Meet the Indian MrBeast and the U.K.’s Kim Kardashian: Unveiling International Influencers

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You could consider following Alix Earle and Brittany Broski for their down-to-earth, relatable vibe. Perhaps you’ve listened to Jake Shane’s candid “Therapuss” podcast or watched tradwife Nara Smith prepare old-fashioned recipes while discussing traditional gender roles. However, beyond the United States, there’s a vast internet community thriving as well.

Worldwide, innovators are amassing billions of views and even impacting cultural discussions and political perspectives. The Hollywood Reporter’s compilation of international influencers features a feng-shui expert from Singapore, a viral Korean convenience store creator, an Indian counterpart to MrBeast, TikTok’s most popular individual, and more. Who is the U.K.’s equivalent to Kim Kardashian? Or what does it mean to be famous as an influencer in a war zone? Keep reading to find out.

ANNA IN SEOUL

@annainseoul (South Korea)

In Seoul, Anna stands out as a beacon of relatable comfort: This popular influencer, who is both a South Korean resident and a college student, has amassed over 2.2 million followers on TikTok, and a combined total of 429,000 across Instagram and YouTube. She captivates her audience daily with vlogs, offering tips about the top spots in Seoul, sharing insights into life as a content creator, and showcasing Korean convenience store videos filled with mouthwatering finds. Anna’s videos appeal to both local and international audiences: she communicates primarily in English, inviting followers to spend a week with her in Seoul, join her on appointments or embark on days off adventures. Through her transparent lens, Anna guides us on an intimate tour of the hottest beauty and skincare trends in South Korea, making viewers feel like they’re just tagging along with an old friend in one of the world’s most bustling cities.

MOLLY-MAE HAGUE

@mollymae (U.K.)

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel awestruck when I think about Molly-Mae’s dedicated fanbase. This 25-year-old star rose to prominence during season five of the U.K.’s Love Island, which catapulted her into the limelight as a promising influencer. However, it’s her shrewd business acumen that has kept her relevant six years later, making her the top content creator in Britain today. The news of her split from boxer Tommy Fury in August sent shockwaves across the nation, particularly since they share a child, Bambi, and were planning their wedding. In many ways, she’s like the British version of Kim Kardashian. Hague has leveraged her 10 million-plus fanbase (8 million on Instagram and 2 million on YouTube) to establish her own clothing brand, Maebe, and is the star of a two-part Prime Video docuseries, Molly-Mae: Behind It All.

KHABY LAME

@khaby00 (Italy/Senegal)

The Senegalese-Italian content creator, known as Lame, holds the record for the most followers on TikTok with an astounding 160 million (and 2.5 billion likes). Across his primary platforms, Instagram and YouTube, he boasts a staggering total of approximately 255 million followers, which is roughly equivalent to the entire population of Pakistan. His fame stems from his humorous content, often mocking overly complex “life hack” videos or acting in skits. His success is not just impressive but extraordinary: He’s served as a judge on Italia’s Got Talent and a juror at Cannes in 2022, and has even ventured into kitchenware design. Lame also has profitable partnerships with brands like Hugo Boss, Fortnite, and Sony Pictures, according to Forbes. In the world of Hollywood, Lame has made his mark with voice cameos in the Italian-dubbed Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the 2024 action film Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

LÉNA MAHFOUF/LÉNA SITUATIONS

@lenamahfouf (France)

One of the most prominent social media figures in France, the French-Algerian YouTube sensation and Instagram star, boasts over 7.8 million followers across both platforms. She offers her audience a sneak peek into the luxurious lifestyle of a young adult residing in Paris. Mahfouf provides advice on fashion and beauty trends, and achieved best-selling author status with her self-help book, “Always More“. In 2021, she was recognized as one of Forbes France‘s 30 Under 30 in the Entertainment & Cinema category, and in 2022, she became the first French influencer to be invited to Anna Wintour’s exclusive Met Gala. She hosts her own Spotify podcast, has attended the Cannes Film Festival, collaborated with sportswear giant Adidas, and served as a guest judge on “Drag Race France“.

