In 2024, social media influencers didn’t just shape trends—they rewrote the rules of fame, commerce, and cultural impact. With the influencer industry ballooning to a $250 billion ecosystem, per Goldman Sachs estimates, these digital creators turned likes into millions and followers into movements. From comedy to philanthropy, fashion to gaming, the top ten influencers of 2024 blended charisma, innovation, and raw influence to dominate platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and beyond. Drawing from rankings by Forbes, Rolling Stone, and industry insights like Lefty.io, here’s our definitive list of the year’s most powerful voices—still resonating into 2025.
10. Emma Chamberlain – The Relatable Trailblazer
Platforms: YouTube, Instagram
Followers: 15M (Instagram), 11M (YouTube)
Emma Chamberlain, 23, redefined authenticity in 2024 with her unfiltered vlogs and Hot Mess podcast on Alex Cooper’s Unwell network. Her coffee brand, Chamberlain Coffee, expanded into Asia and Europe, raking in millions while she co-hosted the Met Gala, merging social media with high fashion. Posts on X praised her “casual cool” vibe, and her $12 million earnings (Forbes) reflect her entrepreneurial edge. Chamberlain’s relatable charm keeps her a Gen Z staple into 2025.
9. Kai Cenat – The Streaming Phenom
Platforms: Twitch, YouTube
Followers: 13M (Twitch), 8M (YouTube)
Kai Cenat, 22, turned Twitch into his personal playground in 2024, hosting stars like Kevin Hart and popularizing slang like “rizz.” His chaotic IRL stunts—like the 2023 Union Square PS5 giveaway that sparked a riot—cemented his pull, despite controversy. With $15 million in earnings (Forbes), Cenat’s blend of gaming and unscripted banter keeps him a streaming kingpin, with early 2025 streams already breaking viewership records.
8. Alix Earle – The TikTok It-Girl
Platforms: TikTok, Instagram
Followers: 6M (TikTok), 3.7M (Instagram)
Alix Earle, 23, soared in 2024 with raw, relatable TikTok confessionals—think “puke dress” closet tours—and a Sports Illustrated digital cover. Her podcast Hot Mess and Kid LAROI music video cameo amplified her reach, earning her $10 million (Forbes). X fans call her “the friend you wish you had,” and her beauty brand collabs signal a 2025 poised for more viral moments.
7. Charli D’Amelio – The Dance Dynasty
Platforms: TikTok, Instagram
Followers: 154M (TikTok), 43M (Instagram)
Charli D’Amelio, 20, remained TikTok’s dance queen in 2024, leveraging her “Renegade” fame into a $20 million empire (Forbes). With D’Amelio Footwear and The D’Amelio Show, she’s transcended her viral roots. Her 2024 Dunkin’ Donuts campaigns and family brand deals show her staying power—X chatter predicts she’ll dominate 2025’s creator economy too.
6. Huda Kattan – The Beauty Mogul
Platforms: Instagram, YouTube
Followers: 51.9M (Instagram, Huda Beauty), 4M (personal)
Huda Kattan, 41, turned Huda Beauty into a 2024 powerhouse, generating $200 million in earned media value (Lefty.io). Her Instagram blends tutorials with advocacy, earning her a spot on Forbes’ most powerful influencers list. X users laud her “game-changing palettes,” and her 2025 tease of new launches suggests her reign isn’t slowing.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo – The Sports Icon
Platforms: Instagram, TikTok
Followers: 635M (Instagram), 50M (TikTok)
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, isn’t just a soccer legend—he’s 2024’s most-followed influencer, with 733 million across platforms (Fourthwall). His $1.6 million-per-post Instagram deals with Nike and Binance showcase his unmatched reach. Playing for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s 2024 posts of training and family life kept fans hooked—X calls him “the GOAT online and off.”
4. Selena Gomez – The Wellness Warrior
Platforms: Instagram, TikTok
Followers: 450M (Instagram), 65M (TikTok)
Selena Gomez, 32, topped 2024’s influence charts with Rare Beauty’s inclusivity push and Wondermind’s mental health advocacy. Her $20 million earnings (Forbes) and 2024 posts—like Sephora’s Rare Impact Fund drive—resonated deeply. X fans adore her “realness,” and her 2025 music hints promise another blockbuster year.
3. Khabane “Khaby” Lame – The Silent Sensation
Platforms: TikTok, Instagram
Followers: 170M (TikTok), 80M (Instagram)
Khaby Lame, 24, ruled 2024 with his wordless comedy, debunking life hacks with a deadpan stare. His $15 million haul (Forbes) came from brands like Hugo Boss and Binance, proving humor transcends borders. X posts hail him as “the universal king”—his early 2025 golf skit already hints at more viral gold.
2. Jisoo – The Fashion Phenom
Platforms: Instagram
Followers: 76M
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, 30, claimed 2024’s fashion crown, leaping to No. 1 on Lefty.io’s influencer list with $227 million in earned media value for Dior. Her 5% engagement rate and chic posts dominated luxury trends. X fans dubbed her “the queen of style,” and her 2025 Dior campaigns are already teased as iconic.
1. MrBeast – The Philanthropic Powerhouse
Platforms: YouTube, TikTok
Followers: 219M (YouTube), 100M (TikTok)
Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, 26, reigned supreme in 2024 with $82 million in earnings (Forbes), doubling his YouTube subs to 219 million. His stunts—like rebuilding villages—and ventures (MrBeast Burger, Feastables) amassed 4 billion views. X calls him “the internet’s Santa,” and his early 2025 projects (think $300K campaigns) solidify his top spot.
The Influence Evolution
These ten titans—spanning comedy, music, sports, and beauty—collectively boast over 2.7 billion followers (Forbes), up 100 million from 2023. Their $720 million combined earnings in 2024 highlight a creator economy on fire, with Goldman Sachs eyeing $500 billion by 2027. From MrBeast’s altruism to Jisoo’s elegance, they’re not just influencers—they’re cultural architects. As 2025 dawns, expect these stars to keep pushing boundaries, one post at a time.
.jpeg)
.jpg)
0 Comments