7 Shocking Secrets Of Steve Aoki's Siblings: The Aoki Family's Public And Private Lives Revealed
The Aoki family name is synonymous with two things: global entertainment and a culinary empire. While the world knows DJ Steve Aoki for his cake-throwing antics and sister Devon Aoki for her iconic modeling and acting career, they are just two of the seven children of the late Benihana founder, Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki. As of late 2025, the latest updates reveal a fascinating contrast: some siblings continue to dominate the public spotlight, while others have deliberately chosen to live fiercely private lives, managing the family’s complex legacy far from the cameras.
This deep dive explores the complete family tree, detailing the careers and current activities of all seven siblings—Kana Grace, Kevin, Steve, Kyle, Echo, Devon, and Jenifer—who share one of the most dynamic and complex inheritances in modern American-Japanese business history. Their collective story is a compelling narrative of fame, entrepreneurship, and the fierce protection of privacy.
The Complete Aoki Family Biography: Seven Children of Rocky Aoki
The seven children of Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki (1938–2008) were born to three different mothers, creating a complex family dynamic that became the subject of public interest and legal battles over the Benihana fortune. Below is a complete profile of all seven siblings, listed by their known birth order.
- Sibling 1: Kana Grace Nootenboom
- Full Name: Kana Grace Nootenboom
- Mother: Chizuru Kobayashi (Rocky Aoki's first wife)
- Profession: Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- Notable Facts: Kana is the eldest of the seven, and one of the three full siblings to Steve and Kevin. She earned her bachelor's degree from New York University (NYU) in 1989 and has maintained a career dedicated to mental health and counseling, firmly outside the entertainment spotlight.
- Sibling 2: Kevin Aoki
- Full Name: Kevin Aoki
- Mother: Chizuru Kobayashi
- Profession: Restaurateur and Entrepreneur
- Notable Facts: Kevin has successfully followed in his father's culinary footsteps. He is the founder of the popular Doraku Sushi chain and operates Aoki Teppanyaki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. A very recent update from late 2025 shows Kevin, alongside Steve, expanding their joint culinary ventures, including the KURU KURU PA concept in Las Vegas.
- Sibling 3: Steve Aoki
- Full Name: Steven Hiroyuki Aoki
- Mother: Chizuru Kobayashi
- Profession: World-renowned DJ, Music Producer, and Founder of Dim Mak Records
- Notable Facts: Steve is arguably the most famous Aoki sibling. He is a two-time Grammy nominee and is known for his high-energy performances, including the signature "Aoki Jump" and throwing cake at fans. He is a key figure in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene and an active investor and entrepreneur.
- Sibling 4: Kyle N. Aoki
- Full Name: Kyle N. Aoki
- Mother: Pamela Hilburger (Rocky Aoki's second wife)
- Profession: Aspiring Movie Producer, Family Trust Involvement
- Notable Facts: Kyle is known to be involved in the family's financial and legal affairs, particularly concerning the Aoki family trusts. His professional ambition lies in movie production, though he maintains a very low public profile, rarely appearing at major events.
- Sibling 5: Echo V. Aoki
- Full Name: Echo V. Aoki
- Mother: Pamela Hilburger
- Profession: Private Heiress, Maintains a Low Profile
- Notable Facts: Like her brother Kyle, Echo is committed to a life of extreme privacy. She is often referred to as a "private heiress" of the Benihana legacy, choosing to stay out of the media spotlight despite her family's fame. Public information about her current activities is scarce, underscoring her commitment to a private life.
- Sibling 6: Devon Edwenna Aoki
- Full Name: Devon Edwenna Aoki
- Mother: Pamela Hilburger
- Profession: Supermodel and Actress
- Notable Facts: Devon began her modeling career at age 13 and quickly rose to fame, walking for major fashion houses like Chanel. She is also a recognized actress, known for roles in films like 2 Fast 2 Furious, *Sin City*, and *DOA: Dead or Alive*. Her career remains active, with recent appearances in major fashion campaigns and articles, including a November 2025 feature on traditional indigo dyeing.
- Sibling 7: Jenifer Crumb
- Full Name: Jenifer Crumb (sometimes Jen Aoki Crumb)
- Mother: Unnamed partner of Rocky Aoki
- Profession: Highly Private, Involved in Family Trust
- Notable Facts: Jenifer is the most private of the siblings. Her name primarily surfaces in the context of the complex legal proceedings surrounding the management and distribution of the Aoki family's financial trusts after Rocky's death. She maintains a life entirely removed from public scrutiny.
