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{{Short description|American celebrity chef (1956–2024)}}
{{Short description|American online celebrity chef (1956–2024)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox Youtuber
{{Infobox Youtuber
| name = Lynja
| name = Lynja
| image = Lynja.jpg
| image = Lynja.jpg
| caption = Davis's YouTube channel profile picture
| caption = Lynja's YouTube profile picture
| alt = A woman wearing glasses and a checked red and black shirt holds a plate of waffles with strawberries, whipped cream, syrup, and powdered sugar
| birth_name = Lynn T. Yamada
| birth_name = Lynn T. Yamada
| birth_date = {{birth date|1956|07|31}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1956|07|31}}
Line 10: Line 12:
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|01|01|1956|07|31}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|01|01|1956|07|31}}
| death_place = [[Red Bank, New Jersey]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Red Bank, New Jersey]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| other_names = Lynn Yamada Davis
| other_names = Lynja
| occupation = Chef, engineer
| occupation = [[TikToker]], [[influencer]], chef
| children = 4, including [[Sean Davis (soccer, born 1993)|Sean]]
| children = 4, including [[Sean Davis (soccer)|Sean]]
| channel_direct_url = @cookingwithlynja
| channel_direct_url = @cookingwithlynja
| channel_display_name = Cooking With Lynja
| channel_display_name = Cooking With Lynja
| years_active = <!-- 2020–2023 Needs clarification on whether we're just referring to her YouTube/TikTok career here. -->
| years_active = 2012–2024
| genre = {{flatlist|
| genre = {{flatlist|
* Comedy
* Comedy
* entertainment
* entertainment
* [[vlog]]s
* [[vlog]]s
* gaming
* reaction
* reaction
*cooking
}}
}}
| subscribers = {{Plainlist|
| subscribers = {{Plainlist|
* 9.86 million
* 12.8 million
}}
}}
| views = {{Plainlist|
| views = {{Plainlist|
* 4.02 billion
* 4.99 billion
}}
}}
| stats_update = January 12, 2024
| stats_update = June 22, 2024
| channel_name =
| channel_name =
| associated_acts = <!-- Do not add creators not mentioned in the body of the article. See WP:INFOBOX --> {{flatlist|
| associated_acts = <!-- Do not add creators not mentioned in the body of the article. See WP:INFOBOX --> {{flatlist|
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}}
}}
| silver_button = yes
| silver_button = yes
| silver_year =
| silver_year = 2020
| gold_button = yes
| gold_button = yes
| gold_year =
| gold_year = 2021
| diamond_button = no (so close)
| diamond_button = yes
| diamond_year =
| diamond_year = 2024
}}
}}


'''Lynn Yamada Davis''' (July 31, 1956 – January 1, 2024), better known by her online alias '''Lynja''', was a Japanese-American [[celebrity chef]] who was best known for her viral [[TikTok]] and [[YouTube Shorts]] videos.
'''Lynn T. Yamada Davis''' (July 31, 1956 – January 1, 2024), better known by her online alias '''Lynja''', was an American online [[celebrity chef]] who was known for her viral [[TikTok]] and [[YouTube Shorts]] videos. Praised for her quick-styled editing and references to popular [[internet meme]]s, "Cooking with Lynja" accumulated over 12.8 million subscribers on YouTube and over 21.8 million followers on TikTok as of June 27, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=@cookingwithlynja |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@cookingwithlynja?lang=en |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=TikTok |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240116172352/https://www.tiktok.com/@cookingwithlynja?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref>


Davis earned degrees from [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] and [[Columbia Business School]]. She worked at [[AT&T Labs]] for 29 years. Her interest in video-making flourished in 2020, when she was 63. Since going viral, she won three [[Streamy Awards]] and built up a fanbase of dedicated viewers.
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==Early life and education==
Lynn T. Yamada was born in New York City on July 31, 1956, to Mabel Fujisake and Tadao Yamada.<ref name=NYT/> She was a third-generation [[Japanese-American]].<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news |last1=Rosario |first1=Alexandra Del |title=Lynn Yamada Davis, TikTok chef known for playful 'Cooking With Lynja' videos, dies |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-01-12/lynn-yamada-davis-dead-lynja-tiktok-cancer |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 12, 2024}}</ref> She spent much of her youth in [[Fort Lee, New Jersey]], attending [[Fort Lee High School]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Memorial Post Elects Officers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-fort-lee-high-school-medals-1/138624575/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Record |date=June 30, 1970 |pages=7}}</ref>


