Selena Gomez has lost her crown as the most followed person on Instagram after holding on to the top spot since 2016.
For a long time, Selena was in the lead as the most followed person on the social media platform. To be honest, I think she was a bit of a dark horse in the running for most followed Instagrammer – you’d think maybe someone like Kylie Jenner or Beyonce would take top spot?
Selena was potentially on top because she’s regarded as a bit of an all-rounder in the world of entertainment, giving her a wide fanbase and a lot of love from the picture-sharing world.
She undoubtedly has followers who are her music fans, as well as some who probably wanted to see what Alex Russo from Wizards of Waverly Place was up to as she got older.
And I’m pretty sure the singer gained a lot of followers through her relationship with Justin Bieber and friendship with Taylor Swift.
Plus, she just seems to be a generally lovely person who posts stunning Instagram photos – or that’s what it seems like anyway. Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her!
Back in September, Selena announced she was going to take a break from social media to focus on her mental health.
Sharing a final Instagram snap, she wrote:
Taking a social media break. Again. As much as I am grateful for the voice that social media gives each of us, I am equally grateful to be able to step back and live my life present to the moment I have been given.
Kindness and encouragement only for a bit! Just remember- negative comments can hurt anybody’s feelings. Obvi.
While her break is well deserved – entertaining 144 million followers can’t be easy.
However, her lack of posting has seen Selena lose the title of most followed Instagram user, only to be replaced by someone from a whole other circle of fame.
According to US Magazine, the new … drumroll please … KING of Instagram is in fact, 33-year-old football star, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese footie star reportedly has a whopping 144,338,650 followers enjoying his photos, leaving Selena trailing with 144,321,029.
Ronaldo’s Insta page is full to the brim of footballing pictures and snaps of his girlfriend and children – as well as the occasional shirtless picture which have no doubt drawn in a few adoring fans.
Though Selena might not know she’s been knocked from the top spot until she returns from her social media hiatus, the 26-year-old has made it clear in the past the news won’t bother her.
According to the Daily Mail, during an Instagram Live video back in September, Selena said of her achievement:
I don’t care. I could have none tomorrow. Makes no difference. It’s just a number and it’s insane so many people are obsessed with a number. It’s like, chill out.
Other celebs whose numbers of followers are soaring include Ariana Grande, who has over 132 million followers, and Kim Kardashian, who has drawn in over 120 million.
We’ll have to see how long Ronaldo can hold on to the top spot. He has quite a record to beat after Selena held the crown for two years!
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.