With the Instagram industry worth well over 1.7 billion dollars and other social media platforms’ following shortly behind, we’ve seen a staggering increase in celebrities and influencers dominating our social feeds with branded content, gifted products and annual partnerships forming on a whole new level. Now with the rise of new media platforms like TikTok and Twitch paving their way onto our screens, we’ve rounded together 12 influencers to follow in 2020.
Cash Baker
Probably more well known among the younger set, Cash Baker, his brother Maverick and sister Lani, are on a viral rising surge thanks to the staggering popularity of TikTok. With a collective reach of over 30 million followers on TikTok alone, the Baker family create similar comedic stunts and video content to the Paul brothers and their popularity is ever growing. Their audience engagement is seriously impressive too, with Cash Baker alone has over 650 million people liking his videos on the social platform.
Having begun her career as a freelance make up artist, Desi Perkins now inspires thousands of individuals daily with her lifestyle and beauty content. With an impressive 3.9 million followers on Instagram alone, Desi creates effortless and easy to follow make up tutorials, ever-popular haul videos and neat interior and lifestyle content.
Jette
With over 80 thousand followers at just 22 years-old, fashion and design Instagram influencer Jette has an impressive engagement rate of around 18% per social post. Largely focusing on fashion and beauty, Jette incorporates illustration in each post and has begun working with major German brands. Serious Instafeed goals if we ever saw them.
For the last couple of years we’ve seen a huge increase in CGI influencers and in 2020 their influence is only set to rise. Rising up the ranks is Shudu, the world’s very first digital supermodel, who’s been accumulating partnership deals from major brands like Fenty Beauty, Ellesse, Tiffany&Co., and was also interviewed by Harpers Bazaar Arabia in 2019. Rocketing into 2020, expect fiercer looks, statement shots and bigger brand partnerships.
If travel photography is your bag, the one to watch in 2020 is photographer Kyle Mijlof. Having travelled to over 60 countries, Mijlof’s photography captivates Mother Earth’s natural beauty at its finest and will make you want to get on the next flight outta the city.
Valencia De’La Clay
Gaining recognition and following from her embodiment of Instagram videos portraying herself teaching, or rather empowering, eighth grade students in her classes, Valencia De’Lay Clay’s following has since soared into its own. In her teachings, she helps to push her students to their fullest potential, think critically and consciously, and be confident in doing so.
Like many, Eugene Lee Yang first shone to fame through his extensive work at BuzzFeed. He’s one of BuzzFeed’s Try Guys and now has over 6.5 million subscribers on his own YouTube channel. 2019 saw Eugene release a coming out music video, as well as an accompanying documentary video displaying his thought process on coming out in the public sphere. He now works incredibly closely with LBGT charities like The Trevor Project and is also widely known for his human right activism.
Sweat and Tell
Best friends Jo and Jacqs first set up their Instagram platform to connect and encourage health and wellness online. From tagging clothing lines in posts to working with health and wellbeing brands, their Instagram profile, Sweat and Tell, now has around 47 thousand followers alone and is sure to increase in the months following. If you’re looking for fitness inspo, these are the girls to follow.
American Model Jazmyne Joy is renowned for her bold looks, short and shaved coloured hair and badass attitude. Springing into the Insta limelight back in 2018 and after featuring in rapper Bad Bunny’s music videos, Jazmyne now has almost 100 thousand followers on Instagram alone and works primarily with fashion and beauty brands. Expect her fearless style to continue slaying throughout 2020.
The only fashion male influencer you need on your radar is New York-based blogger Justin Liv. Known for his slightly longer and more personal captions, he’s worked up a close knit group of followers now stretching to over 300 thousand followers on Insta alone. From men’s beauty products to drinks collaborations, the last few months has seen Justin working with well-known brands like WalmartBeauty, Cointreau and Diet Coke.
Blogger, entrepreneur and New Yorker Katie Sturino is a fashion forward influencer hoping to showcase fashion and style can be any size. Her latest statement post portrayed herself recreating iconic Meghan and Harry outfits, and racked up over 35 thousand likes in less than 24 hours. Pretty iconic.
Klaudia Cloud
Having built an impressive 21 thousand followers in a matter of months, Klaudia Cloud is a freelance PR consultant and digital manager by day, and an Instagram sensation by night. Having worked in PR herself, she sure knows a thing or two about brand partnerships and sponsored content too. Certainly one to watch throughout 2020.
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Wondering what trends will be popping into 2020? Check out our guide to influencer trends coming this year.