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==Early life and career==
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She attended [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], earning a degree in [[civil engineering]] in 1977.<ref name=NYT/><ref>{{cite news |title=College Commencements |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-mit-college-commencements-197/138625234/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The News |date=June 23, 1977 |pages=48}}</ref> During her time at MIT, she was the chairwoman for ''[[The Tech (newspaper)|The Tech]]'' student newspaper.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newspaper gets new chief |last=Matys |first=Lorraine |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-newspaper-gets-new-chief/138625055/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Record |date=January 6, 1977 |pages=11}}</ref> Following her graduation, she was employed by the government and worked to ensure the accessibility of federal buildings.<ref name="People"/> She went on to earn degrees in public health and business administration from [[Columbia Business School]].<ref name=NYT/>
Lynn T. Yamada was born in [[New York City]] on July 31, 1956 to Mabel Fujisake and Tadao Yamada.<ref name=NYT/> She was a third-generation [[Japanese Americans|Japanese-American]] and grew up in [[Fort Lee, New Jersey|Fort Lee]], [[New Jersey|New Jersey.]]<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news |last1=Rosario |first1=Alexandra Del |title=Lynn Yamada Davis, TikTok chef known for playful 'Cooking With Lynja' videos, dies |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-01-12/lynn-yamada-davis-dead-lynja-tiktok-cancer |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 12, 2024 |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112182604/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-01-12/lynn-yamada-davis-dead-lynja-tiktok-cancer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=N.J.'s Lynn Yamada Davis, star of Cooking With Lynja TikTok videos, dies at 67, report says |url=https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2024/01/njs-lynn-yamada-davis-star-of-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-videos-dies-at-67-report-says.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=nj |date=January 13, 2024 |language=en |quote=Davis was born on July 31, 1956, in New York City and lived most of her early life in Fort Lee, before she attended and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114004716/https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2024/01/njs-lynn-yamada-davis-star-of-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-videos-dies-at-67-report-says.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


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She attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a degree in [[civil engineering]] in 1977.<ref name=NYT/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Julie |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Cooking with Lynja Turns Retired MIT Engineer into Internet Celebrity |url=https://alum.mit.edu/slice/cooking-lynja-turns-retired-mit-engineer-internet-celebrity |access-date=January 14, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113183554/https://alum.mit.edu/slice/cooking-lynja-turns-retired-mit-engineer-internet-celebrity |url-status=live }}</ref> During her time at MIT, she was the chairwoman for ''[[The Tech (newspaper)|The Tech]]'' student newspaper.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newspaper gets new chief |last=Matys |first=Lorraine |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-newspaper-gets-new-chief/138625055/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=The Record |date=January 6, 1977 |pages=11 |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113041521/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-newspaper-gets-new-chief/138625055/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following her graduation, she was employed by the government and worked to ensure the accessibility of federal buildings.<ref name="People"/> She went on to earn degrees in public health and business administration from Columbia Business School.<ref name=NYT/>
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Davis worked at [[AT&T Labs]] for 29 years as a project manager and systems engineer.<ref name="People">{{cite news |last1=Weiss |first1=Sabrina |title=Lynn Yamada Davis, ‘Cooking with Lynja’ TikTok Star, Dead at 67 |url=https://people.com/lynn-yamada-davis-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-star-dead-67-8425692 |work=People |date=January 12, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>


