TECH PRIOR

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

YOUTUBE SENSATIONIN ADDITION TO HER INSTAGRAM, SHE ALSO STARTED A YOUTUBE CHANNEL IN WHICH SHE POSTED VIDEOS OF HERSELF SINGING COVERS OF HIT POP SONGS. ASIDE FROM A GIFTED SINGER, SHE WAS ALSO A SONGWRITER, AND SHOWCASED THIS SKILL WITH A VIDEO OF HER ORIGINAL SONG ‘FIGHTER’, WHICH GARNERED 300,000 VIEWS AND CATAPULTED HER CHANNEL TO OVER 13,000 SUBSCRIBERS. IT WAS CLEAR THAT FANS WERE LOVING HER CONTENT, BUT SHE WOULD SOON DISCOVER A SOMEWHAT DARKER SIDE OF FAME.

OBSESSED FANS

A BRUSH WITH THE DARK SIDE

Soon there were online communities devoted to talking about her, like several forums and even an entire Subreddit. With such dedication from her followers, it is no wonder why an adult movie site decided to use her face for advertising. While it was later revealed the images were Photoshopped and eventually taken down, it was nevertheless a sign that she had reached peak Internet fame. And yet, she was about to get even bigger.

INSTAGRAM STAR CROSSOVER

Her popularity surged once more in 2015, when she was photographed hanging out with none other than Dan Bilzerian, known to some as the “King of Instagram”. She even shared a picture on her own Instagram, getting up close and personal with the renowned ladies man. Though she deleted it later, it did not stop the speculation and many wondered if the two were dating. And it wasn’t just fans who where paying attention to the social media star…

MEDIA DARLING

Her Internet popularity was such that established publications started noticing her. In June 2016, she was featured in a MAXIM Magazine post that mentioned her “scorching Instagram feed”. She was also interviewed by The Idle Man, where she was asked what piece of advice she’d give to her younger self. “I would tell her that it’s so important to keep things in perspective”, she answered. Perhaps this was a hint of what was to come.

VANISHED

Then in 2017 a strange thing happened. Her Instagram and Twitter accounts disappeared, and many of her YouTube videos were deleted. All that was left was her Facebook, which hadn’t been updated in months. Fans, left at the mercy of conspiracy theorists and impersonators with fake accounts, began to wonder if something had happened to her. Where was she?

MENTAL ILLNESS

A NEW START

Finally, a few months later, the truth unfolded. Sick of being famous for having a pretty face and a hot body, she decided she wanted to focus on her singer/songwriter career. She knew she had talent and was determined to make it on her own terms. Though she hasn’t posted new material in nearly two years, we’d like to think she’s busy building up her comeback. So… who is she?

WHO IS SHE?

Her name is Claire Abbott, born in Canada in 1998. Her first forays into social media started in 2012, and she’s been in the spotlight since she was 15. So it makes sense she would want to take a break! And while we wait for her triumphant return to the Internet, she’s not the only Instagram celebrity we can follow for lifestyle tips and fashion photos. Which of these will be the next big thing?

MIMI ELASHIRY

With almost 900,000 followers on Instagram, Australian model Mimi Elashiry has been able to build an impressive career purely through social media. Having had trouble finding an agency to represent her due to her short height (5’6”), her online popularity has forced big brands to notice her. She’s been featured in Teen Vogue and GQ, and has modeled for Tommy Hilfiger and Sweaty Betty.

LUANNA PEREZ-GARREAUD

Luanna Perez-Garreaud is a fashion blogger from Peru living in New York. Her fire-red hair and unique sense of style have helped her amass 2 million Instagram followers. Not only does she regularly collaborate with beauty brands such as Biore, she is proud of her Peruvian heritage and is happy to share travel tips for those who visit her homeland.

CHARLIE BARKER

With her cotton candy-colored hair, model and artist Charlie Barker’s aesthetics were perfect for Instagram. Her more than 500,000 followers would seem to agree. Having dabbled in painting, she is now part of music duo TRIGGRD. Their latest video launched in September 2017 and so far has garnered 37,000 views.

BRIAN WHITTAKER

Who says only women can be Instagram-famous? Brian Whittaker was discovered when a fellow model came across his Instagram and told him to contact his agency. Soon, the British model was on all the runways, and he won the heart of Swedish singer Zara Larsson. But his more than 800,000 followers don’t seem to mind.

ROSANNA PANSINO