when she resorted to alcoholism to cope with troubles in her life. He has two siblings, an older sister named Nicole and a younger half brother named Jett who has autism, through his mom and his stepfather, Bob.
Graceffa was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the son of Debbie O'Connor and Joe Graceffa.
2.2 2013–2015: Films, In Real Life and other projects.2.1 2007–13: YouTube and The Amazing Race.