⚫
Davis worked at AT&T Labs (then Bell Labs) for 29 years as a project manager and systems engineer.<ref name="People">{{cite news |last1=Weiss |first1=Sabrina |title=Lynn Yamada Davis, 'Cooking with Lynja' TikTok Star, Dead at 67 |url=https://people.com/lynn-yamada-davis-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-star-dead-67-8425692 |work=People |date=January 12, 2024 |language=en |access-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112210442/https://people.com/lynn-yamada-davis-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-star-dead-67-8425692 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==TikTok videos==
Davis began creating videos for [[TikTok]] in 2020, when she was 63.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite web |title=Lynn Yamada Davis (Lynja) |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/lynn-yamada-davis-lynja/?sh=31b9b8bd1c72 |website=Forbes |access-date=January 13, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The idea for the videos came from her youngest son, Tim Davis, who was honing his video editing skills, while they were in lockdown during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in March 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Makalintal |first=Bettina |title=I Want This TikTok Grandma to Teach Me Everything About Food |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dyz4b7/i-want-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-grandma-to-teach-me-everything-about-food |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Vice |date=July 24, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He helped shoot and edit each of her "Cooking with Lynja" videos since 2020.<ref name=NYT/> In 2022, "Cooking with Lynja" won "Best Food" and "Best Editing" at the [[12th Streamy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=12th Annual Streamy Nominees |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees/ |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=The Streamy Awards |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030132628/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Online career==
⚫
She frequently collaborated with [[Nick DiGiovanni]], including a video in November 2021 where they broke the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for the largest ever [[cake pop]], which weighed {{convert|97|lb|8.52|oz|kg}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-28 |title=TikTok stars Nick DiGiovanni and Lynja create world's largest cake pop |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/1/tiktok-stars-nick-digiovanni-and-lynja-create-worlds-largest-cake-pop-690550 |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TikTokers team up to make world's largest cake pop |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/01/28/Guinness-World-Records-largest-cake-pop/7981643402453/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wait, What? Chefs Make Giant 44 KG Cake Pop; Set Guinness World Record |url=https://food.ndtv.com/news/wait-what-chefs-make-giant-44-kg-cake-pop-set-guinness-world-record-2679218 |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=NDTV Food |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-31 |title=TikTokers bake world's largest-ever cake pop at nearly 100 pounds |url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2022/01/tiktokers-bake-worlds-largest-ever-cake-pop-at-nearly-100-pounds.html |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=pennlive |language=en}}</ref> She broke several other records with DiGiovanni, including the world's largest [[chicken nugget]], which weighed {{convert|20.96|kg|abbr=on}},<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-11 |title=TikTok stars Nick DiGiovanni and Lynja create world's largest chicken nugget |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/6/tiktoks-nick-digiovanni-and-lynja-create-worlds-largest-chicken-nugget-707422 |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}}</ref> and the world's largest [[sushi roll]], which measured at {{convert|2.15|m}} in diameter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-07 |title=Fastest time to fillet a 10 lb fish |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/93715-fastest-time-to-fillet-a-10-lb-fish |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}}</ref> She was named to Forbes "50 Over 50" list in 2023.<ref name="Forbes"/> Her fans are called "Lynja-turtles", a pun of [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|Ninja Turtles]].<ref name="LA Times"/>
Davis began creating videos for TikTok in 2020 when she was 63.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite web |title=Lynn Yamada Davis (Lynja) |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/lynn-yamada-davis-lynja/?sh=31b9b8bd1c72 |website=Forbes |access-date=January 13, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113063552/https://www.forbes.com/profile/lynn-yamada-davis-lynja/?sh=31b9b8bd1c72 |url-status=live }}</ref> The idea for the videos came from her youngest son, Tim Davis, who was honing his video editing skills, while they were in lockdown during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in March 2020.<ref name=Vice>{{cite news |last=Makalintal |first=Bettina |title=I Want This TikTok Grandma to Teach Me Everything About Food |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dyz4b7/i-want-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-grandma-to-teach-me-everything-about-food |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Vice |date=July 24, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112162937/https://www.vice.com/en/article/dyz4b7/i-want-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-grandma-to-teach-me-everything-about-food |url-status=live }}</ref> He helped shoot and edit each of her "Cooking with Lynja" videos since 2020.<ref name=NYT/> The videos were praised by ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' for their simple recipes, clever editing techniques and writing style.<ref name=Vice/> The videos also reference viral memes, including the [[Grimace Shake#TikTok trend|Grimace Shake trend]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Murray |first=Conor |title=The McDonald's Grimace Shake's Viral (And Gruesome) TikTok Trend, Explained |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/06/28/the-mcdonalds-grimace-shakes-viral-and-gruesome-tiktok-trend-explained/?sh=7f8aa58a6935 |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Forbes |date=June 28, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113224754/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/06/28/the-mcdonalds-grimace-shakes-viral-and-gruesome-tiktok-trend-explained/?sh=7f8aa58a6935 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, "Cooking with Lynja" won "Best Editing" at the [[11th Streamy Awards]].<ref name=Streamy2021>{{Cite web|title=11th Annual Streamy Winners and Nominees|url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/11th-annual-nominees/|url-status=live|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=The Streamy Awards|language=en|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211020165849/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/11th-annual-nominees/ |archive-date = October 20, 2021 }}</ref> The next year, "Cooking with Lynja" won "Best Food" and "Best Editing" at the [[12th Streamy Awards]].<ref name=Streamy2022>{{Cite web |title=12th Annual Streamy Nominees |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees/ |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=The Streamy Awards |language=en |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030132628/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Davis signed with [[Endeavor (company)|WME]]<ref name=TubeFilter>{{cite news |last=Hale |first=James |title=The internet's "cooking grandma" Lynja signs with WME (Exclusive) |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/08/24/internet-cooking-grandma-lynja-signs-with-wme/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Tubefilter |date=August 24, 2022 |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601184108/https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/08/24/internet-cooking-grandma-lynja-signs-with-wme/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was featured on ''[[Forbes]]'' Top 50 creators list.<ref name="Forbes"/>


