The word ‘celebrity’ is being redefined. Where actors, singers and supermodels used to be the definition of famous, social media stars are now taking centre stage.
Generations Y and Z now look to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram instead of films and magazines in search of their new idols – and models, trainers and influencers are reaping the benefits.
Instagram stars reportedly charge thousands just to promote a brand in a photo, and by amassing a large following, otherwise unrecognised people are becoming famous – at least online.
So how do they get so famous?
Here are some of the most influential people on social media to show you how it’s done:
Sophie Hannah Richardson
The 25-year-old beauty blogger, based in London, started out by taking photos of her outfits every day. She has now amassed an Instagram following of over 93,000.
Richardson told The Independent:
I began by taking snaps of my #OOTD’s (outfit of the day) and this progressed into taking quality images of my beauty and fashion style. I like to think people are flocking to my Instagram page to find something different. My aim is to be the girl with that creative, bold beauty look that nobody has done yet.
Richardson, who has now worked with Illamasqua, Urban Decay and Rimmel London, says that brands keen for the exposure her following offers now contact her to ask if she will review their products.
Iskra Lawrence
The size-14 model has made waves in the modelling industry and went Instagram-famous after posting her ‘tiger stripe belfie’.
Lawrence has used her Instagram following of 1.3 million to promote body-positivity, and has refused to be airbrushed in her modelling photos.
Explaining her decision to promote fuller figures she told the MailOnline:
I realised at around 18 that instead of trying to change my body to fit into sample sizes I would try to change the industry.
Lawrence is now the ambassador of a highly praised anti-retouching, body positive campaign, and she’s recently taken up a role with lingerie company Aerie, who only publish unretouched photos of their models.
Kayla Itsines
Itsines has just been named one of Time’s most influential people on the internet.
She began her career working in a women’s only personal training centre and explained on her website that she didn’t feel the instructions given to women at the centre provided good enough results. So she did her own research developed her own exercises.
According to Business Insider, Itsines’ massive social media presence was an accident – she didn’t realise followers could view her posts.
Now, the 24-year-old has 4.6 million followers and has made a name for herself as a go-to online health and fitness advisor.
Jordyn Woods
One of Generation Z’s favorite curvy models is 18-year-old model Jordyn Woods, who’s recently been signed by Wilhelmina Curve.
She’s taking Instagram and the industry by storm – thanks to her 927k followers. Woods wants to change the way we look at the plus-sized industry.
She told Teen Vogue:
I just want to make a change in the curve industry because I want other curve girls to realize that you don’t have to dress a certain way because you are curvy. They’re more confident than anyone really. They’re just different — they’re more normal, too, and more people can relate to that because the majority of people aren’t size 2. It’s pretty awesome.
Charlie Barker
19-year-old Charlie Barker never expected to become an internet sensation.
With almost 620,000 followers on Instagram, Barker has become social media famous very quickly.
Barker told Hunger TV that she amassed her following over the summer when she was looking for something to fill her time.
She said about her account:
I became fascinated with the idea that I could have an endless canvas of ideas, connotations and semantics which are completely controlled by me and I love the fact there is (almost) no rules.
She’s now been scouted through Instagram and is signed with Select Models in London.
The definition of fame is changing rapidly thanks to new platforms that are constantly emerging. But while the opportunity to build a profile on social media is growing, so is competition.
It’ll definitely be interesting to see who will keep up in the long run.
