Dhar Mann: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

Dhar Mann: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

0 Posted By Haruna Ayuba

Dhar Mann (2018–present) is an American inspirational short-film anthology series created and produced by Dharminder “Dhar” Mann through his Burbank-based Dhar Mann Studios. The series delivers bite-sized, scripted vignettes tackling everyday issues like bullying, prejudice, and perseverance, often ending with a twist and a moral lesson delivered by Mann himself.

Filmed in Burbank, California, with an estimated $5 million to 10 million annual budget (funded by YouTube ad revenue, merch, and sponsorships), the series has amassed over 26 billion views across 1,700+ episodes as of October 2025. No theatrical release, but it dominates YouTube with 26 million subscribers, generating $77K–$1.2M monthly from ads alone.

It holds a 4.2/10 on IMDb (from 1,500+ ratings) and mixed fan reception on Rotten Tomatoes (60% audience score), celebrated for uplifting messages and viral impact but roasted for formulaic plots, over-the-top acting, and 2023 labor controversies over actor pay and conditions.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Dhar Mann as Self / Narrator / Various Mentors

  • Role: Mann appears as the on-screen moral compass, delivering closing wisdom in every episode, while occasionally playing mentors or cameos like “Dr. Singh.” His “empathetic guide” presence ties the anthology together; featured in all 1,700+ episodes since 2018.
  • Net Worth: $100 million to $150 million.
  • Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m).
  • Family: Born May 29, 1984, in Oakland, California, to Indian immigrant parents Surinder Singh Mann (taxi company founder) and Baljit Singh Mann (businesswoman); grew up in a one-bedroom apartment shared with other families. No siblings reported. Studied Economics and Political Science at University of California, Davis.
  • Relationships: Married beauty influencer/businesswoman Laura Gurrola (née Avila; met 2015, wed same year). Children: daughters Ella Rose (b. May 2020) and Myla Sky (b. 2022). Previously dated reality star Lilly Ghalichi (2014).
  • Post-Film: Expanded to podcasts (Dhar & Jay Show with Jay Shetty, 2022–present); app for exclusive content (2021). Recent: Forbes Top Creators #2 (2025, $50M income); TIME100 Creators list (July 2025); Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice nominee (2024).

Katherine Norland as Mom / Wife / Teacher

  • Role: Norland’s versatile “everyday authority figure” shines in maternal or instructional roles, grounding emotional arcs; recurring since 2018 with 185+ episodes.
  • Net Worth: $500,000–$1 million.
  • Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m).
  • Family: Born 1980s (exact date private), in California to working-class parents. One sibling (sister). Trained in theater at local colleges; early roles in indie shorts.
  • Relationships: Private; married (spouse non-public, 2010s–present); one child.
  • Post-Film: Guest spots in The Resident (2020s); voice work in animations. Recent: Recurring on General Hospital (2024); short film Echoes of Home (2025).

Shauntè Massard as Mom / Teacher / Friend

  • Role: Massard’s “nurturing yet firm” portrayals add warmth to family and school dilemmas; 123+ episodes since 2019.
  • Net Worth: $500,000–$1 million.
  • Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m).
  • Family: Born 1990s, in Los Angeles to African-American parents (father educator). Two siblings. Studied acting at Howard University; started in theater.
  • Relationships: Single as of 2025; advocates for mental health.
  • Post-Film: Appeared in All American (2021); web series Black Girl Magic. Recent: Bel-Air guest (2024); motivational speaking tour.

Riki Yvette Westmoreland as Grandma / Aunt / Neighbor

  • Role: Westmoreland’s “wise elder” roles deliver heartfelt advice and comic relief; 100+ episodes since 2018.
  • Net Worth: $1 million–$2 million.
  • Height: 5’4″ (1.63 m).
  • Family: Born 1960s, in California to civil rights-era parents. Three siblings. Howard University alum; early TV work in soaps.
  • Relationships: Married (spouse private, 1990s–present); two adult children.
  • Post-Film: Recurring on The Bold and the Beautiful (2010s–2020s). Recent: 9-1-1 (2024); memoir on resilience (2025).