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She frequently collaborated with fellow internet celebrity chef [[Nick DiGiovanni]], including a video in November 2021 where they broke the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for the largest ever [[cake pop]], which weighed {{convert|97|lb|8.52|oz|kg}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2022 |title=TikTok stars Nick DiGiovanni and Lynja create world's largest cake pop |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/1/tiktok-stars-nick-digiovanni-and-lynja-create-worlds-largest-cake-pop-690550 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225193034/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/1/tiktok-stars-nick-digiovanni-and-lynja-create-worlds-largest-cake-pop-690550 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TikTokers team up to make world's largest cake pop |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/01/28/Guinness-World-Records-largest-cake-pop/7981643402453/ |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=UPI |language=en |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320011414/https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/01/28/Guinness-World-Records-largest-cake-pop/7981643402453/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wait, What? Chefs Make Giant 44 KG Cake Pop; Set Guinness World Record |url=https://food.ndtv.com/news/wait-what-chefs-make-giant-44-kg-cake-pop-set-guinness-world-record-2679218 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=NDTV Food |language=en |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230065229/https://food.ndtv.com/news/wait-what-chefs-make-giant-44-kg-cake-pop-set-guinness-world-record-2679218 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 31, 2022 |title=TikTokers bake world's largest-ever cake pop at nearly 100 pounds |url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2022/01/tiktokers-bake-worlds-largest-ever-cake-pop-at-nearly-100-pounds.html |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=pennlive |language=en |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416064900/https://www.pennlive.com/life/2022/01/tiktokers-bake-worlds-largest-ever-cake-pop-at-nearly-100-pounds.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She broke several other records with DiGiovanni, including the world's largest [[chicken nugget]], which weighed {{convert|20.96|kg|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2022 |title=TikTok stars Nick DiGiovanni and Lynja create world's largest chicken nugget |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/6/tiktoks-nick-digiovanni-and-lynja-create-worlds-largest-chicken-nugget-707422 |access-date=November 28, 2022 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128180435/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/6/tiktoks-nick-digiovanni-and-lynja-create-worlds-largest-chicken-nugget-707422 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the world's largest [[sushi roll]], which measured at {{convert|2.15|m}} in diameter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Fastest time to fillet a 10 lb fish |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/93715-fastest-time-to-fillet-a-10-lb-fish |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116183719/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/93715-fastest-time-to-fillet-a-10-lb-fish |url-status=live }}</ref> She was named to ''Forbes'' "50 Over 50" list in 2023.<ref name="Forbes"/> Her fans are called "Lynja-turtles", a play on words to the [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|Ninja Turtles]].<ref name="LA Times"/>
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==Illness and death==
In 2019, Davis was diagnosed with [[throat cancer]], which caused her voice to change. In 2021, she announced that she was diagnosed with [[esophageal cancer]]. Subsequently she made a video called “Cookies for Cancer” in which she made cookies in celebration of finishing her cancer treatment. She died at [[Riverview Medical Center]] on January 1, 2024, at the age of 67 from complications of esophageal cancer.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |last=Moses |first=Claire |title=Lynn Yamada Davis, Whose Cooking TikToks Delighted Millions, Dies at 67 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/dining/lynja-davis-cooking-tiktok-dead.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 13, 2024 |date=January 12, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.ph/GBNny |archive-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> Her death was announced on social media by her son in a post in which he shared photos and memories of her life.<ref>{{Citation |title=You’re the best mom I could have ever asked for but an even better friend. I love you mom ❤️ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZYZaCWBWWQ |access-date=2024-01-12 |language=en}}</ref> Nick Digiovanni also made a farewell video in honor of Lynja titled “Goodbye Lynja” in which he showed his favorite memories of being with her.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Davis lived in [[Holmdel, New Jersey]]. She married Hank Steinberg, and had two daughters, Becky and Hannah.{{efn|Hannah was named Hannah Mariko Steinberg at her high school graduation.<ref>{{cite news |title=2004 Holmdel Graduation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-2004-holmdel-graduatio/138635940/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |work=Asbury Park Press |date=June 26, 2004 |pages=102}}</ref>}} They divorced and she then married Keith Davis. They had two children, [[Sean Davis (soccer)|Sean]] and Tim. Sean is a professional soccer player for MLS side [[Nashville SC]].<ref name=NYT/>
Davis lived in [[Holmdel Township, New Jersey]]. Davis married Hank Steinberg, having two daughters together, though the marriage ended in divorce. Following their divorce, she married Keith Davis with whom she had two sons, professional soccer player [[Sean Davis (soccer, born 1993)|Sean Davis]] and "Cooking with Lynja" editor Tim Davis.<ref name=NYT/>