The Benihana Legacy and the Aoki Family Trust Battles
The foundation of the Aoki siblings’ wealth and notoriety is their father, Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki, a former Olympic wrestler who founded the Benihana restaurant chain in 1964. Benihana revolutionized the American dining experience by introducing the theatrical teppanyaki cooking style. This empire, however, became the center of a protracted legal drama following Rocky’s death in 2008.
The estate and control of the family fortune, including the Benihana corporation and various Aoki family trusts, led to significant litigation among the siblings and Rocky's third wife. This battle over inheritance and control of the legacy forced the private lives of siblings like Kana Grace Nootenboom, Kyle N. Aoki, Echo V. Aoki, and Jenifer Crumb into court documents, even as they fought to remain out of the public eye. The legal complexities underscore the immense financial and emotional weight of the Benihana name.
The Public Spotlights: Steve, Devon, and Kevin's 2025 Ventures
In stark contrast to their reclusive siblings, three of the Aoki children have built high-profile careers that continue to see significant developments in the current year. Their latest ventures prove the Aoki entrepreneurial spirit is very much alive.
Devon Aoki: From Runway Icon to Cultural Muse
Devon Aoki, known for her distinctive look and memorable roles in early 2000s cinema, has experienced a major resurgence in the fashion world. Her status as a fashion icon has led to her fronting campaigns for major brands. As recently as the end of 2025, Devon was featured in articles discussing her cultural influence and participation in new, artistic projects, highlighting her enduring relevance beyond her initial fame. Her career is a testament to the family's ability to transcend traditional boundaries, moving effortlessly between high fashion and Hollywood.
Kevin Aoki: Expanding the Culinary Empire
Kevin Aoki has successfully carved out his own space in the restaurant business, distinct from the Benihana brand. His Doraku Sushi restaurants are established in major cities, and his Aoki Teppanyaki concept continues the family's tradition of Japanese cuisine. A key 2025 update is his collaboration with brother Steve Aoki on the KURU KURU PA fast-casual concept, which blends Japanese flavors with a modern, accessible format, demonstrating a new generation of Aoki partnership in the food industry. This expansion shows Kevin’s strategic vision for modernizing the family's restaurateur heritage.
Steve Aoki: Music, Fatherhood, and Philanthropy
Steve Aoki’s global touring schedule and music production output through Dim Mak Records remain relentless. Beyond his professional life, the latest personal news for Steve Aoki includes a significant life change: he and his wife Sasha Sofine welcomed their first child in mid-2025. This personal milestone adds a new dimension to the life of the ever-busy DJ, balancing his non-stop career with new family responsibilities. His continued success ensures the Aoki name remains a fixture in global pop culture, far removed from the teppanyaki grill that started it all.
The Stark Contrast: Public Fame vs. Private Wealth
The Aoki siblings represent a fascinating case study in generational wealth and fame. On one side, you have the public figures—Steve, the DJ; Devon, the model; and Kevin, the restaurateur—whose careers thrive on visibility and public engagement. Their success is built on their unique personal brands.
On the other side are Kana Grace Nootenboom, Kyle N. Aoki, Echo V. Aoki, and Jenifer Crumb. Their choice to remain private is a powerful statement. They manage their lives and involvement in the family's financial backbone—the legacy of Rocky Aoki—with a deliberate distance from the media. The fact that very little fresh, personal information exists about them in 2025 is not a sign of inactivity, but rather a successful, intentional shielding of their personal lives from the relentless public curiosity that follows the Aoki name. Their story is a reminder that the true work of maintaining a dynasty often happens behind closed doors, away from the flash of the paparazzi and the spectacle of the stage.
Detail Author:
- Name : Mr. Roger Hackett MD
- Username : noah28
- Email : silas.stracke@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 1970-03-16
- Address : 7032 Effertz Camp North Devantefort, MN 19642-9220
- Phone : +14352277583
- Company : Braun, Morar and Rau
- Job : License Clerk
- Bio : Qui non amet dolorum. Quisquam aut ut sint voluptas. Officia et sed sint quis quidem optio.
Socials
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/lorna1669
- username : lorna1669
- bio : Adipisci molestias voluptatem non quis et sit.
- followers : 4566
- following : 2603
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@lorna1248
- username : lorna1248
- bio : Laudantium corrupti illo officiis possimus. Modi nostrum aut ut modi.
- followers : 157
- following : 428
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/lornahammes
- username : lornahammes
- bio : Recusandae ullam ex voluptas iste. Aut numquam mollitia itaque provident enim assumenda facilis.
- followers : 3541
- following : 654