ELENA MANDZIUK

@elena_mandziuk (Ukraine)

Initially gaining popularity as a travel influencer, Mandziuk found herself adjusting her content following Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Now, she uses her Instagram platform to show both the enjoyable aspects of her travels and the grim reality of war-stricken Ukraine. With over a million followers, this mother of two serves as a constant reminder of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, collaborating with charities for fundraising efforts, posting photos of destroyed homes, and showering praise upon frontline soldiers. Additionally, she openly discusses her experiences as a mother amidst a country at war and even landed a feature in Vogue Ukraine last year due to her significant social media impact.

CARRYMINATI

@carryminati (India)

Ajey Nagar, better known by his online alias CarryMinati, is an Indian YouTube sensation and streamer who reigns supreme in Asia as the most subscribed individual YouTuber, boasting over 43 million followers. Additionally, he has a massive following on Instagram of more than 20 million users, giving him a staggering reach of approximately 60 million people. Known primarily for his humorous Hindi-language skits, roasts, and comedy videos, CarryMinati also delves into rapping and live gaming. His YouTube journey started when he was just 10 years old, but he has been setting records and making history since then, becoming the first Indian YouTuber to surpass 30 million subscribers in May 2021 and 40 million subscribers in August 2023. His live content on CarryIsLive has raised funds for disaster victims, both in India and abroad, such as those affected by the Kerala floods in 2018 and the Australian bushfires in 2020. Recently, he’s collaborated with popular YouTuber MrBeast and U.S. chef Nick DiGiovanni.

CLIFF TAN

@dearmodern (Singapore)

Now you know!

YI MENGLING

@yimengling (China)

26-year-old Mengling, boasting an impressive 1 million Instagram followers and an astounding 12.5 million on Douyin (the Chinese equivalent of TikTok), is a leading fashion influencer whose online fame has earned her magazine covers. This social media sensation is highly recognized in her homeland China for teaming up with global powerhouse brands such as Loewe, Tiffany & Co., Fendi, and Valentino. At such a young age, she’s already attended some of the most exclusive Paris Fashion Week events and her unique style has gained her widespread internet adoration in the realm of fashion. Her Instagram feed, meticulously arranged, presents images of her travels and stylish outfits alongside glimpses into the lavish lifestyle of a globally acclaimed designer’s favorite. In essence: Mengling’s seamless integration into the fashion industry has effectively transformed her into a celebrated figure in China.

SHAHD BATAL

@shahdbatal (Sudan)

A Sudanese-American social media personality residing in Dubai has garnered over 600,000 followers on YouTube and Instagram by sharing relatable content about maintaining elegance amidst chaos, such as her experiences as a young Muslim woman. At 28 years old, she’s been open about her mental health struggles, even taking a break from social media at one point. Now, she produces high-end content including stunning desert photoshoots, stylish outfits, and designer collaborations. Additionally, Batal utilizes her platform to bring attention to the turmoil in her homeland, Sudan, where millions have been displaced and up to 150,000 lives may have been lost since the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces began in 2023. Batal continues to advocate for peace, a value reflected in her calming and serene content.

KISSY DUERRÉ

@kissyduerre (Canada)

Canadian activist Duerré found inspiration to share content on various platforms following the global outrage sparked by the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Today, she has amassed over 800,000 followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, using her online presence to shed light on her life as a Black trans woman while addressing the intersection of transphobia, misogyny, and racism. Her content was noticed by TikTok executives, who chose Duerré for their #MakeBlackHistory campaign during Black History Month. In addition to being educational, her content is also humorous, promoting and uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community while showcasing her love for fashion and beauty. As she puts it, her mission is to “share my personal journey towards womanhood in a way that inspires courage and self-love in others.

You can find this story in the May 7 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Consider subscribing for more updates!

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2025-05-09 19:55