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==Illness and death==
==Notes==
In 2019, Davis was diagnosed with throat cancer, which caused her voice to change.<ref name=NYT/> Davis likened her new voice to [[Marge Simpson]]'s voice.<ref name=TubeFilter/> In 2021, she announced that she was diagnosed with [[esophageal cancer]]. Subsequently, she made a video called "Cookies for Cancer" in which she made cookies in celebration of finishing her cancer treatment. The cancer returned in 2023 and she died from complications of the disease at [[Riverview Medical Center]] in [[Red Bank, New Jersey]] on January 1, 2024 at the age of 67.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |last=Moses |first=Claire |title=Lynn Yamada Davis, Whose Cooking TikToks Delighted Millions, Dies at 67 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/dining/lynja-davis-cooking-tiktok-dead.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 13, 2024 |date=January 12, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240113132900/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/dining/lynja-davis-cooking-tiktok-dead.html |archive-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> A private funeral, attended by close friends and family members, was held on January 9, three days before her death was announced on social media by her son in a post in which he shared photos and memories of her life.<ref name="LA Times"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tabachnick |first=Cara |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Lynn Yamada Davis, Cooking with Lynja TikTok chef, dies at age 67 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lynn-yamada-davis-dies-age-67-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-chef/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113230004/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lynn-yamada-davis-dies-age-67-cooking-with-lynja-tiktok-chef/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that day, fellow celebrity chef [[Nick DiGiovanni]] made a farewell video in honor of Lynja showcasing his favorite memories of being with her.<ref name=GMA>{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Kelly |title=Creators pay tribute to TikTok chef Lynn Yamada Davis, host of 'Cooking With Lynja' who died at 67 |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/creators-pay-tribute-tiktok-chef-lynn-yamada-davis-106331047 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=Good Morning America |date=January 12, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114002033/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/creators-pay-tribute-tiktok-chef-lynn-yamada-davis-106331047 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{notelist}}

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Ceremony
!Category
!Result
!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|2021
| rowspan="2"|[[11th Streamy Awards]]
| Editing
|{{won}}
| rowspan="2"|<ref name=Streamy2021/>
|-
| Food
|{{nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|2022
| rowspan="2"|[[12th Streamy Awards]]
| Editing
|{{won}}
| rowspan="2"|<ref name=Streamy2022/>
|-
| Food
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|2023
| rowspan="2"|[[13th Streamy Awards]]
| Editing
|{{nominated}}
| rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web |title=13th Annual Streamy Winners |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/13th-annual-nominees/ |website=The Streamy Awards |access-date=January 14, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901233930/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/13th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Food
|{{nominated}}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|14263146|Lynja}}

