It’s that time of month! Feast your eyes on this month’s Influencer Chronicles. From Justin Bieber’s cryptic random birds posts to launch his new brand, to Instagram’s new editing app, and this month’s tea featuring Mariah Carey joining her son’s Twitch stream, and Katy Perry facing criticism for her space mission.Read on for the latest Influencer news.
On the radar
JUSTIN BIEBER’S RANDOM BIRD POSTS TO LAUNCH A BRAND
Justin Bieber has been posting random bird photo dumps on Instagram for months, sparking speculation about his mental health or a potential album. The posts fueled concerns amid divorce rumors, links to the P. Diddy scandal, and news of ex Selena Gomez’s engagement.
But it was all leading up to the launch of his fashion brand — SKYLRK, named after the bird skylark. He’s teased pieces like sunglasses, beanies, sneakers, and sweatshirts: minimalist, yet bold. ne’s head.
INFLUENCERS TRYING THE NUBBIN DEVICE: REAL OR FAKE?
Celebrities and content creators caused chaos online by unboxing and testing the Nubbin device by TCKR Systems. When placing it on their temples, they appeared to enter a virtual consciousness.
While many people were alarmed by what looked like a disturbing leap in AI, it turned out to be a marketing stunt by Netflix to promote Season 7 of Black Mirror. They even created a real website for the fake device.
Though many saw it as genius, others worry it’s closer to becoming reality than we think.
INFLUENCER JAKE SHANE JOINS “HACKS” SEASON 4
Jake Shane, the American influencer and comedian. also known as Octopusslover8, confirmed he’ll appear on season four of Hacks, which premiered April 10 on Max.
Shane plays the role of Social Media Girlie.
Most recently, Shane starred in the Super Bowl commercial for Poppi. He is also currently hosting his biggest tour to date, “Live with Jake Shane,” which will span more than 35 cities across North America.
Topics of the month
INSTAGRAM EDITS APP FOR CREATORS
Instagram has launched Edits, a video editing app that’s intended to rival the TikTok-linked equivalent CapCut. Edits is described as a “video creation app designed for creators,” and includes tools for project management, tracking notes and ideas, and data on video performance. The editing features are remarkably similar to those in CapCut. Its integration with Instagram’s ecosystem and focus on user-friendly, AI-enhanced tools make it a promising option for content creators seeking to elevate their video production.
The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and with it, the definition of a creator. A new report from YouTube to coincide with their 20th anniversary looks at the rise of VTubers (virtual creators) that are redefining online expression and audience connection. Last year a sample of just 300 Virtual Creators on YouTube earned over 15 billion views across videos, livestreams, and Shorts, with one billion of those views coming from the U.S. alone.
New research reveals an evolving landscape in luxury shopping. It has revealed, 27% of fashion and beauty shoppers who follow influencers have purchased luxury items directly through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This marks a significant shift in consumer behavior, particularly in a market traditionally associated with exclusive, in-person retail experiences.
Cassidy Rippentrop is a micro-influencer bringing fresh content creation to the scene.She creates fashion videos with a 90’s movie/Y2K vibe and impressive editing skills.
Recently, Cassidy went viral with a creative way to showcase her outfits of the day. Her creativity has everyone in the comment section claiming she’s started a trend and praising how cool her approach is. In less than a month, Cassidy has grown by 213.93%.
Cassidy is a great example that audience size is not always equivalent to quality. She shows how, regardless of audience size, creativity and an unexpected, original format can go viral. Her success adds hope to those who criticize social media for being a space dominated only by trends and algorithm rules.
Maya’s creations are a testament to creativity’s boundless nature. She crafts garments and accessories from items like pasta shells, toilet paper, playing cards, and even bread. Her work challenges conventional fashion norms, turning mundane materials into high-concept, wearable sculptures.
Her innovative approach has caught the eye of major fashion houses. Maya has collaborated with Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, and Maison Margiela, creating unique pieces that blend humor, satire, and high fashion.
Why you should follow them?
If you’re interested in art that defies expectations and celebrates creativity in all its forms, Maya is a must-follow. Her feed is a daily dose of inspiration, humor, and artistic innovation. into her duck-loving world.
Spill the tea
Matilda Djerf accused of plagiarism
After the recent scandal surrounding how she treated her brand’s employees, Matilda Djerf is now involved in another controversy. Her brand, Djerf Avenue, is being accused of plagiarizing someone else’s design without giving credit. The Djerf Avenue team claimed they believed it was a vintage photo from a magazine.
2. Mariah Carey crashes her son’s Twitch live stream
Moroccan Cannon had a surprise guest stop by for a recent Twitch stream – his superstar mother, Mariah Carey. Carey responds to her son’s audience, which he says is just under 40 viewers at the moment she appears on camera. “Hi, you guys!” she says, smiling. “I love you, too.”
The popstar was in a state of euphoria after completing the historic 11-minute flight, but not everyone shared her enthusiasm. Katy Perry may find herself coming back down to earth with a thud after a number of celebrities tore into her for taking part in the Blue Origin mission, which they branded “gluttonous” and “planet destroying”.
Online influencers are starting to cross over from our mobile feeds into mainstream entertainment, challenging actors and celebrities for a place on the big screen. This shift is also sparking conversations about talent VS popularity. Some argue that influencers lack the training and depth of professional actors. Others argue that the industry has always been driven by charisma and audience pull, and influencers are simply a modern evolution of the celebrity archetype.
THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHENTICITY
Plagiarism is particularly damaging when committed by influencers because it undermines trust, devalues original creators, and perpetuates unethical practices in highly visible ways. Often, plagiarism involves taking ideas from less well-known artists, photographers, or designers who lack the platform to defend themselves. This reinforces power imbalances and stifles creative diversity.
GROWING OPS FOR LUXURY BRANDS
TikTok and Instagram are fundamentally transforming how luxury is perceived, marketed, and purchased. As a result, luxury brands must evolve their strategies to remain relevant, leveraging social commerce and influencer partnerships or risk losing connection with a younger, digitally native audience.