Ayden Mekus as Son / Nerd / Rich Kid

  • Role: Mekus plays relatable teen protagonists in bullying and growth stories; 50+ episodes since 2020.
  • Net Worth: $1 million–$2 million.
  • Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m).
  • Family: Born August 7, 2004, in Los Angeles to entertainment parents. One younger sister. Homeschooled; early Nickelodeon roles.
  • Relationships: Single as of 2025; focuses on music career.
  • Post-Film: Starred in Mr. Iglesias (2019–2020). Recent: Music single “Echo” (2025); Euphoria guest (2024).

Shaun Dixon as Jay / Bully / Best Friend

  • Role: Dixon’s “flawed but redeemable” teen characters drive conflict-to-redemption arcs; 40+ episodes since 2021.
  • Net Worth: $500,000–$1 million.
  • Height: 5’10” (1.78 m).
  • Family: Born 2008, in California to military parents. One brother. Child actor training via LA workshops.
  • Relationships: Private; no public relationships.
  • Post-Film: K.C. Undercover (2018). Recent: Raven’s Home (2024); gaming streams on Twitch.

Mila Nabours as Bree / Carly / Mean Girl

  • Role: Nabours embodies sassy sidekicks or antagonists who learn empathy; 30+ episodes since 2022.
  • Net Worth: $500,000.
  • Height: 5’3″ (1.60 m).
  • Family: Born 2005, in Texas to performer parents. Two siblings. Started in pageants; moved to LA at 12.
  • Relationships: Dating (private, teen romance 2024–present).
  • Post-Film: Chicken Girls (2017–present). Recent: Pretty Freekin Scary (2023); dance EP (2025).

Vinn Sander as Jake / Kyle / Randy

  • Role: Sander’s “cocky rival” turns ally in sports and social tales; 20+ episodes since 2020.
  • Net Worth: $500,000–$1 million.
  • Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
  • Family: Born 1992, in Florida to athlete parents. One sister. University of Florida grad (sports management).
  • Relationships: Engaged (fiancée private, 2023–present).
  • Post-Film: Outer Banks (2021). Recent: The Ultimatum (2024); fitness app launch.

Additional Notes

Salaries: Recurring actors earn $500–$2,000 per episode (union scale for shorts); leads like Mekus up to $5,000. Budget covers Burbank sets, effects, and 2–3 shoots weekly. YouTube residuals and merch (e.g., “Dhar Mann Fam” apparel) add $1M+ yearly per top actor.

Casting Insights: Mann favors diverse, relatable unknowns via open calls; Norland/Massard won early via improv tests. Child stars like Dixon/Mekus trained in-house. 2023 protests led to pay hikes ($15–$25/hour) and better conditions, boosting retention. Chemistry built through ensemble reads emphasizing “positive vibes.”

Impact and Legacy: With billions of views, it sparked anti-bullying campaigns (e.g., $17K raised for Special Olympics, 2021) and crossed into TV via Shorts Awards. Fans on Reddit/X love morals but meme “instant regret” twists; 4.2 IMDb nods kid appeal amid critiques of repetition. Influenced creators like Jordan Howlett; app/streaming on YouTube keeps it thriving.

Post-Film Careers: Norland/Westmoreland sustain TV; Mekus/Dixon pivot to Disney. Many parlay visibility into influencing (e.g., Nabours’ 1M TikTok). Cast bonds via group chats; 2023 drama fostered unity.

Cultural Influence: Revived moral storytelling post-Chicken Soup for the Soul, with “Hey Dhar Mann Fam!” a TikTok staple. Diversity (South Asian leads, inclusive casts) praised, though X notes “preachy” tones. Viral challenges (e.g., kindness acts) trend; 2025 anniversaries highlight empowerment.

Conclusion

Dhar Mann’s heartfelt ensemble, spearheaded by Mann’s visionary narration and Norland’s grounding warmth, transforms quick-hit tales into a positivity powerhouse. Net worths from $500,000 (Dixon, Nabours) to $150 million (Mann) map hustles from sets to studios.

Backstories—like Mann’s immigrant grit or Mekus’ child-star rise—mirror the series’ resilience theme. Its view-count empire, social campaigns, and meme-fueled nostalgia affirm it as YouTube’s go-to for feel-good fixes, proving small stories spark big change.