{{Streamy Awards Winners CSS}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lynja}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:American TikTokers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women]]
[[Category:American people of Japanese descent]]
[[Category:American people of Japanese descent]]
[[Category:Streamy Award winners]]
[[Category:American TikTokers]]
⚫
[[Category:Deaths from esophageal cancer]]
⚫
[[Category:Fort Lee High School alumni]]
⚫
[[Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni]]
⚫
[[Category:Columbia Business School alumni]]
[[Category:AT&T people]]
[[Category:AT&T people]]
[[Category:People from Fort Lee, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Chefs from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Chefs from New York City]]
[[Category:Chefs from New York City]]
⚫
[[Category:Columbia Business School alumni]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in New Jersey]]
⚫
[[Category:Deaths from esophageal cancer in the United States]]
[[Category:Food and cooking YouTubers]]
⚫
[[Category:Fort Lee High School alumni]]
⚫
[[Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni]]
[[Category:People from Fort Lee, New Jersey]]
[[Category:People from Holmdel Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:People from Holmdel Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Streamy Award winners]]
[[Category:YouTubers from New York City]]
[[Category:YouTubers from New Jersey]]

Latest revision as of 20:31, 4 November 2024

Lynja
A woman wearing glasses and a checked red and black shirt holds a plate of waffles with strawberries, whipped cream, syrup, and powdered sugar
Lynja's YouTube profile picture
Personal information
Born
Lynn T. Yamada

(1956-07-31)July 31, 1956
New York City, U.S.
DiedJanuary 1, 2024(2024-01-01) (aged 67)
Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesLynn Yamada Davis
Occupation(s)Chef, engineer
Children4, including Sean
YouTube information
Channel
Genres
  • Comedy
  • entertainment
  • vlogs
  • reaction
  • cooking
Subscribers
  • 12.8 million
[1]
Total views
  • 4.99 billion
[1]
Associated acts
100,000 subscribers2020
1,000,000 subscribers2021
10,000,000 subscribers2024
Last updated: June 22, 2024

Lynn T. Yamada Davis (July 31, 1956 – January 1, 2024), better known by her online alias Lynja, was an American online celebrity chef who was known for her viral TikTok and YouTube Shorts videos. Praised for her quick-styled editing and references to popular internet memes, "Cooking with Lynja" accumulated over 12.8 million subscribers on YouTube and over 21.8 million followers on TikTok as of June 27, 2024.[2]

Davis earned degrees from MIT and Columbia Business School. She worked at AT&T Labs for 29 years. Her interest in video-making flourished in 2020, when she was 63. Since going viral, she won three Streamy Awards and built up a fanbase of dedicated viewers.

Early life and career

Lynn T. Yamada was born in New York City on July 31, 1956 to Mabel Fujisake and Tadao Yamada.[3] She was a third-generation Japanese-American and grew up in Fort Lee, New Jersey.[4][5]

She attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a degree in civil engineering in 1977.[3][6] During her time at MIT, she was the chairwoman for The Tech student newspaper.[7] Following her graduation, she was employed by the government and worked to ensure the accessibility of federal buildings.[8] She went on to earn degrees in public health and business administration from Columbia Business School.[3]

Davis worked at AT&T Labs (then Bell Labs) for 29 years as a project manager and systems engineer.[8]

Online career

Davis began creating videos for TikTok in 2020 when she was 63.[9] The idea for the videos came from her youngest son, Tim Davis, who was honing his video editing skills, while they were in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.[10] He helped shoot and edit each of her "Cooking with Lynja" videos since 2020.[3] The videos were praised by Vice for their simple recipes, clever editing techniques and writing style.[10] The videos also reference viral memes, including the Grimace Shake trend.[11] In 2021, "Cooking with Lynja" won "Best Editing" at the 11th Streamy Awards.[12] The next year, "Cooking with Lynja" won "Best Food" and "Best Editing" at the 12th Streamy Awards.[13] In 2022, Davis signed with WME[14] and was featured on Forbes Top 50 creators list.[9]

