Check out these social media mavericks and daredevils who challenge the status quo, igniting the spark of change in their platforms
In the digital age, it’s unfortunate that exposure can come easier than using one’s authentic voice. Public discourse has become unfiltered and not at all cautious of what it preaches—revealing but not necessarily enlightening. That’s why it is refreshing to see influencers changing the focus of conversation and creating positive change in the world. These content creators in the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle spaces use their influence to make meaningful impacts beyond an idealized version of their lives.
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Amidst the sea of influencers, here’s how Bretman Rock, Bella Racelis, and many more set an example to help redefine what it means to be successful in the digital age.
Bretman Rock
Despite gaining viral fame through his beauty content, Bretman Rock has chosen to continue being himself even without the presence of beauty. In fact, he has spoken out about the beauty industry’s shortcomings. In one of his interviews, the multi-hyphenate star shared his realization on the beauty industry, and that it wasn’t really that beautiful. This led him to redirect his content based on his intuition—making waves in the digital sphere for his unapologetic self-expression.
With the influencer’s recent visit to the Philippines, his unspoken message through his platform reminds the future generation of influencers to let their intuition navigate their own space without worrying about what others might say. His existence in the digital sphere says that being true to oneself is the most beautiful thing one can do, and that the measure of success is not just by our follower count or superficial achievements.
Bella Racelis
With the fact that Bella Racelis has crafted videos of beauty and fashion recommendations, it is clear that the young influencer has nailed her signature style in social media. But now, she proves that she is so much more than this appealing content. Successfully fulfilling the demands of maintaining an online presence while juggling her schedule as a full-time university student proves that personal growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of career goals.
In her YouTube channel, Bella has shared her responsibilities as a student and influencer, inspiring her followers to prioritize their passions while still caring for their personal lives. By showing that success can come in various forms, Bella reminds us that attending to many roles can lead to a fulfilling life online and offline.
Rei Germar
You might admire Rei Germar because of her vintage fits and cute content with her boyfriend, but she is definitely more than just what meets the eye. Beyond her stunning photos on Instagram, one thing that makes Rei Germar stand out is that she doesn’t have to preach it in words to encourage women to be true to themselves. Instead, she influences by example.
In her recent OOTD in Japan, the Filipino content creator wore a crop top amidst the cold weather. Clearly, she is doing things her way without a care in the world about what other people might think. Rei’s fearlessness in expressing herself is inspiring as it shows that women should start embracing their individuality in the digital age as well.
Angelique Manto
Before she became known as one of the official candidates for Miss Universe Philippines 2023, she was first an influencer who owns her morena skin. The aspiring beauty queen has been vocal about her love for her skin tone and how it represents her Filipino identity.
Angelique’s confidence in her skin color has inspired many followers to embrace their own skin and love themselves just the way they are. Her online presence is preaching that we don’t have to conform to society’s standards to be beautiful or successful, and that true beauty comes from within.
Zoe Gabriel
Teen influencer Zoe Gabriel recently gained attention on social media for educating people about privilege. Her viral TikTok post, where she referred to a bag from Charles and Keith as a luxury brand, sparked a conversation about the real definition of luxury and challenged our perceptions of privilege. The post has since gathered millions of views, showing how influential social media can be in starting important conversations, such as fashion standards.
Zoe’s advocacy for equality and equity has caught the attention of Charles and Keith, who recently launched her as their Brand Community Ambassador for Women’s Month. Through her platform, Zoe has empowered women to strive for equality. Her story is a reminder that we all have the power to create positive change, and it starts with being aware of our privileges and using our platforms with substance.