She frequently collaborated with fellow internet celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni, including a video in November 2021 where they broke the Guinness World Record for the largest ever cake pop, which weighed 97 pounds 8.52 ounces (44.240 kg).[15][16][17][18] She broke several other records with DiGiovanni, including the world's largest chicken nugget, which weighed 20.96 kg (46.2 lb)[19] and the world's largest sushi roll, which measured at 2.15 metres (7 ft 1 in) in diameter.[20] She was named to Forbes "50 Over 50" list in 2023.[9] Her fans are called "Lynja-turtles", a play on words to the Ninja Turtles.[4]

Personal life

Davis lived in Holmdel Township, New Jersey. Davis married Hank Steinberg, having two daughters together, though the marriage ended in divorce. Following their divorce, she married Keith Davis with whom she had two sons, professional soccer player Sean Davis and "Cooking with Lynja" editor Tim Davis.[3]

Illness and death

In 2019, Davis was diagnosed with throat cancer, which caused her voice to change.[3] Davis likened her new voice to Marge Simpson's voice.[14] In 2021, she announced that she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Subsequently, she made a video called "Cookies for Cancer" in which she made cookies in celebration of finishing her cancer treatment. The cancer returned in 2023 and she died from complications of the disease at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, New Jersey on January 1, 2024 at the age of 67.[3] A private funeral, attended by close friends and family members, was held on January 9, three days before her death was announced on social media by her son in a post in which he shared photos and memories of her life.[4][21] Later that day, fellow celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni made a farewell video in honor of Lynja showcasing his favorite memories of being with her.[22]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2021 11th Streamy Awards Editing Won [12]
Food Nominated
2022 12th Streamy Awards Editing Won [13]
Food Won
2023 13th Streamy Awards Editing Nominated [23]
Food Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b "About Cooking With Lynja". YouTube.
  2. ^ "@cookingwithlynja". TikTok. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Moses, Claire (January 12, 2024). "Lynn Yamada Davis, Whose Cooking TikToks Delighted Millions, Dies at 67". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Rosario, Alexandra Del (January 12, 2024). "Lynn Yamada Davis, TikTok chef known for playful 'Cooking With Lynja' videos, dies". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  5. ^ "N.J.'s Lynn Yamada Davis, star of Cooking With Lynja TikTok videos, dies at 67, report says". nj. January 13, 2024. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024. Davis was born on July 31, 1956, in New York City and lived most of her early life in Fort Lee, before she attended and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
  6. ^ Fox, Julie (January 22, 2021). "Cooking with Lynja Turns Retired MIT Engineer into Internet Celebrity". Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Matys, Lorraine (January 6, 1977). "Newspaper gets new chief". The Record. p. 11. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Weiss, Sabrina (January 12, 2024). "Lynn Yamada Davis, 'Cooking with Lynja' TikTok Star, Dead at 67". People. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "Lynn Yamada Davis (Lynja)". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Makalintal, Bettina (July 24, 2020). "I Want This TikTok Grandma to Teach Me Everything About Food". Vice. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  11. ^ Murray, Conor (June 28, 2023). "The McDonald's Grimace Shake's Viral (And Gruesome) TikTok Trend, Explained". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "11th Annual Streamy Winners and Nominees". The Streamy Awards. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "12th Annual Streamy Nominees". The Streamy Awards. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Hale, James (August 24, 2022). "The internet's "cooking grandma" Lynja signs with WME (Exclusive)". Tubefilter. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  15. ^ "TikTok stars Nick DiGiovanni and Lynja create world's largest cake pop". Guinness World Records. January 28, 2022. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "TikTokers team up to make world's largest cake pop". UPI. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Wait, What? Chefs Make Giant 44 KG Cake Pop; Set Guinness World Record". NDTV Food. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "TikTokers bake world's largest-ever cake pop at nearly 100 pounds". pennlive. January 31, 2022. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  19. ^ "TikTok stars Nick DiGiovanni and Lynja create world's largest chicken nugget". Guinness World Records. June 11, 2022. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  20. ^ "Fastest time to fillet a 10 lb fish". Guinness World Records. October 7, 2022. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  21. ^ Tabachnick, Cara (January 12, 2024). "Lynn Yamada Davis, Cooking with Lynja TikTok chef, dies at age 67". CBS News. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  22. ^ McCarthy, Kelly (January 12, 2024). "Creators pay tribute to TikTok chef Lynn Yamada Davis, host of 'Cooking With Lynja' who died at 67". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  23. ^ "13th Annual Streamy Winners". The Streamy Awards. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
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